The Professor took his hand and shook it. Aha! So people still did that around here. Or perhaps only the Professors did that and a couple of students here and there. He had tried to outstretch his hand towards some in a gesture for a handshake and they just high-fived it. Simon spent five minutes staring at his hand, wondering what the person did meant. People could be weird at times.

But anyway, Simon was getting distracted.

He nodded his head, listening to his Potions Professor explain that he was great. Simon felt his cheeks twinge a very light shade of pink when the Professor said that he didn't meet such charming young Snakes any day. Oh gee thanks, sir. He smiled. Should he thank him for that or just keep going? Simon didn't know what he did so he just answered his question. "I'm good. I was recalling some research I did the other day on human memory and how potions and charms affect it differently." Yes, he'd stayed up many nights researching that topic. It was very important to him because he wanted to know if it was possible to improve the human memory. He needed to help someone he loved.

...

No he didn't -

Cosgrach was GAPING at the boy in awe. He... did such researches at such an early age? What was he, Hermione Granger? The man was being impressed more and more. How come he'd missed this boy for the past two years?

"Well?" What did he find? Why was he doing it?

The Professor wanted to know more about his research. Seriously? "Uh, its a long story but I started researching back at my old school. This year when I transferred to Hogwarts, I decided to pick up the research again. I was interested in how human memory works because my mother suffers from memory loss," he said, pausing as memories of the car accident flooded back into his head.

He'd only been seven at the time when they got into THAT accident. They were coming back from spending a long day at the Victoria Market in Melbourne. His mother had been in the passenger seat and his Aunt Mary had been driving. Simon had been minding his own business in the back of the car with his older brother. The two of them were munching on some delicious jam-ball donuts. He remembered that it had been raining quite heavily that day. Visibility had been limited. Mary slowed down her driving as they crossed an intersection. They collided with another car. BAM! He didn't really remember what else happened after that. The next thing he remembered was hearing ambulance sirens and his mother unconscious. Was she... dead? Tears sweling in his eyes the young boy approached her and gently nudged her side. "Mu-mum?" he had asked as soft as a whisper. His mum didn't make a noise. An arm came around his shoulder. It was his brother. Alex explained what had happened to the young boy and Simon tried to understand it all. His brother had called the emergency phone number to get them to safety. And then...

He blinked, dismissing the memory. "Because of the accident, her memory has become impaired and now, she can't remember many things. I want to try to help her. So I initially went to Professor Fuller and asked about what charms that could work and he informed me that a memory potion would work more effectively on healing a broken memory." Then he had started doing research on memory potions but he had found several articles that advised him against tampering with someone's memory. "I have read about how to make the memory potion but I'm not sure if its the best route to take with helping my mother.."

But... what was he, thirteen? Fourteen? Why was he deep into research at BOTH schools whereas he should be a rebel and terrorise around -

Oh. Ohohoh.

Cosgrach didn't know what to say. But he was offended that Simon DID go to Fuller but did NOT come to him and tried to conduct that part of the research by himself.

Yeah. Maybe he wasn't so great.

Swallowing the little jealousy his broken heart suspicion of why Simon was opening up to him NOW, he asked "Is she a muggle? What kind of an accident was that?" Magical? Had she visited St. Mungo's?

Hope couldn't tell you what bought her down to the lowest depths of the castle. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that this whole unusual winter storm had her trapped in the castle. And of course, it all just had to start on her first day outside since the beginning of the year. Go figure. Or maybe she was looking for someone to bother. She didn't know.

She took a deep cool breath in and let it out. Any colder and she might just be able to see her breath. With a glance around she sighed. Now what? Climb back up to the tower? She had to run into students or Professors eventually, yes? After all, they were all prisoners here in the castle now. She moved along the corridor, it was better than nothing.

Had he rendered his Professor speechless?

Simon watched his Potions Master with the utmost curiosity. What was he about to tell him? Don't worry son, keep calm and carry on? He didn't know. By the time the Professor spoke asking whether or not his mother was magical. Simon shook his head. "No, she's a muggle. I'm the only one in my family that has these magical abilities," he explained. Well so far he was the only one with those skills. He kind of wished that Allison was magical too so they could share this experience. He knew that she would thoroughly enjoy being at Hogwarts. She'd get up to no good and cause a lot of drama with the boys and Simon would have to be the one to save her. Simon liked saving his little sister. It made him feel important- like he had a purpose. "I probably should have come to you first t discuss potions. Sorry, sir," said Simon as he looked at his feet for a moment before meeting the Professor's eyes. Yeah, if he had actually gone to see Cosgrach, he'd probably have already had a potion for his mother.

