Potions Lesson 1

[Horace Slughorn]

{OOC: I would deeply appreciate it if you would read "Introduction To Potions and Professor Slughorn" before taking this class, so you get a feel for the professor's character and the classroom setting itself. Also, make sure you sign up in the Potions Sign-Up section, too. Thanks.}

Potions Lesson 1:

Professor Slughorn looked around the classroom in delight. So many new faces, so many new talents. So much PROMISE. He could practically feel the splendor and brilliance from this year’s turnout of first years.

“Welcome, welcome, first years, to Hogwarts and to your first Potions lesson of the term. I am Professor Slughorn and I am very pleased to meet you. I like to be prudent so right on to business.” With a wink and a turn he faced the blackboard and with a tap of his wand, enchanted the chalk and it began to float and write what he was saying on the blackboard. “You may want to take notes.”He cleared his throat before speaking again as the class pulled out parchment, ink and quills and began to write down what he was saying. “The Boil Cure Potion-a simple solution that cures boils. This potion is relatively useful and easy to make, which is why we are starting with it. The ingredients are:

1) Dried Nettles
2) Crushed Snake Fangs
3) Stewed Horned Slugs
4) Porcupine Quills

To achieve the desired effect for this potion, one needs to first crush the dried nettles and sprinkle them into a cup of boiling water. Stir until it mixes well and then add the crushed snake fangs in. Let the heat mix the two for about eight minutes before adding the stewed horned slugs. Stir until mixed, once more, and then turn off the heat. Let it sit for about ten minutes before adding the porcupine quills or the effects will be disastrous. Some past students of mine have had boils appear from contact with the unfinished concentration and still more have even had holes burnt through their shoes.”

There was a collective gasp around the classroom and the professor hid a smile.

“Precision, timing and focus are just as important of ingredients as the composition of your potion. If you missed anything I said, the chalkboard behind me has it all written down. You will not be making this potion today, you will simply be answering a few questions for me, a quiz of sorts.”

He began to hand out parchments with questions written on them to each table with instructions to pass them down to their neighbors. The parchments read:


1) What does Boil Cure Potion do?
2) What are the ingredients?
3) What are some of the things that can happen if the potion is not taken off the heat before adding the last ingredient?
4) What are the three skills that are important in potion-making?

The next few questions are simply to see where you’re at and to get to know you.

1) What experience do you have with potion-making, of any?
2) What kinds of potions are you interested in learning to make?

“You have til the end of class to have them on my desk. If you finish early, please open up your books to page 3 and begin reading the first chapter on the basics of potion-making. Take the time to get as much into the mindset as you can and prepare yourselves. This is merely a warm-up. Not all my lessons are this easy.” With a wink and a “Begin!” he returned to his desk.


{OOC: IMPORTANT-I doubt you will need it for this lesson specifically, but here are some useful links to help you complete your future assignments:

www.hp-lexicon.org/index-2.html

harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

You must cite the pages you used, meaning you must post the link where you found your information in the lesson answer you post. You must do this with ANY WEBSITE YOU USE. Your search engines are not limited to the Lexicon and HPWiki, however. You can Google search, but the same rules apply. If you have exhausted all means at your disposal and are still struggling, send me and owl and I will be glad to help you.

Also, I will grade your assignments in a ten for ten format. Ten possible points for good role-playing, and ten possible points for the assignment itself. So twenty points in all. Be creative, I will hand out House Points at random. }

[Astin Descartes]

*Here's hoping this is how you want it done. If not, I'll redo it. XD*

Astin blinked down at the rough parchment. Experience with potions-making? When he was little, sometimes he'd mix together different shampoos and shower gels and lotions with water and play pretend that he was a master apothecary, but he highly doubted that counted. What kind was he interested in making? He wasn't even sure what kinds existed.

Astin hoped all his classes weren't like this, because his brain already hurt. Wizards were weird.

