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XanaSnape · 11-04-2009, 03:53 AM

As you enter the dank, dark cave of a potions classroom, the first thing you might notice is the smell. A thousand different scents, good and bad, mingle together in the moist, rich air of the musty dungeon room. The room is gloomy: the lighting is dim, mostly from wall sconces where candles flicker but also from small flames under a series of cauldrons which are simmering at the back of the room. There are rows of workstations with two stools at each station.

A thousand and three jars, canisters, and containers of potions ingredients line the shelves along the walls, gleaming dully in the low light. Each is labelled in the Professor's shaky old man's script, and at the back of the room are shelves groaning under the weight of huge potions encyclopedias and texts.

At the front of the classroom, a large charmed chalkboard stands. On it are written these simple instructions:

Quote:

POTIONS 101

Please be seated. The professor will be here momentarily. Be certain that you have all your potions equipment with you; failure to do so may cost your House points. If you are an older student who is familiar with Potions you may set up your workstation. First years, please ask an older student for assistance.

You may talk quietly amongst yourselves, but please keep the conversation to a reasonable level out of respect for your classmates. Thank you.

--Professor Kazimeriz

Class Synopsis:

The professor has entered the room. A brief discussion about the Cardinal Rule of Potions (Know thy Ingredients) has taken place.

A Worksheet has been distributed; students have been instructed to write equal and opposite ingredient pairs on this worksheet to familiarize themselves with complementary ingredients to understand the concept of negators, or neutralizing ingredients.

A brief discussion about Golpalott's FIRST law was introduced: for every ingredient, there is at least one equal and opposite ingredient that can be used as an antidote to the first ingredient.

This led to a discussion on Golpalott's Third Rule: the antidote for a blended poison will be equal to more than the sum of the antidotes for each of the separate components.

The class was informed that they have all been poisoned by means of a potion that absorbs through skin contact. Their goal? To identify their symptoms and brew the antidote to their poison by the end of class. Instructions can be found here.

Feel free to jump in at any point!

BonnieGinnyfan · 11-05-2009, 08:14 PM

"Hmmm....the two major classifications for potions ingredients..." Ginny raised her hand."....um Professor..i think they are taken from magical creatures and plants"She wasn't sure about her answer..."i guess everyone else thinks the same"

Luna Laufghudd · 11-05-2009, 09:04 PM

Thinking about it for a moment, Miranda could hear the buzzing of other students voices as they answered. But she wasn't quite sure they had said all of it...because potions ingredients are not only taken from just plants and...oh no wait yes they were. Bah.

Anywho. Miranda just jotted down all the answers on her notebook.

MarcyMoo · 11-05-2009, 10:39 PM

Since everyone was answering the same exact answer, Nikki decided to stay quite. She didn't want to sound like a cheater by saying the exact same thing as everyone else was, totally rude in her opinion. Waiting for the next question to pop up, Nikki sat quietly.

Felixir · 11-06-2009, 12:02 AM

Eyeing his still un-set up workstation, Jake listened closely to the question and raised his hand. When the tingling came. The tingling in his nose.

That could mean only one thing.

An epic sn-

"AAAATCHOOOOO!"

Lowering his hand, Jake looked around at everyone answering. DARN! He was sooooooo gonna say that. He was ready for the next question. Oh yes he was.

Windsfreak · 11-06-2009, 12:37 AM

FINALLY! Potions class is now open! Before he left his common room, Matheu grapped his potions box (which held all of his basic equipment), standard and unabridged, and study textbook. He arrived in the dungeon and saw on the board to set up his equipment. Matheu has been reading up on basic equipment and materials, and has practiced assembling the station.
He took out his standard text, unabridged text, notebook, ink bottle and quill, prepared to copy anything the professor says or writes that is important. This was going to be a good class. He was going to make this class one of his OWL classes. He would do good in this class.

