Ever since the start-of-term feast and watching their headmaster's face melt from apparently the last headmaster of the school to his own face, Cornelia was interested in knowing more. The name of the potion Claudine had said he had taken had not been forgotten and neither were the million questions she had about it. Wanting answers from an expert, the first year decided to ask one of the older Slytherins where she could find their Potions professor's office.

And there she was. For a moment she stood outside the office door, her ear nearly pressed against it to see if she could hear if the professor was in. Nothing. Soon enough she balled her small hand into a fist and gave the door three knocks.

"Professor? Are you in? It's me. Cornelia Hemlock."

Shreya was rifling through the rather ridiculous amount of potionmaking guides and texts on her bookshelves, in search of some interesting potions to add to her lesson plans. Ever since the arrival of the Neo-Alliance, she had been rethinking her lesson ideas for the term. Between the Inquisitorial Squad lurking in the shadows to observe class sessions and Rosier requiring strict changes to the curriculum, Shreya didn't feel like any potion was safe to teach anymore. And her top priority was to avoid putting the children in any danger. If any of her lessons inadvertently came across as pro-Muggle, Merlin knew what could happen.

With a sigh, she leaned her head against the bookshelf, wondering what she would do. But her train of thought was interrupted by a knock at the door. A student! At least the children were always able to put a smile on her face, even during this dreary time. She opened the door with a smile.

"Ah, Ms. Hemlock! Come in, come in!" Shreya poked her head into the corridor to make sure the first year wasn't being followed by any squad members before gesturing to one of the chairs. "Make yourself comfortable. Can I pour you a cup of tea? Or perhaps you enjoy coffee?" She circled around to her beverage bar, today's set of golden robes billowing behind her. The students had been through so much lately. The least she could do was make them feel a little more comfortable by offering them a cozy drink. Shreya felt particularly worried for the younger children. Would this be the only Hogwarts they'd know? The thought distressed her, though she put on a convincing smile for Cornelia. She couldn't let the students know she was afraid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fireheart

Shreya was rifling through the rather ridiculous amount of potionmaking guides and texts on her bookshelves, in search of some interesting potions to add to her lesson plans. Ever since the arrival of the Neo-Alliance, she had been rethinking her lesson ideas for the term. Between the Inquisitorial Squad lurking in the shadows to observe class sessions and Rosier requiring strict changes to the curriculum, Shreya didn't feel like any potion was safe to teach anymore. And her top priority was to avoid putting the children in any danger. If any of her lessons inadvertently came across as pro-Muggle, Merlin knew what could happen.

With a sigh, she leaned her head against the bookshelf, wondering what she would do. But her train of thought was interrupted by a knock at the door. A student! At least the children were always able to put a smile on her face, even during this dreary time. She opened the door with a smile.

"Ah, Ms. Hemlock! Come in, come in!" Shreya poked her head into the corridor to make sure the first year wasn't being followed by any squad members before gesturing to one of the chairs. "Make yourself comfortable. Can I pour you a cup of tea? Or perhaps you enjoy coffee?" She circled around to her beverage bar, today's set of golden robes billowing behind her. The students had been through so much lately. The least she could do was make them feel a little more comfortable by offering them a cozy drink. Shreya felt particularly worried for the younger children. Would this be the only Hogwarts they'd know? The thought distressed her, though she put on a convincing smile for Cornelia. She couldn't let the students know she was afraid.

Unlike the professor, Cornelia didn't think to make sure that she wasn't being following by anyone. Then again, did she really have anything to worry about? In comparison to others, the first year figured she was safe and had nothing to fear. She was a Slytherin. She was a pure-blood. She was indifferent to everything that was going on. But, most importantly, she was there, on her own, to talk about a very specific potion.

A smile appeared on her face as Professor Varma welcomed her into the office. Her short legs moved toward one of the chairs and she plopped right down in one. There was no need to tell her twice to make herself comfortable. She already had done so.

