Lesson 3: Sixth Years

[Desideria Tapia]

A folly potion, one Desideria herself was not fond of. It was ridiculous to think one could make another fall by manipulation. Not only did it bring out trust issues between friends and lovers, but it also brought into speculation thoughts of what love really constituted as. A potion used for greed and such follies as lust, there was only one reason Desideria was willing to teach it to her class. The potion itself was difficult, challenging, and it was right on the level she hoped her class was at. If they were Sixth years, they had to have passed O.W.L.s to make it into her class, they had to know what they were doing. If they didn't, it would only give the woman a reason to remove them from her classroom. Potions of such weariness were to be treated cautiously. A reason she had a rule, something that was to be followed. Potions were not to be removed from her classroom, and if she got wind of one having done such, they would be finding themselves on the way not only to detention for a month for merely taking the potion, but they would also find themselves in front of the Headmistress.

With her students in this particular class ranging from ages fifteen to sixteen, she hoped they were bright enough to know not to mess around with potions. There were to be no games and play in this lesson. Yes, she hoped the potions would be tested by her students, as she had an antidote at hand, quite a bit of it, but she still would not allow a student to use a potion that was too potent or so far off the marker she couldn't recognize it as what it was supposed to be.

While many may not have thought the lesson one worth learning, much as she believed of it, it was still worth it for the mere lesson. To see how the ingredients could make something that was banned by many governments work properly, to hopefully be able to recognize it if it were ever brought to the lips of themselves, that was why she was teaching it. The beauty of the potion was nearly unmatched in its area, but it was harmful, dreadful, and ridiculous.

It would be made clear at the beginning of the lesson her own thoughts on it. Whether a student cared to hear or not, they would listen. It would also be made clear what consequences awaited for those who decided to fool around in her class while making the potion.

Sitting at her desk, hair neatly pinned back into a bun, hat sitting at an unnatural angle, Desideria had out a deck of cards. There wasn't much to do before the class, so she decided to play a hand of solitaire while waiting for her students to enter and take their seat at the table they wished to, three or four to each. On the board behind the plump woman was written:

Potions
Professor D. Tapia

[Charlie Jones]

At the open door, the lone Slytherin girl stood, her face white with little expression but just a tinge of fear. She was a step away from the threshold, and one thought away from total resistence of the class.

Of course, this had become usual for her everytime she had Potions class. It wasn't very special per say, however it just cut her short from her normal perspective, as just the image of vials, flasks, and cauldrons connected her to Amber. She knew whatever bit of magical knowledge Amber left behind, Charlie could feel it inside her. It wasn't that she became a potions genius, yet she had developed a slightly tuned intuition when it came mixing ingredients.

She avoided the one thought and continued to come into the class, and towards her usual spot. From afar, her perfect vision caught on to the Professor's solitare game. "You can use that seven of hearts, y'know," she muttered before setting herself down.

First student in. And the first student out, she thought to herself hopefully. It was just too uncomfortable to have this sudden strength in a field that she was always mediocre in.

[cronon]

Walking down to the dungeons, Alexander was confused again about his classes and which ones he had actually passed and which ones he had not. Damn OWLs, and their damn grading system... he thought to himself and he searched through his bag of items. He knew his schedule was there somewhere, but if he had to go to potions, which he was sure he failed, then he wasn't about to be late to it. No, he had to be there if he was supposed to be, and without the schedule....not to mention without a decent memory and willingness to pay attention in classes he was usually in, he had no idea. His mother would have killed him for sure.

Walking by the room and standing in the doorway, he finally found his schedule just as he was walking in to the unfamiliar room. Nope, he knew it! Alexander was not supposed to be in that class, and turning around to make his way back to the common room he sighed with relief. At least that was one less class he wouldn't need to be posting in attending.

[Desideria Tapia]

Breifly glancing up from the cards splayed out in front of her, Desideria smiled. The words of the girl were a little hard to hear, but not too much. Something about a heart. Yes, they were going to be doing something about the heart in that class, or rather, creating non-existent follies of the heart for the sake of learning a difficult potion.

"Quite true, Miss," she smiled brightly in return. "We're learning about matters of the 'eart today. Though, I 'ope you don't put too much stock into it. It's such a petty matter in life, something not to be fooled with." Was she saying she didn't believe in love? Surely not. Desideria just dealt with emotions as little as possible. They only got in the way of learning and work.

When yet another student entered, she smiled. Another bright smile to welcome into the art of potion making, but a frown crossed her features when the boy turned high tail and began walking out. Just where did he think he was going? That would cost House points from him if he dared to leave her room when there was a lesson to be taught. He would learn not to do such in the future if he crossed back into the corridor.

"Just where do you think you're going, sir?" she asked, standing her short frame up from the chair. Moving swiftly around it, Desideria quickly crossed half the room in a few footsteps, no one would be leaving her classroom without warrant that day.