A muggle=no St. Mungo's=primitive muggle ways to restore magic. Got it. Then it also answered Cosgrach's second question, although Simon's missed that: it wasn't caused by magic. Oh, wouljalookatdat, Simon acknowledged he should have come to him. Yeah. Cosgrach wasn't going to argue with that.

"It's okay, Simon," he said as he patted his shoulder once, "if it's not caused by magic, time doesn't matter that much." Soooo... what to do? "Have you tried anything so far?"

Simon bit his lip. He had tried various muggle methods that his mother's doctor had informed his father, his brother, and he when they took their mother for her annual check up. "I haven't done anything with magic... I'm afraid to do anything with it to be honest because I've heard of terrible accidents that have occurred because of it," he said frowning. Now to answer the Professor's question more in depth. Well... They had to switch their whole diet to help her out.

"As for muggle methods, my father's almost tried everything: stress management techniques to diet changes. I've given her various puzzle books to help her with memory but that's it." His shoulders slumped. He was helpless in this situation. He didn't really know what else to do.

Well, he was right, if he wanted very advanced magic. Those were dangerous and should be administered carefully. Cosgrach sighed. It was a new feeling, but he felt sad for students too, when they had a problem. And this was some problem.

"I think you should take her to St. Mungo's," the professor said, "because yeah, I can give tou a potion, but then I'd have to see how it affected her, whether she should take a stronger or weaker one, the administration, et cetera. You see?" Cosgrach wouldn't go under that responsibility because it was unnecessary while he could take her to St. Mungo's.

His eyebrows raised when Professor Culloden informed him that he ought to take his mother St. Mungos. Would St. Mungos actually admit his mother? His mother wasn't magical but it would be worth the try.... Simon was magical though- would that be enough for the Healers and staff there? He bit his lip. "Do you think they'd see her?" he asked.

He nodded in agreement with Cosgrach. It would be too tedious and dangerous to just have them make a potion and give it to her. What if she had a reaction or something to it? That'd be horrible. "Right, of course. I do see, sir," he began and then paused. Could he actually hug Culloden? Would the Professor bite him from doing so? But hugging a Professor wouldn't be cool or gentlemanly. Besides, they had only just met. He gave the Professor an appreciative nod and grin. "Thank you, sir," he said. He'd take his advice. However, he thought he should have given the Professor a hug anyway.

Oh, look how happy he looked. Cosgrach felt great when he could help them. Especially how Simon saw his reasoning - it made his job easier too.

"Yes, they ought to. She knows about magic now," the man and and nodded. "Don't mention it, I did nothing. I hope she can have her memory back." Because how sad was that - losing memory?

"Is there anything else you would like to discuss?" If not, he wanted to be out of this freezing dungeon.

He nodded. His mother did know about magic but she did forget it too so Simon would have to spend time informing her about it and trying to explain it to her. It was a tedious but necessary task. He gave his Professor a smile. "Me too," he said. It would be nice for her to regain her memory but accidents can have terrible outcomes. At least, she had her seat belt on. It could have been a lot worse if she hadn't been wearing that.

Uh anything else? Nope. He figured that he ought to let the Professor get back to his duties.

"Nope, nothing else, sir," he said and held out his hand again to the Professor as a handshake. "Thank you for the advice." He gave Culloden a warm smile. He was sort of glad that he had frightened Culloden in the end. He smirked a little and then added, "I promise I'll try my hardest not to startle you again."

Cosgrach nodded, then. "Anytime, Simon." He could come to him anytime. He shook the boy's hand in a friendly way and grinned back. "Sure, thank you." That he wouldn't be startled again. Nodding at the boy once, Cosgrach walked to the stairs and left the dungeons.

That was the RIGHT reaction to a nickname like that. Because if you were given the opportunity to have a powerful sounding nickname, you should respond to it with pride. Though, the echo? SNORT. "You sure do look like a Snowstorm man right now." What? It was true!

And why was he winking at him? Or not winking, constantly winking. Did he look that good today? HM? Tell him so that he can bop his collar in pride.

