Potions for Dummies | Isaac

[ducky]

Lavinia was curled up in her favourite spot of the library, reading. She was always reading; that wasn't anything new. She was reading, today, about a new kind of herb. It was supposed to make potions longer lasting; although the research on that was inconclusive. She knew where she could find that very herb on the school grounds; it was just a matter of testing it out for herself. She'd have to make some of her hair tinting potion, that would change your hair to any colour you could think of for up to an hour. A purely frivolous potion, and purely harmless. It would be a good test medium, since the risks would be mnimal.

La-La glanced out the window. She was missing out on the fun, according to her friends. They were playing catch on their brooms. That was no La-La's idea of fun. She only flew when it was absolutely necessary. Besides, she owed three foot-long scrolls in three different classes for the week after. And Lavinia never did any assignment half-baked. Everything had to be perfect; she would never dream of handing in an essay that wasn't thoroughly researched and edited to the last semi-colon.

She went up to get the book she needed, which was right on the middle shelf of a bookcase quite close to her. As she walked, she noticed someone. Someone she had seen around, but never had spoken to. He was certainly good-looking, she wasn't sure why she hadn't introduced herself at some point. No, she did. For one thing, the day Lavinia Charles introduced herself to a cute boy was the day that Professor Snape actually smiled for once. And, she noted, his school robes had the telltale green. She never got along with Slytherins, despite the fact her entire family, going back to the formation of Hogwart's inaugral class, had been Slytherins. That was probably why. It was no secret she was supposed to be a Slytherin. She had been teased and bullied by Slytherins for it all six years she had been at the school. She doubted this boy was any different.

[isaac]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i52.tinypic.com/otj5sn.jpg); width: 390px; height: 450px; -moz-border-radius: 40px 0px 40px 0px; border-radius:40px 0px 40px 0px; opacity: 0.8; border-right: #6C9987 15px solid; border-left: #6C9987 15px solid;] After scouring the boy’s Slytherin dormitories, as well as the common room, Isaac could safely deem that his brother – the very person he was in search of – would be in the library. It was nice outside but after being knocked in the jaw by a bludger the day previous, he wouldn’t be out on the quidditch pitch today. At least, he wouldn’t expect him to be. A cloud of frustration hung in Isaac’s honey colored brow. He hated the library. It smelled similar like the dungeons. Musty and in desperate need of fresh air. It gave Isaac the jitters. He couldn’t handle being stuck inside for too long without beginning to feel like a caged bird. It didn’t help the fact that the stagnant atmosphere of the castle made his wings ache to stretch out. The trek from the dungeons to the library was a long one, but he was willing to take it. Isaac used the time to prepare himself for how horrible the next hour or two would be. Not only would it be full of talk of potions, which he would struggle to understand. But his brother would surely be even more so short-tempered than usual due to dealing with the pain of recovery. Reaching the library sooner than he thought, Isaac exhaled noisily, perturbed dread etching his sullen expression. At first glance, Elijah wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Impatiently, he rolled his eyes. His brother must be hidden in the depths of the library. Isaac readjusted the books that he carried in his left arm and stepped into the cage. Weaving in and out of the rows of books, he searched for Elijah. As time progressed, so did Isaac’s anger. This was absurd. He turned to the closest fellow Slytherin and inquired, “Has Elijah Burbage been in here lately?” The fourth year gave Isaac a strange look, clearly not happy about being interrupted, and shook his head. Fist clenching, he set his jaw, the muscles of his cheek visibly tightening. Isaac was never stood up especially by his brother. His own blood! The nerve. If his jaw hadn’t already busted, Isaac would have taken care of it the next instance he saw Elijah. More than his brother not being here, this meant he couldn’t have help on his bloody potions assignment that was due in a few days. He had already bothered Professor Snape twice this week, he didn’t want to pester the teacher a third time with his learning incapability. “Bullocks,” Isaac swore, rather loudly, at the sudden awareness of the inconvenient predicament Elijah had inadvertently forced him into. Madam Prince cleared her throat in such a way that drew his eyes to her glaring expression. The librarian’s face was contorted into that look you mum gives you when you’ve done something terribly wrong. Isaac’s features properly displayed his horror at the realization of his verbal faux pas as he mouthed the word, “Sorry!” to Madam Prince. Surely, by now, she would understand that he wasn’t the type of person with decent library manners. Standing in between two rows of books, he pivoted so to head out. In the same isle as Isaac, innocently blocking his way out, was a girl with flame-kissed hair. He blinked for but a moment, assessing the situation at hand. This girl… what was she? He peered closely at her robes. Ravenclaw. This Ravenclaw girl looked familiar. What was her name Lacey? Lana? Lisa? It didn’t matter, at any rate, he remembered hearing that a read-headed Ravenclaw was very good at potions. Who cared if she was a year below Isaac, needed desperately for someone to help him with the assignment on Golpalott’s Third Law and antidotes and she would be as good as anyone. “Oi,” he whispered, taking a step towards her and plastering a charming smile across his mouth. “I’m Isaac. Isaac Burbage,” he introduced himself hastily, putting his large hand in front of her to shake. “You’re good at potions, yeah? Care to help a dim bloke out?” Isaac inquired. Waiting for her reply he took in how much taller he was that her, his pink lips pulling into a tighter grin to reveal his teeth.