[Drew Thornton]

Drew was trying to get to class but found a slight bottleneck at the door, Alex the Hufflepuff, blocking his way as he tried to figure out where he was going. Drew stood back patiently, waiting for the doorway to clear so he could get in and grab a good seat for Hiro and himself. The two Ravenclaws had teamed up for potions since the beginning, Hiro's superiour cooking skills helping Drew who acted as the eyes for his blind housemate.

Of course, before any potion making was to be done, Drew would have to get inside.

[cronon]

Alexander had turned and started to walk away down the corridor almost running into Drew as he did so. That kid seemed to be everywhere and Alexander was even more annoyed with himself for ever meeting the guy as much as he had. Alexander gave Drew a look of denial (as if he was trying to say that he had done nothing wrong) as he heard the professor of the class speak. As she did as such, Alexander's mouth dropped and eyes grew wide.

Oh, buggar... he said to himself barely turning around before the professor was right in front of him. Short stature, plain but attractive face, and a bit on the bigger side, and Alexander openened his mouth slightly to speak. Politely he said, "I've realized, ma'am, that I am no longer able to take the Potions class..." Alexander smiled sweetly as if not to be anymore offensive as he probably already was. He just hoped that the humiliation would end there, but then again...he had to remember that he wasn't in a fairy tale.

[Desideria Tapia]

"No longer able to take it?" she questioned the boy's words. How could one not be able to take the class? As long as he could add and stir, she didn't understand. He had two arms and head, that's all that was needed for potion brewing. "You look intact enough to me you shouldn't have a trouble whiping up a potion. Why can't you you take it?"

Desideria saw the other student out in the hall waiting to be let in, but she wasn't done. If this boy tried to escape her class, that boy out there would work good for blocking him from leaving. And with the woman right there too, he wouldn't get away easily. The brashness of her behavior was showing, but she didn't mind. The professor wasn't going to give away to her dragon like anger, no reason for it. She just couldn't believe someone was going to skip out on her class when she'd done all the preperations for it.

[cronon]

"Ma'am," Alexander looked at her with a sort of pleading in his eyes. Wasn't it obvious that he had not passed the OWL for this class, and therefore could not take it? Alexander looked behind him at Drew with an apologetic look, and then back to the professor.

He couldn't believe that he'd actually have to say out loud that he didn't pass the bloody exam. "Professor, I didn't pass the exam with a high enough grade in order to partake in your class. Where I am able to stir and mix, the ingredients mess me up a bit sometimes, and I didn't do so well with being watched like a hawk during the exam." Not to mention he hadn't at all paid much attention, but what was surprising about that?

[Drew Thornton]

Drew watched the scenario play out, a bit interested. He wasn't about to stop Alex from leaving, but he saw no reason why the Huffle couldn't stay. Drew was currently sitting in on the Astronomy classes despite the fact that he had bombed that particular OWL. It was just a matter of whether or not this woman would let the Huffle sit in on her lessons.

And if it came down to it, Drew would offer to let the guy work with him and Hiro. He didn't think the other Ravenclaw would mind too much.

[Desideria Tapia]

Well this was nonesense if she ever heard any. As if someone couldn't brew a potion just because they didn't pass a government-mandated test. If student had the proper body parts, they could take her class. There was no reason why she thought this young man couldn't partake. It was a matter of confidence according to what he was saying, that's what the problem must have been.

"Grade, schmade," she spoke, making sure to make it perfectly clear he wasn't going to get away by a pansy answer like that. "Potion brewing is an art, you're only graded because we're made to grade you by people who want to make themselves look better because they passed. I see no reason why you shouldn't be allowed to come to my class."

Setting her jaw, she was deciding right then. This boy could join their class, and if he was uncomfortable with making potions in front of everyone else, she was more than willing to give extra lessons and he could act as her helper in the class. Absolutely no reason why he couldn't. Ye, he could be like a special T.A.

"I take it since you enter my class, you do not have one right at this moment?" she asked, and without waiting for an answer continued. "What's your name?" she asked, grabbing his elbow and guiding him toward the front of the room. "Because I think we can figure something out. There's no reason why you shouldn't take my class. By the time we're done with the year, you're going to be an expert, I can feel it in my bones."

[Drew Thornton]

Drew smirked as the woman took hold of Alex. While he agreed that potion making might be considered an art, it was still held to the same rigors as anything else in life. Some people were better at it than others. It had nothing to do with making anyone look better. Some people just were. You didn't poo-ppo a five star chef just because you couldn't make a decent flambe.

He supposed it didn't matter. The door was clear now and Drew could take his seat. He threw his book bag on the floor and got his supplies ready, keeping an eye on the door for Hiro.

[cronon]

Alexander's eyes opened wide. What was happening? Was she....no way was she going to make him stay for a class he didn't even have to take. It wasn't that he wouldn't if he had to take it, but by not passing the OWL, that was almost like he had an extra hour to sleep or do something productive....like take another shower....or something...

