Blessed are the Forgetful PV Shauna,David Closed

@Ruthie Greer & @Shauna Starr

WC: 248

Ruthie did not normally jump into personal stories right away, but 45 minute wait time between part one and part two of a forgetfulness potion forced some civil conversations. And this, she figured was a great way to get to know peers, which she was sorely lacking in her own house. Besides, these two seemed helpful and kind, which were traits she valued in friendship.

Shauna's home life had seemed difficult at best, but Ruthie hoped that David's details of his childhood would be more upbeat, or at least something she might be able to relate to. The experiences of an orphan lifestyle seemed so far from her own sheltered seaside existence. Canadian he was and a transplant. "How long have you been in the UK?" she asked, "Moving that far seems like an ordeal. My parents moved us from Anstruther to Arisiag, moving cross Scotland was enough for Kristy and me." The move had been stressful for the girls because even though one fishing village might be like another, they were old enough that Fife had become home.

With some faffing around Shauna's bag, they eventually located Shauna's book, which had been slid across the floor over to David. "I think the potions are listed alphabetically," she mentioned to David, who would presumably thumb for the page with the recipe. While Ruthie was trying to recall details, Shauna had apparently been conducting her own experiment where the berries are concerned. The young Ravenclaw with two Mistletoe Berries: a crushed one and a squished one. Ruthie took one in each hand and held them up to her nose. "The squished one is stronger, for sure," she admitted, "But let's see what the book says to be sure." She turned her attention to David, who she trusted had found the right page by now and could provide correct information on the berry debate.

In the meantime, the brew was beginning to settle and it would be time to add in the first half. "I think we might be able to start part two of this as soon as we know about the berries. Before that though, we have to add in the Standard Ingredient. You found it, David, so did you want to do that?" That seemed fair because he found the extra and Shauna still have to crush/squish the appropriate portion of berries, the second step. Once these were in the potion was almost all set. Funny, how much faster this all seemed once she had additionally helping hands.

Tag: @Shauna Starr & @David Young

WC: 264

She wouldn't have predicted she'd have a natural proclivity towards potions. Herbology, yes, but she hadn't immediately connected that the two were related. But as she and her companions set about getting and preparing ingredients, it was clear there was a direct link. Maybe these were destined to become her two best subjects, but then we were only a few weeks into the term. Perhaps it was too early to tell.

The Scottish girl listened eagerly as David explained his family's move across the pond. "That's certainly larger than our move," she referenced their four and a half hour drive from the Kingdom of Fife up into Inverness-shire and the highlands. "How do you like the UK so far?" she asked casually, assuming that he meant England. Most people meant England when they referred to Britain, which was wrong of course when Scotland (and perhaps Northern Ireland and Wales) had so much to offer, but England's historical dominance was hard to surpass. The point, was that Ruthie's own views were limited to Scotland, a country she cherished very much, and she hoped his experience of Scotland, if not the whole of the country, had been pleasant thus far.

The Ravenclaw boy had swiftly located the Forgetfulness Potion in the textbook. He read out the instructions: crush the berries. It was exactly as her notes had dictated. She nodded as she heard this confirmation. Of course, she was grateful for checking, but this was an indication that she was on the right track with potions more generally. Overly cautious too, she did as David asked and stood up to read the page he held: four crushed berries, indeed.

She was about to turn back to Shauna to tell her to crush the berries, even though the girl had seemed so certain about squishing them, but by that time, Shauna had already appeared to have done both. From the corner of her eye, Ruthie could see two separate and distinct contains, each with that mistletoe red, but the texture seemed slightly different. Before she could ask any questions, the fellow Ravenclaw had tilted the glasses towards her and explained that one was squished and one was crushed. They use whichever they liked while Shauna visited the washroom. "Okay," Ruthie acknowledged as the girl left. Turning her attention to David, saying, "Let's go with the crushed then."

