Hunter A. Prodigal Solo

@Hunter Argentum, your RP for Pepperup Potion for Prodigal Potions Learner has been approved!

I loved your writing style, particularly the details as to how Hunter's grandmother used to make him the potion and the care and thought you obviously put into ensuring the recipe was carefully followed. I look forward to reading more of your work and seeing you supply potions aplenty.

Murtlap Essence

Recipe

Reducio

Step 1
In a Standard Size III Cauldron pour 3 measures of honey
Bring heat to a low simmer
Add 1 measure of dried nettles to the cauldron
Stir gently clockwise thrice
Add 1 dozen coarsely chopped Murtlap Tentacles to the cauldron
Allow to simmer for 25 minutes

Step 2
Grind 1 Graphorn Horn
Add one measure of ground graphorn horn to the cauldron
Stir once anti-clockwise
Allow to simmer for another 10 minutes
Wave wand over the mixture

Step 3
Bottle and cork the hot liquid immediately
This potion will be good to use in minimum of 3 weeks, but can last up to 3 years.

Hunter was back again to prove his knowledge and reminisce of his loving memories of home at Hogwarts. He did this best, of course, within the potions classroom while brewing potions. Hunter was about to attempt brewing murtlap essence for multiple reasons. For starters, he accidentally had a few couples of paper cuts while reading out in the cold weather in the Courtyard. He first got one, then another, and then a couple more. Hunter was so incredibly focused on his studies that it took at least 20 small cuts to appear on his hands for him to eventually realize they were there. After noticing them he could feel the stinging they were giving, but he saw it as an opportunity to brew this potion.

The second reason Hunter wanted to craft this potion was that it reminded him of his mother. Hunter brewed and memorized most potions taught to him by his grandmother. This was because he spent most of his time back at home with his grandmother because his actual mother was too busy most days. However, Hunter's mother (a Healer) was always there for him on the sick cold nights of winter, and at times when he returned from the forest by their house. He sometimes got yelled at for the many abrasions and cuts on his arms, hands, feet, and legs as he climbed the trees. The rough bark and edges of the trees sometimes left small wounds on Hunter, especially if he missed a jump or had difficulty holding onto a branch for a while. He'd sometimes look at his hands and realize that they felt rather tough, closer to leather. Nonetheless, his mother was the one who tended to his wounds and it was usually with Murtlap essence or some sort of paste. Hunter never learned much about knowledge or logic from his mother, instead, she taught him how to love and care. Hunter understood empathy for all muggles, wizards, and animals that he encountered thanks to his mother. Behind those roughed up and leathery palms of his was a story of a mother who cared for her only son. As such, Hunter kept this potion close to his heart.

Again borrowing a Standard Size III cauldron and being watched beneath the eyes of Professor
Wickham-Dean, Hunter began the process. He poured in 3 measures of honey while hoping to request a 4th measure for himself by the end. Sweets were a strong weakness of Hunter's and he needed a lot of self-restraint at the start of brewing. He then turned on the heat and brought the contents of the cauldron to a low simmer. He then added 1 measure of dried nettle and began to gently stir clockwise three times. Hunter knew he had to be gentle with the stirring, for he remembers the hands of his mother when she first taught him this potion. Her hands were wrapped around his hands, back at the cottage as they brewed the murtlap essence. He had to be gentle with this potion like how his mother was gentle with him. Her hands were soft, unlike Hunters. Afterward, he added 1 dozen coarsely chopped Murtlap Tentacles and allowed the cauldron to simmer for a while (25 minutes).

While waiting, Hunter thought back to a story his father had told him. Supposedly his father had an adventure in which he encountered the largest nest of murtlaps on the coast of Britain. The nest supposedly had 500 murtlaps, but Hunter was pretty sure his father was exaggerating; although, his father's office was always filled to the brink with pickled murtlap tentacles. Hunter began to wonder if his father ever grew purple hair out of his ears.

After 20 minutes had passed, Hunter began to grind one horn of a graphorn. It took him a while, but eventually by the time he finished a total of 25 minutes since he added the chopped murtlap tentacles had passed. He then added one measure of the grounded horn and then stirred once in an anti-clockwise fashion. He then waited 10 more minutes and waved his wand once in front of the cauldron.

Hunter then began bottling the mixture and was planning on using it... until he recalled that his mother said the potion needed time to be perfected. At least 3 weeks had to be waited upon before Hunter could properly use the Murtlap essence for the many cuts on his fingers. He looked at them and then looked over at the professor: "I-I suppose I'll give these to the hospital wing as a trade-off for some already perfectly prepared murtlap essence," Hunter gave a slight chuckle, but a slight look of disappointment could be seen: "Do you perhaps have any more bottles we could use for the rest of the potion? I don't think I have enough personally."
(WC (w/o recipe) 786).