He positioned his quill in his hand-- really, sometimes it felt like Hogwarts was stuck in the nineteenth century-- and began scratching his answers on the parchment.

1) A Boil Cure Potion will cure boils.
2.) The ingredients are dried nettles, crushed snake fangs, stewed horned slugs, and porcupine quills.
3.) If the potion is not taken off heat before adding the last ingredient, it may cause boils and act as an acid.
4.) Precision, timing and focus are important qualities when making potions.
5.) I've never made any potions or read about them before.


Astin considered the last question for a minute. He really had nothing to go on here, so he answered it one hundred percent honestly.

6.) Since I know absolutely nothing about potions, I really don't have an answer.

Astin glanced over his parchment briefly. That hadn't been as difficult as he thought it would be, at least. He looked around; it made him nervous that nearly everyone else was still writing, but he didn't have any way to possibly augment his answers, so it would simply have to work.

Astin walked the short trek to Professor Slughorn's desk cautiously, afraid of attracting any unwanted attention, and placed the finished assignment on his desk. Then he returned to his seat and opened up to page 3 as ordered.

[Joanne Jordan]

Joanne took a seat in the back of the classroom as was the norm for her, seeing as how she didn't want to attract too much attention.

As she was listening intently to the lesson on the Boil Cure Potion, she heard a loud groan in her head, which caused her to jump slightly in her seat. Hoping nobody noticed, she realized that Samantha was the one who groaned. "What's wrong, Samantha?" she asked her twin through their mind link. She then looked up and saw that Professor Slughorn was handing out pieces of parchment and was looking at her with a confused look on his face, since he had seen some movement in her general direction.

"Sorry, but I've got to go. I'm in Potions class and Professor Slughorn is look at me with an odd look on his face. I'll tel you about it later," Joanne told her sister, then cut off their link.

"Is there something amiss, Miss...?" Professor Slughorn had reached Joanne's desk and had leaned in close to her so their conversation would be more private in the room full of students. "Um, Jordan, sir. My name is Joanne Jordan. I-I'm OK. Just thought I felt something poke my back is all,." she said nervously, feeling her face get warm and figured it was turning slightly pink in embarrassment.

Professor Slughorn gave her one last confused look, then proceeded to finish passing out papers.

Joanne looked down at the parchment sitting on the desk.

1. What does Boil Cure Potion do?
The Boil Cure Potion simply cures boils.

2) What are the ingredients?
The ingredients for this potion are Dried Nettles, Crushed Snake Fangs, Stewed Horned Slugs, and Porcupine Quills

3) What are some of the things that can happen if the potion is not taken off the heat before adding the last ingredient?
The disastrous effects include actually getting boils instead of curing them, and burning holes through one's shoes.

4) What are the three skills that are important in potion-making?
The most important skills in potion-making are as follows:
a. Precision
b. Timing
c. Focus

Joanne then looked at the next set of questions. She had watched her mother make potions when she was younger, but that had been years ago!!!! She honestly didn't remember what was made, so she wrote:

I used to watch my mother make potions. She always wanted me to join her, but I kept telling her no.

For the second question, she thought long and hard about it, then took her quill and scratched onto the parchment:

I'd like to learn how to make a potion that could make me a little more outgoing, like my sister, Samantha. I'd also like to learn how to make a potion for better luck.

She then stood up slowly and walked nervously to Professor Slughorn's desk and put the piece of parchment neatly on top of it. She walked quickly back to her desk, took out her potion book, and started reading the chapter.

[Dastan Cross]

Dastan stepped into the potions class down in the dungeons. He'd tried to get as acquainted with the place as much as he could, seeing as how it would be his home for the next seven years, but he still felt the dungeons were a little drafty. Maybe that came from spending years in the hot, desert sun back in Alamut? Dastan didn't know, but he determined to not let the temperature bother him. Besides, Professor Slughorn had made it as homey as you possibly could make a dungeon.

