17 Mar 2024, 00:03
Friendship or Rivalry |
Em's first semester at Hogwarts was well under way. Between Charms, Transfiguration, and Defense Against the Dark Arts; Em already felt that his time at Hogwarts was busy and well spent. He had a particular affinity for Charms, and spent most of his time studying more advanced forms of magic that would be practical to his interest.
Having grown up in his house, Em didn't particularly get excited for brewing potions. It was rather mundane, especially first year draughts. He did enjoy foraging for ingredients when time would allow, though the actual brewing of potions came rather easily to him. He had watched his Mother brew potions daily his entire life. She told him her personal secrets, and what to look for. Even how to correct simple potions that went awry. It came naturally to Em.
Today his class was being tested on their ability to brew an effective forgetfulness potion. This wasn't;t a brew Em was particularly familiar with outside of school, but the techniques were beginner level.
He sat at a quartered potions station. Three other students sat near him, though they all had their own brewing set up. They were allowed to use their textbooks to follow the recipe, but talking to their other classmates was not allowed.
Em followed the recipe, knowing that the potion would be brewed in two parts. He added two drops of Lethe River Water to his standard size two pewter cauldron, and heated it carefully for twenty seconds. He added two Valerian sprigs to the heated liquid, and stirred it clockwise for three turns. After waving his wand over the brewing potion, he sat back on his stool, and observed his other classmates.
There was one Slytherin student, Matthew Campbell, who seemed to not be paying the most attention to his recipe, more concerned with playfully pestering his friend. He had brunette curls he was always pushing out of his face, was a slim build, slightly shorter than Em, but with similar hazel eyes.
Em watched as the Slytherin tossed in his Valerian sprigs, and stir the potion a few times, before stepping away to engage with his friend who had also finished the first part of the test.
The professor had stepped out of the class, to scold a student who over boiled his river water, making it evaporate, and his cauldron over heat. Em kept an eye on the Slytherin, who wasn't paying attention to his potion at all.
Em was caught up on their homework, and forgot a book to read. He noticed the missed steps and figured it wouldn't hurt to help him pass the test; maybe even make a new friend in the process.
Em subtly stepped up to the other student's cauldron. He noticed that the potion was not brewing the way it should, and was a little off colored. Em took a teaspoon of river water, and half a sprig and added it to the liquid. He stirred the potion six times clockwise, and two times counter clockwise. Em waved his aspen wand over the cauldron, and watched as the liquid changed color, and began to bubble properly. Em smiled, a look of satisfaction on his face.
Em turned when he felt a heavy tap on his shoulder, and was face-to-face with Matthew.
@Matthew Campbell
Having grown up in his house, Em didn't particularly get excited for brewing potions. It was rather mundane, especially first year draughts. He did enjoy foraging for ingredients when time would allow, though the actual brewing of potions came rather easily to him. He had watched his Mother brew potions daily his entire life. She told him her personal secrets, and what to look for. Even how to correct simple potions that went awry. It came naturally to Em.
Today his class was being tested on their ability to brew an effective forgetfulness potion. This wasn't;t a brew Em was particularly familiar with outside of school, but the techniques were beginner level.
He sat at a quartered potions station. Three other students sat near him, though they all had their own brewing set up. They were allowed to use their textbooks to follow the recipe, but talking to their other classmates was not allowed.
Em followed the recipe, knowing that the potion would be brewed in two parts. He added two drops of Lethe River Water to his standard size two pewter cauldron, and heated it carefully for twenty seconds. He added two Valerian sprigs to the heated liquid, and stirred it clockwise for three turns. After waving his wand over the brewing potion, he sat back on his stool, and observed his other classmates.
There was one Slytherin student, Matthew Campbell, who seemed to not be paying the most attention to his recipe, more concerned with playfully pestering his friend. He had brunette curls he was always pushing out of his face, was a slim build, slightly shorter than Em, but with similar hazel eyes.
Em watched as the Slytherin tossed in his Valerian sprigs, and stir the potion a few times, before stepping away to engage with his friend who had also finished the first part of the test.
The professor had stepped out of the class, to scold a student who over boiled his river water, making it evaporate, and his cauldron over heat. Em kept an eye on the Slytherin, who wasn't paying attention to his potion at all.
Em was caught up on their homework, and forgot a book to read. He noticed the missed steps and figured it wouldn't hurt to help him pass the test; maybe even make a new friend in the process.