"Tea would be lovely, professor," the girl responded with a bat of her eyes. The second option that was offered was a no. She was only eleven and the one time she sipped coffee it tasted nasty to her. Beverage aside, Cornelia decided it best to get straight to the point and state why she was here. "I have some questions I wanted to ask you about a potion."

Shreya nodded and began preparing a cup of tea. From an enchanted kettle, she poured the steaming beverage into an ornate-looking teal and gold teacup. Questions about a potion. The professor was always happy to share her knowledge and advice with students. As long as they weren't looking to do anything dangerous.

"Aha, absolutely. Ask away. What potion, exactly?" she replied, passing Cornelia the teacup and saucer. Shreya gestured to the beverage stand to let her know that there was an assortment of sugars, milks, and flavors to add to her tea if she preferred. She had a feeling that she knew what the first year would be asking about, but she took a seat at her desk nonetheless, ready to listen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fireheart

Shreya nodded and began preparing a cup of tea. From an enchanted kettle, she poured the steaming beverage into an ornate-looking teal and gold teacup. Questions about a potion. The professor was always happy to share her knowledge and advice with students. As long as they weren't looking to do anything dangerous.

"Aha, absolutely. Ask away. What potion, exactly?" she replied, passing Cornelia the teacup and saucer. Shreya gestured to the beverage stand to let her know that there was an assortment of sugars, milks, and flavors to add to her tea if she preferred. She had a feeling that she knew what the first year would be asking about, but she took a seat at her desk nonetheless, ready to listen.

She watched as the professor went about getting the tea ready. When the teacup and saucer, which she thought to be rather pretty, were handed over to her, Cornelia gladly accepted them. Her eyes then flicked over to the beverage stand that had been pointed out and she helped herself to the sugar, plenty of it in fact.

Pinky out, because she was indeed a proper princess, the first year took a sip of her tea as the professor sat down. When the woman asked about what potion she had questions about, the cup was placed back down on the saucer.

"Claudine called it the Polyjuice Potion," the Slytherin responded. There was a brief moment of silence before she started pouring out her thoughts. "Ever since the start-of-term feast, I've been thinking about it and ... Does it hurt? It didn't look fun when Headmaster Rosier melted back into himself." She had more questions of course, but figured asking one at a time would be best.

Ah, the polyjuice potion. Exactly the potion Shreya figured Cornelia would be asking about. Several students had been curious lately, and she didn't blame them. She had been fielding more and more questions about it during lessons, although she had to be careful in her answers. With the Inquisitorial Squad watching her every move, she didn't want to say something that would put anyone at risk.

"Claudine is correct," Shreya replied, trying to figure out the best way to discuss the complex brew with a first year. For some reason, polyjuice potion was the one potion that students were most drawn to. Shreya wanted to be honest in her responses, but she didn't want to give anyone any ideas. There were too many dangers involved, which was precisely why students were not allowed to brew it themselves at Hogwarts. "The polyjuice potion can be a bit....uncomfortable, yes."

Shreya tried not to shudder as she recalled the horrors of the Opening Feast. How disturbing it must have been for the students to see their so-called Headmaster transforming before their eyes. "The transformative effects are typically more severe the longer the potion has been in use. So I imagine Mr. Rosier did experience quite a bit of discomfort." Given the fact that he had been polyjuiced as Trent for quite a long time, the man must have been in some pain—even if he didn't show it. Not that Shreya felt bad for him in the slightest.

She considered going on a tangent about the polyjuice potion. It was quite a fascinating brew, and she had a lot to say about it. But she figured she would let Cornelia ask her questions first.

Violet had been eager to meet with the Potions Professor all term, but this was the first chance she'd had to think of a good excuse to come there. Potions was her favorite, and best, subject and she always like to pick the brains of whoever was teaching it. She felt in her pocket to make sure the flask she'd brought with her was there, and knocked on the door.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fireheart

Ah, the polyjuice potion. Exactly the potion Shreya figured Cornelia would be asking about. Several students had been curious lately, and she didn't blame them. She had been fielding more and more questions about it during lessons, although she had to be careful in her answers. With the Inquisitorial Squad watching her every move, she didn't want to say something that would put anyone at risk.