As Slughorn began the lesson, Dastan found himself mildly disappointed to note that it wasn't going to be a practical lesson, which he naturally preferred.

Even so, he pulled out a piece of parchment and started writing thenotes he thought to be imperative in his native language. Even though he'd been in England for a while and Lord Alex had given him extensive lessons in English (with the assistance of a Gab Charm, which made learning languages easy), his own language still came more freely to him, especially in writing. And he wouldn't admit this out loud, but he found his own language to look prettier than English anyways, and he liked pretty language.

The lesson began winding down and the Professor put up the homework, which Dastan promptly began writing.

Dastan Cross
Slytherin

1) What does a Boil Cure Potion do? It cures boils.

Well, that was easy enough. Next question:

2) What are the ingredients? crushed snake fangs, dried nettles, porcupine quills and stewed horned slugs.

That question was much more difficult to answer off the top of his head, but since he'd written that down, it wasn't too hard to glance over the ingredients. He couldn't help the involuntary cringe as he read the bit about stewing horned slugs. Ugh.

3) What are some things that could happen if the potion is not taken off the heat before adding the last ingredient? People have burned holes in their shoes, or ended up being covered in boils.

Dastan remembered that one; he couldn't imagine being covered in boils, and he was sure that something that could burn through shoes couldn't possibly be soothing to the skin.

4) What are the three skills that are important in potion making?
Precision, Timing and focus.

Dastan grinned down at his paper. That wasn't too bad. Still, he hoped that next lesson would be actually making a potion. He was looking forward to that.

Then, Dastan looked at the extra questions.

1) What experience do you have with making potions, if any? I have watched my master make a few potions in the past, and assisted with chopping/grinding/finding ingredients, but I never actually brewed any myself.
2) What potions are you interested in learning to make? Any potions which could help me succeed at my goals.

[Horace Slughorn]

Professor Slughorn smiled at Astin when he placed the paper on his desk and read it over. Someone very practical and to the point, I see. A good quality.

1) A Boil Cure Potion will cure boils.
2.) The ingredients are dried nettles, crushed snake fangs, stewed horned slugs, and porcupine quills.
3.) If the potion is not taken off heat before adding the last ingredient, it may cause boils and act as an acid.
4.) Precision, timing and focus are important qualities when making potions.
5.) I've never made any potions or read about them before.
6.) Since I know absolutely nothing about potions, I really don't have an answer.

Very good, Mr. Descartes. I can see you are a bright and prompt boy, but are also open to new things and will be a great asset to my class.

Once this was written, he handed the paper back to the boy and told him he could leave when he was finished reading.

RP grade: 10/10
Assignment grade: 10/10
Total: 20/20 Good job!
{OOC: Just some food for thought...this lesson is purely to get to a feel for the settings, personalities of the characters and a general idea of the class. Don't think all the assignments will be this dreadfully easy. (;}

[Horace Slughorn]

1. What does Boil Cure Potion do?
The Boil Cure Potion simply cures boils.

2) What are the ingredients?
The ingredients for this potion are Dried Nettles, Crushed Snake Fangs, Stewed Horned Slugs, and Porcupine Quills.

3) What are some of the things that can happen if the potion is not taken off the heat before adding the last ingredient?
The disastrous effects include actually getting boils instead of curing them, and burning holes through one's shoes.

4) What are the three skills that are important in potion-making?
The most important skills in potion-making are as follows:
a. Precision
b. Timing
c. Focus



I used to watch my mother make potions. She always wanted me to join her, but I kept telling her no.

I'd like to learn how to make a potion that could make me a little more outgoing, like my sister, Samantha. I'd also like to learn how to make a potion for better luck.

Professor Slughorn's brow furrowed. So like a Ravenclaw to want to use magic to be more successful at something than they already were. He smiled and began marking.

Good answers, Miss Jordan. I like your honesty. I can see that you are very eager and willing and those are both good qualities to have.