Em subtly stepped up to the other student's cauldron. He noticed that the potion was not brewing the way it should, and was a little off colored. Em took a teaspoon of river water, and half a sprig and added it to the liquid. He stirred the potion six times clockwise, and two times counter clockwise. Em waved his aspen wand over the cauldron, and watched as the liquid changed color, and began to bubble properly. Em smiled, a look of satisfaction on his face.
Em turned when he felt a heavy tap on his shoulder, and was face-to-face with Matthew.
@Matthew Campbell
17 Mar 2024, 02:23
Friendship or Rivalry |
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Reducio
baltic - Scottish slang for very cold
Last edited by Matthew Campbell on 24 Mar 2024, 13:08, edited 1 time in total.
| Nikolai Volka // "Light, light: do not go | I sing you this song and I will sing another as well." // Matthew Campbell |
17 Mar 2024, 03:25
Friendship or Rivalry |
Em’s face shifted from startled, to slightly angry, and landing on embarrassed as he was accosted by the Slytherin. The boy’s face was a mixture of anger and surprise, as he confronted Em. Although he was shorter than Em, he felt that his demeanor was towering.
Em usually strayed away from any and all confrontation, and to be interrogated when he was doing something nice, started to rub him the wrong way.
Em lifted up his hands, a sign of surrender, and let a small sigh out. He took a step back from the finger pointed at him in accusation, and took a small breath before replying.
His voice was a little shaky, but built in stature as he went.
“I didn’t mean to meddle, I just wanted to help. You weren’t paying attention, so I fixed your potion for you. It’s really no big deal,” he stated dismissively; letting his arms fall back to his sides.
Em straightened his back as he inhaled, not losing his composure on his exhale. “I was trying to do something nice, and assist while you gossiped with your friends. I’m now realizing, that was a mistake. Although I am sorry, I really don’t appreciate the accusation you’re making.” Em said, jumping to conclusions.
He could feel his face betraying him, his cheeks turning rosy from embarrassment; his eyes swimming in regret. But despite his frustration with himself, he could feel that his pride would continue to make him defensive. Em usually was level headed, but could let his emotions take over at the thought of being in trouble.
@Matthew Campbell
Em usually strayed away from any and all confrontation, and to be interrogated when he was doing something nice, started to rub him the wrong way.
Em lifted up his hands, a sign of surrender, and let a small sigh out. He took a step back from the finger pointed at him in accusation, and took a small breath before replying.
His voice was a little shaky, but built in stature as he went.
“I didn’t mean to meddle, I just wanted to help. You weren’t paying attention, so I fixed your potion for you. It’s really no big deal,” he stated dismissively; letting his arms fall back to his sides.
Em straightened his back as he inhaled, not losing his composure on his exhale. “I was trying to do something nice, and assist while you gossiped with your friends. I’m now realizing, that was a mistake. Although I am sorry, I really don’t appreciate the accusation you’re making.” Em said, jumping to conclusions.
He could feel his face betraying him, his cheeks turning rosy from embarrassment; his eyes swimming in regret. But despite his frustration with himself, he could feel that his pride would continue to make him defensive. Em usually was level headed, but could let his emotions take over at the thought of being in trouble.
@Matthew Campbell
17 Mar 2024, 14:05
Friendship or Rivalry |
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Last edited by Matthew Campbell on 24 Mar 2024, 13:07, edited 1 time in total.
| Nikolai Volka // "Light, light: do not go | I sing you this song and I will sing another as well." // Matthew Campbell |
17 Mar 2024, 16:10
Friendship or Rivalry |
A Reward? Em felt anger building in his stomach, like a kettle beginning to boil. He clenched his fists, and squinted his eyes. Using every last bit of self restraint to keep him from yelling at the Slytherin, or worse, grabbing his wand. Not that he’d know what to do with it, but the other boy didn’t know that.
Em watched as tears formed in Matthews eyes , and his tone dropped with his apology. It was like a balloon was deflated inside of him. Em’s cheeks stayed rosy, but he unclenched his fists, and he could feel tears trying to swell to the surface; but he pushed them down.
Em cleared his throat again, this time louder. Swallowing his anger, and especially his pride, to reflect the change in the conversation. He wasn’t calm yet, but well on his way.
“Listen, I am sorry,” he began, shifting on his feet. “I over stepped, and I should’ve asked. My Mother has shown me how to fix potions more times than I can count, and I just wanted to help. I didn’t mean to come off as an arse,” he sighed.
