Potions Lesson 2 ~ Soothing Solution

[hermygirl]

It was clearly a brewing lesson today, with Noble's cauldron already atop his burner at the front desk and his equipment read laid out. Alongside it were several trays of ingredients and a couple of potted plants that would likely be recognisable to anyone with vague interest in herbology - one with thin sage green leaves and small clusters of lilac flowers, and another one with white daisy-like flowers. Both give off distinctive scents if you happen to brush close by them.

Though initially Noble might appear to not be in the room, he is in fact standing in the far back corner, returning some clean glassware from a previous class to the storage cupboards there. Though he might look busy, his gaze regularly moves to the door, watching as students enter and take their seats.

Do come in and get yourselves organised.


Lesson progression
Greetings and question
Replies and first brew steps
Add the chamomile, then braid the lavender stalks
Valerian, sopophorous bean and finishing off

[Ginevra]

Fiona entered the classroom and immediately noticed the layout of the room. She was very much looking forward to brewing whatever potion Professor Noble would be teaching the class today. "Hello Professor Noble," Fiona greeted as she quickly found a seat near the front.

[Anna Banana]

Another day, another Potions class. As she walked into the room, Isla's mind drifted back to the lesson about frogs, and she thought about how she now knew exactly what the inside of a frog looked like. It was still kind of disgusting, but she'd mostly gotten over it by now. It had just been ingredients. That was all. Not an ickle frog.

She paused when she heard another student greet the professor. Wait a minute. Noble was in here? Isla glanced around the room and finally caught sight of the man in the back corner of the room. "Hello, Professor," she said, and then she noticed him returning the glassware. "Need some help with that?"

She did take a seat. If he needed or wanted help, she was here. Until then, she might as well get herself ready for class. At least today seemed to be a brewing lesson. Those ingredients were already prepared for use.

[Nordic Witch]

Cole headed into the classroom, feeling his spirits rise considerably since there was no dissecting frog trays in sight this lesson either. You never knew what Professor Noble had planned so the lion boy wished for anything other than looking at the intestines of a dead creature. The frog eyes still showed up in his nightmares.

"Hello Professor Noble!" Cole greeted to the man's back as he claimed his seat somewhere in the middle, but still at the front of the classroom. He got his things in order, and after he sat and just observed the table upfront. They we're obviously brewing something today.

[Waterloo]

The only good thing about Potions was the potential to pocket a few of the grosser ingredients to leave under Carsyn's pillow. Hopefully, they'd be using something extra nasty today - beetle eyes? Frog brains? Leeches? She'd take what she could get.

She didn't notice the flowers. Nor did she notice Professor Noble as she claimed the spot beside Cole. "Oi Vance," she elbowed him and leaned in closer. "I'll bung ya a couple of sickles if you brew mine today." She didn't even have two knuts to rub together but he didn't need to know that.

[Charely Potter]

Curtis was here for Potions class... what else is there to say? He didn't make a dramatic entrance, but those who knew him or of him noticed him right away. He scouted for Professor Noble who was cleaning stuff. He looked busy, so he didn't say anything other than giving him a two-finger salute. He was cool. Then he went to take a seat somewhere in the back.

Curtis didn't know what was going to be brewed today, but he hoped it was something he could use later on. He waited looking bored while doing so.

[Daydreamer11]

Potions. Naya was a little reluctant to get to class today. She was still having frog dissection flashbacks and wasn’t exactly excited about revisiting her um......carcass. She felt some relief when she entered the classroom and there were no little green bodies to be seen.

Naya noticed the professor working in the back of the room. ”Hello Professor Noble”, she said, as she made her way to a seat. Seeing an empty one next to her housemate, she parked herself there. “Hey Cole”. “No frogs today, huh?”, she said with a smile. Please don’t bring them out later. Please don’t bring them out later.

[love-for-HP]

Another potions class ... more frog dissection perhaps?? Blake wasn't so sure he wanted anything more to do with the frogs .. he had had enough from the previous lessons. But when he walked in he didn't see any frogs ... but that didn't mean much ... could always be lurking in the distance some where out of site.

"Hello Professor." Blake added taking a seat at an empty table.