He handed her the paper back with the same instructions as he had given Astin, then said, "Ten points to Ravenclaw for such well thought out answers. You are very thorough and I like that."Then he moved on and began grading Dastan's paper.

RP grade: 6/10- You did some powerplaying here, and from now on when using someone else's character to do something, it's usually best to ask. Just keep that in mind.
Assignment grade: 10/10
Total: 16/20
{OOC: Just some food for thought...this lesson is purely to get to a feel for the settings, personalities of the characters and a general idea of the class. Don't think all the assignments will be this dreadfully easy. (;}

[Horace Slughorn]

Dastan Cross
Slytherin

1) What does a Boil Cure Potion do? It cures boils.

2) What are the ingredients? crushed snake fangs, dried nettles, porcupine quills and stewed horned slugs.

3) What are some things that could happen if the potion is not taken off the heat before adding the last ingredient? People have burned holes in their shoes, or ended up being covered in boils.



4) What are the three skills that are important in potion making?Precision, Timing and focus.


1) What experience do you have with making potions, if any? I have watched my master make a few potions in the past, and assisted with chopping/grinding/finding ingredients, but I never actually brewed any myself.

2) What potions are you interested in learning to make? Any potions which could help me succeed at my goals.

His right eyebrow raised a little as he graded this particular paper.Perhaps this student just might...hm...we shall see... His thought remained unfinished as he started to give his grade and personal feedback.

Very good, Mr. Cross! It's good to know you have some prior experience and that you are interested in succeeding no matter what. I am looking forward to seeing how you do in my class.

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Once again he handed the paper back and gave the same instructions that he could leave when he was done reading. "Ten points to Slytherin for an outstanding paper by Mr. Dastan." He turned to the class and grinned broadly. "The point of this lesson was for me to get to know you a little and to see where you're at. I am pleased to see such promising youths and I hope you will rise to your full potentials in time. Students who show no fear, hesitation or lack of dedication when it comes to success are those who will go the farthest. Precision, timing and focus were emphasized here because they are what you will need most to succeed in this class and I hope you will learn to apply these principles in your daily lives, as they are important. Please keep in mind that the lessons will become more challenging from here on." With that, he returned to his desk, watching them with curious eyes alight with excitement.

Whether or not they think I am implementing favoritism for my own House here is irrelevant. Mr. Dastan simply caught my eye with his answer. There was more to those questions than the students believe. Hm.
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RP grade: 10/10
Assignment grade: 10/10
Total: 20/20 Good job!
{OOC: Just some food for thought...this lesson is purely to get to a feel for the settings, personalities of the characters and a general idea of the class. Don't think all the assignments will be this dreadfully easy. (;}

{OOC: Also...anyone who hasn't done this yet is still free to do so. It's not closed just because I replied to a select few.}

[Severus Snape]

Severus shouldered his bag and descended the old stone steps that led to the dungeons. After his exhausting lesson in Transfiguration, he could only hope to do better in a class he knew a little more about. He pushed open the classroom door and took his seat a few chairs down from the little Ravenclaw named Joanne.

After listening carefully to Professor Slughorn's instructions, he began writing.


1) What does Boil Cure Potion do?
The Boil Cure Potion remedies boils.

2) What are the ingredients?
The ingredients are as follows:
1) Dried Nettles
2) Crushed Snake Fangs
3) Stewed Horned Slugs
4) Porcupine Quills

3) What are some of the things that can happen if the potion is not taken off the heat before adding the last ingredient?
If the potion is not taken off of the heat before adding the last ingredient, it can reverse its effect and give the user boils rather than curing them. It can also turn acidic and burn holes through things.

4) What are the three skills that are important in potion-making?
The three important skills in potion-making are as follows:

1)Precision
2)Timing
3)Focus

The next few questions are simply to see where you’re at and to get to know you.

