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Tweak says, "More than meets the eye!"

Severus Snape (snivellus_snape) wrote in incanesco_rpg,
@ 2011-06-04 22:38:00

Entry tags:

!incomplete, laura baines, severus snape

Who: Laura and Severus
What: Potions experiments
When: An hour or so after the memorial service
Where: The Potions dungeons
Rating: SFW
Status: Incomplete

Severus considered the workbench in front of him; the ingredients laid out neatly in piles, his cauldron (generally noted for being the cleanest thing in his possession) next to them. On the next bench, twenty little pots of earth were lined up, each one with five seeds pressed into the soil. The book he'd been reading over the summer lay open on the correct page, and there was a little rack of empty potion vials beside it.

Good. Everything they needed, by his count.

He'd come down here almost as soon as the memorial was over. The cool air of the dungeons cleared his head; the solitude gave him time to relax a little. He'd given Laura a time an hour or so later than he himself had arrived, the better to enjoy the rare solitude. And he did feel better for it. Now all that was missing was a partner to help with his experiments.

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brainylbaines
2011-06-04 10:08 pm UTC (link)

Laura was rather excited for the experiment for quite a few reasons. First, Potions were a passion of hers. They were not only useful but also fascinating. Second, she needed a break from the tension the recent events had brought to the castle. The memorial service did exact opposite to being helpful - it left her sadder than she would like to admit, but she wasn´t going to show that to Severus. Instead, she counted on the experiment to be a distraction, exactly what she craved at the moment.

She stepped in, still fixing her hair. The goal was to pull it out of her face as much as possible. She wasn´t quite keen on the idea of the vapour from the potion getting into it or any of her hair getting into the potion.

"Hi," she greeted her experiment partner, eying the prepared things curious.

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snivellus_snape
2011-06-04 10:19 pm UTC (link)

"Hello," Severus replied, looking around at her with a slight nod, and stepped forwards to pick up the book. He wasn't much of a one for preamble where it was unnecessary, and he never had been; expression fairly neutral (although without the lip-curl that usually characterised his face), he held the open book out to her. "This is the potion I mentioned. I haven't had the chance to try it out, being rather lacking in ingredients over the summer, but Cordell is usually fairly reliable when it comes to efficient potions."

It was a fairly complicated process, the instructions spanning two full pages of the book, but they'd brewed far more complex ones in the past. And there was something to be said for having even a slight challenge.

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brainylbaines
2011-06-04 10:36 pm UTC (link)

Laura took the book from him, reading through the instructions and feeling her excitement grow. She was a fairly fast reader and it didn´t take her too long to reach the end of the second page. It was exactly what she had been hoping for. A challenge, but not enough of it that she would worry her slight distress would affect the preparation negatively. She was expecting the remnants of sadness from the memorial service to pass soon, anyway, as soon as they actually started working.

"This´s great," she said, looking from the book at Severus. "I´m ready to begin when you are."

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	snivellus_snape 2011-06-04 10:48 pm UTC (link)
	"Excellent." He nodded, motioning her over to the bench he'd prepared. "I thought we could each brew a preparation to the recipe, to minimise the margin for error. We can test by adding a drop to each seed-" he waved a hand in the direction of the plantpots - "and seeing how tall they grow in, let's say, five minutes. How does that sound?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

brainylbaines
2011-06-04 11:00 pm UTC (link)

Laura nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I like your organization skills," she said before moving to prepare her own cauldron for the use. She wondered if she could suggest seeing also whose potion was better, but she wasn´t really up for competition at the moment. And they would see the effectiveness of each soon anyway. "Let´s get to it." There was no use wasting time.

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snivellus_snape
2011-06-04 11:06 pm UTC (link)

Severus nodded, motioning for her to put the book back where they could both see it from their cauldrons. "Organisation is the keystone of accuracy," he informed her, with a slight smile, "and, as you know, accuracy is the keystone of potions. It seems appropriate to organise things properly whenever possible."