"Claudine is correct," Shreya replied, trying to figure out the best way to discuss the complex brew with a first year. For some reason, polyjuice potion was the one potion that students were most drawn to. Shreya wanted to be honest in her responses, but she didn't want to give anyone any ideas. There were too many dangers involved, which was precisely why students were not allowed to brew it themselves at Hogwarts. "The polyjuice potion can be a bit....uncomfortable, yes."

Shreya tried not to shudder as she recalled the horrors of the Opening Feast. How disturbing it must have been for the students to see their so-called Headmaster transforming before their eyes. "The transformative effects are typically more severe the longer the potion has been in use. So I imagine Mr. Rosier did experience quite a bit of discomfort." Given the fact that he had been polyjuiced as Trent for quite a long time, the man must have been in some pain—even if he didn't show it. Not that Shreya felt bad for him in the slightest.

She considered going on a tangent about the polyjuice potion. It was quite a fascinating brew, and she had a lot to say about it. But she figured she would let Cornelia ask her questions first.

As the professor went on to answer her question about the potion, her blue eyes were looked on the woman intently. In general Cornelia was good at listening, but she was really good at it when it came to matters that interested her. And the Polyjuice Potion was something that interested her greatly for some reason. The whole idea of looking like someone else ... well ... she believed that could be quite useful at some point.

As the Potions professor went on, it was moments like these when the first year wished she had something to take notes on. She hadn't thought of doing such a thing since this was a simple visit and not a lecture. How she was going to remember everything, though, well, she was just going to have to do her best.

Can be a bit uncomfortable ... effects more severe the longer in use ... Mr. Rosier ... quite a bit of discomfort... The fact that the professor addressed their Headmaster as anything but was glossed over by her. Cornelia was ready to move on to her next question. Or, rather, her next set of questions as she couldn't help herself. "When do we get to learn about the Polyjuice Potion in class? Do we get to brew it? Is it difficult to make? What are all of the risks? Does taking it mean you're a bad person?"

Now this was a student she had to take caution with. Curious and eager. A delight for Shreya to see such zeal for the subject, sure—but those students were the ones that were often tempted to brew advanced potions. Potions that they oftentimes weren't ready for.

Shreya chuckled a bit at Cornelia's enthusiasm and rapid-fire questions, thrilled at her eagerness nonetheless. "You will learn about polyjuice in due time,"Shreya replied, not wanting to lie to her pupil, but also not wanting to spoil the lesson plans she had for the upcoming term. She was quite excited to teach the polyjuice potion, to be perfectly honest. While she considered leaving it out of her course plan, she figured it was better to educate the students on dangerous potions rather than ignore them. "I am a proponent of brewing complex potions in a controlled environment. No use in pretending that they don't exist! So you can expect to brew it at some point during your Hogwarts career." No promising that it would be during her first year, but of course, she would have to wait and see. As long as Shreya stuck around, that is.

She paused a bit, trying to make sure she answered all of Cornelia's questions. "It is an incredibly challenging potion to brew correctly," she said earnestly. Her voice took on a more serious tone as she continued. "It takes a long time and a very steady hand. Even the best potionmakers have struggled with executing it correctly. Not to mention there are extremely dangerous long-term consequences if anything goes wrong." She didn't want to go into the gory details with such a young student. Hopefully that warning would be enough to prevent Cornelia from wanting to try it.

Now the last part of the Slytherin's question was one that stumped her. How to answer it without showing her extreme distaste for Rosier would be challenging. "I don't think that taking it necessarily makes you a bad person, no. Though there are a lot of ethics involved. If your intentions are pure, if you have permission of the person you are polyjuicing into, and if you are not breaking any laws, there are some acceptable uses." Shreya thought back to the Battle of the Seven Potters. A perfectly justifiable use, in her opinion. "However, it's easy to take the potion down the path of darkness." With that, she folded her hands on her desk, looking at the first year intently in case she had any more questions.

