Oh wow. Anna's mother did not look well at ALL. She looked like she was knocking on death's door! "Professor, are you ok? Do you need some help today?" he asked. Normally he wasn't one to jump at the opportunity to help out in class, and in POTIONS no less, but she looked like she was going to faint. How could she possibly run a lesson by herself??

He took a seat and waited. Huh. Good thing he didn't ask her for any Pepper Up potion when he'd been sick, she needed every drop she could get!

Lex gave a lazy stretched as she walked into the potions classroom. She wasn't exactly thrilled that this was the last class of the term, especially since she liked making potions and using them on people.

After entering she realized the Professor wasn't up at the front like she was supposed to be...looking around she spotted her sitting at the back and her eyes went wide.

Holy Kneazle!!!

O___O

"G-Good day...Professor..." STARE. "I uh...nice day huh...?" STARE some more...wow..... When she realized that all she was doing was staring she quickly turned and took her seat. She kept her head facing forward. Don't stare. Don't stare. Merlin this was hard.

This was one potions class Gideon was so not looking forward to as it would be his last at Hogwarts. The only brewing he would be doing the rest of the term until graduation after today was any further practice for his NEWT and the exam himself. It felt so odd to be considering all the final things he was going through. The seventh year made his way down the dungeons with his school bag and supplies, entering the appropriate door when he came to the classroom.

He looked around, spotting a couple of students already there until his gaze fell on the professor near the back. "Um...Hello Professor." Good day just did not seem an appropriate greeting when the woman looked as bad as she did. The prefect offered a half sympathetic look before he moved to take a seat not wanting to draw too much attention to her. No doubt she was going through enough as it was to not have her students gawking at her and not that he wouldn't be here if needed anyway.

Belle was always excited for potions. She loved the class. As Belle entered the room, she noticed the professor looking under the weather. "Good Morning Professor." Belle said. She knew the professor was looking under the weather. No doubt about that. As Belle said her hello, she went to the back of the classroom and took her seat. It was quite cold in here. Belle shivered and got out her coat and put it on..

The door to the classroom opened, and Sierra Greingoth stepped inside. She appeared withdrawn, even more so than usual, and walked with her books clutched to her chest. Her brown eyes were fixed on the floor as she walked further into the room. She couldn't look up. She wouldn't. This was breaking her heart worse than anything else ever had, and she just couldn't deal with it without wanting to break down.

Potions class, though, was something she had to do. She didn't go to her usual work station. She chose one in the back of the room. Had she been looking up and paying attention, though, she'd have noticed that choosing this seat had the opposite effect than what she was hoping for.

She was still by her mother.

Maybe this was good, though. She could watch her and help her if she needed it. Her mother wouldn't accept help, though. She'd do this herself no matter what.

"Hello," she weakly said, still not looking up.

Holy Merlin's knobbly knees! Vivi paused in the door of the classroom and eyed the professor before making her way to her seat. When she'd wished the professor would just drop dead, she hadn't meant it literally. Now she'd have to feel bad until the woman got better. Or feel bad if the woman didn't.

She finally got herself together enough to say, "Good day to you, Professor." Vivi unpacked her belongings and set up her cauldron as she waited for the class to begin.

Alright. More potions. Anya could... probably focus well enough to mix things in a cauldron.

Once she stepped into the dungeon room she quickly looked around the room to greet the Professor. And she spotted her. In the back. Looking awfully... awful. In all honesty, it was a little frightening.

She gave a quick "Good day, Professor." before averting her eyes and quickly finding a seat on the far end of one of the middle rows.

Potions class again... the last time Sophie had a really bad time and she found out later that she had indeed gotten the potion wrong. Meh.

At least now she would pay more attention to what she was doing. Yep, the young badger was determined to get today's potion right, even if she had to start all over again or not, because professor Lafay might eat her alive for wasting ingredients!

Or... maybe not.

It took Sophie a few seconds to spot the Head of Slytherin House in the dungeon. When she finally did, she raised her eyebrows and blinked. The witch looked... well, Sophie had no idea what to compare her to... Gulp. She looked really, really ill. Sophie actually felt bad for her.

"Hi, professor." She greeted, wishing her words could help professor Lafay in any way. Though she knew that was impossible, so she lowered her head and went to take her seat.

Kurumi entered the classroom and sort of froze for a moment when her violet eyes landed on the Potions Mistress. She looked awful...and it was an appearance that Kurumi was somewhat familiar with. Her own mother hadn't had some sort of magical illness, but it didn't matter. She knew that appearance when she saw it and, as much as she was not a fan of the woman, it was hard to see. It was reminding her of watching her own mother slowly slipping away...

Biting her lip, Kurumi shuffled her feet towards her usual seat and set her things down before glancing over at Sierra and moving towards the Slytherin for a brief moment. "Sierra...if you need to talk...you know where to find me," she whispered so only the sixth year could hear.

