It was rather ealy for any sort of lesson in Ary’s opinion. He’d rather be out in the barn with the creatures, sipping on iced tea with Aunty Hady, letting her know he was adjusting to Hogwarts in a much better fashion presently. Yet he found himself approaching the Potions classroom. Still, Professor Adara’s bright personality was always sure to make up for this. Aryan looked around for her upon his arrival and immediately gave her a bright smile and a two finger wiggle wave.

Being among the first to arrive, Ary wasted no time in heading for his usual workstation. Potions lessons themselves were fairly easy for him. After all, reading and following instructions were not that difficult. Pretty soon, his cauldron was set up as were his writing materials for notes that needed to be made. He was all set then!

More than enough time had passed since the start of the school term had begun for everyone to realize, that Bry most of the time wasn't very far away from Aryan. Today being no different. Despite how early it was, the eleven year old was wide awake and had been for hours. Hogwarts or no Hogwarts, she had a routine to had to stick to.. maybe even more so now. And that was fitting as much Ninja Warrior training into each and everyday as she possibly could while going to all of her lessons, doing all of her homework AND attending all of her other activities.

Bryony may have had a lot going on already BUUUUUUT that didn't stop of from only being a few paces behind Aryan as he entered the potions lab for their morning lesson. [B]"Good morning, Professor Adara![B] she chirped happily, giving the women her usual wiggle fingers wave (four fingers unlike Ary's two).

"What do you think we'll be working on today?" she questioned the boyfriend bestie as she joined him at their usual workstation and began setting up her area.

Even after all this time Maxine still was not a fan of potions - and potions didn't like her either - she scrabbed by with passing grades, but it was not her favorite subject nor her favorite place to be. She would have given up after OWL year if her parents would have let her. But none the less here she was.

"Hello Professor" She added with the best smile she could muster before a potions lesson and took a seat. Wondering what sort of horrors she would be in for today.

In Rowan's opinion, this was exactly the best way to start the week after a slow weekend spent mostly curled up with a book in a chair by the window in the common room. An early riser anyway, the girl had been ready and up to the Great Hall for breakfast before most of her dorm had even stirred from their slumber. Then for a walk out to the grounds and the lake to cleanse her thoughts for the day ahead.

Heading into the classroom, she greeted the professor with a soft smile and a courteous nod of the head. “Good morning, Professor Adara.”, her gaze shifted briefly to take in the ingredients at the front workstation.

She took her place at her own station and got all set up and then and waited with quiet anticipation for the lesson to begin.

How anyone could dislike potions was beyond Solly, but he was a bit of a natural at it and hadn’t had any massive issues so far. He had heard of students who had created unexpected explosive concoctions. That would be hilarious to witness. The early start was slightly unappreciated, as Solly felt that his brain worked best in a few hours time from now, but he didn’t mind too much of late.

The Slytherin rubbed his hands together upon entering the classroom, feeling the dreary chill of the dungeons in the air. Obviously, not phased by it as he slept in said dreary conditions, but still enjoyed the quick fix to his cold hands. He found a space, not noticing anything displayed at the front, then turned his attention to the Professor. “Good morning,” he said politely.

Monday mornings were not her favourite time of the week but that didn’t mean Aurora was tired and glum when she strolled her way into the potions classroom. In fact she arrived quite the opposite with a little skip in her step, her braided pigtails bouncing off of her back in perfect synchronicity. “Good morning Professor” she beamed towards the front of the classroom before pausing and looking around at whoever had already arrived and to whom she could sit next to and likely talk her way through the lesson.

The unfortunate victim was of course Solomon who she skipped over to, plopping herself at the bench next to. “Hi Solly” she grinned linking arms with her friend. “It’s so early! You’re extremely lucky that your common room is so close to the classroom, I had to walk down all those flights of stairs to get here.” Ignoring the fact that she had to anyway to have breakfast but that wouldn’t have been dramatic enough.

Her head turned to the right to spot the red headed girl Rowan they had both met at the Owlery. She directed a wave at her. She hadn’t had much of an opportunity to talk to her since but the third year would be sure to change that since. “Hi!”

Levi was expected to do well in Potions. It was one of the most important classes that would guarantee him a spot in Pre-Healer Studies at any of the wizarding university campus locations. As he had been reminded many times, his family connections would not help him during the application process. Of course, neither of his parents have actually asked him if he even wants to become a healer yet, and Levi would never bring that up willingly. For the record, he's still not sure. Mostly, Levi simply wanted to do a good enough job to have that as an option, should he want to actually pursue that path.