A knock on the door always brightened her day, as it was usually the sign of a curious student. After adding a bit of dandelion root to the small pewter cauldron on her windowsill, she made her way to the door. "Good day, Ms. Blackthorne," she said with a smile, opening the door wide for the third year. The Slytherin was one of her most accomplished students, and she was thrilled that she wanted to talk about potions (hopefully) one-on-one.

"Doing alright on your healing potions essay?" Shreya asked. She had assigned the parchment a few days ago and given the students plenty of time to complete it, but she knew essays could be tricky. Or perhaps Violet wanted to discuss something different.

"Yes, I think so, Professor," Violet responded eagerly--it was so good to talk about normal school stuff, it almost made you forget how strange and unpleasant everything at Hogwarts...almost. "Only I've got it too long, I think, and was having trouble cutting it down." Violet never could bear to delete any of what she considered rather brilliant prose, even in a school essay. But she was pretty sure the professor didn't want to read three more pages than what she'd assigned, even from her. "I'll get it, though, I've just got to grit my teeth and get rid of something."

Violet found herself staring at the glorious golden cauldron as she made her way to a chair. Some day, she thought to herself, some day I'll earn one of those, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fireheart

Now this was a student she had to take caution with. Curious and eager. A delight for Shreya to see such zeal for the subject, sure—but those students were the ones that were often tempted to brew advanced potions. Potions that they oftentimes weren't ready for.

Shreya chuckled a bit at Cornelia's enthusiasm and rapid-fire questions, thrilled at her eagerness nonetheless. "You will learn about polyjuice in due time,"Shreya replied, not wanting to lie to her pupil, but also not wanting to spoil the lesson plans she had for the upcoming term. She was quite excited to teach the polyjuice potion, to be perfectly honest. While she considered leaving it out of her course plan, she figured it was better to educate the students on dangerous potions rather than ignore them. "I am a proponent of brewing complex potions in a controlled environment. No use in pretending that they don't exist! So you can expect to brew it at some point during your Hogwarts career." No promising that it would be during her first year, but of course, she would have to wait and see. As long as Shreya stuck around, that is.

She paused a bit, trying to make sure she answered all of Cornelia's questions. "It is an incredibly challenging potion to brew correctly," she said earnestly. Her voice took on a more serious tone as she continued. "It takes a long time and a very steady hand. Even the best potionmakers have struggled with executing it correctly. Not to mention there are extremely dangerous long-term consequences if anything goes wrong." She didn't want to go into the gory details with such a young student. Hopefully that warning would be enough to prevent Cornelia from wanting to try it.

Now the last part of the Slytherin's question was one that stumped her. How to answer it without showing her extreme distaste for Rosier would be challenging. "I don't think that taking it necessarily makes you a bad person, no. Though there are a lot of ethics involved. If your intentions are pure, if you have permission of the person you are polyjuicing into, and if you are not breaking any laws, there are some acceptable uses." Shreya thought back to the Battle of the Seven Potters. A perfectly justifiable use, in her opinion. "However, it's easy to take the potion down the path of darkness." With that, she folded her hands on her desk, looking at the first year intently in case she had any more questions.

Maybe she shouldn't have asked so many questions all at once. She didn't blame the professor in the slightest, but a lot of information was being shared in a short amount of time. Her little eleven year old brain could barely keep up with it all. Even so, she was listening the best she could. Even if it was just key words and phrases that were processed in her mind.

Her face did scrunch up a bit in disappointment when the professor vaguely told her that she would be learning how to brew the potion later. And then she was throwing out a few big words out there that went over the Slytherin's head. Nevertheless, the point had been made: she likely wouldn't be learning the potion any time soon. It was hard too brew, took a lot of time, and it was dangerous if done wrong. Cornelia sighed. Life just wasn't fair.