She then slipped into her seat, bowing her head once more towards the Potions Mistress before setting her things out. As selfish as it was, Kurumi's thoughts went to Lewis. She needed him...needed to find him after the lesson. This was bringing up too many memories right now.

Kat was starting to feel weird about attending Potions class. Why? Because she felt so sorry for Professor Lafay. Kat had so much respect for the woman and she felt that she owed Lafay for being one of the best Head of Houses she's ever met. For welcoming her to the amazing House of Slytherin, Kat regrets nothing. Kat was always a cold-hearted type of girl, but she had some soft sides to her as well. One of those was Professor Lafay. Ugh, Kat just regrets all those times she made Lafay mad at Slytherin. She didn't even have a chance to borrow Lafay's beater's bat because they lost their games.

Entering the classroom was easy, but greeting Lafay was another story. Kat looked at her Head of House and Potions professor, who she knows is slowly fading away from them. The more guilt Kat felt. "Good day, Professor Lafay," Kat greeted with a small smile, then took a seat. She can't manage a full one... due to this situation Lafay is in. Now she felt even sorry for Sierra.

Minerva headed down to the dungeons. Another potions class, this was usually one she enjoyed, but after the last class with the blood she really wanted nothing to do with being there, but it was class and she wouldn't be missing it. She stopped quickly once she walked into the room. Where was Lafay, she always was in the front of the room. That wasn't like her. Minerva tried to shrug, but something just seemed off. She saw other students there, but still..

Making her way to a workstation she noticed Professor Lafay was in the back.. Oh was she getting stuff for the class ingredients.. maybe. "Hi Professor.. How are you today?" Then she really got a good look at her and wished she wouldn't have asked, Professor Lafay looked very ill, what was going on.

When Vickers entered the classroom there were a few things he noticed 1.) The Professor didnt look to be around yet and 2.) The usual funky scent of the Potions classroom got even funkier. He just went about prepping his potions and note taking materials when he heard other students gasping and murmuring. He spun around and as his sight rested on Lafay he could only catch himself from gasping just like the others.

Stop gawking!

---"Good Morning Professor Lafay." Right real smooth there.

Another day, another class. Potions right now. When he entered the classroom, Jory looked at the front expecting to see Professor Lafay there as usual. But she wasn't there and it took him a while to notice her at the back.

The Badger was shocked to see her looking no better than the last time. "Hello, Professor,'' he greeted hoping she'd get well soon. He hated being sick and no doubt everyone else did too. He took his seat at the usual spot and waited for the class to begin.

Ugh, so many emotions. Firstly, this was one of the first last classes of Emmanuelle's school career. Second, the whole 'sleeping on the floor' situation was beginning to make her cranky. And finally, she was sort of wondering what kind of situation she would be walking into by attending her last potions class. Professor Lafay had been looking worse and worse as term went on and it was very worrying. She may be just slightly indifferent to the professor normally, but no one deserved to go through whatever she seemed to be going through.

And speaking of Professor Lafay, Em didn't spot her when she first entered the classroom. That was odd. Still, she thought it would be better to just do what she usually did upon entering the class. She found herself a seat, this time towards the middle. And that's when she noticed that their professor standing at the back of the room instead of the front. Okay, that was odd. And she looked like, well, death warmed over. "Hello, professor," Em greeted, just managing to keep her voice even.

Merlin! Something smelled and really bad.

As the red head entered the potion classroom she cringed her noise and tried her best not to usher a word about the smell coming from the back of the classroom.

STARE! O_O

Was...was that supposed to be Professor Lafay? Because erm...wow, she looked frighteningly bad. The red head moved her gaze away and frowned deeply. Professor Lafay may have not been one of her favorite Professor's, but still she felt sad to see anyone in such condition. Surely the Professor should have been in bed or in hospital, not here teaching kids.

Must have been by her own choice that she was here though. Renesmee nodded in the Professor's direction and then took her seat a little fearful of what was happening to the Professor.

Potions and the professor looked absooutrly ghastly. Sarah was blessed
(or in such a case cursed) with a very sttong sense of smell and something smelled ..fishy. She tried not to breath through her nose yet it was vey hardd so shw just tried to ingnore the smell. "Hello Professor" she said. She wanted to add feel better, yet she did not know how the woman would take it.

She chose a seat farthest from the teacher and took out her notebooks and read through her notes on the last lesson.

Potions....was scaring him more and more every day. Not because the lessons were that scary but because of how ghastly looking the Professor looked. He felt a hint of sadness going through him and he didn't know how to react. Should he..pretend like everything was fine and just greet her like normal? Or ask if she needed help with anything.

Personally, Daichi liked the first option. He HATED it when people felt sorry for him and though he was a sad kid. It made him feel weak. But on the other hand, it was impolite not to do anything right? But today he was just going to say an "Hello Professor Lafay" with a hint of a smile.

And even though it felt weird to admit it. Daichi admired the woman now. Despite that she looked sicker and sicker each class, she was still in the classroom to teach. Respect woman , respect. The Slytherin found a seat and faced the front.