@Hunter Argentum, your RP for Murtlap Essence for Prodigal Potions Learner has been approved!

Your writing, and discovering more about Hunter and his family, was once again a joy to read.

Anti-Paralysis-Potion

Reducio

Color: Pink

Ingredients:
Syrup of Hellebore
Stewed Mandrake
Unicorn Horn
Moondew
Honey water
Directions:

Fill medium-sized cauldron with purified water, heat to a low simmer
Chop a stewed mandrake into small cubes
Measure 2 fluid ounces of Syrup of Hellebore and add to cauldron
Measure 6 ounces of the chopped mandrake and add to cauldron
Slowly stir for 30 seconds to combine the ingredients
Place over medium flame and heat for 2 minutes until mixture begins to bubble
Pulverise a piece of Unicorn Horn in the mortar
Add 1 tablespoon of the pulverized horn into cauldron
Stir 4 times, clockwise
Add 4 fluid ounces of Moondew to cauldron
Wait for the resulting thick clouds of steam to dissipate
Slowly pour 12 fluid ounces of honey water into cauldron while steadily stirring clockwise until all has been added
Wave wand to stabilize and leave to boil for 35-60 minutes until the mixture thickens to resemble a dark amber honey
Wave wand again
Take off the fire, cool, and pour into vials

Hunter had many hobbies throughout the school grounds, but most were either related to studying or being alone. He typically spent the most time in the courtyard, but he recently gained new interest. Hunter tended to watch other students duel, but never interacted in actual combat. He never really enjoyed violence, nor did he actually enjoy witnessing the spells being flung around to harm, burn, and even paralyze students. However, it was perhaps that gentle side of his that his mother taught him that made him interested in it. He wanted to know how to treat students for these sorts of injuries. Even though he wanted to be a potioneer, he strongly wanted to care for others like a Healer. Hunter really was a mixture of his mother and his father.

In one particular duel, Hunter was caught off guard when a third-year had cast the Full Body-Bind Curse, Petrificus Totalus. Witnessing it gave Hunter a different feeling than other spells. Seeing a student become completely still and fall to the ground was freighting for someone like Hunter. He was only 11, and unlike all the other spells he saw, this one he didn't know how to get around. He searched through his potions book until he eventually found it: "Anti-Paralysis Potion." A potion rather self-explanatory, and Hunter was most eager to brew it; although it seemed a little obvious he was motivated by something other than enthusiasm.

Beneath the eyes of Professor Wickham-Deakin, Hunter gave the typical excuse of wishing to help restock for the Hospital Wing and test his skills and knowledge again. He tried his best, but his slight shaky tone and a rather quiet voice (quieter than usual) gave off the feeling he had another reason. Slight fear drove Hunter as he brought himself to the cauldron full of purified water to a low simmer. Before starting he prepared some of the ingredients such as pulverizing a Unicorn horn and chopping an already provided stewed mandrake; which he diced up (chopped into cubes). He added 2 fluid oz. of Syrup of Hellebore. A rather unique blue substance with potential poisonous effects. Afterward, Hunter then weighed 6 oz of the diced mandrake on a scale and added them to the cauldron. Mandrake was a rather interesting plant for its restorative properties, and Hunter wondered if his mother has to deal with them on a daily basis. If he himself became a healer, would he have to deal with them often?

Questions for another time as Hunter recalled the slight chill he got when he witnessed the binding charm. He stirred for 30 seconds and slowed his breathing to calm himself. After turning up the flame, and having the cauldron boil, Hunter sat and waited for the two minutes to pass by. He wondered if being a Healer would be any fun. Hunter rarely got injured when he was home, but he knew that's not what the real magical world is like. It's full of creatures and horrible people, and most of the students he met so far didn't seem to be interested in healing those they considered "weak." The two minutes went by rather quickly, and Hunter snapped back into reality.

He added a Tablespoon of the pulverized Unicron horn to the cauldron and stirred 4 times in the clockwise direction. 4 fluid oz of Moondew was added as well. The next part was a bit tricky as Hunter had to add an ingredient while stirring the cauldron. He poured 12 fluid oz of honey water while steadily stirring clockwise. He was able to keep it slow, but his hands were still shaky. The stiff eyes and lack of movement from the student he saw... it was very disturbing to think about. Eventually, Hunter stopped to wave his wand and wait for the potion to finish.