But the woman's response to her last question was rather interesting, and the words that were said made sense. To a point. As for laws or anything of the sort, she didn't know a whole lot about that. But now the first year's thoughts fluttered to determining whether or not their headmaster's intentions were pure. While some of his methods were ... shocking, to say the least ... he did seem to want to better wizardkind, which didn't seem bad to her. She shook the thought away, figuring she'd come to a proper conclusion on her own in time (likely well before she would be brewing Polyjuice, sigh).

Cornelia's focused returned back to the questions she had about the potion. Getting information was why she was here after all. "Has it ever been made successfully by someone young?" She was interested in knowing if someone had (surely she could do it too if someone had, right?), but, assuming the answer probably be vague, she followed up with a lighter question that was also important to have answered, "Does it taste good and look pretty?"

Shreya knew Violet wouldn't be one to have trouble with a Potions essay, but she could certainly relate to being overly verbose. "A rather good problem to have," she replied with a smirk. Much better than not having anything to write about, in her opinion. "I have faith in you!" Shreya would never be one to penalize a student for writing too much, but brevity was a valued skill. Especially in Potions, where most people preferred short, direct instructions. Shreya was the odd woman out there.

She returned to the smaller pewter cauldron to stir it twice more before taking a seat at her desk. "So, what have you come to discuss today?" Not that Violet needed a specific reason to come and chat. Shreya simply loved spending time with her pupils and getting to know them.

"Ah, I almost forgot! Would you like anything to drink, dear?" she asked as her eyes landed on her own cup of tea near the bookshelves. A tradition—offering students a cozy coffee or tea when they came to see her. It was her little way of rewarding them for their hard work and dedication.

And the tricky questions continued. But even though Shreya was walking on eggshells a bit, she was enjoying their discussion. She could talk about potions all day. "If you're meaning first years," she started in response to Cornelia's question, "there are not any to my knowledge that have brewed it successfully." Shreya didn't need to mention the legendary Hermione Granger brewing it successfully in her second year at Hogwarts. Perhaps Cornelia hadn't gotten to that point in her history textbooks yet.

She was fairly certain there had been some first years in the long history of the school that had brewed it successfully, in secret of course. But no one would ever know for sure. "And you must realize, Ms. Hemlock, the dangers of attempting to do so," she added in. Shreya figured one more direct warning couldn't hurt. She didn't want first years getting any ideas.

At least Cornelia's next question was a lighter one. Shreya chuckled a bit at that after taking a sip of her cappuccino. "Unfortunately, it does not always look or taste as magical as it may seem." The professor made her way to her bookshelf, where she pulled out a large, dusty green book. She rifled to a crumpled and stained page somewhere in the middle. The page had been referenced so many times that the potion ingredients were virtually illegible.

Shreya placed the open book on her desk for Cornelia to see, pointing at the picture at the top, which looked like a big pile of muck in a cauldron. "This is a picture before the additive. Once you add a piece of someone, the potion adapts based on that person. So it's safe to say that a completed polyjuice potion that still looks like a pile of mud contains the essence of a very bad individual." She flipped to the next page, which featured a picture of a shimmery, lavender potion. "This one, on the contrary, is indicative of a kind or pure soul. And the taste works the same way." She had tasted many a polyjuice potion in her years as a potioneer, and the worst tasted like onions and spoiled milk. Not a pleasant experience.

Ah, it was brief moments like this that made Violet's heart sing! Because since her governess, Miss Howard, was sacked, there didn't seem to be anyone else in her life who did have faith in her.

Violet was so busy watching how Professor Varma stirred her cauldron that she forgot to come to the main reason she was here.

Oh, my, how very civilized! Tea at home was one of the few enjoyable things about it lately, especially since Violet was now deemed old enough to have afternoon tea with her grandfather and uncles in the parlor, instead of up in the nursery. "Oh, yes, please!" she piped up, as she fumbled in her inner pocket for a few minutes.

