Putting Theory into Practice (open)

Deciding that he hadn't wanted to study with the other Ravenclaws up in the tower, the twelve year old had descended down to the main part of the castle only to find it unsatisfactory. At the moment he didn't want to be bothered or distracted by petty squabbles, giggling nonsensical conversations, or be bothered period. While pursuing the extensive library in his Common Room, the Ravenclaw had found an interesting book and wanted to try out and experiment with some of the things written within the tome.

Nose in his book as he went towards the dungeons and hopefully and empty classroom he could use for his experiment, he opened the door to one without looking up. If he had he might have seen the occupant of the room. Preoccupied as he was however, he wandered towards the storage closet to gather some ingredients. Setting the open book carefully down on a desk, he opened the door to the closet and went in.

Ivory looked up from her work as a younger boy walked in. He didn't seem to notice her (though that's not surprising to Ivory) as he set down his book and started gathering ingredients from a closet. She smiled to herself and looked back down to continue her work.
Ivory was had currently been doing about 10 things at once and had taken up several desks that she had pushed together in a row. She had several books out for her homework, as well a a cauldron with some potion in it, and a couple of things down the line that she had been using to work on some spells. She decided not to bother the other boy and continued her work quietly. She added some ingredients to the cauldron as she watched the boy, while making sure to be careful and not be caught watching.

Having gathered what he could carry and needed, Gaspard exited the storage closet only to find he wasn't as alone as he thought. Either the older Ravenclaw had come in while he was in the closet and he had somehow missed the tell tale sound of the door, or she'd already been there. The boy was willing to go with the latter. Looking at the stranger through his messy fridge as he ducked his head, Gaspard's eyes traveled from her to his work station. He was sure she was a fellow Ravenclaw because he'd seen her at their table in the Great Hall and in the Ravenclaw common room. While he didn't normally pay that much attention to people and could be surprised by realizing that yes, he shared a house with someone for a few months and had yet to recognize them, some clocked onto his radar.

Giving the other a level look before returning to what he was doing, Gaspard went to where the extra supplies were. Rummaging around looking for the correct cauldron, a half smile tugging at his lips when he found it. While his mother may like her animals, and his father liked his books and old documents, Gaspard loved potions. They relaxed him and he enjoyed the challenge they presented. While some concoctions smelled rather awful, and some of the process of prepping ingredients was rather disgusting, he still loved it. Having collected the cauldron, the Ravenclaw also got a set of scales and a silver cutting knife. Returning to where he'd set out the ingredients he began to start on his experiment.

While his eyes roamed over the instructions that he had read a few times on the way down to the dungeon, Gaspard was curious as to why the older Ravenclaw was down here. She must have sought the solace of the dungeons as well to conduct her own studies. But why did she have to take up so much room and when he wanted to brew his own potion? Trying to go over what she could possibly be doing, he simultaneously was mentally going over the order of his potion process. Once all the prepping was done, the beginning stages of the potion started, and the basics of it in the cauldron, he risked a glance in his peripheral vision and frowned in thought.

The scar he'd noticed on her face made him curious as well. Most girls he knew would have used either magic or muggle means to conceal the scar. Some would have probably even done a skin graft. If he looked at her abstractly, he could consider that the mar to her face didn't disfigure her really. And the one thing he really wanted to ask finally burst from him, unable to keep it quiet. "What are you brewing?" It came out in a tone of curiosity and interest. He'd almost made the mistake of asking what she was doing, and if he'd been asked that question he would have spit out a sarcastic answer.

When she had smiled he found himself reciprocating before tried to look serious. His irritation of having to share the dungeon with the girl lowered since she hadn't automatically decided that he was beneath her and seemed open and sincere. "That's a fifth year potion," Gaspard replied knowing that it was classified as advanced and was never taught to those below fourth year. He would have to wait four more years!

While he'd never met anyone named Ivory before he wondered where she was from. His parents had made sure that he knew etiquette and so knew that if someone gave you their name it was only polite to do the same in return. So, the boy gave her a nod and replied, "Gaspard. I'm brewing a wideye potion."

Since he was using a copper cauldron, it should only theoretically take him eight hours if he did it correctly. Taking out his wand he waved it over the potion as it said to in the book and then put it away. The only thing to do now was to add the wolfsbane after eight hours. Stepping away from his cauldron and moving closer to hers, he hesitated but then looked her in the eye and asked hopefully, "Can, can I help at all?"

Ivory nodded with a slight blush. "Yes, I've not actually been taught this potion but I wanted a challenge and my classes aren't giving me much of one." She then realized that sounded really snotty so she quickly added, "I practiced a lot over the summer with potions and know a lot of the ones I'm currently being taught." Ivory cringed slightly, hoping that hadn't sound stuck-up.

Ivory nodded when he said he's was brewing a wideye potion. "Is it for a specific reason or just for fun?" She asked, head tilted to one side.

He then asked if he could help and she raised one eyebrow. "Ummm yeah, sure. I don't see why not." Ivory rounded the desks, book in hand to stand next to him before opening the book to show him the instructions.