He reached for the first ingredient, a neat pile of Gillyweed (to be chopped fine, according to the recipe), and got to work weighing it out.

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brainylbaines
2011-06-04 11:24 pm UTC (link)

Laura put down the book and arranged it so that they could both comfortably read through the instructions as they worked. He slight smile didn´t escape her notice and she returned it with one of her own, secretly deciding that Severus should smile more. Everyone should smile more, especially now. "I´ve to agree with that," she said, unable to imagine a disorganized potion maker. "A lack of organization can only lead to disasters."

She said nothing more after that, turning the attention to the ingredients and instructions as she weighted the Gillyweed and began chopping it, working as precisely as she could.

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snivellus_snape
2011-06-04 11:35 pm UTC (link)

Severus worked in silence, with calm precision. There was a kind of serenity that came over his face at times like these, when there was nobody interrupting his thoughts, when he had something to focus on. With his lip uncurled and his brow unfurrowed, he looked, if not good-looking, at least less ugly.

He didn't look at Laura, either; just at the book and at his work, cutting evenly and weighing carefully. After a moment, he pulled out his wand to set the fire flickering under his cauldron, then ducked his head again, and went back to work.

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brainylbaines
2011-06-04 11:48 pm UTC (link)

Laura didn´t look at Severus much either. Unlike him, she didn´t ignore her partner completely, but all she did was an occasional glance to make sure they were at the same stage of the potion preparation. There was not really time for more observations if she wanted her work to be precise enough. Lighting her own fire she reached one hand towards the book, running her finger over the lines as she reread them with more care before turning back to her cauldron.

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	snivellus_snape 2011-06-04 11:53 pm UTC (link)
	Severus, who had been reading and rereading the book throughout the holidays, looked up less, having memorised most of the instructions. As he set his potion to simmering, perhaps ten minutes later, and began to clean his surfaces between stages, he finally looked up at Laura again, checking her progress. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

brainylbaines
2011-06-04 11:58 pm UTC (link)

Severus had an advantage over her, Laura was rather aware of that and was very glad she hadn´t been courageous to suggest a competition. Still, she was doing quite well and was just a little behind the boy. Once her own potion was simmering, she looked at him and smiled, her hands reaching up to make sure her hair was still fixed. "I think it´s going well so far," she commented.

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	snivellus_snape 2011-06-05 12:14 am UTC (link)
	"They certainly seem to match the specification," Severus agreed, indicating the relevant line in the book. "Transparent yellow-green, greenish tinge to the steam. We seem to be getting there." He pushed his own hair back behind his ears, wiping his hands on his robes. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	brainylbaines 2011-06-05 12:30 am UTC (link)
	The potions did indeed fit the description quite well. Watching them simmer, Laura almost wished there was a way to skip this waiting period, but she knew too well that one had to be careful with potions. "I´m curious to see if it´s really as effective as the book says." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	snivellus_snape 2011-06-05 12:34 am UTC (link)
	"As am I," Snape agreed, with a slight nod, and pulled a jar of Flobberworms towards himself, plucking two out and pushing the jar towards Laura. "It isn't on the curriculum, of course, but it seems a shame to limit ourselves to only potions we may be tested on." He turned away again, to slice up the Flobberworms. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	brainylbaines 2011-06-05 10:28 am UTC (link)
	Laura nodded. "What is on the curriculum is simply the most necessary minimum anyway," she said before turning her attention to the ingredients again. "Limiting oneself to it can only harm one´s potential." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	snivellus_snape 2011-06-05 10:58 am UTC (link)
	"I propose we do use it as a basis for choosing further experiments, though," Severus said, without looking up as he added the Flobberworms to his cauldron. "After all, this is NEWTs year. It's best to ensure we're strong on subjects likely to come up in the exams as well." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	brainylbaines 2011-06-05 11:45 am UTC (link)
	"I assumed that was the goal from the start. To see how much we could do with it beyond merely brewing it," Laura answered, not taking her eyes away from her work. Preparing the potion was only half the fun. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	snivellus_snape 2011-06-05 11:56 am UTC (link)
	Severus just nodded his agreement to that, reaching for another jar. Again, he lapsed into that comfortable silence where he could almost relax for once. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

brainylbaines
2011-06-05 12:18 pm UTC (link)

Laura worked in silence as well, interrupting her work only occasionally to check her hair was still where it was supposed to be or adjust her sleeves. Potion making required once full attention as it was a precise and difficult process that needed to be taken seriously.