Alexander could already see that he was in a losing battle before it even started because before he could open his mouth to say, 'no thanks', the woman was asking for his name and grabbing his elbow leading him into the classroom. And to the front of the classroom, of all places he'd have to be! Bloody Hell.... he said to himself as the corners of his mouth twitched, daring to form a disgusted frown. He could hardly believe his luck. "M...my name, Ma'am? Alexander....Alexander Cronon II..." Alexander trailed off as the woman started speaking again about how he.....him....Alexander Rufus Cronon II was going to be a potions expert. If he wasn't terrified, he would have laughed hysterically at this remark.

"Ma'am...I'm not so sure..." he tried to say, before he finally made it to the front of the room, and could have died from just pure humiliation in general. This was about to be....a very long next couple of months. Alexander could feel it.

[Desideria Tapia]

"Yes your name, don't be shy now," she answered, continuing to lead him up to the front of the classroom. Her desk would work perfectly, they could speak for a few moments about what it was he wanted to do. Whether to take part in the class or to just observe for a bit, and of course he would be so useful.

"Well, Mr. Cronon, I believe you are going to learn more about potions in these next few months than you ever thought possible. First we're going to have to figure something out," she answered, pulling papers from her desk drawers. "Let's see here...Yes! This is perfect. I don't have too many students in this class, so there'll be no problem adding another. And being as you didn't pass, I'll even do a something. Instead of buying your own potions, you can use from my stock."

Desideria thought this was awfully kind of her, being how expensive kits were getting to be. "Don't be shy, don't be shy," she repeated. "There's nothing not to be sure about. I'll teach, you'll learn, what could go wrong in that? Potions is a wonderful subject to be knowledgeable in, sonny. You can learn to save a life, learn how to tell when someone is trying to poison you through use of drinks, and even learn how to create an array of creams for any silly flaw. You see boy, I had a bad bout of Dragon Pox, but do you see any marks on my face? No?" Without waiting for an answer yet again, she continued speaking. "That's because I created my own cream to cover them up. But of course, you don't want to hear about such follies as facial creams. I bet you're more interested in the poisons?"

This was going to be great. Soemone she could take under her wing and teach. Potions wasn't a matter of being good or bad, it was a matter of practice of measuring and following directions, making subtle changes, things of the sort.

[cronon]

His eyes literally bugged out of his head. What was...the woman was incredibly off her rocker! Before he could say anything she was speaking a mile a minute. He couldn’t even respectfully decline, and if he did now, after she had offered her own stock and such for his own use it’d be rude. But he could feel himself wanting to complain so badly, for he didn’t want to take a class in po….did she say facial cream? That covered pox?

Alexander’s attention was caught and he tried to listen rather than complain to himself in his own mind. Save a life? Facial cream…”Oh, no Ma’am….poisons?” Alexander’s eyes bugged even more at that moment. Who did she think he was? An evil wizard? He kept his comments to himself. Though, he gave in. It wasn’t as if he did have a class at that time, and if he wasn’t being graded…it wasn’t as if he could fail it….(again)….and one never did know.

So, reluctantly he convinced himself that he had gotten himself stuck. Whether or not he liked it, he was about to take the potions class. This was cruel and unusual punishment if he ever witnessed it. Regaining his eyes back to their sockets, Alexander nodded. More to himself than to the Professor, which he noticed then her name written on the board. Tapia? Wasn’t that a pudding?

“So…if you don’t mind me asking early, Professor…what are we learning to make today?” Alexander said, a bit afraid that it was a poison since she was so excited about them.

[Desideria Tapia]

Boys were usually interested in the poisons, or the aspect of being able to detect them. Even working the U.K. over boys, no matter their age, always seemed interested in the poisons. Half of them weren't even that complicated to brew, the more interesting ones, like luck, death, life, medicine in a vial, those were the ones that were worth learning, or at least to Desideria. Her brown eyes flickered up the young man's face and she saw the expression, it was over-whelming joy, she could see it already.

"Well, not really the poisons, I suppose since that's against all regulations, but I can teach you 'ow to detect them, to be sure no one's slipping anything into your drinks when your'e a bit older and 'aving a night on the town." Yes, this was going to be great. He'd be her special case, and anyone else too, who wished for a bit of extra lessons, she was more than willing to offer her services in the case. "And I can show you a few silly potions, folly ones, ones that are important for any self-respecting witch or wizard to know."

"Today, sonny, we're learning one of the most disrespectable potions ever. One made to create emotions in people that are truly not there, one that divides friends, lovers, and brings enemies together. It's actually against most regulations, the Ministry would probably 'ave my 'ead for teaching it to you lot, but I think there's something worth learning in it. We're not going to use this for more than a moment, to see the effects, and I 'ave the antidote right up 'ere," she told him, patting at a breast pocket. "I can't even begin to tell you 'ow much I loath this potion, my dear boy."

It was all she could do to teach it. Desideria reminded herself it was only because it was a difficult potion, the only reason she was teaching it.

"A damned love potion, that's what I'm teaching today."