[/td][/tr][/table]

made by hay shay @ caution!

[/center]

[ducky]

He was coming over. Oh, dear God, he was coming over. Lavinia kept her nose in her book, trying to look busy. She was reading a random page, just so she could look busy enough that he wouldn't talk to her. It was something about the Confundus charm. She knew everything she was reading already, but it didn't matter. She just wanted to look like she wanted to be left alone. He didn't take the hint.

"What?" She raised an eyebrow at him. He wanted help with potions? She wasn't even going to get into how he knew she was good at potions. That didn't matter. What did matter is that he was asking for her help. She cleared her throat, and looked down at her book again.

"I'm busy," She muttered. "What do you need to know?"

She sighed. Potions were too practical. She probably was going to have to show him how to do it. She wanted to do her own homework. She closed the book, and another slid off her lap. It was her diary. She flushed wildly. Fortunately it just opened to the front page, and just showed her name. She scooped it up quickly.

"I'm not going to write your essay for you or anything, if that's what you're wondering," She said.

[isaac]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i52.tinypic.com/otj5sn.jpg); width: 390px; height: 450px; -moz-border-radius: 40px 0px 40px 0px; border-radius:40px 0px 40px 0px; opacity: 0.8; border-right: #6C9987 15px solid; border-left: #6C9987 15px solid;] Isaac’s smile fell when she said that she was busy, allowing his face to carefully shift into a quite needy, puppy look, with his lip jutted out slightly. “Busy? Busy with what?” He took the liberty of reading the cover of the book she seemed so consumed with. It was a text on charms, but of a much lower level than she was likely working at. “No doubt busy studying charms that you already know?” despite the upwards inflection of Isaac’s cool voice, it was much more of a statement. A confident smirk wriggled its way onto his lips as his honey-colored eyebrows rose in waiting for her to rebut his comment. When reaching out his hand in a friendly gesture, and introducing himself, she completely ignored it. He was a bit put off by her abrasiveness but wasn’t going to let it get to him. It was obvious she wanted nothing to do with him. Where his pride wasn’t ruined any, he was, in all honesty, slightly confused as to why she needed to be so bloody stingy about it. What was wrong with meeting a new person? Isaac hadn’t been particularly unfriendly had he? She could be one of those Ravenclaws that only like themselves as friends. Or maybe she wasn’t in the mood to talk to a strapping, young chap with a nice smile. Then again, what was Isaac thinking? Any girl would adore to talk to him. Unless. Isaac wouldn’t accept it. She just simply could not be a lesbian. She was much too delicate to be so, and even if he was judging improperly, he wouldn’t dare believe it to be true even if told so. After being set to stew in his own thoughts for a moment as he waited, the girl finally closed the potions book. In the simple motion of folding the covers of the text back together, so tumbled a book from her lap. The book, that was clearly not a textbook, fell open to its cover page. Scripted in clean, neat handwriting was a name. Her name. Lavinia Rayne Charles. Who needed introductions when one could simply peep at the other’s diary. To be a gentleman, Isaac reached down to grasp it and hand it to Lavinia – Lavinia, he rolled the name around a bit in his mind, he liked it, he decided – but she was much too quick and shoveled it up before he even had the chance to touch the apparently sacred thing. Isaac glanced at her face, a confident smirk still splayed across his mouth, beginning to show his teeth. She was a deep shade of scarlet, only accomplished by people with parchment-white skin as herself. If it wasn’t obvious that it was her diary, it certainly was now. “Is that where you keep your deepest darkest secrets, love?” Isaac inquired jokingly, inclining his head to indicate to the journal now secure in her hands. Lavinia’s last phrase stung. Standing a little straighter, the smirk fading being replaced instead by a look of all seriousness. Yes, he was a Slytherin. But Isaac could not stand the stereotypes. He was always judged by his damned robes. Always presumed to be a selfish, arse. Alright, yes, Isaac was selfish and, yes, he had his moments of being an arse; but never together. Never was he a selfish arse. He didn’t quite know how to reply, really. But pulling himself from amid offended gaping, he clarified probably a bit more loudly than necessary, “I do my own work. Simple as that. I’m not one of those sodding blokes that buys his grades. I get what I earn in fair share.” Isaac’s easy-going natured set in quickly. He let out a low, evanescent chuckle. “It’s the son of a professor curse,” Isaac admitted, shaking his head, a light smile pulling at the corners of his lips.

