February 24th, 1889; Lunch — Hogwarts Great Hall

Archer Belby was not in the least bit special. In fact, he was perhaps the least special person Idunn Fraser had ever encountered. Fortunately, she did not need someone to sample the finished potion, just a simple concoction that may or may not have adverse effects on the drinker—and thus, could not be administered to someone she was actually friends with.  

Idunn had entirely tuned out whatever story Syna was telling, only nodding occasionally to feign engagement as she watched the first year across the table surreptitiously. The third year regretted that she did not have her journal with her, but she had supposed that would be too conspicuous. Instead, the redhead would have to pay careful attention to all that transpired and commit it—in detail—to memory to record later.

Passing the boy the pumpkin juice had been an uncharacteristically kind gesture, but had afforded the young potions enthusiast the opportunity she needed to slip the concoction into the goblet. Had he taken a sip when she wasn’t looking, Idunn wondered? Or had the cup remained untouched beside him?

Archer Belby/Billie Farrow
After Finn posts, open to other Ravenclaws in the vicinity!

  

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— Graphics by MJ ♡ —

Archer likely would have agreed with Idunn's assessment that he wasn't special. In fact, he would be relieved, for he merely hoped to slide underneath the radar, keep (mostly) to himself, and just survive his first year without too many further incidents. Being special meant others noticed you and made you the center of attention. That sounded like Hell.

Mealtimes made him on edge on a good day. He usually just slipped in wherever there was a spot, ate what he wanted, and then slithered out unnoticed. Today, however, a classmate had decided to actually speak with him. It was basically a one-sided conversation, but the young Ravenclaw preferred it that way. He was so caught up in trying to appear as if he were actively listening, that he didn't get to fully register his surprise that Idunn Fraser had actually passed him the pumpkin juice.

Flustered, he had yet to take a sip of the beverage, though his fingers itched to grab up the goblet and chug down the entire thing. Socializing was thirsty work. When the girl speaking to him turned away to shout down the table at another, Archer took the opportunity to take a few very large gulps of the juice before the conversation resumed. The after taste, though, had him wondering if perhaps it were starting to ferment, and he nudged the goblet a few inches away from himself, not particularly wishing to taste any more.

  

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MJ is the best!

Red eyebrows arched in mild surprise as the first year thirstily downed much of the beverage but, privately, Idunn was pleased: with any luck, she would not have to wait long to observe the effects of her effort. Syna looked at her expectantly, eliciting an, "of course!" from the third year, though her interest waned almost immediately as her friend was placated.

She took a sip from her own goblet, grey eyes unwavering from her test subject.

Archer Belby

  

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— Graphics by MJ ♡ —

At first, nothing happened. The girl who'd been speaking to Archer had turned back and begun chatting his ears off once more. He felt a sudden swell in his stomach, but he tried to ignore it, deciding it was just anxiety making him feel a bit queasy. After a few, long moments, it became quickly apparent that the feeling wasn't about to pass.

Archer's face started to take on a sickly yellow tinge that rapidly darkened until his skin became a terrible green shade that seemed to be a mixture between snot and moss. Hands flew up to cover his mouth, but he was too late. A long, sticky, ooze of slime that resembled pond scum drooled down his suddenly long tongue and out his mouth. It formed a nice puddle on a nearby plate of bacon, much to the dismay of a boy who had just been about to reach for it. The same mucus seeped from his pores, covering his now somewhat bumpy skin in a thin layer.

The boy's eyes widened in horror. He couldn't seem to speak. Whether that was a result of the potion or because he was so terrified, was anyone's guess.

  

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MJ is the best!

This was marvelous!

Well, it was hardly ideal in the grander scheme of things, Idunn knew, but for a reaction to be so immediate, so intense, was fascinating. Even as her companions rose to their feet in surprise, Syna letting out a small sound of disgust in the process, Idunn remained in her seat, quill moving furiously in her hand beneath the table as she inscribed all she saw to memory. She had a scientist's look about her: equal parts wonder and hunger, with just a dash of childish surprise.

Archer Belby

  

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— Graphics by MJ ♡ —

Archer was starting to think that perhaps he was cursed. Bad luck seemed to find him, especially when he was least expecting it.

The girl whom he had been conversing with let out a scream and fled from the table, but he didn't notice. Nor did he notice Idunn diligently taking notes. The ooze that was forming on his skin thickened, and it seemed to be draining onto the table, sliding its way around a variety of plates and platters and even into laps.

Maybe this was the end? Maybe he would melt away to nothing.

His eyes had taken on a more beady shape, and his face was more scrunched. It was almost as if he were a grotesque human/frog hybrid that was stuck somewhere between changing. After a few moments, the only thing that continued to change was the mucus that seeped from his body. It seemed the potion had finished working, and he was stuck looking like a disgusting mess who hoped that maybe he'd change back.

A prefect from one of the houses ran off to fetch a teacher.

  

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MJ is the best!

So glorious, so grotesque. Even with all her knowledge, the Ravenclaw never would have guessed that this would be the outcome. Notes concluded, the redhead allowed herself to feel a moment—just a moment—of pity for the young boy. After all, he was not dying (probably), but he still looked to be quite a disaster.

She had not noticed the prefect leave the table, but certainly did notice the arrival of Professor Sleptov who looked, the third year thought smugly, rather taken aback. Deftly, she closed the notebook and allowed it to slide into the open bag at her feet; there could be no evidence of her involvement in this, that much Idunn was sure of.  

  

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— Graphics by MJ ♡ —

All of the stares and attention he seemed to be getting made him panic. Archer wasn't sure if he was crying, or if he just simply continued to ooze. From an onlookers perspective, his face was so contorted, and there was so much slime, that it would be impossible to tell the poor boy was freaking out.

Idunn and the fact she'd passed him the drink was far from his mind. He wanted to flee. He wanted to just continue melting until he no longer existed. Sometimes, he thought that would be easier, anyhow. Then he wouldn't bring anymore embarrassment to his family; he was already gaining a reputation as a disaster.

When Professor Sleptov appeared, he just stared at the man in horror, unsure what to do, unsure if he should even move. Was the goo seeping from him adhesive? Would he be forever stuck to the Great Hall floor, melting. One brave soul tried to urge him to go to the hospital wing, a prefect perhaps. He wasn't sure anymore.

  

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MJ is the best!

He had been on his way to lunch when the Ravenclaw had found him and explained, as best she could, just what the matter was. Nikolai's long legs moved briskly to the great hall and the first year, a look of surprise registering on the professor's face as he took in the scene at hand.

"Hospital Wing," the Russian directed in a no-nonsense matter, taking approximately three seconds to sufficiently asses the situation. Whatever this was would require quite and trained minds to ascertain—the great hall was no place for either.

  

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— set by soph! —

The youngster slowly turned to give Professor Sleptov a deadpan stare. It was a look as if he had barely registered what the man had said. Archer was far beyond being able to comprehend what exactly had happened to him. He assumed it was some sort of cruel joke.

His feet started to shuffle, moving toward the exit of the Great Hall. Some brave child had decided to help escort him to the Hospital Wing. If he wasn't in so much shock, he might have been impressed that someone had actually decided to touch him in this state. Then again, they wore thick gardening gloves to do so.

Like a slug, he left a trail of slime in his wake.

  

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MJ is the best!