"I don't need help at the moment, but if I do require assistance, I won't hesitate to ask. Thank you, Master Greingoth." She said with a nod.

"Good Day, Miss Cambridge" She said and gave her a nod.

"Hello Prefect Gert." She said not looking at the boy. She knew his voice by now.

"Good Morning Prefect Lecium," She said.

"Hello Prefect Greingoth." She said not looking at her either.

"And to you, Miss Branxton." She said with a nod.

"Good day, Miss Phillips." She greeted.

"Hello Miss Campbell," She said.

She nodded toward the prefect.

"Good Day, Miss Hudson." She couldn't smile back however.

"Just dandy, Miss Wheatborn." She said sarcastically.

"Morning Master Vanderbilt." She said.

"Hello Master Stonewall" She said to the boy.

"Hello Miss Moreau" She said.

She nodded back to the child, even if she was staring. She was sure the kid couldn't help it.

"Hello Miss Edwards." She said to the child.

"Hello Master Katharos," She greeted and began class.

"Today we will be brewing a growth unction. Let's say you need a larger pillow, rub it on your current pillow and it will enlarge itself. This isn't to be used on food or edible items, as the unction isn't to be injested. Can anyone tell me why this unction is useful?"

A growth unction?

Alexa hadn't the slightest idea what that was but from what the Professor was saying she liked the sound of that!! There were so many possibilities--just like with that other truth serum they made. Ahem. She even knew why it was useful.

Her hand rose almost immediately. "Weeeell, it's useful 'cause it makes things bigger and bigger is better--like if you have a chocolate frog! Everyone knows a chocolate frog would be better if it was bigger! But unfortunately it's not edible so that kinda bites..." She was digressing just a bit but caught herself. "Oh uh, right, so it's pretty useful 'cause there are stuff that would serve a much better purpose if they were bigger. Like if we were all stuck on an island with a small boat," Survival of the fittest if you asked her, "with a bigger boat we'd all be saved."

Emmanuelle couldn't but think about their current situation when that question was asked. The situation being that they were locked out of their common rooms. "If you needed to use a sleeping bag for any reason, like, say, you were locked out of somewhere, you could use the potion to make the sleeping bag larger." And now she was really looking forward to this lesson. Whoever had made the sleeping bags they were currently using had apparently thought 'one size fits all' meant 'make the sleeping bag as small as possible. Not fun when you were an almost graduated seventh year.

Bliss tried to ignore the fact the Professor Hectate did not look well at all. She was sat at the back of the classroom, listening to what she had to say. Her eyes kept wandering back to the Professor, so just in case she was caught looking, she gave the Professor a warm and encouraging smile. She hoped that she was alright.

It would horrible if..

Bliss shook her head and returned her attention to what she was telling the class. Growth Unctions. How were they helpful? She was sure that they were helpful in many different ways, so she raised her hand and named one of the things she could think of. "Urmm, well..say you have a small bag and you have to put something really big in it, it you make the bag bigger with the potion, then it will fit." Bliss finished and looked down. At the time she hadn't though about the fact that it might then be TOO big to carry around.

Never mind, she'd tried.

Eliza kept her head down as much as possible. She didn't want to be sitting there all upright and fit as a fiddle while her Potions teacher battled to even stand at all. Why isn't she getting better? she wondered. Why is no one helping her? Who are these doctors she's seeing? She was angry at the thought of incompetent people being in charge of others' well-fare, but she knew too that sometimes things just couldn't be helped. Well, it must not be contagious if she's still allowed to teach. I just hope she takes care to rest after classes...

She wrote down in her notes that unctions were not edible, and that the growth unction would make objects grow larger. She could think of tons of reasons how that would be useful. She raised her hand and said when called on, "It would be very useful for clothes too. If you outgrew something, but really liked it, you could make it a little bigger." She tried to keep her face positive, as she knew negativity was just as contagious as a smile, and she didn't want to bring Professor Lafay down any further with looks of worry or disgust.

It wasn't good on food? Well then what good was it?? Alex sighed and tried to think of a good use that didn't require food, but it was a little hard when he had lunch next and he was starving.

He finally thought of something and raised his hand. "Well, I suppose if you were trying to read a book but you forgot your glasses and had difficulty reading the pages, you could enlarge it to make the writing bigger," he explained.

He nodded his head politely when the Potions Mistress returned his awkward greeting. Indeed there really wasnt anything about the morning that was considered good, most specially if she feels as bad as she looks. As he settled down into his seat and the first question was opened he pondered for a moment what use an non-ingestible, enlarging unction could be. After a few seconds he raised his hand. "Professor, it could be an alternative for the enlarging spell, specially in cases where the wand isnt readily available, and given that its an unction it may also have a property of being waterproof or something protected with an impervius charm, which can be quite handy with items that requires to be enlarged in cases of emergencies like a tent or a raft "