1) What experience do you have with potion-making, of any?
I have read a lot about many different potions, as well as several subjects related to it. I have successfully brewed a Hiccuping Solution and a bit of Murlap Essence.

He wondered if that sounded too braggish, but discarded the thought. He had more experience in this subject than others and he had asked for their experience. He shrugged and moved on.

2) What kinds of potions are you interested in learning to make?
A thought passed through his mind and he bent his head to avoid anyone seeing him blush. Ridiculous, he thought and wrote on.

I'm not certain at this point. Most are interesting to me.

Satisfied, he brought the parchment up to the professor's desk and placed it, then returned to his seat and read the chapter as required.

RP grade: 10/10
Assignment grade: 10/10
Total: 20/20

[siriusblack]

Sirius held in about seven sneezes as he made his way into the dungeons for Potions. Once inside, he looked around the classroom and sat down a little ways away from the gangly boy he had seen earlier at the train platform. This place was as homey as a dungeon could possibly look, and the professor seemed nice enough.

The lesson, he figured as he listened, was easy, too. At least for today. Good. He didn't feel like thinking. He stifled a yawn, cracked his knuckles and got to work.


1) What does Boil Cure Potion do?
Cures boils.

2) What are the ingredients?
Dried nettles, crushed snake fangs, stewed horned slugs and porcupine quills.

3) What are some of the things that can happen if the potion is not taken off the heat before adding the last ingredient?
You can get boils or burn holes through things.

4) What are the three skills that are important in potion-making?
Precision, timing and focus.

The next few questions are simply to see where you’re at and to get to know you.

1) What experience do you have with potion-making, of any?
Not much, unfortunately.

2) What kinds of potions are you interested in learning to make?
Anything helpful.

He scratched his chin with his quill in thought. Yep, that about summed it up and there was no sense pretending to be something he wasn't. He turned the paper in and read the chapter, then left, not wanting to draw attention to himself at this point. Especially since he had seen the professor eying him and he was sure he knew why; he was a Black. He rolled his eyes and marched up to the dorms to rest.

RP grade: 10/10
Assignment grade: 10/10
Total: 20/20

[Night Grey]

Night whimpered softly as she entered the room and sat. She was horrible at potions and didn't see why she tried. She looked around the room and sighed. "This is going to be interesting...."

As she listened she smiled, book work on potions, this she could do... Now actually making the potions was another story.

When she was handed the paper she began quickly. This will be a piece of cake... potion-y.... cake... she shook her head when she caught her own thoughts. wouldn't do to let her mind wander.

She began to write using her glass quill and emerald ink.

1) What does Boil Cure Potion do?
It cures boils

Duh, she thought

2) What are the ingredients?
Dried Nettles, Crust Snake fangs, stewed horned slugs, porcupine quills

3) What are some of the things that can happen if the potion is not taken off the heat before adding the last ingredient?
This mights cause boils to appear or burn holes through shoes. In all not good.

4) What are the three skills that are important in potion-making?
precision, timing, focus

1) What experience do you have with potion-making, of any? To be quite honest I am horrible at potions but desire to learn more.

2) What kinds of potions are you interested in learning to make? potions that ease migraines and other general ailments

When she finished she picked it up walking towards the desk to turn it in. She placed it down and smiled, "Here you go, Sir."

She made an abrupt about-face and went to sit down opening her book and skimming the required reading.

RP grade: 6/10-Expand a little and use better punctuation. It's hard to tell thoughts from speech and actions.
Assignment grade: 10/10
Total: 16/20

[roxannemonster]

Roxie quickly became interested in potions. She heard that there were all sorts of potions. Transformations, Love potions, and even good luck potions. So, she was excited to be in class.

She was even more excited when he announced he was going to tell them about a healing potion. Especially over boils. Those horrid things would ruin her image, and she wrote down the ingredients and recipe word for word (using shorthand of course). She even wrote down and underlined "Precision, timing, and focus!" She added a heart to the near left of those three to signify their importance.

