Potions Lesson 1, Third Years, Term 5

[Desideria Tapia]

An early afternoon lesson on its way and Desideria likely couldn't be more excited. While she enjoyed her afternoon naps, she also loved the faces of students learning new things. Hopefully this lesson would prove to be quite helpful this term. Medicinal potions were always a good lesson, and she figured with her students being around the ages of thirteen to fourteen, it was high time they learned to brew their own wound-cleaning potions that would keep their injuries well aided and that way they wouldn't have to bother with the nurse for such a petty task.

Wounds were always a high fashion, jumping running and playing served their times in keeping children from being properly kempt, but at least they could learn to take care of themselves all on their own. With so many diseases and such bring able to transfer themselves a good wound cleaning solution would help to fight bacteria that hurt the white blood cell count of those who were more apt to injure themselves.

A large ball of canary yellow yarn rolled around the floor as the woman pulled at a strand at a time toward herself. Line and row stitch after stitch, the woman was making a new blanket to keep herself warm in the winter months. She was quite sure the draft had gotten worse in the dungeons. Behind the large woman was written:

Welcome Back Students!
Third Years
Wound Cleaning Solution
D. Tapia

[Jeremy Taylor]

The start of another school year was nothing for Jeremy Taylor to be happy over. He wasn't particularly talented in magic, especially when it came to all of that wand waving. He was usually too tired in Astronomy to focus properly and many of the other professors just plain ignored him. the one class he liked and... dare he admit it? ... enjoyed, was Potions. While he wasn't especially fond of many of the smells that came with brewing, he had been helping his mother in the kitchen since he was little and over the last couple of years realized he was pretty good at finding his way around a cauldron. On top of that, Professor Tapia let him be alone when he wanted to be, but would actually talk to him if he wanted that too.

Happily anticipating his first potions lesson as a third year, Jeremy sulked as he entered the room, dragging his feet, and mumbling a hello to the woman behind the desk. As he took his seat he slumped down low, pulling his things out of his school bag before looking at the board and noticing the topic of the day. His favorite class just got a little better and Jeremy actually sat up, his face breaking out in a rare smile.

"I know how to do that!" he said in a small but clear and confident voice. His mother was a Healer and he had helped her make it lots of times.

[Derrick Breckenridge]

Derrick sat on at the top of the stairs that lead to the dungeon staring pensively down into it's depth. Potions wasn't his favorite class but it wasn't something he hated either. It was one of the things he actually looked forward to each week due to the fact that he finally got to work out whatever potion he had read about over the summer in the book that had been required for the class. The book was nice and he learned but he'd rather work things out himself then just read about it in the long run and he couldn't exactly do that at home. With this in mind he smiled gleefully and knew that no one else would probably be looking forward to any kind of lesson this much. Derrick knew that he wasn't too enthusiastic though because excitement on that level was reserved for Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures. Shaking his head he debated standing up put he knew he had more time so he decided to just sit for another moment before heading down. After all what hurry was he in being early wouldn't profit at all the Professor wouldn't let him start early he would just have to wait for the rest of the class, which would just be painful sitting there with all the tools in his reach. Sighing he recalled that the teacher of this class was in fact his Head of House who he had a good relationship with but knew that he would need to meet with her soon as he had some questions about trying to attain certain magical talents and if she could possibly give him private lessons working on potions they wouldn't cover. Derrick stood now hoping to catch her early so he could speak with her.

Derrick stepped lightly down the stairs to the dungeon which was after all a depressing place but not even that could keep him from enjoying whatever he would be able to learn today. Frowning slightly he just hoped that he would remember everything he had read in the book over the summer. That way he wouldn't have to waste precious seconds checking the book and hopefully only have to skim over the ingredients and instructions once before he began to make the potion. Derrick strolled into the classroom and realized quickly that he would not gain the audience he sought right now but would have to wait after class because in fact one boy was already seated in the classroom. Derrick recognized him as Jeremy Taylor who was someone he didn't have much interaction with. Looking at the board, as he slid into a seat towards the front, Derrick broke out in a smile. This was a potion he had been looking forward to learning as he was one to cut himself up when he explored the woods during the summer. It would be useful to have this on reserve for whenever he cut himself up from falling from a tree or slipping when climbing one. Smiling even wider he looked up at his Head of House and Professor and spoke softly.

"Professor Tapia would it be alright if I spoke with you after class about some things?"