To brew the Draught of Peace, follow these steps:

1. Add powdered moonstone until the potion turns green.
2. Stir until the potion turns blue.
3. Add powdered moonstone until the potion turns purple.
4. Allow to simmer until the potion turns pink.
5. Add syrup of hellebore until the potion turns turquoise.
6. Allow to simmer until the potion turns purple.
7. Shake powdered porcupine quills vigorously until they are ready and then add until the potion turns red.
8. Stir until the potion turns orange.
9. Add more porcupine quills until the potion turns turquoise.
10. Allow to simmer till the potion turns purple.
11. Add powdered unicorn horn until the potion turns pink.
12. Stir until the potion turns red.
13. Allow to simmer until the potion turns purple.
14. Add more powdered moonstone until the potion turns grey.
15. Allow the potion to simmer until it turns orange.
16. Add more powdered porcupine quills until the potion turns white.
17. If you have done everything correctly the potion should emit a silvery vapor.

Ivory handed him the book before checking the potion. "So I just did step 6 and right now it's purple. You could help prepare ingredients or read the directions. Unless of course there's something you would rather do?"

Having interacted little with his own year mates, let alone anyone older than him, Gaspard hadn't been sure how his offer to help would have been taken. Some would have laughed, he was sure. But, he was used to helping his mother cook on the weekends and such; it had been one of their things. When his offer to help wasn't outright rejected, he felt himself relax a bit more and found himself nodding along when she had stated she wanted to challenge herself. That was why he too was down here brewing the wideye potion even though it was a first year potion. It made sense that she had wanted to do something to keep herself from falling asleep. And honestly since they weren't allowed to do magic outside of school (his father had told him), it made sense to practice the one thing you could: potions.

Giving the girl a hesitant shy smile, Gaspard shrugged as he admitted, "Both. I love potions and it's fun, but I wanted to see if I could do it. You know?" he asked with a considering look.

A bright smile lit up his face when she said he could help. Seeing she was coming to him, he stayed where he was then moved only the slightest bit closer to bend his head over the book to read the instructions. As his eyes skimmed the words, he silently mouthed them out as he read. Taking the book from the girl, he made sure that he reread the instructions again then nodded. At being asked if he'd rather do something else, he shook his head. While he personally thought she should have had all her ingredients already sorted and prepped to just add as she went, it might have been his fault for interrupting her. She had been in the dungeon first and by all rights, had first choice on it.

"I'll help with the ingredients. I've learned to be efficient." It wasn't quite like cooking, no matter what some people thought. It was much more than that. But, like cooking, it took prep work and Gaspard had learned to be quick with that while not botching up the ingredients.

Ivory smiled at the explanation. "Yes, yes I know exactly." Her eyes glittered with excitement. She was surprised to find someone who loved potions as much as her. Then again she loved all the subjects, but even so Ivory had yet to meet anyone passionate about potions. Granted, she didn't know very many people. Most people were scared off by the whole half veela thing.

Ivory nodded when he said he would do the ingredients. She had really hoped he would choose to read but she HAD given him a choice. Plus she had extra ingredients and if he messed up Ivory could simply have him redo them.

"Ok. We need to add the powdered porcupine quills." Ivory picked up the small container she kept the powdered quills in and began shaking it. She looked ahead in the instructions as she did and glanced at the boy. "You can prepare the powdered unicorn horn."

A small smirk darted onto the boy's face as he picked up the mortar and after glancing at it wiped it out with a clean rag. Sure that there was no left behind residue from anything else, he took the unicorn horn and began break it with the pestle into the mortar. He then began to grind the horn to make it into powder knowing Ivory would be busy stirring and adding in those powdered porcupine quills. One of the other reasons he chose to powder the horn rather than read the instructions was because he knew that in potions, timing was everything and Gaspard did not want to be blamed for messing up the girl's potion. And as he had said, he was very good at preparing ingredients quickly. He'd used a pestle and mortar many times at home on normal herbs as well. Of course at home they had different types, stone ones that were rough, smooth marble ones, just like their cutting boards. Which one they used depended on the recipe and the ingredients it required.

Not wanting to distract her as she poured the quills in since that could be disastrous, he wondered if she had gotten the hang of multitasking. While he knew that more experienced potion students could count the strokes of the stirs while talking, or reading ahead, or even preparing ingredients one handed, Gaspard wondered what level Ivory was at. Once he had the unicorn horn as a fine powder, he smiled making sure not to breathe on it. Carefully he tapped it out into a jar for ease to add to the potion when it was time. Wiping out the mortar again he glanced at the potion and saw that it changed the proper color. Returning his eyes to the ingredients he looked to see if she had powdered moonstone already or if it too had to be ground up but then stopped himself. She had stated he could prepare the unicorn horn. She hadn't said anything about the moonstone.

Glancing back at Ivory he decided to open his mouth. "Do you plan on becoming a Potions Master?"