30th January, 1891 — Hogwarts Great Hall, Potion Brewing Competition

To be perfectly honest, Ari was pleased to be overseeing the elder students in this competition today: there was every chance the talented potioneers amongst them might entertain the thought of a healing internship come summer, which would always be wonderful to see - and, admittedly, the youngest brackets looked like quite the handful. He did not envy poor Mr. Browne.

“Welcome to another potion brewing competition,” Ari began brightly. “You will have a limited time to complete your potions today, but the best results never come from rushing through it,” he advised; it would be a painstaking attention to detail that best served their brewing. “But if there are no questions, your first task is to brew a Hiccoughing Solution. You may begin!”

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You have 72 hours to reply.
Clementine Greengrass Gretchen Lestrange Frida Lestrange Aleksei Nichols Clue Leverett Thomas Montgomery

  

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Slow and steady so often being Gretchen's way she resisted the urge to roll her eyes as Mr Fisk gave his advice. What manner of fool rushed a potion and risked catastrophe? Out of the corner of her eye she could see her sister preparing ingredients and Gretchen wondered idly as she chopped her own ingredients when the time would come that they were allowed to be individuals and not always lumped in together.

She brewed her potion carefully and felt the usual frisson of pleasure when it turned the appropriate yellowish hue. Stepping back from her desk she awaited judgement for her efforts.

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The following 1 user Likes Gretchen Lestrange's post:1 user Likes Gretchen Lestrange's post
   Elon Wildsmith

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Bee is tremendous, isn't she?

The best results never come from rushing through. Perhaps, Clementine thought, she might introduce Mr. Fisk to Ford if matters progressed according to her brother's friend. Undoubtedly, the healer could teach the eldest Greengrass a thing or two about a thing or two.

But today, it was her other brother who was foremost on her mind; it would not do to be such a disaster that she embarrassed the potioneer in her family!

Ironically, a hiccoughing solution had been on Clementine's list—that is, list of subtle ways to undermine her sisters' prospects until Clementine's own seventh year began, thus all but ensuring the completion of her studies. As such, the Hufflepuff could not help but smile to herself as she set about brewing the potion. As Mr. Fisk had suggested, she did take her time, and it was with what she hoped was an earned, if tentative, confidence that she raised her hand to signal completion.

  

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— set by mj —

A hiccoughing solution. What a waste of time. Couldn't they have selected something a bit more interesting to brew? No matter, he would give it his best, no matter what.

Thomas wasn't one to rush, unless it was into an angry outburst. After all, succeeding at being an animagus had been a painstakingly slow process. He mentally blocked out the other students and turned his focus on the brew. When it turned its yellow color, he allowed one side of his lips to lift, satisfied he'd completed the task.

  

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By the awesome MJ <3

Aleksei was actually quite a practiced hand at potions, having won a competition once in their younger years. This was an area that they actually possessed quite a bit of confidence in. Aleksei worked slow and measured, making sure each ingredient and step was followed just right. Soon enough, their potion was complete and they awaited judgement from the handsome healer.

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aleksei is non-binary. in ooc narrative, aleksei goes by they/them, IC people would percive them as he/him

A couple amongst the group might have been a little too painstaking with it, but amongst those who had finished on time there were some half-decent results, Ari considered, as he inspected the cauldrons. Mr. Nichols and Mr. Montgomery alike had exceeded expectations, and there was not a lick of difference between their potions; amongst the female participants, the Slytherin Miss Lestrange had edged out Miss Greengrass' concoction, which was a little pale in colour.

Once they had bid farewell to half the group, Ari tapped the board to announce the next round's potion, an Elixir to induce euphoria. Another yellow potion, as it happened. "You may begin!"

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CLEMENTINE: 5.5 | GRETCHEN: 7.5 | FRIDA: n/a | ALEKSEI: 8 | CLUE: n/a | THOMAS: 8
You have 72 hours to reply.
Gretchen Lestrange Aleksei Nichols Thomas Montgomery

  

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Aleksei was thrilled to have made it past the first round. As the next one began, they were pleased about the potion they would be concocting next. Mainly because they liked the color it should turn when complete. When they were told to begin, Aleksei began brewing their potion diligently. They were the first to finish which made Aleksei a little nervous but there was nothing more to be done about it now.

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aleksei is non-binary. in ooc narrative, aleksei goes by they/them, IC people would percive them as he/him

The cheery potion with its bright yellow color and tendency to emit a rainbow was another potion he wasn't sure he'd ever have a use for. Though his crabby pants self might benefit from drinking some. With a nod, he commenced brewing.

Thomas was sure to take care with the sopophorous beans, and, slow and steady, he finished stirring six times anti-clockwise. With a tilt of his head, he stepped away from his cauldron, quietly tracing back his steps as if attempting to silently double check he had done everything correctly.

  

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By the awesome MJ <3

Euphoria was not something Gretchen imagined she had ever experienced organically so it was just was well that she had brushed up on how to make the potion during her revision. Annoyingly a minor mistake lost her time when she ended up cutting the wrong ingredient but luckily she caught herself before it went into the cauldron - finally though the pale yellow potion took form and Gretchen stepped away from the desk.

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Bee is tremendous, isn't she?

There were no disasters with this elixir, although Ari would be hesitant to drink Mr. Nichols' potion, which seemed unseasonably gloopy when he tested the texture of it. Perhaps a problem with the Sopophorous bean cutting. Mr. Montgomery had maintained his excellent standards with this one, though, so it was he and Miss Lestrange that were seen through to the final round of this bracket.

"And your final potion for the moment will be a love potion antidote," he said, gesturing that they could begin.

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ALEKSEI: 5 |  THOMAS: 8 | GRETCHEN:  6.5
You have 72 hours to reply.
Thomas Montgomery  Gretchen Lestrange

  

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Having seen off the majority of the competition Gretchen was already feeling fairly accomplished and thus she prepared her love antidote potion with deft certainty before stepping away from the cauldron.

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Bee is tremendous, isn't she?

A love potion antidote at least sounded useful. Nobody needed to be ensnared by such things and accidentally commit something indecent.

Thomas set about brewing the next potion, diligently. He counted out seven Wiggentree twigs and carefully added them to the brew, allowing it to simmer and hopefully turn the correct color.

  

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By the awesome MJ <3

Unfortunately, Mr. Montgomery's potion was not the right colour, not at all. Ari suspected this must have something to do with the essence of Gurdyroot, but it was a sure sign the antidote was ruined. Miss Lestrange, on the other hand, was clearly a dab hand at this, and consistency was perhaps the most crucial element of all in a potioneer.

"And with that, it is Miss Lestrange who will be competing in the NEWT final."

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GRETCHEN: 7.5 | THOMAS: 3

  

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