Cool! Zeke had caught on Adi was indeed joking with him. He liked people who could joke right back with him. And Zeke was funny too. He had Adi laughing with his reply. “Was that a secret you shared there?’’ Because though Adi acted immature sometimes okay, a lot of the time), he could totally be mature when the need arose. Not everyone knew that because he was always cracking jokes or saying stupid stuff.

Adi was impressed with Zeke’s dad already. “A potioneer, huh? That sounds super cool.’’ But it also meant that little Zeke had a certain amount of pressure on himself to live up to the man’s reputation. “You’ll do a great job, buddy. Your dad is definitely going to be proud of you.’’ Yes, he was sure of that. Adi had already noticed how hardworking the Lion was.

The Puffer watched Lux as she got started on her own potion. He nodded in agreement to her statements. “I think it’s pretty useless. The person or persons who created it had nothing better to do.’’ Couldn’t they have come up with something better? Something that would be of use? “I was reluctant to brew it, honestly.’’ He was certain he wasn’t the only one.
……………………………………….

By this time two hours had elapsed. Thank Merlin for Zeke and Lux. Adi had the illusion of time going faster with them talking so much. “Two hours are up, Lux.’’ Since the two Hufflepuffs had started the potion at almost the same time, their respective two hours wouldn’t be that far apart. Adi turned off the burner and while he waited for the potion to cool, he crushed the bicorn horn into a fine powder using the magically cleaned mortar and pestle.

He kept checking the potion but it wasn’t about thirteen minuted after the heat had been turned off that the potion was very cool. The crushed bicorn horn was added. Adi grabbed the wooden stick. “Scourgify!’’ Time to get stirring.

One…two…three…four…five times clockwise.

One…two…three…four times counter clockwise.

One…two…three times clockwise.

One…two times counter clockwise.

One time clockwise.

Phew! Thank goodness he made no mistakes there. Or so he hoped. Anyway. Fire was needed again. Adi relit the burn and set it to maximum. Now to wait for a FULL WEEK. Merlin. Some potion this was. The contents of his cauldron wouldn’t evaporate within that week, right?