Chapter 132 - – Swelling Solution (2/2)
”Potions is not for playing, children! It is a SERIOUS class where one can be SEVERLY INJURED if one does not abide by the RULES!” The rest of the class is gratefully rather short as Professor Slughorn dismisses them soon after.
Quickly gathering their things, they filed out as Tiffany peeked at the downtrodden figure ahead of them. ”So exactly what happened?” Rowan asked as she motioned to James, Sirius, and Pettigrew, who were nearest to the explosion.
”For once it wasn't us!” Sirius indignantly said noticing Rowan's skeptical gaze.
Merely arching her eyebrow in response, Sirius adds, ”And neither was it any of us. We were actually minding our cauldrons; I'll have you know!”
Turning her gaze over to Lupin and Terry, who'd been working together, Rowan asked, ”What about the both of you?”
”All I know is that he'd been there a minute before and then that happened,” Terry said as Lupin nodded his head in agreement.
”Strange, it shouldn't have exploded if he'd only left his cauldron for a minute,” Severus interrupted with a frown. ”The swelling potion can be left alone for several minutes without any attendance as it was in the final stage of shimmering. I'd hazard to say, that an extra ingredient must have been added while his back was turned.”
”Well, whoever it was, they surely aren't going to announce it was their idea of a prank after Slughorn's words,” Rowan ironically muttered as they all nodded their heads and went their separate ways.
Freezing the Slytherins didn't care about their personal demeanors as the majority hiked up their robes and ran through the dungeons to the entrance of the Slytherin quarters. Someone shouted, ”Gloria,” as the wall swung open as the second years fled inside. Each of the second years rushed for a spot near the giant hearth, while others went to the dorms to wrap themselves up in fluffy fur robes and warm fleece blankets.
Severus and Terry warmed themselves by the fire, while the girls retreated with Rowan to their dorms. Diving under thick enchanted warm blankets, the girls let out sighs of pleasure at the toasty warmth. With only their faces peeking out they looked like polar bears. ”Ah, this is bliss,” Tiffany sighed as Bethanie merely dove in deeper into her blankets in response.
”Well, at least winter break is just around the corner,” Silvia puffed in the cold air. ”We won't freeze for a bit after that.”
”Amen to that,” Rowan muttered.
”The only consolation I have is that the Hufflepuffs share in our misery,” Tiffany bluntly stated causing Bethanie to peek her face out to glare at her in admonishment, before quickly retreating back.
”But you know, we still have to leave for lunch in half an hour and then charms,” Silvia sadly lamented. The girls all sigh and huddle as best as they can as they wait for the minutes to pass by before they are forced to emerge from their cocoons and out into the freezing bitter chill. But for now, they'd enjoy the little time they had left.