The fifth year scanned the table with the ingredients as he walked into the lab, before finding his place at the very back of the class. He tried not to catch anyone's gaze as he walked between them, and mostly succeeded. Levi set his bag down carefully and began setting up. He had a very good guess as to what potion they would be brewing today and gathered the necessary tools accordingly. Unless there was a different potion that could be brewed with armadillo bile, ginger root and scarab beetles that isn't wit-sharpening? Perhaps they would be modifying it, and that's what the carboy is for. That would be interesting.

Desiree wasn’t a fan of early mornings, especially early Monday mornings. Fortunately, she’d had enough coffee and sugar at breakfast to stave off the grogginess. Sufficiently caffeinated for the time being, the dark-haired Hufflepuff entered the classroom her usual energetic, cheerful self. She smiled, waving at the professor as she arrived. “Good morning, Professor Adara,” she greeted.

More smiles followed for the other students as she made her way to her usual station. Hi, everybody! Her bright blue eyes were immediately drawn to the ingredients. Scarab beetles, armadillo bile, ginger root, and what she assumed was water in the container. Curious collection of ingredients! As she pondered what potion could be made with those ingredients, she could still hardly believe she got an Outstanding on her Potions OWL. This was never one of her better subjects, but it was one of the most necessary to fulfilling her ambitions of becoming a healer, So she looked to the front, eager to learn.

As Roman entered the potions lab with a book tucked under his arm and a set of bags under his grey-blue eyes, he nodded at Professor Adara and sat at a table near Aryan and Bryony, his two classmates he almost nearly seemed to gravitate towards in the mornings at breakfast. However, he sat at an empty table in case Charlie or Kenneth came and needed a seat. And if anyone else sat there, he wouldn't mind either.

He enjoyed Potions, but he was definitely enjoying the most recent book he had gotten his grips on. He had told his father to send it to him as soon as possible, and once Agatha Christie's The Mystery of the Blue Train. He knew he wasn't getting anything new with this read; he had read so much of hers the last year that he could almost guess the endings. Or so he thought. He somehow still got one or two details wrong, and with this one, it was no different.

He needed something new and different soon, though. He was hoping to find something in the Hogwarts' library, but his exploration over the first month of school had proved futile.

Truth be told, early mornings didn't bother Ezra. In fact, he considered himself a morning person. Early mornings due to lessons, though, were not particularly exciting, but at least he wasn't dragging himself into the classroom from exhaustion.

"Hey, Professor," he said as he entered, only briefly noting the ingredients set out front before his eyes turned to scan the classroom for a seat. Without much thought, he decided to settle into an empty seat next to fellow fourth year Rowan Fairfax.

"Hey." He smiled, then he set up his area of the workstation, his notes and what-not all set out and ready for whatever the lesson would hold.

The dungeons may be dark and dinge but at least they were warm for the most part. So far, Sloane had enjoyed potions, although Professor Adara was a little much for this particular student. Much quieter and more observant, Sloane entered the potions classroom with her arms wrapped around herself to stay warm as the cold, autumn air whistled into the room behind her as she entered.

With a quick glance and small nod towards the professor, something she must have been used to by now, Sloane headed straight over to a spare stool, ignoring the large carboy of what seemed to be water at the front. Without really seeing who she was sitting by (Roman), Sloane pulled out the stool and sat down to get out her equipment ready for the lesson. It was only when she had her potions textbook out along with her wand and some spare parchment did Sloane actually look around to see who she was sitting next to (Roman). Her grey, stormy eyes looked over the boy and quickly, she realised that it was another first year in her own house, although he seemed to be so lost in his book that he wasn’t even sure if he’d seen her arrive. This didn’t exactly bother her as she often preferred to remain unseen so that she could choose when to talk to someone rather than being forced to talk to someone. Today however, she was feeling a little more social than she usually would.

“Roman, what’s the book about?” she asked in about as friendly a way as Sloane could muster, as she pulled a bobble from her wrist to tie her hair up. Her dirty blonde hair had slowly been growing, getting further and further down her back so at this point, she simply had to do something with it and today, she was far too lazy to do anything special to it.

