"Alex," he said, returning the smile. Patrick's laugh was easy and relaxed him a little bit.
"I'm sixth year," he said with a nod. "Professor Black offered to teach me some more advanced things. I really love potions, and I guess he knows? We're doing Polyjuice now, but he said we'll be working on Wolfsbane as extra." He chewed at one thumbnail, then looked at Patrick.
"I really want to do stuff with healing potions, or research. Something real, yeah? I don't think I'll have trouble with NEWTs, but if I can learn Wolfsbane, it'll give me a jump once school's done. I hope, anyway..."