[/td][/tr][/table]

made by hay shay @ caution!

[/center]

[ducky]

"Wait," She looked up at him. "Burbage?"

Professor Burbage was her favorite. She was a lovely woman, who was very knowledgable about all things to do with Muggles. Lavinia was mad, now. She didn't like his cockyness. And she didn't like that he'd possibly run off and tell his mummy that she had snubbed him. She was one of Professor Burbage's top students. She would not put a black mark on her record because of some stupid Slytherin prat who thought he could weasel his way into getting a free tutor. She'd just suck it up.

She wanted to snap at him for being so full of himself. Yes, maybe it was a little silly she had a diary, but that was none of his business. And whose business was it if she brushed up on rudimentary skills? Not that she needed to, but that was besides the point! She crossed her arms and stared at the boy. Fine. She'd help him. But just this once.

"What do you want help with?" She sighed again. She liked to offer help, but she hated being asked for it. Especially from people she didn't know. She pressed her lips together in a thin line, trying to avoid making some angry statement that she'd regret later. Like, how he was a stuck up bastard that should grow up and stop using his mummy as a shield when he was an adult and should know better. She used her wand, and with a whispered incantation and a sweep of her hand, all her books returned to their proper places. She looked at him, and blushed. Damn, he was attractive. Why did he have to have such a gorgeous smile? She found herself fussing with her hair, not even realizing that she cared that he didn't see her with frizzy hair. She put her hand down quickly, snapping out of it.

"Do you need me to show you how to make forgetfulness potion or something?" She smirked. That was first year material. If he didn't know that, she would laugh until her chest burst.

[isaac]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i52.tinypic.com/otj5sn.jpg); width: 390px; height: 450px; -moz-border-radius: 40px 0px 40px 0px; border-radius:40px 0px 40px 0px; opacity: 0.8; border-right: #6C9987 15px solid; border-left: #6C9987 15px solid;] A devious grin began to creep across Isaac’s lips, “Oh, so you have heard of me? he inquired in a mock-debonair tone with his eye brows lofty. He watched her carefully. It wasn’t a difficult task, looking at her that . There was no doubt she was attractive. Simple? Yes. But definitely attractive. Easy on the eyes they would say. Isaac’s keen, sapphire gaze watched Lavinia. But not just Lavinia, everything about her. Her rich burgundy hair, which was, admittedly, the slightest bit frizzy. Her pale cobalt eyes with an undeniable spark in them. Her delicate, lips pursed into a line of, what Isaac could guess, as anger. It was an odd habit of his, digesting people one feature at a time. Still, Isaac couldn’t understand however, after studying her for a bit, why she would be upset. Lavinia’s perturbance had to’ve been rooted with him as she seemed quite pleasant up until he came to pester her. Habit overcoming him, Isaac combed his fingers through his warm-blonde hair, looking over at a table of studying students. He held in a low chuckle. The two Ravenclaws, what he guessed to be third or fourth years, were so awkward it was no doubt they had feelings for one another. A creative smirk pulled his lips away from his teeth, “Do you think I should give that poor chap a hand?” Isaac questioned, inclining his head towards the couple. What he had in mind was simple. Just put it out into the open that maybe it was okay for him to ask her on a date to Hogsmede. No harm no foul. Before he did so, however, he would’ve liked to gauge what sort of opinion Lavinia would have on the plan. Likely negative. Still, he waited patiently for her response. The sour expression ensnaring Lavinia’s features would surely give her premature wrinkles. Isaac still attempted to grasp why she could be so agitated. He wasn’t being particularly unfriendly. Was he? Brow furrowing deeply, he couldn’t conjure any inclination. But then it came to him, “Well, if you don’t want help I won’t force you into it. I just thought it would be a nice change to study with a pretty girl instead of my pissy brother,” Isaac said genuinely, with an innocent shrug. It was the truth. Isaac had all but had it with his brother’s sour mood about… well, everything. Elijah had constantly been a bitter person but as of late it was as though something had flipped his angry switch to always on. He glanced to Lavinia. Did… Did she just blush again? Whatever for? The diary was safely and surely put away. Closed. Nothing for him to see – much to his disappointment. Because Isaac looked down at himself to see if he was in any disarray, he missed the pleasure of watching Lavinia self-consciously tend to her hair. Not a crease out of order. Even Isaac’s tie was still snug around his neck along with the top button of his shirt done up. “I may be dim but I’m not a first year,” Isaac laughed, taking no offense at the jest. “No, I have two feet on Golpalott’s Third Law and it’s relation to antidotes. I’m wonderful at bull shitting my way through a paper only I can’t understand for the life of me how Golpalott’s Third Law works,” he admitted, again dragging his hand through his hair, causing the already messy dark-blonde locks to stick up at all absurd angles.