Em combed his fingers through his messy hair, and took a quick glance at the classroom door; still no sign of the professor.
“I know Ravenclaws are known for being a bit bossy with schoolwork, and I shouldn’t have leaned into that,” Em paused for a moment, and reevaluated the conversation. The feeling of missing something came over him as he spoke.
“Oh, you don’t mean my house do you,” he realized, looking the boy in the eyes. A flicker of anger flashed through his stomach; still on the defense.
“I’m not prejudiced, I’m just good at potions.” His statement, although true, came out tougher than intended.
@Matthew Campbell
Em watched as tears formed in Matthews eyes , and his tone dropped with his apology. It was like a balloon was deflated inside of him. Em’s cheeks stayed rosy, but he unclenched his fists, and he could feel tears trying to swell to the surface; but he pushed them down.
Em cleared his throat again, this time louder. Swallowing his anger, and especially his pride, to reflect the change in the conversation. He wasn’t calm yet, but well on his way.
“Listen, I am sorry,” he began, shifting on his feet. “I over stepped, and I should’ve asked. My Mother has shown me how to fix potions more times than I can count, and I just wanted to help. I didn’t mean to come off as an arse,” he sighed.
Em combed his fingers through his messy hair, and took a quick glance at the classroom door; still no sign of the professor.
“I know Ravenclaws are known for being a bit bossy with schoolwork, and I shouldn’t have leaned into that,” Em paused for a moment, and reevaluated the conversation. The feeling of missing something came over him as he spoke.
“Oh, you don’t mean my house do you,” he realized, looking the boy in the eyes. A flicker of anger flashed through his stomach; still on the defense.
“I’m not prejudiced, I’m just good at potions.” His statement, although true, came out tougher than intended.
@Matthew Campbell
17 Mar 2024, 18:21
Friendship or Rivalry |
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| Nikolai Volka // "Light, light: do not go | I sing you this song and I will sing another as well." // Matthew Campbell |
17 Mar 2024, 18:58
Friendship or Rivalry |
Em felt a bubble of anger boil over in his stomach. He lost his composure and rolled his eyes at the Slytherin. To assume he was somehow superior to Matthew because he is wizard born was asinine. Em never thought he was better than anyone, he just happened to know potions.
It took everything in him not to stomp his foot. He huffed, and moved back to his station, not taking his eyes off of Matthew.
”Next time, I’ll be sure to let your potion catch fire instead!” Em laughed, sitting down in his stool. “Just so you know Matthew, we are all here to learn. None of us-” he gestured to the rest of the class. “-None, have done this before. We are all learning, and we are all ‘learning, to learn for ourselves’,” he quoted, using his fingers sarcastically.
“You being bad at potions has nothing to do with your family. Just like me being good at potions, has nothing to do with you being a prat,” he said, smugly. Antagonizing him was petty, and he knew. He couldn’t prevent his temper from showing through.
Although he was typically gentle and kind, Em had always had a temper. He was never inclined to fight anyone, but he could be sharp tongued. He knew he had been punished more than once over it, though it always seemed to be a lesson easily forgotten when he got upset.
@Matthew Campbell
It took everything in him not to stomp his foot. He huffed, and moved back to his station, not taking his eyes off of Matthew.
”Next time, I’ll be sure to let your potion catch fire instead!” Em laughed, sitting down in his stool. “Just so you know Matthew, we are all here to learn. None of us-” he gestured to the rest of the class. “-None, have done this before. We are all learning, and we are all ‘learning, to learn for ourselves’,” he quoted, using his fingers sarcastically.
“You being bad at potions has nothing to do with your family. Just like me being good at potions, has nothing to do with you being a prat,” he said, smugly. Antagonizing him was petty, and he knew. He couldn’t prevent his temper from showing through.
Although he was typically gentle and kind, Em had always had a temper. He was never inclined to fight anyone, but he could be sharp tongued. He knew he had been punished more than once over it, though it always seemed to be a lesson easily forgotten when he got upset.
@Matthew Campbell
18 Mar 2024, 13:06
Friendship or Rivalry |
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Last edited by Matthew Campbell on 24 Mar 2024, 13:07, edited 1 time in total.
| Nikolai Volka // "Light, light: do not go | I sing you this song and I will sing another as well." // Matthew Campbell |
18 Mar 2024, 18:37
Friendship or Rivalry |
In a fell swoop, Em watched as Matthew ruined his potion; turning it from a proper red to a disgusting green color. Adding mistletoe this early left Em with two options, restart completely; or try adding powdered plum flower to neutralize the entire potion, and use half the ingredients to remedy the mistake. However, this boy decided to go even farther than destroying his potion. Not only did he insult Em, he insulted his mother. That was entirely unacceptable.