It was way too early for potions class on a monday morning, but still Emmie was here early, and ready to learn after eating a big breakfast in the great hall. As she headed into the dungeon classroom she greeted her auntie with a mustered up bright smile. "Hi auntie Professor Adara!" Passing Aryan and Bryony's workstation she sent them waves, and the same went to Roman as passed him. Choosing her own station, Emmie sat down, and got her potions kit, cauldron and other essentials up on the table while she waited for the lesson to begin and to see if someone would join her. Was it wrong to hope for them to brew an easy potion, and not something too complicated that Emmie wouldn't be able to explode if things went sideways?

Moritz was still getting used to potions without Professor Hernandez, but he was slowly but surely making due with the change. Professor Adara brought a much different energy to classes, which he appreciated - although truthfully, it didn't matter to him. Moe loved potions, and it didn't matter to him who was teaching it. If Quidditch didn't work out, potions was definitely the one thing he could see himself doing post-Hogwarts. WHAT he'd do with potions, exactly, he wasn't entirely sure...but it was his favorite subject by far. He was GOOD at potions. He understood it. It gave him a feeling of satisfaction knowing that if he just followed the instructions, he'd be successful.

"Morning Professor," he muttered to Adara with a small smile before heading to the back and plopping down in his usual seat, stretching his long legs out in front of him as he got out his textbook and notes.

It didn't really surprise Professor Adara that the first student to arrive was a Slytherin; they did have the advantage to early morning lessons with their common room being so close. Although she could have argued that if the students went to breakfast in the great hall before starting their day, it wouldn't give advantages to any house. But she also knew from her own children and grandson and nieces and nephews that an extra thirty minutes of sleep won out over a nutritious breakfast. She returned Aryan Atreyu-Rehman's finger wiggle with one of her own, just as Hadleigh's youngest followed into the classroom. Not a surprise, for one Bryony was a Slytherin and two she was never far behind Aryan. "Ms Paton, lovely to see you." And appearing awake too.

For not being a fan of potions, Amelia had decided long ago that if you showed up and applied a decent amount of effort, then you were okay. And that's just what Maxine Bixby seemed to do since her first lesson. "Hello Ms Bixby, good morning," she greeted politely as the older student took a seat.

See. Slytherins really didn't have an excuse for being late to potions. She did wonder which students understood what the ingredients meant that she'd purposefully left out. She was never a fan of deceiving students, but giving them a chance to ponder about the ingredients was a surefire way to get the wheels turning in their brains. "Good morning, Miss Fairfax, Mr Duck," she said to the two fourth year slytherins who filed into the classroom next.

If you would have asked her when she was twelve years old, if she liked Monday mornings, she would have probably agreed with you Aurora. But once she really threw herself into quidditch, it became second nature to become a 'morning person' and after so many decades, she hasn't looked back since. Even though it's been several decades since she'd personally done any formal quidditch training, she was the coach/healer for the U-17 team for many years not too long ago. "Good morning, Ms Ackerly," she beamed at the young ravenclaw.

She wouldn't argue if they didn't greet her in the morning. She knew not everyone was morning people, but she did acknowledge that Levi Jourdan had been another to take a look at the ingredients on the front workstation. For the record, if he ever wanted to bring anything up about pre-healer studies, she was more than willing to listen.

"Good morning, Ms Marchand," She greeted the hufflepuff, fully away of her OWL scores and figured she would have no issues guessing what the ingredients would be used for.

It was always interesting to see how students gravitated towards different friend groups, preferring to stick with their house, and Roman was no different when he sat near Ary and Bry. Also if he was in need of new leisure reading material, she did have a collection of classics in her office, but she was never one to offer about it as she always made the presumptions that the students would be too busy with their academics. She nodded though at Roman Gellar, as he took his seat. As a fourth year Gryffindor entered, sitting by other fourth years.... see! There was something about sitting with yearmates/housemates. "Good morning, Mr Hensley," thinking she'd give it just a few more minutes. It was early, wasn't it?

Yes, she was definitely aware of which students were more vocal when they entered and which ones just needed a little warming up. And then there were those students who were just quiet observers and listeners throughout the whole lesson. None of which really bothered her, as she knew each student had their own way of learning and as long as they remained respectful throughout the lesson she was fine with any of it. Sloane Knott, she had quickly realized to be one of the quiet ones in the beginning and she waved at her in return acknowledgement. Just as she heard an all-too familiar voice greeting her. "Good morning, Em ... Miss Vance," she smiled warmly at the Ravenclaw pleased she was getting along much better now than a month ago.