[BanaBatGirl]

Oooh, they were brewing today! "Hello, Professor," Bernie echoed the person in front of her, coming in and taking a look around. She then followed this person (who was Blake, as it turned out) to his station.

"Hi, Blake!" Bernie beamed at him and settled in, whether he wanted her there or nah.

[MadMadamMalfoy]

Heath’s brown eyes darted apprehensively around the room as he entered the potions classroom. He half-expected to see the all too familiar trays of dead frogs, but to his relief, there were none to be found, just a cauldron on a burner and some potted plants. Thank goodness! Granted, potions class always made him nervous, no matter what they were doing, but cutting up that poor frog broke his heart. He didn’t want any part of anything like that ever again!

Now where was Professor Noble? As Heath made his way farther into the room, he saw the professor at the back of the room. Er… should he say hello or -? He looked sort of busy. Heath didn’t want to disturb him, but it seemed rude not to say anything. “Hello, Professor Noble,” he greeted quietly before scurrying off to his usual place at the back of the room.

[FearlessLeader19]

Potions was by far the lesson she enjoyed the most and it was for this reason that Claudine was eager for today’s lesson. It was clear that there would be no dissection (which made her slightly disappointed) but she cheered herself with a reminder that they would be back to the basics today: brewing. The second year’s face betrayed none of her good mood save for the small smile she sent to Noble after locating him. Then her gaze was looking over the plants. Very interesting, she thought.

Then off Claudine went to find someplace to work. As usual, she chose the back of the room but only after noticing that Naya, as usual, stuck with Cole and Bernie with Blake. Cole and Bernie were the only two persons she really preferred to work with. Whatever. She could do that alone.

[hermionesclone]

Noble? Wasn't?? Here????

Uh????????

Lucas came to a stop somewhere close to the door, looking both shocked and confused at the same time. Noble had to be here, right? There were a few plants at the front and Noble's cauldron so he had to be in the right room. Potions wasn't taking place anywhere else, it couldn't be. So where was Noble hi-

Oh. There.

At the back of the room?

The Gryffindor did his best to give the Potions professor an awkward smile and a small, "Hello, Professor Noble," as he made his way to his usual seat. Somewhere that was, unfortunately, close enough to overhear Cora's request but not close enough that he could be guilty of hearing everything. In fact, he was going to focus on taking out his things and pretend he didn't just hear his housemate's request.

Being oblivious was much better, wasn't it?

He thought so.

[sweetpinkpixie]

Eiji had never felt more disappointed stepping into the potions classroom than he did right now. The harvesting practice had been the only good thing about this term thus far and seeing none of those supplies on hand was more than a little devastating to his fragile Slytherin broody self. Dramatic? Yes. But he knew what he liked and what he didn't like and he did NOT like today's set up.

...the smells reminded him a little too much of Rebecca's potpourri she was always trying to shove into his sock drawer at home to 'help lift his spirts'.

"...professor," he greeted gruffly as he found his usual seat and slumped into it.

No. Just no. No.

The sixth year was officially internally pouting.

[hermygirl]

SPOILER!!: Greetings

SPOILER!!: Fiona

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginevra

Fiona entered the classroom and immediately noticed the layout of the room. She was very much looking forward to brewing whatever potion Professor Noble would be teaching the class today. "Hello Professor Noble," Fiona greeted as she quickly found a seat near the front.

Glass clinked together, as Noble transferred test tubes filled the tray of test tubes and slid it back into the cupboard. “Hello, Fiona,” Noble greeted the Slytherin as she found her seat.

SPOILER!!: Isla

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

Another day, another Potions class. As she walked into the room, Isla's mind drifted back to the lesson about frogs, and she thought about how she now knew exactly what the inside of a frog looked like. It was still kind of disgusting, but she'd mostly gotten over it by now. It had just been ingredients. That was all. Not an ickle frog.

She paused when she heard another student greet the professor. Wait a minute. Noble was in here? Isla glanced around the room and finally caught sight of the man in the back corner of the room. "Hello, Professor," she said, and then she noticed him returning the glassware. "Need some help with that?"

She did take a seat. If he needed or wanted help, she was here. Until then, she might as well get herself ready for class. At least today seemed to be a brewing lesson. Those ingredients were already prepared for use.