She finally pulled out a potion vial and held it up to the professor. "Actually, the main reason I came was to show you this. It's a Strengthening Solution I made for a friend who...who kind of looks like he needs it. I've made this lots of times before at home--my governess, uh, my former governess, was a potioneer--and I'm pretty confident I do it well. But since I'm giving this to someone else, I just wanted to show it to you first, to make sure it's just right."

Shreya smiled as Violet perked up at the mention of tea. She loved being able to provide just a bit of joy to the students lately. She couldn't imagine how scared they must be. "There's tea and milk on the counter if you'd like. Help yourself," she said, passing the Slytherin the steaming yellow teacup. Shreya retrieved her own mint tea from the bookshelf before returning to her seat.

"A strengthening solution, hmm?" Shreya responded, reaching out to take the flask. She swirled the liquid inside and peered in. It was the correct fragrance and consistency, but there was just a slight problem. The rules.

"And who do you intend to give this to?" Surely Violet knew that it was against Hogwarts rules to give other students homemade potions. That was a matter that would need to be sorted out with the healer. "If there is a legitimate reason that someone at Hogwarts needs a strengthening solution, you will have to discuss that with Healer Recard. She will need to administer and monitor the individual taking the potion. I'd be happy to accompany you to the Hospital Wing if that is the case." Shreya hoped she didn't come across as being too stern. She was sure that Violet meant no harm, but rules were rules, and one could never be too cautious when it came to potions. There were too many potentially disastrous consequences.

Violet slumped back with disappointment. Rules! Of course there would be a rule about this. And Violet made potions for herself all the time, she had probably been violating school policy for years.

She regretted now having brought up the subject, she could have just given the potion away without asking first and no one would have been the wiser. But she just couldn't risk the chance that her potion might have made anyone sick. Now that she'd brought it up, she couldn't go behind Shreya's back, either, because someone would find out and she'd get in trouble.

Violet pondered whether she should mention who it was for--she wasn't sure she wanted to. Professor Schmoe probably wouldn't want attention drawn to the fact that he'd been looking perfectly horrible for the past few weeks, though for the same reason he probably wouldn't go to see the Healer on his own. Drat! Violet thought now that she should probably forget the whole thing, but now that she'd brought it up, she should probably say something.

"Um, well, it was actually for...for a teacher. I didn't know there were rules about it. I guess...we should probably just forget about the whole thing." Though someone should be looking out for Professor Schmoe, because he looked like yesterday's porridge warmed over.

Ohhh. Her heart sank at the realization: Violet's potion must be for Professor Schmoe. He was the only teacher that looked like he needed one right now. And Shreya didn't blame Violet for thinking so. In fact, it was commendable for her to want to help. "Your heart is in the right place, Ms. Blackthorne." Shreya thought of her former classmate Finneas, who seemed to look more haggard by the day. A brief wave of anger coursed through her at the Neo-Alliance and the situation at Hogwarts, but she tried to brush it away. There was no use. Until she had more of a plan, acting on any of her feelings could only get the students into trouble with Rosier. And that was what she wanted to avoid, more than anything else.

"It's incredibly kind of you to want to help. But you must realize that the repercussions would be....extreme." She had to be careful of her words here, in case she was being watched. Or listened to. One could never know which Inquisitorial Squad members were lurking around lately. "And you cannot risk putting yourself or other students in danger." Shreya didn't know Professor Schmoe incredibly well, but she figured that he would prioritize student safety above himself. Though her heart was touched by Violet's gesture—and it made her briefly think of ways to help Finneas herself—she knew that defying the alliance could get them all hurt.

Violet frowned slightly and looked at her lap. Oh, there was always some rule or other to keep you from getting things done! Sure, they were all scared, but it didn't seem safe to just sit around waiting to see what was going to happen, either. This was what happened last term, the students had tried to warn the teachers that unusual things were going on and they just ignored them. And if repercussions were expected just from making someone a healing potion, then things at this school were worse than she'd thought.