TSnitch · 11-06-2009, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lara_the_Firelady

For some reason Josh had been waiting for this class. Maybe because he'd enjoy doing some handwork so it might not be boring or he was thinking of simply enjoying himself playing with a cauldron with a boiling substance inside. Grinning with the idea he was nearly late when he finally decided to ran in the dungeons bumping into many other students and listening to their annoyed and sometimes rude complainst after him.

Now he was sitting uncomfortably and restless, because it was so dark and weirdly cold inside not to mention the heavy mix of scents lingering in air. From where he sat his eyes could spot housemates Zoe, Rafe, Jack and others he was kinda familiar with but he had not even one little glance of Slytherin colours till, of course, he heard his voice answering the question the professor had asked.

"Josh, right?" Tori asked the boy to her left as he looked around, obviously scanning the class and looking nervous at the same time, "Um, do you know the classifications?"

XanaSnape · 11-06-2009, 04:21 AM

"Very good." Professor Kazimeriz said, nodding. "Potions ingredients can be classified into two major categories, based upon whether they are derived from flora or fauna. Now, thinking back to last term, does anyone remember what the Cardinal Rule of Potions is?" He looked to the older students particularly for an answer, though he would of course accept answers from any student.

MoviegoerKinz · 11-06-2009, 04:25 AM

Rafe raised his hand. "Isn't cleanliness the most important factor in potion-making?" Rafe asked. "I mean if a previous potion is in the cracks of a cauldron and mixed with your new creation then well...the results could be catastrophic!" Rafe didn't know if the question was exactly directed to the younger students, but it seemed like something important. It was like going to a restaurant, you wouldn't want to eat at a place that wasn't clean.

Felixir · 11-06-2009, 04:29 AM

Jake raised his hand, waiting for his sinuses to betray him again. "I, like duh-didn't come to cuhhh-class last yuh-year," he said matter-of-factly. "Buhhh... maybe it might buuuh-be organisa-sa-sa-ATCHOO!-sation?"

Destiny · 11-06-2009, 04:30 AM

Destiny wasn't sure about the answer. But she wanted to give it a try anyway. She slowly raised her hand, 'Isn't the rule never to mix a simple potion with anything other than a simple potion?'
Pssssh, she didn't know.

The1HBIC · 11-06-2009, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

"Very good." Professor Kazimeriz said, nodding. "Potions ingredients can be classified into two major categories, based upon whether they are derived from flora or fauna. Now, thinking back to last term, does anyone remember what the Cardinal Rule of Potions is?" He looked to the older students particularly for an answer, though he would of course accept answers from any student.

Marie had no clue what the Cardinal Rule was but she decided to give it a try. Raising her hand she said "Would it be always measure everything carefully Profesor?" 'If you don't get the proper measurements then you could end up with something disasterous' she thought as she waited to hear what the other students had to say.

Maxilocks · 11-06-2009, 04:31 AM

Fyo raised his hand. "The Cardinal Rule of Potions is to know our ingredients, sir," he said simply. "To know what each individual ingredient is - its effects, its reactions with the other ingredients, its potency and the likewise. You can't brew a brilliant potion, unless you follow this rule."

Roselyn · 11-06-2009, 04:32 AM

Evelyn, just about to raise her hand to say the answer when everyone else beat her too it. Sighing, she looked around the room, noticing Josh was there too. 'When did he come in?' she thought, not noticing him when she herself walked into the room. Smiling, she moved her attention back to the discussion and the professor. Wouldn't want to miss anything now would she, or get into trouble. From the looks of it, you especially wouldn't want to get into trouble with this Professor...creepy...

XanaSnape · 11-06-2009, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unicornkeeper07

Rafe raised his hand. "Isn't cleanliness the most important factor in potion-making?" Rafe asked. "I mean if a previous potion is in the cracks of a cauldron and mixed with your new creation then well...the results could be catastrophic!" Rafe didn't know if the question was exactly directed to the younger students, but it seemed like something important. It was like going to a restaurant, you wouldn't want to eat at a place that wasn't clean.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoerawrr

Jake raised his hand, waiting for his sinuses to betray him again. "I, like duh-didn't come to cuhhh-class last yuh-year," he said matter-of-factly. "Buhhh... maybe it might buuuh-be organisa-sa-sa-ATCHOO!-sation?"

