Professor Branxton nods in the direction of the Slytherin student. "Yes, in some respects the scintillation solution could be considered a protective potion. I'll give you a hint as to what it does: it has the opposite effect as instant darkness powder."

"Excuse me for interrupting your conversation," he said, looking over the heads of the students in front to a corner where he heard whisperings. I believe I explained at the beginning of class that potions will require your complete attention. I did not mean that it would require your complete attention only when we were brewing the potions. Your undivided attention is equally important whilst we are discussing the potion we will be brewing. I have several advanced potions planned for this term and I will not, in good conscious, be able to allow you to participate if I do not know that you will listen to my directions and follow them to the letter."

Professor Branxton then turned back to the rest of class and nodded at the students who had answered his question. "The Scintillation Solution does indeed produce a flash of light. The duration of said light is dependant upon several factors such as how the potion is brewed and the ammount used in the application of the solution. How do you suppose this potion is activated?"

"I see we have some clever students in class. Very good ideas, though none of you quite got it completely correct. The potion is activated by forcefully splashing the potion on a hard surface. However, it does not need to be mixed. Most wizards find it most efficacious to place the solution in a vial which they can then throw when in need. However, one must be careful to fill the vial to the brim or excessive sloshing could also activate the potion."

Professor Branxton smiled at those who put forth the effort to guess and then, continued. "There are very few ingredients in the solution, but it does take a bit of care when brewing. Can anyone discern what ingredients are in the scintillation solution?"

Professor Branxton smiled and nodded. "Astute observation. While we do not use the bulb of a firefly, we do use essence of firefly in the solution. It is one of the mere four ingredients which make up the potion and the two animal-based ingredients."

"Good thought processes, but I'm afraid floo powder, dragon parts, and gunpowder not one of the ingredients."

Professor Branxton smiled and gave them a few more moments before deciding to step in and give them the rest of the ingredient list. "Excellent ideas but, I'm afraid none of those are correct either. The first ingredient is so simple that I'm sure you just did not think of it as being an ingredient: water. Water is the base of the potion to which we will add the other ingredients. The second ingredient is simple salt," he said, picking up a bowl which seemed to have just appeared from his desk. "The salt is what will actually emit the light."

Professor Branxton placed the bowl back on the desk and began to pace the front of the classroom. "The excitation of the potion is produced by billywig stings and we've already addressed the essence of firefly which aids in the production of light.

"Are there any questions before we proceed to brewing the Scintillation Solution?"

After several moments of silence and some staring on the part of the students, Professor Branxton turned to the pristine blackboard. WIth a flick of his wand, white words began to scratch themselves onto the smooth black surface,

"The vials I wish you to use are upon my desk. I suggest everyone comes up and takes two now. I do not want anyone up and about while we are brewing this potion. Take particular care once you reach the final two steps as the potion will be most efficacious. You should also be sure that your salt is completely dissolved before continuing. It is imperative that the salt be completely dissolved for the potion to be brewed correctly. The directions may seem simple but, they must be followed precisely and with care. You may begin."


ooc: I will be stepping away from the computer for a while however, that does not mean that Professor Branxton is not here. Please be realistic in your RPing and remember that the teacher is around and hasn't gone deaf nor blind. Be patient with me if you are asking Professor Branxton a question or need assistance in any way (believe me, he wouldn't ignore a student passing out as some people in the past have RPed). I should be back later on to check on your progress. I like to leave the brewing portion of the lesson open for a while to allow those in other time zones a chance to participate. Thanks guys!