She didn´t look at Severus until her own potion was finished and matching the description in the book to a degree she was more than satisfied with. "I think I´m done," she announced, grinning, as she used her wand to put out the fire under her cauldron. She should feel guilty for being happy right now, so shortly after the memorial service, but she just couldn´t.

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	snivellus_snape 2011-06-05 12:33 pm UTC (link)
	Severus looked over at her, nodding, as he reached for one of the potion vials nearby. His fire was already out, his potion cooling slowly and sending up wispy tendrils of steam. "Me too," he agreed, with something almost a smile, and held out another vial to her. "Here. We can give it a moment to cool, and then test." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	brainylbaines 2011-06-05 12:54 pm UTC (link)
	"Excellent." Laura took her vial, thanking it for it with a smile, before carefully pouring a little of the potion into it, making sure the transfer would not damage the potion itself or the vial and that nothing would be spilled. She was almost worried to admit how excited she was to see if it worked. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	snivellus_snape 2011-06-05 01:07 pm UTC (link)
	Severus did the same, carefully transferring his potion into the vial, and corked it quickly. "I have to admit," he said after a moment, putting it down in front of him and looking at Laura, "I'm looking forwards to this year's Potions classes. It will be nice to have some more challenging potions." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	brainylbaines 2011-06-05 01:14 pm UTC (link)
	"Me too," Laura admitted. "Counting that they actually will be challenging," she added, a confident smile on her face as she raised the vial to her eyes to look at the potion inside. After all, this one was supposed to be challenging as well and so far it seemed to be going well. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	snivellus_snape 2011-06-05 02:06 pm UTC (link)
	"They should at least be a greater challenge than in previous years." Severus shrugged, picking his potion vial up again and shaking it lightly. "Either way, it's good to be back in Potions classes at all." Lapsing back into silence, he stepped away from the desk and moved towards the plantpots. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	brainylbaines 2011-06-05 02:11 pm UTC (link)
	"True," Laura agreed with a nod. "It is good to be back at Hogwarts at all," she added softly. Despite everything, it was great to be back. She moved to the plantpots herself and uncorked her vial, almost holding her breath as she did so. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

snivellus_snape
2011-06-05 02:16 pm UTC (link)

"On the count of three?" Severus suggested, uncorking his own vial and tilting it slightly over one of the pots. "One drop on each seed, you can see the depressions where they're planted. One, two, three."

Carefully, he dripped the potion into the pot. For a moment, nothing seemed to happen, and then the green shoots poked out through the soil, growing at a visible rate.

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	brainylbaines 2011-06-05 02:22 pm UTC (link)
	Dripping the potion over the seeds at the same time as Severus did, Laura was actually holding her breath as she waited for it effect to show. Once it did, she was unable to contain her excited smile. "It definitely has some effect," she said, recorking the vial and crossing her arms on her chest as she watched the seeds sprout. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	snivellus_snape 2011-06-05 04:56 pm UTC (link)
	"Quite a significant one, I'd say," Severus agreed, watching the shoots push their way up. He turned aside for a moment, pulling out his wand to Vanish the remnants of his potion, then looked back at the plants with a little smile. They were well over an inch tall now, and still growing. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	brainylbaines 2011-06-05 05:31 pm UTC (link)
	"It´s rather impressive," Laura agreed as she looked between the plants and her partner, pleased to see that she was not the only one happy about the development. She took a step back and took the book, skimming through the instructions again to see if it mentioned anything about how long the effect was supposed to last. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	snivellus_snape 2011-06-05 07:12 pm UTC (link)
	About five minutes, according to the book. Again, Severus had memorised the information, and was watching the time closely as the shoots continued to grow, sprouting leaves and even flower heads now. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

brainylbaines
2011-06-05 07:26 pm UTC (link)

Laura located the information for herself and put the book aside, watching the plants grow and waiting for them to stop. She scolded herself mentally for not looking the time up before they poured the potion on the plants as she couldn´t watch the time precisely this way, but she trusted Severus to keep track of it. She personally would like to know the precise time laps, down to the second.