[Brenton Douglas]

Dragging his feet along the floor of the dungeons, Brenton walked from the common room to the next lesson on his schedule, wondering where Claire was. He hadn't seen her in awhile and was curious about her holiday break and what she was up to lately. Though school hadn't been in session very long, he still hadn't found the beautiful noble lady around, even when she was in his House. The Slytherin always managed to elude him though, especially when he wanted to ask her if he could walk to class with her. Damn his luck.

Entering the classroom, Brenton's face brightened a little at seeing his best mate sitting at their usual table and sauntered right over and slid into the seat beside him. There was enough room for two more, as usual, and Brenton wondered if the two Slytherins would join them this year. They had in a previous lesson, but others had come and go at their table, too.

"Hiya Jeremy," Brent smiled, lips pursed as usual. "Lookin' forward t' the new term?" They'd only seeing each other once that summer, and the holidays had been awful long without interaction from anyone else. His poor mum had to work at the spoon packaging company day in and night out.

[Jeremy Taylor]

A Huffle boy came in, one Jeremy didn't know and probably didn't want to know. The other boy went right up to the professor and though the small Ravenclaw had hoped to ask the woman about what she was knitting this time (she always seemed to be knitting something), Jeremy figured it was probably for the best. He slunk back down in his seat and opened up his Potions book.

Brenton came in and Jeremy showed his excitement by grumbling quietly to himself. He shrugged sullenly at the Slytherin's question and sunk lower into his chair. "Gets me away from my little sister," he answered, though Sarah really wasn't all that bad. Plus, he was kind of looking forward to Potions class, even if Hannah wasn't in school anymore.

"We don't have any classes with the second years, do we?" he asked, thinking suddenly of that red headed girl who had annoyed him the previous year.

[Trixi Turner]

Trixi didn't really like potions, but she didn't mind it too much either. Although she did prefer learning things where she got to wave her wand about, rather then mixing things. It seemed a bit too tedious for her liking, and not enough stuff blew up. Trixi made her way into the potions classroom, a quick glance to the potions professor proved that the woman was not yes concerned about the activities of her students and therefore Trixi paid no attention to the activities of the woman. Although Trixi did form an immediate dislike for the woman purely because she was knitting with bright yellow yarn, so Trixi assumed she must be the Hufflepuff head of house. Well, on the plus side, it might mean she was stupid.

Trixi's eyes glanced to the other parts of the classroom and the girl smiled as she spotted two people she actually liked at a table together. Jeremy and Douggy. "Hiya Jeremy! Hey Douggy!" Trixi said as she came and joined the two boys at the table. Trixi had shortened Brenton's name to Douggy when she first met him, he seemed to dislike the name, which generally led her to calling him it more. But that didn't mean she didn't like him, that was just Trixi being Trixi.

[Claire Desrosiers]

Claire had no idea how she managed to make the two second walk from the common room to the potions classroom but she made it. This was one of the girl's favorite classes not only because of how close it was but also it was fairly interesting for her. Strolling into the dungeon room Claire saw the professor as well as the familiar faces of the third years. Of course how could she not notice Trixi in the room as well?

"Hiya Trixi!" Claire greeted enthusiastically coming up to her side. Just what her friend was up to was a mystery that would soon be uncovered. "Hey Brent, Jeremy. Whatcha doing?" She didn't really pay much attention to what was written on the board today but if the girl had, today's potion was something definatly up her alley.

[Jeremy Taylor]

The room was filling up and Jeremy was not pleased at all that the two Slytherin girls decided to join them. Not even thinking about the fact that he was the lone Eagle at what was now a Snake table, he didn't like the girls one bit. He would have gotten up and moved to a different table to sit by himself if he had possessed the guts to do so. He knew he probably wasn't wanted there any more now that the girls were there.

"Nevermind..." he mumbled to his best friend, not wanting to discuss red-headed second years with anyone, much less the females at the table. It probably was best to not even mantion it to Brenton either.

[Brenton Douglas]

"Second years?" Brent echoed, wondering if Jeremy would be relieved if they didn't. There were too many of them that annoyed the Slytherin, though there were also a handful he got on with alright the term before. But once Jeremy told him to nevermind, he gave a funny look to his mate, wondering what was eating at him... other than the fact Miss. Trixi was right there. The greeting annoyed him, knowing she loved to see his scrunched up face at her nickname she'd given him, but he couldn't help it. Such a lowly peasant (though a mighty neat one) calling him, a Prince, such a...such a...lowly name. It was horrid!