After the Professor finished, Roxie was devastated to learn they'd be taking a mindless quiz instead of testing the product. Luckily, she had his lecture written in her notes.

Roxie Kincaid, Potions~

1) What does Boil Cure Potion do?
Cures boils, of course.
2) What are the ingredients?
Dried Nettles, Crushed Snake Fangs, Stewed Horn Slugs, and Porcupine Quills
3) What are some of the things that can happen if the potion is not taken off the heat before adding the last ingredient?
Oh, you could get covered in horrid boils or you could lose your nice shoes to an acidic failure of a potion.
4) What are the three skills that are important in potion-making?
Precision, Timing, and Focus~

The next few questions are simply to see where you’re at and to get to know you.
1) What experience do you have with potion-making, of any?
I've had no previous potion experience. The only thing I know is my mother told me about the variety of thinks potions can do.
2) What kinds of potions are you interested in learning to make?
I think I'd love one of those good luck potions.

RP grade: 15/10 *Extra credit for so much colorful character expressed.
Assignment grade: 10/10
Total:25/20

[jamespotter]

James strolled into the Potions classroom, looking around in awe. There were vials and bottles and containers containing strange ingredients everywhere. He sat down in a corner in the back and watched the professor bustle about. He had to fight back a laugh. This was a walking, talking walrus! This was so cool. He wondered idly if he could somehow get a stick and poke the man. Still, he didn't want to get in trouble just quite yet. At least, not for something so pathetic as poking a professor.

James looked up to see said professor looming over him with a parchment in hand and he gulped, taking it. Maybe poking him was just a bad idea all around. Oh well. He'd find something else to do to him eventually. He took out his quill and dipped it in ink. Best get to work then. He sighed, blowing his hair up and out of his face, and put his quill to the parchment.

1) What does Boil Cure Potion do? The Boil Cure potion has the ability to reduce any boil, pimple, or zit.

2) What are the ingredients? Dried Nettles, Crushed Snake Fangs, Stewed Horned Slugs, and Porcupine Quills.

3) What are some of the things that can happen if the potion is not taken off the heat before adding the last ingredient? The potion will melt a hole in the cauldron and will emit a very powerful, putrid smell.

4) What are the three skills that are important in potion-making? Patience, accuracy, and concentration.

The next few questions are simply to see where you’re at and to get to know you.

1) What experience do you have with potion-making, of any? I've made a few potions here and there with my Dad, but it's been simple stuff.

2) What kinds of potions are you interested in learning to make? I'm really looking forward to an Aging potion. For personal reasons.

James grinned as he finished the paper, admiring his work and walked over to the professor, handing him the paper. The grin was still on his face when he walked out. Surely he'd get a good grade. He had to. He was James Potter after all.

RP grade: 15/10
Assignment grade: 15/10
Total: 30/20- VERY impressive work, Mr. Potter. I like not only your expressive writing but the unique answers.

[Viola Stratford]

Viola dejectedly put her potion supplies back in her bag and turned to the Professor. He seemed nice enough, but a bit creepy. Too big of a smile for someone that was teaching the basics of potions to a bunch of kids. But he couldn't have been that bad. He taught in the dungeons. She felt at home here in the cold bowels of the castle. Maybe because she would be spending the next seven years in the dungeon-like Slytherin common room.

Taking notes and quizzes wasn't all bad, but she really wanted to make a potion. Her mother had been huge on them, but had never allowed her near them while she was making them in case something went wrong. It could be very dangerous. She loved it. As with all her other classes, she took impeccable notes, trying to get down every last scrap of information that might be helpful or necessary. She even stifled a laugh when Professor Slughorn revealed that one of the ingredients in the Boil Cure Potion, was horned slug. How ironic. It probably wasn't funny to anyone else but her, so she contented herself with a small smile.

Viola sighed when the quiz was out in front of her. She hadn't been doing too good on them lately and wanted to make a good impression.