[/td][/tr][/table]

made by hay shay @ caution!

[/center]

[ducky]

Lavinia was mad now. He was so stuck up, acting like it was a surprise that she wouldn't know who he was. She was sick of him already; she didn't know if she'd be able to get through the afternoon, explaining everything he wanted to know to him in the simplest terms possible.

"I think you should mind your own business," She muttered. He was one of those high and mighty types. He thought he was so great, God's gift to women, all that. She wanted to call him out for being nothing more than a selfish prat, but refrained. She had her Muggle Studies grade to think of.

She wanted to quote the old adage "Flattery will get you nowhere", but she couldn't help but flush a little with pleasure when he called her pretty. A purely biological response, to be sure, because she just as quickly returned to her milky skin tone. She wouldn't be swayed by his compliments. Get in, get out, and get it done. That would be her motto for the day.

"No," She said, restraining herself against even more insults. "I've no reason not to help you. Besides, I know all about Golpalott."

This would help; she was always calmer when she was talking about academic things. She might have to teach this Slytherin prat, but at least she could focus on the material and get lost in her intellect, and she loved to do. She walked over to the bookshelf where there were the Seventh Year potion books. Golpalott had entire book just on his Third Law. She wouldn't pretend like it wasn't complicated; she had even had some trouble with it herself when she was doing independent study during the summer. She took out her wand, and levitated it off the shelf and down into her arms. It was heavy, and she almost stumbled at the great weight of it. She looked at the boy.

"Come on, let's go find a table," She sighed.

[isaac]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i52.tinypic.com/otj5sn.jpg); width: 390px; height: 450px; -moz-border-radius: 40px 0px 40px 0px; border-radius:40px 0px 40px 0px; opacity: 0.8; border-right: #6C9987 15px solid; border-left: #6C9987 15px solid;] He should mind his own business? Isaac couldn’t help but let a mocking child-like pout take over his expression. “Aww, you’re no fun,” he muttered as if Lavinia had ruined all possible forms of amusement for the afternoon. But he knew that was not the case. Isaac was fairly confident that harassing her would certainly be equally or even more so entertaining than matching up a lot of fourth years. Though, he knew he was treading on uncharted territory. Purposefully annoying someone that was willing to help you on potions was not the most polite thing to do, he would admit. But as Isaac thought about it, the more he quite adored the idea of just scrapping his homework and getting to know Lavinia. After all, that was the best part of people. Getting to know them. And what better to get to know a quiet, easily perturbed Ravenclaw than to pester her in all of the best ways Isaac knew how? Frown etching deeper into his face, his face contorted into the expression of a wounded puppy. “You know all about Golpalott and you won’t help a dim Slytherin like me?” Isaac inquired as if he was a young child that was just denied a pony ride. Not feeling that acting like a baby would do him any good, quickly he changed approaches, his brow upturning into a slightly wounded expression. “I just figured a smart, beautiful, and surely talented lass like you might want to give a git like me a chance at a decent grade,” he admitted with a bashful smile, raking his fingers through his flaxen hair, giving it more the appearance that he just rolled out of bed. Following her as a loyal dog would, Isaac was a singular pace behind Lavinia and nearly crashed into her when she stopped to levitate a book down from a shelf. His eyes nearly bugged out. “That’s not a book, that’s surely some contraption to kill a blast-ended skrewt!” he exclaimed as he watched Lavinia falter slightly under it’s undeniable weight. “Here,” Isaac stepped closer and carefully took the textbook into his arms, “Let me.” A genuine smile graced his lips, “After you,” Isaac said, inclining his head towards the bank of tables in the library.