"Hi Claire," he answered with a smile, thinking she looked awfully pretty still, like from the last year and the year before. She had always been something nice to look at, and her personality just had to make her a noble lady.

[Trixi Turner]

Trixi was quite glad of the addition to her best friend to the classroom right after she had arrived and her smile showed it. "Hey Claire!" Trixi said enthusiastically to her. Trixi was so pleased with her best friends arrival that she didn't even notice Brenton had not said hello to her, although then again, neither had Jeremy. But Jeremy was always like that. Had Trixi actually noticed she probably would have given Brenton a mock lecture on how its always polite to greet people properly and all that kind of jazz, purely because he always made himself out to be noble and Trixi disagreed with that notion.

Trixi glanced around the room, there was only one other student in there and Trixi didn't know him. Nor did she want to. But that was just Trixi, she didn't like other people very much, although it did mean he was another person that she could possibly get into some kind of trouble, or use to her advantage. Trixi made a note to meet him at some point, or at the very least, find out who exactly he was.

[Desideria Tapia]

The first arrival looked less than enthused to be there in the class, but she'd come to expect that from Mr. Taylor. A wonderful student, quiet and studious, but never seemed too interested, even when it was obvious he was rather interested in the lesson. Good student though, and at the burst of his enthusiasm she hadn't been expecting, Desideria glanced up from her sweater with a smile. "Well, I'll be looking forward to seeing one of the best potions from you then." Maybe that was putting too much expectation on the young man, but she had full confidence in him.

And when another student, one her own, appeared and requested her audience after class, she smiled brightly. "Absolutely Mr. Breckenridge. Right after class I'm available, and I'll be more than glad to discuss whatever it is." Either in her office or the empty classroom, she wouldn't mind. It amazed her when her students appeared and wanted to speak with her, giving her a burst of her own confidence in her ability. A job she'd held for a couple of years now and didn't plan on handing over.

As a few more students appeared, Desideria smiled in turn to each and readied herself for the lesson at hand.

"Good to see all of you safe and sound once more," she greeted happily, storing the yarn in a desk drawer. "This year we will be continuing with lessons on healing potions, as I know many like to tromp everywhere and knowing a good potion to help one out of a bind is always useful. Now, who can tell me the effects of a properly brewed Wound-Cleaning Solution? Anyone?"

[Derrick Breckenridge]

Derrick was granted his audience from the teacher and he smiled warmly. The real question was whether or not he would address both of his quandaries or just the one that really concerned her. Shaking it off he began to realize that his Head of House was starting class. She asked the first question and Derrick didn't exactly wait for her to call on him he just kind of spoke. Doing the best he could Derrick attempted to make his soft small voice audible.

"Professor it's disinfectant type of potion used on cuts and other wounds. The potion is purple in color and smokes when applied to a wound, which causes a stinging sensation for the wounded person but effectively cleans it out kind of like muggle rubbing alcohol."

Derrick looked down feeling timid as he slowly turned he realized he was the only one sitting alone. The rest of the students were all grouped together. He wished Maddyson was here. Sighing he wondered whether he should have answered out loud like that without waiting to be called on. Derrick wondered why he had to be awkward and felt like stepping out of the room to curse himself out. Running a hand through his hair he hoped that he hadn't made to big of a fool out of himself by his outburst. Looking back down at his book Derrick wondered whether or not he'd actually speak again for the rest of the class.

[Jeremy Taylor]

Oh, the great debate. Jeremy had never been one to participate in class, preferring to hide behind a book or cauldron and pray that the professor wouldn't call on him. But the urge he was feeling at that moment was new and, in all honesty, a little scary. He actually wanted to raise his hand and give the answer.

Perhaps it was the feeling of ease he got from Professor Tapia or maybe it was the confidence he had in his own knowledge. Whatever it was, it overpowered the desire to go unnoticed.

Of course, once his hand went up, he totally regretted it, feeling like it had been a rash decision that would only cause him grief. He dropped his hand and wondered if he looked stupid for changing his mind. His hand went up again, not quite as high, and then came down again out of nervousness. Again the hand went up and then down before that Huffle boy gave the answer, thus saving him any further debate on the matter. Problem solved.