Cris watched with pride as Jasmine participated in making the potion along with him. As she extracted the ingredients, measured them out and then prepared them before first adding the toad bowels in the ice water and then the crushed snake fangs. "
You did everything correctly, Jasmine. You shouldn't doubt your work. I have every confidence in you," Cris smiled at her.
..and he had been honest. Cris had everything confidence in Jasmine. He knew that she occasionally lacked confidence in her work, but from what he had seen in the classes he had attended together, and here right now, her doubts and lack of confidence were unfounded. He had never seen her make a mistake and doubted that he ever would.
"
Okay I guess it's my turn now," Cris nodded at Jasmine as he turned to review his notes again.
Picking up the cauldron's handle with both hands, Cris carefully carried it over to the wash basin filled with ice. Settling it carefully down on the ice, he picked up the metal stirring spoon and began stirring the mixture counter-clockwise for 7 minutes.
While Cris stirred and kept time using his watch, he turned to Jasmine. "
So I was wondering...um....do you have any plans for Valentine's Day? Sander told me last term, they had a Valentine's Day ball. I don't know whether the school is planning one this year, but if they aren't would you like to do something with me? We could go to Hogsmeade," Cris asked Jasmine.
He knew that the Potions Lab was the least romantic place to ask someone on a date, but mentally kicked himself for not asking her earlier, but the days had gone by so fast, that before he knew it, Valentine's Day was fast approaching.
"
Um....you don't have to decide now. You can tell me later when you decide," Cris quickly told her, not wanting to put her on the spot. He turned his attention back to his journal before one handedly taking out the willow bark from his potions kit. Magically cleaning his mortar and pestle again, Cris placed the bark in the mortar before proceeding to crush the bark.
When the bark was thoroughly crushed, Cris checked his watch again, even as he continued to stir the mixture in the cauldron counter clockwise using his metal stirrer he was holding with his other hand. When the seven minutes were up, Cris stopped stirring and added the willow bark into the cauldron.
Then he picked up the metal stirring spoon again and began stirring the mixture, this time in a clockwise direction five times.
One...two...three...four...five. Then he stopped stirring.
Turning to the burner, he pointed his wand at it and saying, "
Incendio," he lit the burner and adjusted the temperature before picking up the cauldron and placing it on the burner.
"
Now we allow the mixture to boil for 15 minutes," Cris smiled at Jasmine. "
Once the 15 minutes are up, would you like to finish up the last few steps? Don't worry I have every confidence that you won't make any mistakes at all," Cris grinned teasingly at Jasmine.