"Cleanliness and organization are both extremely important-- and yes, you will be cleaning and curing cauldrons before you begin brewing today -- but there is one specific rule which relates to your potion making. If you do not adhere to this simple rule, you will never master potion making, and your brews may be inconsistent and even dangerous? For five points, is there any who remembers the simple Cardinal Rule of Potion Making?"

Quote:

Fyo raised his hand. "The Cardinal Rule of Potions is to know our ingredients, sir," he said simply. "To know what each individual ingredient is - its effects, its reactions with the other ingredients, its potency and the likewise. You can't brew a brilliant potion, unless you follow this rule."

"Excellent! Five points to Gryffindor, thanks to Mr. Balouch!" Kazimeriz nodded with satisfaction. "Know you ingredients. Know what they do; know what affects them. A plant harvested at midnight on a full moon may have different magical properties than one that has been harvested at high noon when the moon is waxing." He nodded, pacing.

Roselyn · 11-06-2009, 04:34 AM

"Umm, be precise Professor?" she asked more than answered. It didn't seem right, but it was worth a shot...Ah, nope, someone already said that. Now she just sounded like she was copying someone. Great...

(oops...guess i was late...)

Maxilocks · 11-06-2009, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

"Excellent! Five points to Gryffindor, thanks to Mr. Balouch!" Kazimeriz nodded with satisfaction. "Know you ingredients. Know what they do; know what affects them. A plant harvested at midnight on a full moon may have different magical properties than one that has been harvested at high noon when the moon is waxing." He nodded, pacing

Five points? Huzzah! Fyo listened attentively, glad that he had paid attention, the term before. It had come in very handy now, had it not? He was glad of that. Glad to be in Professor Kazi!Man's class, too!

Kaytone · 11-06-2009, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

"Very good." Professor Kazimeriz said, nodding. "Potions ingredients can be classified into two major categories, based upon whether they are derived from flora or fauna. Now, thinking back to last term, does anyone remember what the Cardinal Rule of Potions is?" He looked to the older students particularly for an answer, though he would of course accept answers from any student.

"Professor, Would it be to have a clean work space and to know your ingredients. Such as to know each ingredient and how they interact with each other before starting a new potion, and to have the right measurements." kay said with her hand up. She wasn't sure she even sounded close to be right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The1HBIC

Marie had no clue what the Cardinal Rule was but she decided to give it a try. Raising her hand she said "Would it be always measure everything carefully Profesor?" 'If you don't get the proper measurements then you could end up with something disasterous' she thought as she waited to hear what the other students had to say.

Kay smiled at Marie and hope they both had given good answers.

Anna Banana · 11-06-2009, 04:43 AM

Having a few ideas on the cardinal rule the professor spoke of, LouAnn raised her hand. "What about knowing our ingredients?" she suggested. "We should take care to know each and every ingredient we add to the potion, what it does, and how it will interact with the other ingredients you'll be adding."

The1HBIC · 11-06-2009, 04:49 AM

'Oh well, it was a good guess' Marie thought as she heard the professor tell a Gryffindor he had answered the question correctly. She still thought correct measurements were an important rule too. Being a first year she knew she had a lot to learn in this class and she was ready to learn as much as she could.

LilFox06 · 11-06-2009, 04:53 AM

Carter took notes as he listened with fascination. He was excited to finally be in potions class and found it interesting what he said about how ingredients can have different effects depending on harvesting time.

HannahLongbottom · 11-06-2009, 05:02 AM

Lorcan made notes of everything that the professor had said. He wasn't sure that he had understood everything but he knew that this was a class in which he could cause a real disaster. He was planning on being very very careful.

XanaSnape · 11-06-2009, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by individual

"Umm, be precise Professor?" she asked more than answered. It didn't seem right, but it was worth a shot...Ah, nope, someone already said that. Now she just sounded like she was copying someone. Great...

(oops...guess i was late...)