It was going to take an hour in the quiet room, but for once Hunter despised the quietness. He was left with his thoughts, and he wondered if any of his housemates would end up being paralyzed. What if his distant cousin Vale Ashwood became permanently paralyzed and other Slytherins like Avery Chen, Liana Kerr, or Maggie Hawkins weren't around to help. What if everyone Hunter cared for became permanently paralyzed? Hunter knew he was weak, he knew he couldn't do much in battles. Even so, he still wanted to help people and this potion was proof of that. He waved his wand and turned off the flames to finish the potion.

Even though Hunter finished the potion with extreme ease, the thought of Vale and other students being petrified almost like a corpse made Hunter shiver. He wish he could do more than potions, but it was what he was good at. He looked down over the cauldron, and a slight tear fell down his face. He was scared, but he didn't want others to feel that kind of fear.

He looked over at Professor Wickham-Deakin, "P-Professor, d-d-d-do you mind i-i-if I stay a little l-l-longer? Do you have any tea or more honey w-w-water?" he asked in a rather strong tone similar to a child holding back tears and snot.

@Hunter Argentum, your RP for Anti-Paralysis Potion for Prodigal Potions Learner has been approved!

You're more than welcome to stay a bit longer, the body-bind curse can be a very scary thing after all!

Drowsiness Draught

Recipe

Reducio

1 measure grounded Bdellium
1 measure grounded Chamomile
3 measures Standard Ingredient
2 Valerian Sprigs

Add 1 Bdellium spoonful to the mortar
Ground into a sticky measure and add to cauldron
Add 1 Chamomile leaf to the mortar
Crush into a fine powder using the pestle
Add 1 measure of Chamomile into the cauldron
Heat for 25 seconds, medium heat
Let cool for five seconds and add 2 measures of Standard Ingredient
Reheat to medium heat
Wave your wand
Let brew for 60 minutes (standard school cauldron)
Add 1 measure of Standard Ingredient
Heat on highest temperature for two minutes
Add 2 Valerian sprigs to cauldron
Stir three times counter-clockwise
Stir one time clockwise
Wave wand and complete potion

This next potion seemed a lot more useful to Hunter in many ways. His encounter with other students wasn't always the best and he wondered if his skills in potions could help "calm down" any escalating situation. Words were always his first choice of action, but as he recalled it ended with him being physically assaulted by two other students. Utilizing magic wasn't an option either since it could be considered dangerous. A potion was also unacceptable, but Hunter would consider it as a last-case scenario. Out of all the potions he considered, he found the "Drowsiness Draught" to be the most fitting.

The potion wouldn't harm students, and it would be useful in any scenario in which violence could occur. Better yet, Hunter wouldn't need his target to drink the potion, he would just have to get in their vicinity with it. Now the main issue was how could Hunter relax potential threats without falling asleep himself? He was unsure of this, but it became another reason for wanting to brew this potion.

His reasoning to Professor Wickham-Deakin this time was honest, but not 100% true. He kept out the part of wanting to have the potion by his side at all times in case a student got violent with him or someone else. Instead, he claimed he wanted to brew the potion in order to recognize it and possibly develop his own ways of dealing with it. One never knows when another student may slip a babbling beverage, or possibly worse if someone slipped a love potion into another student's drink. Recognizing the effects, feeling, and smells of the drowsiness draught would be very useful information in Hunter's opinion. Even though the drowsiness draught merely makes people feel, well, drowsy; that can still be very dangerous in any situation. Being tired slows down an individual's thoughts to where they may not be thinking clearly. Hunter knows how it feels to be tired and to be tired to a point where you may accidentally fall asleep is very dangerous.

He explained all this with hopes it was good enough of a reason to practice another potion within the room. With some hope, luck, and excellent grades he was given a shot at it.

This potion, in particular, started with a couple of preparations as the fire beneath the cauldron began to heat up. First, Hunter started it with a spoonful of Bdellium being added to a mortar and grounded into a sticky measure. Hunter recalled incidentally consuming some of this resin back home when his grandmother looked away. It was a common material that his grandmother had large access to when she lived in Africa. The sticky brown-amber color made Hunter originally think it was Killer bee honey. Killer Bee honey was usually darker than normal honey, and a LOT sweeter. To Hunter's dismay as a child, his sweet tooth and curiosity about the material's unique aroma caused him to reach a bitter end.