1) What does a Boil Cure Potion do?
It will cure boils. Obviously.

2) What are the ingredients?
Crushed snake fangs
Dried nettles
Porcupine quills
Stewed horned slugs.

3) What are some things that could happen if the potion is not taken off the heat before adding the last ingredient?
It is possibly that it will cause boils, or burn holes in things, like an acid.

4) What are the three skills that are important in potion making?
Precision
Timing
Focus

5) What experience do you have with making potions, if any?
I have a little. My mother never let me make any, but I did secretly watch her. It seems complicated.

6) What potions are you interested in learning to make?
Potions that can heal ailments and improve daily life.

She was a little worried. This quiz was harder than the rest. Potions apparently required attention to the details. Her eyes scanned the room as she opened her book to page 3. No one was talking. Maybe she wasn't the only one struggling.

RP grade: 10/10
Assignment grade: 10/10
Total: 20/20

[Na-Na-Na-Nathan !]

If the layout of the school didn't kill him, the classes certainly would.
It had just been one day and he already felt bogged down with work. Sure, the first days were never difficult, really just 'getting to know you' sorts of things, but he knew that the honeymoon would soon be over, and within a week teachers would be asking him for three foot long papers on the theory of wand waving or some poop like that.
Not that he ever had any problems whatsoever with hard work - it was just... all of this was so confusing. A lot to take in all at once, and Nathan had never been one to adapt to change easily. Adapt to other people? Yes. True self-change? Never.

Nathan eventually found himself in the right classroom (or so he supposed, seeing as everyone seated looked ready to mix some potions or another - then again, he might have just been generalizing wizards again), and took a seat as far away from the desk as he could muster. Didn't want to get called out on or find someone that disagreed with him or anything.

He just sort of sat there until the teacher came in, and once he did (even though he was trying really hard), he found himself stumbling over the most basic of what the Professor was trying to say. A potion to cure boils made out of porcupine quills and nettles and stuffs? Uhm, sir, are you sure you're not trying to teach old wive's tales and passing it off as magic? Because that totally sounded like something his great grandma would claim. And everyone knew that his great grandma was crazy and should succumb to her Alzheimer's already (the poor dear).

For this reason, he wasn't really paying very much attention to the Professor, and when he got his quiz thing, he just sort of looked at the paper in surprise.
Errm. So he had to take a quiz on an old wive's tale. Fun. So much fun.
Je-sus did he miss his old school.

With a sigh, Nathan picked up his quill (another thing he hated about Wizards - using backwards technology like this), and started thinking some answers together.

1) What does Boil Cure Potion do?

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2) What are the ingredients?

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3) What are some of the things that can happen if the potion is not taken off the heat before adding the last ingredient?

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4) What are the three skills that are important in potion-making?

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He wasn't really feeling confidant about his answers at all, and revised them numerous times until he felt as if he had explained himself correctly. He didn't want pity or anything, but it would be nice if the teachers at least understood that he had no idea what was going on and that, while he was going to try his hardest to learn fast, this was never going to come easily to him.
As for the more personal questions, these were, if anything, even harder. Uuugh. What did they expect muggle-borns to say, anyway? "Oh, nothing at all, nice day to learn, though?" It just made you sound stupid.
Not that he wasn't already acting like a fool or anything, but still.

Nathan mulled over it for quite some time, then shrugged it off and decided to write whatever came to mind.
Which was never a good idea, but hey.

1) What experience do you have with potion-making, if any?

[/i], but we always thought she was just old. I wouldn't really call it experience with potions but I guess it counts as something, right? I mean, I tried making stuffs like this with her once but then my parents found out and told me that she was a heathen and that I really shouldn't listen to a word she said. We loved her and she was family but she was also senile and crazy.
Also, the thing she and I made together stunk really bad, anyway.[/ul][/font][/color]

2) What kinds of potions are you interested in learning to make?