Em has never been one for confrontation, and this was truly his first experience in dealing with someone as nasty as his older cousin, that he couldn't quite hide from. He was an array of emotions. Embarrassed, sad, angry. Anger, though, is a fuel. It explodes when in the wrong conditions, and just like his ruined potion, Em was about to boil over.
Em stood back up, and remained inches away from the Slytherin. Em was slightly taller, and looked into the boy's smug face. He could feel tears reaching the surface, that he wouldn't be able to totally bury. Though, these tears weren't going to be a sign of backing down, no he couldn't allow that. He couldn't allow some brat to make him feel uncomfortable in a class he is born to excel at. He couldn't let his mother down, on either fronts.
"I wonder," Em said quietly, but sternly reaching into his robe pocket, and allowing his fingers to curl around the handle of his aspen wand. "If all muggles are as rude as you are. Insulting my mother? I can't have that." Em looked Matthew in his eyes, feeling a small, warm tear fall out of his right eye, and skid across his cheek.
"I fixed your potion, and you ruined mine. Fine. But you are going to need to pay for what you say about my Mother. And I don't see our professor," Em pulled his wand from his pocket, and took a step back, keeping the tip aimed at the boy. Reason made way for madness. The threat of multitudes of detentions was far away from Emmanuel's mind. He had recently learned the Dancing Legs Spell, and although he had never used it on a person, he figured that he'd likely be able to figure it out.
Em's conscious ringed quickly in his head. Stop, don't become the monster he thinks you are. Allow him to apologize. Em hesitated for a moment, before giving in to his better side (despite how quiet the voice was in his angry ears). "Apologize now, or I'll jinx you. Unlike you, I have manners. I'll allow you to back off, or I'll finish this here and now." Em sounded cold. He couldn't imagine himself as particularly intimidating, but bring a wand into an argument was always a catalyst for disaster. Though, he did not falter. His wand remained pointed at the boy, his stance firm, his heart beating fast in his chest.
@Matthew Campbell
Em has never been one for confrontation, and this was truly his first experience in dealing with someone as nasty as his older cousin, that he couldn't quite hide from. He was an array of emotions. Embarrassed, sad, angry. Anger, though, is a fuel. It explodes when in the wrong conditions, and just like his ruined potion, Em was about to boil over.
Em stood back up, and remained inches away from the Slytherin. Em was slightly taller, and looked into the boy's smug face. He could feel tears reaching the surface, that he wouldn't be able to totally bury. Though, these tears weren't going to be a sign of backing down, no he couldn't allow that. He couldn't allow some brat to make him feel uncomfortable in a class he is born to excel at. He couldn't let his mother down, on either fronts.
"I wonder," Em said quietly, but sternly reaching into his robe pocket, and allowing his fingers to curl around the handle of his aspen wand. "If all muggles are as rude as you are. Insulting my mother? I can't have that." Em looked Matthew in his eyes, feeling a small, warm tear fall out of his right eye, and skid across his cheek.
"I fixed your potion, and you ruined mine. Fine. But you are going to need to pay for what you say about my Mother. And I don't see our professor," Em pulled his wand from his pocket, and took a step back, keeping the tip aimed at the boy. Reason made way for madness. The threat of multitudes of detentions was far away from Emmanuel's mind. He had recently learned the Dancing Legs Spell, and although he had never used it on a person, he figured that he'd likely be able to figure it out.
Em's conscious ringed quickly in his head. Stop, don't become the monster he thinks you are. Allow him to apologize. Em hesitated for a moment, before giving in to his better side (despite how quiet the voice was in his angry ears). "Apologize now, or I'll jinx you. Unlike you, I have manners. I'll allow you to back off, or I'll finish this here and now." Em sounded cold. He couldn't imagine himself as particularly intimidating, but bring a wand into an argument was always a catalyst for disaster. Though, he did not falter. His wand remained pointed at the boy, his stance firm, his heart beating fast in his chest.
@Matthew Campbell
18 Mar 2024, 21:38
Friendship or Rivalry |
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Last edited by Matthew Campbell on 24 Mar 2024, 13:08, edited 1 time in total.
| Nikolai Volka // "Light, light: do not go | I sing you this song and I will sing another as well." // Matthew Campbell |