Hunter added a sticky measure of the crushed Bdellium into the cauldron, then crushed a chamomile leaf into a separate mortar, and then proceeded to add one measure of the powdered chamomile into the cauldron. Next, he had to wait about half a minute (25 seconds) with only medium heat being beneath the cauldron. Hunter always did most of these actions by hand, rarely utilizing spells within the classroom. He was curious if he could try utilizing spells alongside brewing; to make things more interesting and fun. He lifted his wand towards the flame and cast the extinguishing charm (Extinguo) to allow the mixture to cool down for a few 5 seconds. He proceeded to add 2 measures of Standard Ingredient before casting the Fire-Making spell (Incendio) to re-light the flame he had just snuffed out. He then waved his wand once more, but for reasons of brewing and not for casting a spell.

Over the course of an hour, Hunter gave some thought into using spells around the potions room, or even back home now that he had his own wand and knew some spells. It was... slightly interesting to use magic, but Hunter quickly looked over towards the Professor and apologized for his actions. He wasn't sure if spells were allowed in the potions room, but even if they were he apologized just in case. He began to think if he should use the levitating charm next time to move and pour his ingredients into the cauldron. It sounded like a fun idea, but it would probably take practice to add the right amount of each ingredient in such ways. Hunter also thought about the fact that it wouldn't be as interactive. There was a feeling of getting one's hands dirty and the feeling of ingredients beneath one's nails that Hunter would be missing out on.

After the course of an hour, Hunter added 1 measurement of Standard Ingredient, and manually increased the heat to the highest temperature for 2 minites.

After that, he added 2 Valerian sprigs before stirring three times counterclockwise, then one time clockwise, and finishing the potion with one more wave of his wand. Within the few seconds of finishing such a large amount (in comparison to a vial), Hunter could already feel the effects of being tired. His shoulders felt heavy, as well did his eyes. It felt almost pleasant like going to sleep after a hard day of work. He always felt tired from studying, but that way of being tired felt more agitating; like tired from waking up too early. This feeling of being drowsy from the fumes of the cauldron was very unexpected and useful to know. He would make sure to remember this, as he soon began to lose sight of himself in the fumes.

(WC 940).

@Hunter Argentum, your RP for Drowsiness Draught for Prodigal Potions Learner has been approved!

Well done!

Disclaimer: Permission to break into the potions room has been discussed and approved by Professor Wickham-Deakin for this RP only

Recipe

Reducio

Sleeping Draught
Ingredients:

4 sprigs of Lavender
6 measures of Standard Ingredient
2 blobs of Flobberworm Mucus
4 Valerian sprigs

Recipe:

Add 4 sprigs of Lavender to the mortar
Add 2 measures of Standard Ingredient to the mortar
Crush into a creamy paste using the pestle
Add 2 blobs of Flobberworm Mucus to your cauldron
Add 2 measures of Standard Ingredient to your cauldron
Gently heat for 30 seconds
Add 3 measures of the crushed mixture to your cauldron
Wave your wand
Leave to brew and return in 70 minutes (standard school cauldron)
Add 2 measures of Standard Ingredient to your cauldron
Heat on a high temperature for 1 minute
Add 4 Valerian Sprigs to your cauldron
Stir 7 times, clockwise
Wave your wand to complete the potion

Hunter had made a swift movement towards the dungeons in order to attempt a new potion he found exhilarating to himself. The many upper class leveled potions he already brewed didn't much compare to this next one. It wasn't due to its complexity, if anything this potion could be described as simple to make. It was the fact he found it in his father's journal rather than his potions book.

Hunter owned one item that he held close to himself at all times (besides his pet Fenrir). A wrinkled and partially destroyed book that looked like it was chewed by an acromantula, burned by a dragon, and possibly drowned by a Grindylow. Surprisingly though, this was actually the state the book was in when Hunter first found it at home before coming to Hogwarts. The fact it hasn't gotten worse with Hunter bringing it with him everywhere proved how much he treasured it. His father, Hakim Argentum, was a man who was considered to be an incredible pure blood potioneer. The Argentum family on Hakim's side was always well known to be some of the best potioneers within Africa, and their history of potion brewing backdated for centuries.

Hakim spent the majority of his time traveling to discover, trade, and sell all sorts of potion ingredients. This tended to result in him being home rarely, and Hunter tended to miss him dearly. The stories his father told him were filled with adventure, excitement, and a tiny amount of exaggeration. It was the kind of stories that brought that spark into a child's eyes; it was these sorts of stories that made Hunter want to be a potioneer. His father didn't want to force the family trade on Hunter, and he unintentionally was the one who started Hunter's interest in the subject. Hunter typically learned potions from his grandmother (Hakim's mother) and a little bit from his own mother. He never learned any potions from his father, and it was mostly due to his absence. However, the journal he held clearly was the best connection he had to learn from his father. Who knew how many notes, recipes, and secrets were hidden within the journal. The issue was how to decipher the text.