Another Snake wasn’t far between her, and Noble shook his head at her offer of help. “I’m nearly done, thank you Isla.” He could have been done sooner, but quite frankly he didn’t trust Toddles with his equipment. He’d rather do it himself.

SPOILER!!: Cole

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic Witch

Cole headed into the classroom, feeling his spirits rise considerably since there was no dissecting frog trays in sight this lesson either. You never knew what Professor Noble had planned so the lion boy wished for anything other than looking at the intestines of a dead creature. The frog eyes still showed up in his nightmares.

"Hello Professor Noble!" Cole greeted to the man's back as he claimed his seat somewhere in the middle, but still at the front of the classroom. He got his things in order, and after he sat and just observed the table upfront. They we're obviously brewing something today.

Well, someone sounded chipper today…and was quick to take his seat and get organised too. Did this mean that that stupid baby assignment was nearly done with, and students were finally getting sleep again?

“Hello, Cole,” he replied.

SPOILER!!: Cora

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterloo

The only good thing about Potions was the potential to pocket a few of the grosser ingredients to leave under Carsyn's pillow. Hopefully, they'd be using something extra nasty today - beetle eyes? Frog brains? Leeches? She'd take what she could get.

She didn't notice the flowers. Nor did she notice Professor Noble as she claimed the spot beside Cole. "Oi Vance," she elbowed him and leaned in closer. "I'll bung ya a couple of sickles if you brew mine today." She didn't even have two knuts to rub together but he didn't need to know that.

Noble’s eyed narrowed as he watched Cora join her fellow lion. He couldn’t quite hear what she was after, but clearly it was nothing good. He’d be keeping a close eye on the fifth year today.

SPOILER!!: Curtis

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charely Potter

Curtis was here for Potions class... what else is there to say? He didn't make a dramatic entrance, but those who knew him or of him noticed him right away. He scouted for Professor Noble who was cleaning stuff. He looked busy, so he didn't say anything other than giving him a two-finger salute. He was cool. Then he went to take a seat somewhere in the back.

Curtis didn't know what was going to be brewed today, but he hoped it was something he could use later on. He waited looking bored while doing so.

Of course Noble noticed the boy’s entrance too, and especially that awkward salute. Teenagers. Noble rolled his eyes, letting the boy be for now.

SPOILER!!: Naya

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daydreamer11

Potions. Naya was a little reluctant to get to class today. She was still having frog dissection flashbacks and wasn’t exactly excited about revisiting her um......carcass. She felt some relief when she entered the classroom and there were no little green bodies to be seen.

Naya noticed the professor working in the back of the room. ”Hello Professor Noble”, she said, as she made her way to a seat. Seeing an empty one next to her housemate, she parked herself there. “Hey Cole”. “No frogs today, huh?”, she said with a smile. Please don’t bring them out later. Please don’t bring them out later.

He was putting conical flasks on the back shelf when Naya came in. “Hello, Naya,” he greeted. And no, there were no frogs today.

SPOILER!!: Blake

Quote:

Originally Posted by love-for-HP

Another potions class ... more frog dissection perhaps?? Blake wasn't so sure he wanted anything more to do with the frogs .. he had had enough from the previous lessons. But when he walked in he didn't see any frogs ... but that didn't mean much ... could always be lurking in the distance some where out of site.

"Hello Professor." Blake added taking a seat at an empty table.

Nope, there definitely weren’t any frogs today. It was time to move on to another part of their curriculum. “Blake,” Noble returned in kind from the back of the class.

SPOILER!!: Bernadette

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

Oooh, they were brewing today! "Hello, Professor," Bernie echoed the person in front of her, coming in and taking a look around. She then followed this person (who was Blake, as it turned out) to his station.

"Hi, Blake!" Bernie beamed at him and settled in, whether he wanted her there or nah.

Following closely – perhaps too closely – behind Blake was Bernadette. Noble watched the Gryffindor glanced around before stalking him to his desk. Should he be worried?

It was Bernadette…of course he should be worried.

“Hello, Bernadette,” he replied.

