"So now, who can tell me what a Wit-Sharpening potion is?" Professor Darrow, my potions teacher asked. Instinctively, I shot my hand up. "Ah, yes, Ms. Frankfurt! Can you please explain to your classmates what a Wit-Sharpening Potion does?"
"A wit-sharpening potion is a potion that allows the drinker to think more clearly. Due to this ability, it is able to act as a counteragent to the Confundus Charm- a charm used to disorient the victim." I recited. Professor Darrow looked at me with a sense of approval.
"Very correct, Ms. Frankfurt. It's obvious that you don't need one." He said. I smiled. Professor Darrow and I got along and I was always happy the be in his good books. "Your task for the next week is to create a wit-sharpening potion. The strength and quality of your potion shall be tested by how well it counteracts the Confundus charm that I shall cast on each of you." He explained to the class.
I sighed in relief. Despite being a muggle born, I had tried out making the potion myself during the holidays. This was one of the advantages of having a friend who was born in a wizarding family- they let you use their potion supplies..... All of them. Making a mental note of thanking my friend, Grace, later, I started to copying down the interesting points from whatever Professor Darrow said. I knew about the potion already- I had read up on the potions we would be learning about this year but Professor Darrow could still beat any book on the planet when it came to information.
"That's all for today, class. See you next time. I'm expecting to see your essays on the impact of timing when adding a component to your potion and why some ingredients are added more than once." He finished. A collective groan rose from all the students. I rolled my eyes. I already finished my essay before going to Hogsmeade this weekend.
I was just finishing the last of my notes when Professor Darrow came up to me. "Hey Marlow, I was wondering if you would like to take a look at the amorentia potion I've been working on for the sixth years." I looked up from starting to pack my things. Professor Darrow knew about my love for potions and whenever he experimented, or worked on something, he's let me know.
"I would love to!" I said as I followed him to his desk, where a cauldron was resting. He gestured to it and asked me to take a whiff. I inhaled deeply. Amorentia is supposed to smell of all the scents you love. The scents of chocolate, rain and lilies hit me one after the other. I looked over to Professor Darrow. "This is wonderful! But it's supposed to be stronger, isn't it?"
"Yes, you're right. However, the potion isn't complete yet, you see." He said, smiling.
"Well, I look forward to checking it out then. Thank you, sir!" I said to him. Then, with a quick wave, I start walking out of the dungeons to my next class; Study of Ancient Runes. I started looking for my Rune dictionary that had important papers such as my Essay and notes when I saw the Seventh year students. All of the boys were laughing their heads off at something said by Henry Eversprout- the most annoying and obnoxious Seventh Year; Slytherin. They were crowding up the corridor and I groaned. I couldn't squeeze past them for two reasons- I was too scared to even go near sixth and seventh year students- they terrified me. And two: I was to tall so they would certainly notice me, making the whole situation I more awkward. Seeing no other option, however, I tried braving through.
I was taking out my Rune Dictionary when the pages opened and all of my notes along with my essay fell out. Naturally, the Seventh years fell silent. I was hoping the ground would suck me up so that I wouldn't have to deal with the awkward and strange situation in front of me. Naturally, that didn't happen and I as about to start picking up my papers when surprisingly, another pair of hands beat me to it. It was Clive Rivers- Ravenclaw and head boy. I was absolutely paralysed and I was absolutely stunned- he was just so incredibly smart and kind and I was always in awe of him. I was about to help him when I heard another voice.
"Ah Marlow, ever the dolt. To think you would have learnt to not be as clumsy after four years!" I blushed immediately; remembering how I tripped right after getting sorted in first year. However, that didn't stop me from turning around to tell off the owner of the voice.
"And you, Henry Eversprout have still not learnt how to transfigure a mouse into a cup after seven whole years!" I shot back. I wasn't sure that was true, but I had heard Professor Sparrow talk to me about Henry's lack of skills in Transfiguration once.
Apparently I was right because his eyes narrowed into slits as his friends laughed at him. He muttered a string of profanities under his breath that I chose to ignore and I was about to stoop down and help Clive but he already picked them all up and just handed me the papers; smiling. I smiled back nervously, hoping I didn't look like an idiot and thanked him. I internally kicked myself for the change in my voice to a higher octave. But he just shook his head. "Don't worry about it, Marlow." I waved at him quickly, took control of my papers, and started leaving.
As I started running to my next class, I heard Henry's voice. "Oh, and Marlow, Professor Darrow and Professor Flutterfield wanted to talk to us in the dungeons before dinner today!" I ignored him and continued running. As if I was going to believe anything he said.
When I reached class, I sneaked quietly to the back and sat near the back of the class so I didn't have to face anyone else for a while. Sam- my friend- had saved me a seat. As I started translating the phrase on the board, I started to get distracted by how I couldn't keep calm around Clive and how I probably shouldn't have said anything to Henry. Taking my glasses of, I sighed. Why couldn't I just act normally for once?
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Hey guys!!! So this is the first chapter of V & S!!!!
Hope you like it!! Bye!!
- K :D
