A Taste of Magic

Chapter 104: 104th Course - Rising Tensions

"Glasswort bulbs," Pansy said with utter confidence.

"Correct," the ICW potion teacher said, nodding with approval. "Glasswort bulbs are the most important component in clarifying solutions. Do you by chance know the other property of using glasswort bulbs?"

They were gathered in a side room, off the arena proper. There were many rooms like this all over the Colosseum, used for workshops and classes and meetings. The main grounds of the arena was used for the largest gatherings and demonstrations as well as the vendors, with the others being held in rooms of varying size. There was always some sort of demonstration of class being held and observers could go to any that interested them to watch unless it was a private event where people had to be invited to.

The general potions class was being held and in the class itself, students from the four invited schools were mixed in with a few from other schools. Most of them stayed with their own schools and there was a beat of awkwardness when Hogwarts students looked at the Sanguis ones. Draco had barely spared Pansy a look while glaring heavily at Harry before he sat on the opposite side of the room with his fellow schoolmates.

Harry had hugged Pansy and she felt better. She still had some complicated feelings involving Draco, ones that she had not entertained in quite some time, but were still there. She had revealed none of them at least but was grateful for Harry, Daphne, Padma, and Hermione being there to support her.

Harry had looked down with surprise before the class started properly, feeling something touch his leg. "Oh, hello Azuki," he said warmly, recognizing the little fox. He felt even more surprise when the fox hopped into his lap with dainty grace and barked a greeting, looking up at him in a friendly way.

"Oh my goodness, she is so cute!" Hermione gushed, leaning over to look at the trickster fox.

"She really is," Daphne said. "And you are already familiar with her?"

"Met her yesterday. Fed her an owl treat," Harry said. He looked up and smiled as a few people walked over. "She belongs to Tsumugi, am I saying that right?"

"You are," Tsumugi said with a smile. Her friends from Mahoutokoro looked surprised at the exchange. "She went running off as soon as we approached the door. She really does not treat strangers like this usually."

"Animals love Harry," Pansy smiled.

"Azuki, come on," Tsumugi clucked. She sighed when the fox ignored her. "I suppose we should sit here then. May we?"

"Of course," Harry said. He introduced his friends with Tsumugi doing the same and then the potions class started.

It was a good class. The instructor was professional and polite, lecturing quite well. He had dove into the topic from the start and engaged with all the students, not showing any favoritism to any school. Every time he asked a question, he gave the person he asked time to think and even gently prompted them if they were nervous.

"Yes Sir," Pansy said. "Like you said, glasswort bulbs are the primary ingredient for any clarifying and revealing potions, with the best results coming from the clearest bulbs. However, if you use ones that are deliberately clouded or are crushed and ground, they aid in hiding and concealing potions."

"Perfectly said," the instructor said happily. "I have always thought that the nature of the glasswort bulbs being used in potions that are on opposite ends of the spectrum to be a bit of a lesson. Clear glass is needed to see clearly of course, and clouded glass is good at hiding. Therefore, the appearance of the bulbs has profound impacts on the nature and the intent of the potion."