SPOILER!!: Heath

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMadamMalfoy

Heath’s brown eyes darted apprehensively around the room as he entered the potions classroom. He half-expected to see the all too familiar trays of dead frogs, but to his relief, there were none to be found, just a cauldron on a burner and some potted plants. Thank goodness! Granted, potions class always made him nervous, no matter what they were doing, but cutting up that poor frog broke his heart. He didn’t want any part of anything like that ever again!

Now where was Professor Noble? As Heath made his way farther into the room, he saw the professor at the back of the room. Er… should he say hello or -? He looked sort of busy. Heath didn’t want to disturb him, but it seemed rude not to say anything. “Hello, Professor Noble,” he greeted quietly before scurrying off to his usual place at the back of the room.

Heath should know by now that Noble was fine with a lack of greeting, especially when he was busy; the man detested the practice of small talk. Regardless, he nodded at the Ravenclaw. “Hello, Heath.”

SPOILER!!: Claudine

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Potions was by far the lesson she enjoyed the most and it was for this reason that Claudine was eager for today’s lesson. It was clear that there would be no dissection (which made her slightly disappointed) but she cheered herself with a reminder that they would be back to the basics today: brewing. The second year’s face betrayed none of her good mood save for the small smile she sent to Noble after locating him. Then her gaze was looking over the plants. Very interesting, she thought.

Then off Claudine went to find someplace to work. As usual, she chose the back of the room but only after noticing that Naya, as usual, stuck with Cole and Bernie with Blake. Cole and Bernie were the only two persons she really preferred to work with. Whatever. She could do that alone.

Noble caught that slight smile as he finished with transferring the glassware, and gave a slight nod in response as he started to head back towards his usual position at the front of the class.

SPOILER!!: Lucas

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermionesclone

Noble? Wasn't?? Here????

Uh????????

Lucas came to a stop somewhere close to the door, looking both shocked and confused at the same time. Noble had to be here, right? There were a few plants at the front and Noble's cauldron so he had to be in the right room. Potions wasn't taking place anywhere else, it couldn't be. So where was Noble hi-

Oh. There.

At the back of the room?

The Gryffindor did his best to give the Potions professor an awkward smile and a small, "Hello, Professor Noble," as he made his way to his usual seat. Somewhere that was, unfortunately, close enough to overhear Cora's request but not close enough that he could be guilty of hearing everything. In fact, he was going to focus on taking out his things and pretend he didn't just hear his housemate's request.

Being oblivious was much better, wasn't it?

He thought so.

It was somewhat interesting to see how people reacted to him being not where they expected. Some, like Cora, were oblivious to his presence altogether…and then there were others, like Lucas, who it seemed to throw for a loop momentarily. Noble raised his eyebrow at the Gryffindor prefect, an amused look on his lips. “Do come in,” he replied.

SPOILER!!: Eiji

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Eiji had never felt more disappointed stepping into the potions classroom than he did right now. The harvesting practice had been the only good thing about this term thus far and seeing none of those supplies on hand was more than a little devastating to his fragile Slytherin broody self. Dramatic? Yes. But he knew what he liked and what he didn't like and he did NOT like today's set up.

...the smells reminded him a little too much of Rebecca's potpourri she was always trying to shove into his sock drawer at home to 'help lift his spirts'.

"...professor," he greeted gruffly as he found his usual seat and slumped into it.

No. Just no. No.

The sixth year was officially internally pouting.

He’d almost reached the front desk when the Slytherin came in, and it didn’t take much to see that he was in a mood. And was unlike Eiji to be quite so outwardly negative in potions class. Quiet, yes. But not…whatever teenage angst this was.

“Eiji,” Noble greeted, before continuing with something that might pique the boy’s interest. “I have a new alchemical experiment going, if you’d like to stop by my office sometime.” Maybe then he could find out what was going on with one of his most diligent students.

With everyone sat down, and for the most part organised, it was time to begin. Noble did his usual hand-clapping for their attention, before picking up a piece on chalk and twirling it between his fingers as he pondered their first question. He wanted to get them to thinking a little creatively, and encourage the more advanced students into thinking about potion invention as well as fundamental brewing technique.