[/td][/tr][/table]

made by hay shay @ caution!

[/center]

[ducky]

Lavinia rolled her eyes. He was a spoilt brat if she had ever seen one; it was really irritating to watch him pout. Mostly because she found him somewhat attractive when he did it. No, no she couldn't think like that. She really just needed to do this quickly and then get out. She had things to do; homework of her own. She couldn't waste time flirting with some Slytherin prat.

She was sick of his flattery. He had gotten what he wanted; she was helping him. He could quit with the silly false praise. She just shook her head as he took the book, obviously trying for some sort of chivalrous pursuit or something equally ridiculous. She sighed, and walked after him to their table.

"Alright," She sighed. "So, Golpalott's Third Law. Well, I know it sounds tricky, but it really isn't. It's a rule for antidotes of blended poisons. So, if you're given blended poisons, the logical solution is to blend the antidotes. Unfortunately, that's not so easy as that. You need to use something to bind it all together; it's a very specific ingredient dependent on the harmony between the different antidotes and poisons. So, for instance, if your antidotes are all very insect based, you may want to consider an ingredient that's very insect based as well. For example, if you've made an insect based antidote that features mostly butterflies and moths, your binding ingredient would be a cocoon."

She trailed off, and realized that she had let her mouth run away from her again. When she talked about books and school, she often did that.

"Sorry," She blushed. "Am I making any sense?"

[isaac]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i52.tinypic.com/otj5sn.jpg); width: 390px; height: 450px; -moz-border-radius: 40px 0px 40px 0px; border-radius:40px 0px 40px 0px; opacity: 0.8; border-right: #6C9987 15px solid; border-left: #6C9987 15px solid;] There was no doubt Isaac found himself devilishly charming. With his playful grins, tousled hair and sense of humor, how could he not adore himself? Certainly, the book was heavy. Still, Isaac managed to look behind himself and flash Lavinia a teasing smile and devious wink. In all honesty, he hoped it would bother her. Or even, better yet, make her blush. Isaac barely had time to settle himself at their table before she catapulted into a speech on that blasted Third Law. Blinking, he urged his brain to transfer from flirting to learning mode. The gears in his mind, squeaking slowly to a low cruising speed, tuned his ears to catch every syllable uttered from Lavinia's mouth. With anything other than humor, Isaac's brain was relatively slow to the draw. It isn't tricky? Ha! That had to be the biggest lie he heard in quite some time. Even though Elijah was brilliant at potions, he had a bit a of trouble with it when the material was first introduced. Isaac wasn't certain, even with Lavinia's help, that he would be able to get this assignment completed by the following afternoon. Still, with his head cocked to the side and hands clasped under his chin, he listened intently, keen on gleaning any information he could on the damned subject. Antidotes of blended potions. Isaac snorted. Yep. That was probably the only part he could understand. Much further than that, it was like trying to catch a thestral. Which, for someone like Isaac, was near impossible. But he enjoyed this. Watching her talk. Lavinia looked much more comfortable rambling about school things. He the need to interrupt her. To ask her a personal question in hopes of making her uneasy. Then Isaac thought better of it. Where there would be great amusement in doing so, it wouldn't get him better marks in potions. In the name of Salazar! Isaac thought, Pay attention! There would be no point in trying to learn something if he couldn't even keep focused on Lavinia's words. Okay. Something about butterflies. What the bloody hell do butterflies have to do with antidotes? Wait... that was an example. Isaac's brain whirred, attempting to catch up with where she was at in the little speech of hers. It was impossible to cover up the confused expression that was beginning to leak it's way into his acute features. He raked a hand through his messy, flaxen hair that stuck up at odd angles as he scrunched up his face in concentration. ...binding ingredient would be a cocoon. Wait a second. So that was it? That was the piece that had been the thorn in his side for so long? It was really that simple? Golpalott’s Third Law was just about how there needed to be something similar between poisons and antidotes? "Er... yeah. Sort of..." Isaac began, attempting to gather and piece together his strewn thoughts. So scattered, he nearly missed her blush but couldn't help but pause for a moment and grin about her flushed cheeks. He screwed up his face, trying to make sense of the reasoning behind how this was suddenly so simple. "So... Let me just get this straight," he said, brows furrowing, "You just need something that links the antidote and the poison together? ... That's what the law means?" he inquired, disbelieving that it could be so simple.

[/td][/tr][/table]

made by hay shay @ caution!

[/center]