[/i] for one of those.
But not really. I mean. Killing people is mean and stuffs.[/color][/ul][/font]


This took most of the period, and by the time he was done he felt as if he had accomplished nothing.
Typical.

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RP grade: 15/10
Assignment grade: 2/10
Total: 17/20 *Impressive RP, but the character's work was poor.

[Peter Pettigrew]

Peter nervously entered the dungeons where the Potions class was being held; he hated dark and dreary places like this. At the end of the hall, he saw the open door to the classroom, and went in. looking around, he noticed how messy the room was in comparison to Charms. He was used to the clutter of potion ingredients, though; his mother was very adept at making potions, whether by experimentation or out of a book or magazine. Taking a seat in the second to last row, Peter laid out the same items as he did in Charms.

Just as he finished, an older gentleman entered the room. He had a rather rotund belly, and wore a square cap with a tassel on his head. Facing the class, he said, “Welcome, welcome, first years, to Hogwarts and to your first Potions lesson of the term. I am Professor Slughorn, and I am very pleased to meet you. I like to be prudent, so right onto business. You may want to take notes.” He had enchanted a piece of chalk so that it wrote what he was saying on the blackboard. “The Boil Cure Potion-a simple solution that cures boils. This potion is relatively useful and easy to make, which is why we are starting with it. The ingredients are:

1) Dried Nettles
2) Crushed Snake Fangs
3) Stewed Horned Slugs
4) Porcupine Quills

To achieve the desired effect for this potion, one needs to first crush the dried nettles and sprinkle them into a cup of boiling water. Stir until it mixes well and then add the crushed snake fangs in. Let the heat mix the two for about eight minutes before adding the stewed horned slugs. Stir until mixed, once more, and then turn off the heat. Let it sit for about ten minutes before adding the porcupine quills or the effects will be disastrous. Some past students of mine have had boils appear from contact with the unfinished concentration and still more have even had holes burnt through their shoes.”

The class gasped at this, with Peter joining them. Professor Slughorn continued.

“Precision, timing and focus are just as important of ingredients as the composition of your potion. If you missed anything I said, the chalkboard behind me has it all written down. You will not be making this potion today; you will simply be answering a few questions for me, a quiz of sorts.”

He passed out some pieces of parchment with writing on them. When he finished, he walked back to his desk and told the class, “You have till the end of class to have them on my desk. If you finish early, please open up your books to page 3 and begin reading the first chapter on the basics of potion-making. Begin!”

Peter was relieved when Professor Slughorn didn’t instruct them to make a potion on the first day, mainly because in his haste to get to breakfast, he forgot to pack his Potions kit. Looking at the quiz the professor passed out, he had a sudden feeling of déjà vu, because this quiz was in the exact same style as the one he took not too long ago in Charms.



1) What does Boil Cure Potion do?
Cures boils

2) What are the ingredients?
Dried nettles, crushed snake fangs, stewed horned slugs, and porcupine quills

3) What are some of the things that can happen if the potion is not taken off the heat before adding the last ingredient?
Holes can be burned in shoes or boils appear instead of disappear

4) What are the three skills that are important in potion-making?
Precision, timing, and focus

The next few questions are simply to see where you’re at and to get to know you.

1) What experience do you have with potion-making, of any?
My mum is pretty experienced at making potions, and she’s taught me a little bit.

2) What kinds of potions are you interested in learning to make?
I can’t really think of any at the moment, so I guess I’m up for anything

Finished early with the quiz, he took it up to Professor Slughorn’s desk, returned to his seat, and started reading. He soon became bored, though, as he already knew the basics from his mother. So he opened his notebook to one of the last pages, and started doodling, taking quick glances at the professor, making sure he wasn’t looking. When everyone had turned in their pieces of parchment, the professor dismissed the class.

RP grade: 15/10
Assignment grade: 10/10
Total: 25/20 *Very expressive writing, Mr. Pettigrew. Good work.