Ah yes, change in professors was tough she knew, especially for some of the older students that were getting ready to graduate. She knew her predecessor came with a great deal of knowledge and charisma and was sorely missed, but she'd hoped too that she could prove her own worth. And perhaps even be relatable in someone who'd done quidditch, healing and potions throughout her career - in that you didn't need to just choose one. "Good morning, Mr Schultz"

***

After several more students entered, enough time had passed that Amelia figured she ought to get started. It was still early in the morning, but that didn't mean there wasn't other lessons and activities to get through today, that monopolizing their time would hardly be fair. "Alright let's get right into it, shall we.... You may have noticed I've pulled the ingredients we'll need for today's lesson already but for the moment we're just going to take a moment and have a brief discussion on coping mechanisms you might use if you're unable to concentrate or focus. I'm sure we've all had those moments where we hit this blockade as we're cleaning or writing or reading, and just suddenly we get distracted. Resuming the task becomes a chore. How do you handle it?"

Their mechanisms didn't have to be potions related and she wouldn't expect it to be their first choice. But it was also amazing to see how everything connected and intertwined.


ooc: ironically we got distracted in trying to reply here but we're starting now!! just a brief discussion on coping mechanisms to help regain focus. Also trying something new and not quoting but just doing a long flowing post. If you prefer me quoting instead, let me know <3

How fitting during a potions lessons where she had trouble focusing and wanting to be at the lesson they would be talking about coping mechanisms. She needed one almost everytime she was here. She tried her best really she did. And always did try to have a smile on her face but sometimes you can't help it, that something is not your favorite.

"I usually take a break and listen to some music - have a jam session before I try to get started again" Of course that was not her first choice in class seeing as that would be a distraction for everyone else, but at the common room or at home that was her first go to.

Solomon was quietly delighted to be joined by his Ravenclaw bud, but she had better not distract him during his favourite lesson. He only noticed Rowan after seeing Aurora greeting her and he offered her a warm smile and a wave, not wanting to disturb the beginning of the lesson. As for Aurora, she received a mouthed and silent hello.

Ha… ha, ha, ha…

Asking Solomon a question about how to maintain focus was quite funny. To become easily distracted was one of his biggest downfalls, especially at school.

“NEVER multitask,” EVER!!!!! “and reduce distractions around the room when working,” he side eyed Aurora beside him. Probably the biggest distraction, but at least Anna wasn’t on his other side because he’d get no work done.

Professor Adara was such a nice soul; he quite loved it when she returned his two finger wiggle with her own. When he said he was among the first, Ary actually meant that Bry was a few steps right behind him. He heard her greet Professor Adara in a rather enthusiastic way. Oftentimes, he thought that Bry’s verbal greetings made up for a lack of his. Also, he was not her boyfriend, but he was a boy and he was her best friend. “The Calming Draught, probably,” Ary replied uncertainly to her question. Dad Adi had been excellent at Potions and Ary hoped to be the same; he had also learnt a thing or two from his dad regarding the subject. Catching Desiree’s smile, he returned one of his own. No Roman with them today? That was fine; he and Bry did get to share their fellow firstie’s company at many other times during the day.

With the lesson making a start, the firstie gave Adara his undivided attention. Such an easy question it was; Ary knew right away he liked to do when such situations arose: he would usually take some time - an hour thereabouts - in silence away from everyone else, and usually in the company of hippogriffs and dragons on the Reserve, or when at Hogwarts, at the Barnyard. Being among creatures always helped him to regroup and refocus.

Coping mechanisms what? First Emmie was all what is auntie talking about? But when some of her peers started to give their answers to start the discussion she understood the question better. What did she do when she hit a slump or couldn't concentrate? After some thought Emmie raised her hand and said to add to the discussion. "It depends on where I am, and what I'm doing. If I'm working on a homework assignment for example in my common room and can't focus then I usually do some yoga excercises or take a short walk to clear my head. If I'm in the classroom and copying down notes for instance then i usually try to close my eyes, block everything and just think of nothing for a few minutes and then give the assignment it a new try." Unless of course she was having trouble to focus because of the task then Emmie would ask for the professors help, but that was a given wasn't it? Looking up front again, she wondered what potion they'd be brewing with the ingredients Professor Adara had prepared.

While Desiree sat attentively waiting for the lesson to begin, her mind was still on the potions ingredients. Off the top of her head she could only think of one potion that included all of them: the wit-sharpening potion. And if they were brewing what she thought, there were only a handful of scenarios in which she wouldn’t consider its use dishonest. Namely use when one’s life was in danger or as an antidote to the Confundus Charm.

