Quote:
Originally Posted by
XanaSnape 
"It seems you are all capable of understanding the basic concept that ingredients have specific effects that they cause within the potion- some work independently, while some work in concert with others... For example, if you have a potion like a calming draught, a tiny droplet of glumbumble fluid is used but is balanced with an alihotsy leaf-- keeping the drinker from becoming depressed."
Kazimeriz began to pace-shuffle around the room, his cane making sharp clomping sounds on the stone floor. "Now, let us speak more about process. You all know that alternating directions in stirring, at the proper stage in a transformational potion, helps to infuse the potion with your intent for change. For example, if stirring your potion in a clockwise direction is used during some stages of potions for potions that enact a positive change, so what would stirring counter-clockwise likely do? Can anyone venture a guess as to what other brewing techniques might cause specific effects, and speculate as to what the effects might be?"
Anna beamed upon hearing that she'd just received a second gold star. She still wondered what they were for, but she knew that they'd find out all in good time. Raising her hand, she suggested, "The most likely scenario is that stirring counter-clockwise will enact a negative change. However, it could also be used as a means of balancing a potion to where it's neither
too positive nor
too negative. For example, if we aimed to create a potion which would succeed in putting a person into a rather normal mood, we wouldn't want too make them too happy or too sad. In that case, it might do us well to stir in both directions to balance out those two moods."
"As for additional brewing techniques that might cause specific effects, I'd say that beginning the brewing process by adding water into the cauldron would be classified under that category. Water has the ability to neutralize substances, and without it being added, we could have very dangerous side effects brought forth by acidic ingredients," she said. "Maybe the acidic ingredients, without the water, would destroy other ingredients you add, rendering the potion useless. The destroying of other ingredients could also change the effects the potion brings to a person. It could result in something like an Elixir to Induce Euphoria making a person extremely hyper or entirely too happy. It could also result in a Calming Draught making a person too sad or too depressed. Therefore, I'd say water is a brewing techinique that in so many ways saves the potion...and the one who consumes it."