Violet took a gulp of her tea because she couldn't think of what to say and immediately began coughing, because it was too hot to drink quickly. "Well..." she started to say, but was interrupted by another cough, "I hope someone, if they noticed someone else looking ill, could tell hi...could tell that person to go see the Healer or something. Because if everyone gets sick, then we'll really be in trouble this year."

A brief look of alarm crossed Shreya's face as Violet started coughing. Perhaps they would be heading to the Hospital Wing today after all. But no, it seemed as if the tea was just a bit too hot. Shreya waved her wand, swirling a jet of cool air over the teacup to cool it down—just enough for it to be the perfect drinking temperature.

"Yes, I'd hope the same. I do trust you realize the severity of the.....present situation." Shreya knew that she couldn't get into the specifics of the Neo-Alliance with someone as young as a third year. Not to mention that there was likely someone listening in on their conversation. It was strange. The presence of the Inquisitorial Squad had not only censored Shreya's lessons and words, but it somewhat censored her own thoughts. She was even afraid to think about how Rosier was torturing Professor Schmoe behind closed doors...and how she could eventually help the situation. As if she would get in trouble for having the thought cross her mind. "We will do everything we can to keep you safe."

She knew it probably sounded like empty words to the Slytherin. The professors were basically unable to do anything without fear of repercussions. As dreadful as the thought was, it seemed that for now, they were stuck. At least until they could come up with a better plan.

Shreya looked at Violet, her eyes filled with sadness at the realization that she couldn't even help her own students and colleagues.

Yeah, Violet was aware of it--she may only be in third year, but she was already fifteen and had seen plenty of bad stuff that year away from school with her father. Being aware didn't help any--what were they going to do, anyway? Just staying out of trouble wouldn't work forever, these intruders had some sort of plan and it wouldn't turn out well for any of them once they got started, Violet was sure of it. But looking at the sadness in her teacher's eyes, she didn't have the heart to talk about it any further.

She took another (more careful) sip of her tea, which had thankfully cooled enough to drink (especially if you didn't gulp it), and set the cup back down on the table. "Yes, well, I just felt better trying to do something, but I wouldn't want to get anyone in trouble. She got up reluctantly to go, then looked back up at her teacher with a crooked smile. "But...the potion was all right, wasn't it? I mean, it would have been all right to give someone, in different circumstances..." Bring the conversation back to potions and leave on a high note, that was the way.

"Very wise of you, Violet," Shreya said with a nod at the Slytherin's realization that helping would only make things worse—although their conversation did renew her desire to try and figure out a plan. They couldn't live like this forever.

The Potions professor broke into a smile at the girl's question. "The potion was more than all right. You do have quite a knack for potionmaking. I am very impressed with your abilities," she said reassuringly. Shreya didn't want Violet to feel discouraged. If circumstances were....different, perhaps the third year could help somehow. It was just too dangerous at the moment.

Violet smiled with pleasure at the teacher's praise. "Thanks. I'm really interested in potion-making. My governess used to be a potioneer and she taught me a lot before I started coming to Hogwarts. If I get good enough at it, I think it's something I'd like to do some day."

Violet finished her tea and picked up her potion vial (she assumed she'd be allowed to keep it, at least?) Sitting for a few minutes, turning the vial over and over in her hands, she couldn't think of anything else to say. It was so hard to carry on a decent conversation when you had to be afraid all the time that someone might be listening. Finally she hopped out of her chair, quietly pocketing the vial, and said, "Uh, well, I guess I'd better be going, then. Lots of homework and all." And then she turned to leave.

Shreya positively beamed at that. Young and talented students with the aspirations to become potioneers? It was like music to her ears. "What a wonderful goal to have. And I do believe that you're on the right track." She gave Violet a wink. The Slytherin certainly showed some raw potion-making talent. With some more years of practice, she could achieve quite a lot.