She turned her attention back to the potion, the first half of which was all done settling itself out. "You can put in the two measures of Standard Ingredient," she addressed him, "Then I'll add in crushed berries." After that, she'd just need to stir it and then seal the mixture with a wave of her wand. They were nearly there and she'd finally feel like perhaps she could compete, truly and honestly, for top marks in potions. And who knows, maybe these two would become her competition, but for the moment Ruthie was more focused on collaboration.

Tag: @David Young & @Shauna Starr

@Ruthie Greer & @Shauna Starr

NB: Skipping Shauna per our discussions. Also, I don't write in accents, but Ruthie has one.

Listening to David, Ruthie remembered that her home country was still a place to explore for others. Her experience was limited to Scotland, and even then coastal shores and villages. But to others, this was a vast island to explore and become accustomed to. "I'm glad you're liking Britain so far," the girl said as she pulled one of her curly blonde hairs behind her ear. The last thing she wanted to do was get some of the potion or its ingredients stuck in her hair. There was enough mess potential as it were, but they had managed to contain it thus far.

As they talked, she watched David add in the two measures of Standard Ingredient. He was calm and measured, an excellent potioneer in his own right, she thought, and wonderful person to have assisting her. Once he was finished, she reached for bowl of crushed berries. Looking down at the berries, then at the cauldron and back again, she wanted to ensure she had the right bowl. Shauna, she was sure, hadn't meant to cause confusion with two bowls. Still, the Scottish girl wasn't able to risk it.

While she put in two pinches of the crushed berries into the potion, David had asked her about her adjustment to the environment. "Well, I've lived here in Scotland, my whole life," she started, "mostly on the coast. But this castle, it's something else. My mum told me about it, but it's so different to be here in person, don't you think? I'm enjoying it so far, outside of that Ancient Runes errand." She thought of her the first time she came through the doors, and the past few weeks of classes and meals in the Great Hall. It was better than she could have imagined solely off stories. It had surpassed the stories. Except for the burn she'd managed to get in Ancient Runes when trying to make a wax candle. That was just embarrassing, and a tale for another time.

With the last ingredient in the potion, Ruthie reached for a spoon that had lain next to the berry bowls. Carefully, she began to stir the potion anti-clockwise. Five stirs was all it took. Exchanging the spoon for her wand, she waved it over the mixture. Just then the potion turned bright orange in color and the bubbling subsided until the mixture's surface was smooth like still water. Pleased with the result, she smiled at David. "Thanks for helping," she said, "Just one more thing: I want to check the consistency against the light." As she said it, she turned her back to look for an empty phial. She thought she'd had one with her, but if not there was likely one somewhere in the room nearby.

Tag: @David Young @Shauna Starr

WC: 261

She was routing around in her bag for a free phial when she heard Shauna step into the room, asking what they were up to. She supposed it wasn't obvious, especially considering that none of them were exactly experienced potioneers. Quite the contrary, they were students and first years at that.

"We are pretty much finished," Ruthie said with a grin as her eyes darted over to Shauna and back again. As it was a short glance, she didn't particularly notice how Shauna appeared or what she was doing. She was helpful, yes, but she wasn't exactly a friend yet. So, Ruthie was more concerned with perfecting her potion than her companion's well-being.

After a few moments, she feel the round edge of glass with her fingers and pulled out a phial. It was a little bit smudged since the last time she'd used it in class, but it would do just fine. Reaching for a the ladle, she poured in a small bit of the liquid into the phial slowly so that she wouldn't spill it on herself or any more on the floor. When it was filled about three fourth's of the way up, she pushed off the ground and stood up. She walked towards the window, where she angled the phial to catch the light. With her left hand, she waved David over to be her second pair of eyes. "Orange. Not too thick. I think that's just about right," she said squinting, "What do you think, David?" Funny, he had become a very capable assistant and she trusted his judgement despite having only met him recently. She was so focused on the way the light reflected on her small little sample, she was totally oblivious to whatever might be happening with the larger cauldron.

NB: Sorry for shortness and lateness.
Tag: @Shauna Starr & @David Young