"It is true that precision is very important as well, for measuring and being careful to know what you have done can help you should the potion not turn out as you intend. You must also document everything you do." He nodded with approval at the young student.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaytone

"Professor, Would it be to have a clean work space and to know your ingredients. Such as to know each ingredient and how they interact with each other before starting a new potion, and to have the right measurements." kay said with her hand up. She wasn't sure she even sounded close to be right.

Kay smiled at Marie and hope they both had given good answers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

Having a few ideas on the cardinal rule the professor spoke of, LouAnn raised her hand. "What about knowing our ingredients?" she suggested. "We should take care to know each and every ingredient we add to the potion, what it does, and how it will interact with the other ingredients you'll be adding."

"Very good, both of you." He nodded, pleased. "Knowing your ingredients is critical. I do hope all my aspiring potioneers are paying close attention not only in potions, but in herbology and care of magical creatures, for those fields are where your base ingredients will come from. "

He looked around the room. "Now, knowing your ingredients does not merely help you in knowing how to brew a potion correctly. It also helps you to learn how to adjust potions, be it to counteract a negative effect of an ingredient, strengthen an aspect of your potion in potion invention, or even to lessen the effects of too much of a given ingredient."

He turned to his desk, picking up a basket filled with parchments. "In magic, as in all aspects of the natural world, there is a certain amount of balance. Light and dark. Good and evil. Black and white. Yin and yang. And so it is in potions: every ingredient in potions has one or more ingredients which serve as its complement, acting as a counterbalance. Therein exists harmony. By understanding complementary potions ingredients and which ingredients act balance each other, you will in time come to truly understand your potions and be able to brew, adjust, and even invent potions."

"I realize that some of the underclassmen may feel a little lost, as these concepts are geared more toward the upperclassmen. Nevertheless, it is important for you all to understand these basic concepts so I see no reason not to introduce them to you now." Kazimeriz gave some of the firsties and encouraging half-smile.

"I shall be handing out parchments worksheets. Your first task, before we brew, is to fill out the worksheet. Using your textbooks, based upon what you know of your ingredients, you are to list five basic ingredients- plant or animal derived - and what the logical complement is. That is, list an opposite or neutralizing agent for the ingredient you list. For example, armadillo bile, which is used in wit-sharpening potion, can be counteracted by lovage, which is often found in confusing concoction. Just as the armadillo bile will sharpen mental acuity, lovage causes inflamation of the braine and a general sense of confusion. Please write your name on your parchment, and then write five ingredients and potential opposite ingredients on the worksheet as well as why you think that these ingredients will counterbalance one another, and then turn it in. Are there any questions?" He had already sent the charmed basket out to deliver parchments to each student. Each sheet was unremarkable, except that it was lined and had a number in the top corner - either a 1, 2, 3, or 4.

ooc: Feel free to get creative; as long as you can logically support your argument for why, for example, erumpent horn is counteracted by simple slug slime, I'm down with it.

Remember, it's magic --so get inventive and have fun!

The1HBIC · 11-06-2009, 05:27 AM

Marie took a piece of parchment as it was being passed around then gave the rest to Kay to keep passing around. She was a bit nervous about this assignment since she hadn't really read any of her book yet. 'Guess I better get started on reading' she thought as she opened her book to the section about ingredients.

Kaytone · 11-06-2009, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The1HBIC

Marie took a piece of parchment as it was being passed around then gave the rest to Kay to keep passing around. She was a bit nervous about this assignment since she hadn't really read any of her book yet. 'Guess I better get started on reading' she thought as she opened her book to the section about ingredients.

Kay thank Marie for the parchments and passed them back to the person. Wow, She didn't know any of this. She opened her book and started looking.

Maxilocks · 11-06-2009, 05:36 AM

Oh lookie, a sheet! Fyo accepted his rather cheerfully [thank God for subjects he was competent at], and glanced down at it. A "7" looked out at him from a corner at its top and, with a little shrug, he dipped his quill in ink.

This was going to be plentya fun!

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