To get the ball into the opponent's goal? "Uh huhhhh........" he said, nodding slowly, "Shame that it doesn't use brooms. Where's the fun? Where's the excitement?!" Like with someone having to dodge a bludger and they almost fall off of their broom. It was an exciting prospect. "Are you telling me you can chestbump the ball? Or headbutt it?" FREAKING COO--

HOLY FREAKING MERLIN. "Jeez, man, way to scare a guy," Not that he was upset, just surprised by it all. "'Course I want to play! You're going down, Mordaunt." He even interlocked his fingers and stretched his arms out. There. Ready.

And what did the winner get? Sweets? Free food? Eternal glory? What was it?

So, as Tag had seen for his charms homework, the castle, clearly and obviously, needed some warming up. He decided that he'd wander into the coldest places of the castle.

Uh-huh. So, yeah. Tag would never come down here for pretty much no reason, but he needed some 'fresh' air. And he figured this place was probably freezing right now. This was the only time Tag would be nice to the slytherins.

He got out his wand and went to a corner where it seemed pretty cold. Not that the entire castle was pretty much freezing. Lifting it up, Tag said "Caelum Saepio"

There came a very very very tiny fog from Tag's wand. He shrugged at it. Eh. It wasn't like he was here to do some grand service to the snakes. His job here was done. Time to find a new place.

Having spotted Culloden out and about around the castle, Sophie knew it was a good time to slip down to the dungeons and insulate a part of the castle she knew needed that extra help - the poor potions professor was always complaining about how freezing it was down in the dungeons and she always knew to wear an extra layer when she ventured to see him or attend class.

This time, though, as she made her way down the dungeon corridor toward the man's office, she was walking sideways, facing the wall to her left and waving her wand in an infinity-sign shaped motion, casting, "Caelum Saepio," over the entirety of the wall as she moved along. Any part that didn't get covered by the light fog she went over again until she was certain every part of the wall was good and insulated.

Now when Culloden made his way back to his office, perhaps he would notice it was a little less cold? Maybe? Hopefully? It would at least help over time, she was sure, and she would cast the charm on the other wall on her way back from Culloden's office. She didn't want the man to know she did any of this, though, naturally. No need to let him know how much she really cared about his well-being.

She'd decided her final stop would be down here in the dungeons. It was probably easily one of the coldest areas in Hogwarts, which surely wasn't fun for anyone, but especially the Slytherins since their common room was down here and all. Or maybe they didn't mind it or maybe they had already used the charm everywhere down here. She didn't know, but either way, she was gonna try to help a little.

So once again choosing an area of a wall, Penelope guided her wand in the infinity shape and said, "Caelum Saepio." Fog appeared, fog disappeared, and then the cycle repeated itself a couple times as she moved around the corridor. And after a few minutes, she decided that was enough, so she headed back to her dorm.

Charms homework included insulating the castle and what better place to start than this corridor right here?

He was lazy. Very very lazy.

And this corridor was always so freaking COLD. He should know, since he walked through this place more times than he'd like to mention. Swear to Merlin, he was glad to end up heading into the common room itself and sitting by the first after having to endure this freakishly long walk along this corridor. It would also do them a lot of good to have the charm placed here. Uh huh. House unity and whatnot. Take one for the team. All that jazz.

So, finding a spot somewhere near the middle of the corridor, Grayson stopped walking and pulled out his wand. He ran a hand over that part of the wall, trying to imagine a fog coming out of his wand. Intent was key. Intent an confidence, but he already had a lot of confidence within him. "Caelum Saepio!" he called, casting the infinity sign over the area on the wall.

A fog, the faintest of fogs, emitted from his wand and over the area on the wall. It was only there for a moment or two but that was still enough to make the fifteen year old puff out his chest in pride. HE had done something to insulate the castle, hence keeping them warm. It had made a difference and NOBODY was going to take this away from him.

One down, four more places to go.

After spending a bit of time in the common room she found herself refreshed and ready to do something. And since she started with insulating charm back at the dorm she thought why not complete her work and do more until she was finished today. Crossing it out from her long to-do list. That'd be great and she'd feel accomplished. And what a great feeling that one was.

After grabbing an extra jacket the snake was on her way out.

As she was leaving the common room she stopped herself and looked around her as she reached the corridor. Regularly this place was cold and it had gotten colder now with the winter thingy. It would be really helpful if it got warmer instead of everyone running through here as fast as they could manage trying to spend as less time as possible here.

Inching closer to one of the walls she drew out her wand and waved it in an infinity shape uttering, "Caelum Saepio" She didn't have to wait for long to see fog appearing. It wasn't that visible at first due to the lack of strong light here but she was glad to have noticed it. Meant it was working.