"Do keep that potion in a safe space." Shreya didn't feel the need to warn Violet yet again about the dangers (and consequences) if she were to give it to anyone. Hopefully the girl would stow it away for now. "Thank you very much for stopping by, Ms. Blackthorne. Please know that you're always welcome here." And Shreya truly meant that. She wanted her office to be a safe haven for the children. Merlin knew they needed it lately. Shreya gave Violet a warm smile before she departed.

"Yes, thanks Professor, I will," Violet replied as she headed out the door. She would definitely keep it, because she might have a need for it later. And next time, she wouldn't ask. "Goodbye, Professor Varma," Violet called on her way out.


oh Slytherins, just cannot play by the rules...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fireheart

And the tricky questions continued. But even though Shreya was walking on eggshells a bit, she was enjoying their discussion. She could talk about potions all day. "If you're meaning first years," she started in response to Cornelia's question, "there are not any to my knowledge that have brewed it successfully." Shreya didn't need to mention the legendary Hermione Granger brewing it successfully in her second year at Hogwarts. Perhaps Cornelia hadn't gotten to that point in her history textbooks yet.

She was fairly certain there had been some first years in the long history of the school that had brewed it successfully, in secret of course. But no one would ever know for sure. "And you must realize, Ms. Hemlock, the dangers of attempting to do so," she added in. Shreya figured one more direct warning couldn't hurt. She didn't want first years getting any ideas.

At least Cornelia's next question was a lighter one. Shreya chuckled a bit at that after taking a sip of her cappuccino. "Unfortunately, it does not always look or taste as magical as it may seem." The professor made her way to her bookshelf, where she pulled out a large, dusty green book. She rifled to a crumpled and stained page somewhere in the middle. The page had been referenced so many times that the potion ingredients were virtually illegible.

Shreya placed the open book on her desk for Cornelia to see, pointing at the picture at the top, which looked like a big pile of muck in a cauldron. "This is a picture before the additive. Once you add a piece of someone, the potion adapts based on that person. So it's safe to say that a completed polyjuice potion that still looks like a pile of mud contains the essence of a very bad individual." She flipped to the next page, which featured a picture of a shimmery, lavender potion. "This one, on the contrary, is indicative of a kind or pure soul. And the taste works the same way." She had tasted many a polyjuice potion in her years as a potioneer, and the worst tasted like onions and spoiled milk. Not a pleasant experience.

Did Cornelia know much about history? She knew a few things, but what her parents had told her about was limited (i.e. no Muggleborns like Hermione Granger were mentioned). Her forehead did furrow a bit when the professor said she wasn't aware of anyone young, first years in particular, that successfully brewed the Polyjuice Potion. It was at this point she was about to suggest the possibility of her brewing it, with the woman's help of course, so she could be that first year who succeeded in doing it. The woman did say something about a controlled environment, had she not?

Her curiosity only continued to grow after that warning. Even though she didn't say so out loud, the warning did the complete opposite of deterring her from wanting to look into the potion more. She wondered if it was worth asking one of the older students if they had brewed it before. They could be helpful...

But the conversation with the professor was nice. The first year was learning so much, way more than she expected she would. It was definitely interesting stuff, way more interesting than that boring history stuff they had to learn. She smiled when the professor chuckled and casually took a sip of her tea. See? She was just an innocent first year, simply asking questions and wanting to know things and try things out. She was pure at heart, at least in her mind she was.

When the book pages were shown to her, she couldn't stop a funny look from appearing on her face at the sight of the muddy looking potion. If it wasn't rude to gag at the sight of it, she would have. But her eyes did brighten up a bit at the sight of the pretty lavender potion. "Ooo! I bet mine would look something like that. My daddy says I'm all sugar and spice and everything nice." It really was a shame they wouldn't know any time soon. There was a bit of a pause, a few tea sips, before the girl spoke again. "So if Polyjuice is too dangerous" -- pfft, okay -- "then what potions would you recommend for a first year to brew that have cool effects?"