“If I was looking to develop a potion that aimed to soothe and relax…what ingredients do you think might be a good starting point? Which of their properties in particular might you want to infuse, and what sort of preparation – dried, fresh, chopped, ground and so on – might help with that?”

[Ginevra]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermygirl

With everyone sat down, and for the most part organised, it was time to begin. Noble did his usual hand-clapping for their attention, before picking up a piece on chalk and twirling it between his fingers as he pondered their first question. He wanted to get them to thinking a little creatively, and encourage the more advanced students into thinking about potion invention as well as fundamental brewing technique.

“If I was looking to develop a potion that aimed to soothe and relax…what ingredients do you think might be a good starting point? Which of their properties in particular might you want to infuse, and what sort of preparation – dried, fresh, chopped, ground and so on – might help with that?”

Fiona thought for a brief moment before raising her hand. "I think Valerian sprigs would be a good ingredient for such a potion as Valerian is known to help with treating those who have trouble sleeping. I think dried might be best but I am honestly not too sure."

[Daydreamer11]

Before she knew it, class was beginning. Naya sat up straighter and gave her attention to the professor. He got straight to the point and started things off with a question. A potion to soothe and relax. Was that what they would be brewing today. Hopefully it didn’t include any frog parts. She just could not today.

After giving the question some thought, Naya raised her hand. “Chamomile would be a good thing to include in a relaxing potion, I think”. I know that chamomile tea is good for relaxing and getting you to sleep, so........maybe some dried chamomile would be good to use in a potion?” Make sense? Naya thought so.

[Nordic Witch]

SPOILER!!: Before the lesson start; Cora & Naya

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterloo

She didn't notice the flowers. Nor did she notice Professor Noble as she claimed the spot beside Cole. "Oi Vance," she elbowed him and leaned in closer. "I'll bung ya a couple of sickles if you brew mine today." She didn't even have two knuts to rub together but he didn't need to know that.

Out of all the people that could choose to sit beside him it had to be Cora. Coke grimaced only slightly as he rubbed his side after the elbowing Cole got from his housemate as a way of greeting. Was it too hard to say hi? Hmm. Then Cora wanted him to brew her potion for a few sickles. Shaking his head at her, Cole whispered back praying that Professor Noble hadn’t heard her very bad suggestion. "Nope, can’t do that. Wouldn’t be right. We’d get in trouble with the professor. I don’t know about you Cora, but I don’t want to get on Professor Noble’s bad side. We can give each other brewing tips though." Which was very generous of him to offer since Cole’s favourite and best subject wasn’t potions on any day but he was getting better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daydreamer11

Naya noticed the professor working in the back of the room. ”Hello Professor Noble”, she said, as she made her way to a seat. Seeing an empty one next to her housemate, she parked herself there. “Hey Cole”. “No frogs today, huh?”, she said with a smile. Please don’t bring them out later. Please don’t bring them out later.

Cole was flipping through his potions textbook haphazardly while he waited for the lesson to start by the time Naya parked herself down on the other side of him. Surrounded by girls, maybe his part veela heritage actually was making an impact on the girls around. Returning her smile he crossed two fingers in the air. "Hi Naya, it doesn’t look like it. I’m glad if we don’t see another frog for the rest of the year." And he said that with strong feeling.

It didn’t take long after that before Professor Noble got done with his glassware duty and got the lesson underway with a question. Raking his brain Cole considered what he knew about ingredients that we’re calming and relaxing. Remembering lavender tea he shot up his hand to answer with some confidence to his tone. "My grandma always makes me drink lavender tea before bed because she says the lavender flowers that the tea is brewed from makes you relax which is good for sleeping without nightmares. I think you can use the sprigs of lavender too but I don’t remember for what unless those are used in the lavender oils that can be rubbed on your temple against headaches and on insect bites to make them less itchy."

[Weasley174]

Tom raised his hand. “I think you would use something like maybe herbs, because they are very relaxing and I have a feeling that they would help you if you wanted to be relaxed.”

[Waterloo]

He didn’t have many cool points to start with, but what little Cole did have had just vanished. Gone, just like that. She pulled a face and then considered Naya. Maybe her dormmate would be willing to offer up her brewing services. And if not, she was going to find an excuse to go and sit with Lucas instead. He was a Prefect now which meant it was basically his duty to do her work help.