Hunter approached the door to the potions room and took out his wand. He calculated the amount of time and presumed he would have enough before any prefects, students, or professors were to arrive. Hunter had a strong paranoia and caution of almost everyone. If he were to take out this journal, he was afraid it be confiscated by Professor Wickham-Deakin. That was his reason for sneaking in rather than having permission and being watched by someone of authority. "Alohomora," Hunter whispered with the correct wand movement. He heard the slight "click" sound a lock would make, and he slowly pushed the door opened and walked inside. Rather than light the room up, Hunter figured it was best to just walk around with the only light being the fire from a cauldron and his wand in case he miscalculated the amount of time he had to brew: "Lumos." Hunter grabbed a cauldron and opened his father's journal. Flipping through the pages, one could tell the issue any person could have when deciphering Hakim's old journal. For starters, the pages were crumpled and torn quite a bit. Next, countless pages were either covered or blocked with black writing or large blotches of ink. A multitude of sentences and drawings were cut off or covered in ink or smeared to a blur. Lastly, not everything was well organized. Almost every bit of writing, symbols, and multiple languages mixed with one another and made little to no sense to anybody if they were reading it. Hunter had the journal for over a year, and he only discovered about one or two things within it.

He opened to a page that stated the following:

I was told an underground auction is to occur tonight in [Redacted in black ink]. I was planning on not attending, but I've heard that there was going to be a large supply of dragon claws, horns, and blood to be sold. As much as I'd love to pay for such items, I believe I've brewed enough Sleeping draught to knock out at least 20 men. I'll head to [Redacted in black ink] before they ship the items to the auction. Sleeping Draught Recipe: [3/4 of the page is covered in black ink and odd symbols that don't resemble any sort of language].

Hunter was surprised when he first read this note by his father. He didn't take his father to be a thief, but the sounds of an underground auction were also very suspicious. Perhaps the items were being sold illegally and his father was gonna take them before such a thing could occur. Did that make his father a bad man? Hunter wasn't sure.

Hunter moved his wand closer to blackened ink, and an odd discovery occurred. Writing in a silvery text appeared on the blackened pages, and revealed the recipe for a Sleeping draught. Hunter immediately began to move around the potions room in order to start brewing this mysterious and brilliant recipe he felt his father left him.

Into the mortar, Hunter added 4 sprigs of Lavender and 2 measures of Standard ingredient. Crushing them into a rather thick and creamy paste. This mixture was to be used later, thus Hunter left it near the cauldron in order to not lose it. He walked over to grab some flobberworm mucus, still only using his wand and memory of the room to move around. Hunter added 2 blobs of flobberworm mucus to his cauldron, 2 measures of standard ingredient, and then whispered, "Incendio" to start a fire beneath the cauldron. Since Hunter was on a time limit to not get caught, he was extremely focused on keeping track of time. After 30 seconds of time had gone by, he then added 3 measures of the previously crushed mixture he created in the mortar. He then waved his wand. Hunter had to wait 70 minutes before he could continue and decided to stay close to the potions room door to listen for anyone that may have been approaching.

After the 4200 seconds had gone by, Hunter added another 2 measures of just Standard Ingredient. Turning up the heat to the cauldron for one whole minute, Hunter jerked as he could have sworn he heard footsteps. He brushed it off and decided it was just his paranoia and mind playing tricks on him. Adding 4 more Valerian sprigs to the cauldron, Hunter then stirred inside the cauldron 7 times in a clockwise motion. Waving his wand once more, the potion had turned to a final deep dark purple.

Hunter sighed in relief and was proud of his achievement. Based on the color he assumed he did the potion correctly. He took a small vial of the potion to test on himself later that night. Now he just needed to dispose of the rest of it, clean up everything, and leave as if he was never there. He even took caution to make sure to lock the door with "colloportus" when he left. Before all that occurred though, Hunter's wand (still having Lumos) drifted over the page next to the recipe on the sleeping draught. It was a page completely covered in deep black ink, and only one phrase could be seen to have been revealed "Recipe on Draught of Living Death." A potion Hunter never heard of before, but the question was why wasn't anything else on the recipe being revealed. Was there another form of magic that was blocking it?

@Hunter Argentum, your RP for Sleeping Draught for Prodigal Potions Learner has been approved!