"Next time we are working on something, I need to take the time to study the potion in advance," she muttered. Admitting your mistake meant acknowledging you were smarter now, didn´t it?

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	snivellus_snape 2011-06-06 12:23 am UTC (link)
	Severus smiled slightly, eyes still on the plants. Was it his imagination, or were they slowing down a little now? He frowned slightly, and then decided it didn't matter; he'd be able to tell when they stopped. "I'll make sure to pass the book on to you next time I find an extracurricular one, shall I, Laura?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	brainylbaines 2011-06-06 07:20 am UTC (link)
	Laura noticed the slowing down as well and was anxiously watching the plants, welcoming every little progress in their growth. "I´d appreciate that," she answered, smiling. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	snivellus_snape 2011-06-07 02:39 pm UTC (link)
	Severus nodded acknowledgement, and took a couple of paces around the bench, peering at the plants from another angle. After a moment, he put his hand out to touch the top of one of the plants, holding it steady for a long time before he looked up. "They've stopped. Four minutes, fifty-two seconds." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

brainylbaines
2011-06-07 03:11 pm UTC (link)

Down to a second. Exactly as she had wanted and expected it to be. This was why Luara liked working with Severus so much. He was not only smart and dedicated, but precise and reliable, at least when it came to potions, as well. It almost made her feel inferior, but only almost because she knew that she was bright and precise worker herself and perhaps she had not been as well prepared for this session as she would have like to be but she would be that much better next time.

“Impressive,” she said with a nod a small smile, thinking. “Have you looked up the normal average growth rate of these plants? It´d be nice to compare that, to see what exactly the effect is.” She was sure there was a note on that in the book as well, but whether it was mentioned or not, Laura wanted to see it for herself. She never took the information in books as given facts. If she could confirm them in practice, she would. “Anyway, do you think we could make it last longer? Make the potion stronger, though reasonably so, because I wouldn´t like to turn Hogwarts into a jungle by accident…”

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snivellus_snape
2011-06-07 03:20 pm UTC (link)

"I haven't," Severus admitted, after a moment, "but I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to find out. Let's see what this rate was first, though. Could you pass me that parchment and my quill?" He leant over, pulling his wand out, and started to measure the plants. As he worked, he said thoughtfully, "I suspect that the Flobberworms are key. Perhaps if they're chopped finer..."

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brainylbaines
2011-06-07 03:43 pm UTC (link)

It pleased Laura that she managed to come up with an idea Severus had not covered yet and she immediately stopped having any doubts about herself, her smile growing confident once again. With a nod, she reached for the items Severus requested and handed them over. Maybe she should be uncomfortable with it, the slight shift in her role from a partner to an assistant, but she did not consider it to be alarming thing.

“We can try that,” she said, watching him measure the plants. She almost wanted to double-check his work, just to make sure their results were really precise, but he was a precise person and also rather sure of this precision and she wasn´t quite certain how he´d react to a suggestion like that. “I will look the plants up today, right after we finish here. It shouldn´t take long to find the rate and I really want to know it.”

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snivellus_snape
2011-06-09 02:15 pm UTC (link)

Severus noted down the heights, and, after a moment of silently contemplating the numbers, jotted down an average at the bottom of the page. "On average, ten and three-quarters inches in four minutes fifty-two, which gives us an average growth rate of roughly two point two inches per minute. I think we shouldn't aim for anything about three inches a minute; there comes a point when enough is enough."

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