Before she had a chance to figure any of this out though, class had apparently started and she’d already missed the first half of the question. Not that she’d have a clue even if she had heard the question in its entirety anyway.

Was it break time yet?

[Bazinga]

Chloe was quiet as she sat at her work station. She wasn't sure what the lesson would be, but seeing the potion upfront she was happy to think they wouldn't be cutting anything open for this one. Making her all her things were ready to brew she watched the professor as he gathered and talk to the others.

Once starting she thought carefully about his words and what might one use to relax. She knew right away lavender and nodded as someone else had answered, she loved Chamomile tea, so she knew that was going to be said quickly as well, but what was something else. She stared at the plants in the pot and tried to think of things that might not be something others would say.

'Professor there is a passionflower that could be a good ingredient. It is known to help one sleep better and calm the body. "

[Anna Banana]

Isla just nodded at the decline of her offer to help. It was often that she walked around throwing out offers of help, but she'd at least tried, so there was that. The lesson was starting anyway, so Isla geared her line of thinking toward potions ingredients that might soothe and relax. Was this any different than a Calming Draught or the Draught of Peace?

Thinking of those two potions got her to thinking about the ingredients that went in them. Somebody else suggested valerian roots, which was exactly what she was thinking, too. Raising her hand, she said, "I'm going to agree with valerian roots. They have sedative properties and are even used in potions like the Draught of Peace." So the other student had said valerian sprigs, but she was sure they were all one and the same.

[FearlessLeader19]

Claudine was now all settled in and ready for the lesson to begin. Her attention was mainly drawn to the plants at the front of the class as she tried to figure out what would be their role in the potion brewing that was going to occur today. She’d find out soon because Noble was getting started. The girl’s full attention was upon the man now.

Oh. This was an easy question.

“Tea leaves,’’ Claudine suggested, getting fully creative with her answer. “Many consider tea soothing and turn to it when feeling stressed. I think fresh would be best.”

[hermionesclone]

The look on Noble's face only made Lucas feel more awkward than he already did.

Which, well, was saying a lOT.

The awkward smile stayed on his face as he tapped the end of his quill against the piece of parchment that would go on to have his notes on it. They could move past this, right? Forget any of it happened? He certainly hoped so. He had bigger things to worry about, after all, and the last thing he needed right now was yet another reason to feel embarrassed.

HA.

Ha.

Ha.

At Noble's question, Lucas stopped tapping the end of his quill against his parchment and, instead, concentrated on whatever it was that the Potions professor was talking about. Which was....... potions to soothe and relax? Uh?? Was there a reason behind this lesson? Because a potion with those properties was exactly the type of potion he needed to help him deal with the OWLs and all the studying they required.

Should....... should he be suspicious?

It took a while for an answer to enter his head but when one did, the fifth year slowly raised his hand in the air. "Uh, Peppermint? It's not only used in the Calming Draught," Which, if they were making, he was going to ensure he made extra batches. PERFECT extra batches. "but Muggles use it as well as an ingredient in food or drink that could help feel calmer." Pause. "I think fresh leaves would be best? Especially chopped fresh leaves if you want to get enough of the, uh, calming quality out of it. But it can also be used as an oil so maybe it doesn't matter too much?"

Merlin.

[Cassirin]

Phoebe was ready to get to brewing... or cutting... or whatever. Most classes spent way too much time talking, but Potions generally allowed for activity over chatter. Mostly.

She dropped her chin onto her fists and stared at her cauldron. Relaxed was the last thing she felt at the moment... so it was hard to even consider relaxation. Tea? Maybe drink some tea? What was in tea? What was it her gran put out for Gramps when the grandkids got too loud and headachey? "Lavender, sir?"

[BanaBatGirl]

Hmm, Bernie liked most of these answers, and thought of one that she always enjoyed. "Chamomile, sir," she volunteered, with hand raised. "I would use it dried, like it comes in tea, because that's easy to store and it'll activate when added to like a potion or some hot water." Mmmm, teaaaaaaa. Would they be having tea time today in Potions class? She was suddenly a lot more interested in the subject if so.