Chapter 132 - – Swelling Solution (1/2)
In the second week of December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in knee-high snowdrifts. The school was abuzz with holiday delight as the Slytherin common room as the year before is filled with tasty snacks and rare holiday cheer. Due to last year's shenanigans, Professor Slughorn had a stern word with the present 5th and 7th years, and as a result, they were rather tame in their merrymaking.
That same week Professor Slughorn went around with his list collecting names of those who would be staying at school for Christmas. Most of the Slytherin would be returning home except for one or two students including S.R. Wilkes. It was a bit strange though as Wilkes had been invited by a friend or two for him to come and stay over the winter break, however, he'd politely declined all the invitations.
The only good thing this far in December was that winter break was just around the corner as the castle was bitterly freezing. Despite the halls being filled with roaring fires hot enough to singe one's eyebrows, it still wasn't enough. But unlike last year, there were at least enchanted stones to keep one warm. And why not a heating charm, one may ask? Because warmth charms negatively affected potions and as a result was banned from use in the most needed class of them all.
Despite the enchanted warm stones, the students still pressed themselves as close as possible to the hot cauldrons without getting burnt. Lips turning blue, Rowan carefully brought a hankie to her nose to dry her running nose. Sniffing, she said, ”Well, at least we're half-way through the month.”
”Yes, I suppose there is that,” Severus's teeth chattered as he stirred his Swelling Solution. Lily didn't even attempt to speak as she shook from the bitter cold.
Professor Slughorn made his way through between the steaming cauldrons next to desks filled with brass scales and jars of ingredients. Every now and then he'd either smile in approval or make a tsk-tsk sound of disappointment, before moving forward. With a beaming smile, Professor Slughorn came to a stop before his favorite two students.
”As usual most excellent work, Mr. Prince and Miss Evans,” Professor Slughorn beamed, before reluctantly turning to stare at Rowan's own cauldron. Though not terrible it was a tad runny to be called excellent.
”A viable potion,” Professor Slughorn carefully phrased, before moving onto the next student.
Suddenly, an unattended cauldron exploded as it showered the entire class in the Swelling Solution. Students began to scream in panic and pain as their faces or other body parts began to swell. ”Please children, don't panic!” Professor Slughorn called out as he tried to restore calm and order.
”Children, please line up at my desk, I've got a deflating draught, one at a time!”
Those at the receiving end quickly lumbered up to Slughorn's desk. Some were weighted down with arms like clubs, others unable to talk through gigantic puffed-up lips or honking beak-like noses. With all of the class finished being treated, Slughorn marched over to the cauldron responsible for the entire mess. Narrowing his eyes at finding nothing wrong with the cauldron itself, he coldly asks, ”And whose cauldron is this?”
There is a heavy silence as a rather dark-eyed, young boy with light hair stepped forth from the Gryffindor side. ”Mine, sir,” the lightly tanned boy said.
”Mr. Vespucci, and why was your cauldron left unattended?” Professor Slughorn snapped. Vasco Vespucci doesn't answer as he merely ducks his head forward in response.
Unhappy at a lack of an answer, Professor Slughorn says, ”30 points from Gryffindor and a weeks' worth of detention with me, young man!” The Gryffindor's flinched as Vespucci turned a ghastly pale looking color.