Before Desiree could think on it any further, the lesson began. She nearly burst into giggles as she heard the first question, Getting distracted was pretty much the story of her life last term, with the constant studying for her OWLs! As she considered the question, she listened to her classmates’ answers. They had such good ideas, some of which (like music and yoga) she used herself! What else? She thought back to last term, reliving the marathon OWL study sessions, and an idea occurred to her. Her hand went up, and she said, “Sometimes a snack helps me. Things like nuts, berries, and dark chocolate are not only delicious, but they’re supposed to improve focus.”

Though he was the picture of cool and uninterested, Jonah hated sitting in a classroom. He'd much rather be laying in the grass or on his bed doing nothing instead. It was hard to unplug from the world here, when someone was breathing down your neck in attempt to get you to pay attention. Jonah didn't care for formal education in this way. He wasn't planning for uni, as he hadn't started any applications, nor was he planning to do anything with potions in the future. He didn't need someone telling him what to do, what to care for, what he ought to memorize and know.

Jonah Upstead simply didn't care for any of that.

And so, when the question was posed, he stared blankly ahead, a coy smile making its way onto his lips when it was his turn to answer the question. How did he handle it? "I don't," he responded simply with a shrug. When a distraction came for him, he let it take hold.

Why was Solomon looking at her like that? Aurora was the perfect example of a companion to have sat next to you in class. True she may have talked a lot and gabbled on about something or other that wasn’t entirely relevant to the lesson but she did try to achieve whatever task was given to her whether she was successful or not. Besides everything was better when there was more than one of you to accomplish it, Anna could attest to that.

Answering the question would be a little difficult considering Aurora was the champion of getting easily distracted. Although when she was passionate about something her focus could remain on that subject for hours (literally in the form of conversation), if something didn’t interest her or there were too many other exciting things happening around her then she was going to be all over the place. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d of gotten into trouble for talking a little bit too much. Ironically Aurora did the complete opposite of Solly. “Multitask!” she giggled. “Go do something else that you enjoy and come back until eventually it’s all done.” Frequently a little late and perhaps not to the best of her ability but at least it was done.

She couldn’t help it if friends were far more exciting than homework or reading was.

Rowan gave the Gryffindor boy a small smile as he took the place next to her—Ezra wasn't it? She had seen him around school and in other classes. “Good morning.” She replied politely with a nod of the head. It was always nice to meet other fourth years.. although during class wasn't a good time for chatting. She would make it her mission to try and talk to him after class.

She then noticed Aurora waving at her, and then Solly too—those two always seemed to be together. It was really quite sweet. She mouthed a 'hello' to them both in greeting.

And then the lesson began.

Attention on Professor Adara, Rowan looked at the ingredients. A focusing potion? If so, that would be useful stuff for in the noisy common room when you needed to get work done and didn't want to traipse to the library.

She raised her hand to the question. “I find putting my headphones in and listening to soft music helps me to focus on written work or revision. Or something with a beat is good for motivation when you're cleaning.”

Coping mechanisms? Moe raised an eyebrow. That wasn't the way he expected this lesson to start - and he wasn't exactly the best person to ask about how to cope with things. Particularly stress. That wasn't the question though - Adara wanted to know about coping mechanisms when you got distracted. Which was sort of different, yes?

He raised his hand. "I usually get up and walk around. Eating a snack also helps," he said with a small shrug.

Being awake super early was something Bryony was very good at. All those professors that liked to hold early lessons, they were all welcome. Her smile grew at Professor Adara's greeting and how she like most of the others now, didn't at all seem surprised by her appearance directly behind Aryan's. Riiiiiiiiight, Ary. Whatever helped him to sleep at night. There was going to come a day where he was happily going to admit to everyone that he was so her boyfriend.. and she was just going to giggle and told them all 'I told you so'. For today though, she would let him think what he wanted.

Coping mechanisms. Erm. Right. Bryony didn't have those.. unless screaming and throwing a fit was what everyone wanted to hear. That was typically how she dealt with not getting her way. Usually. The eleven year old did have a few other things that she did when she found herself much too overwhelmed and needing a break. Much like Aryan one of those ways involved creatures, her own companion Bacon being the one she normally turned to. There was another way though and for this thought, she raised her hand. "Ninja warrior training helps get my mind back on track and makes things easier to focus on." Not everyone was going to know what she was talking about but she didn't care. If they really wanted to know, they could ask.