The Secret of the Sivrils

Next Day:

So we had Potions Class with the Gryffindors today. I found myself nervously examining their side of the classroom for any sign of Silas (again), but was reassured by his absence. Though not fully reassured. I've had an increasing feeling of impending doom looming over me...

Anyway, he wasn't there. Part of me wished he was. Not knowing where he is, not seeing him... It's like when there's a large spider in the room, and it's run off and hidden somewhere, and you know it's still there, waiting to reappear, and it could be right next to you...

I was so distracted that Professor Park had to yell at me twice before I realised he was speaking to me.

"Stop daydreaming about the Gryffindor boys and pay attention!"he snapped.

"I wasn't daydreaming about anyone!"I answered, horrified.

I felt my cheeks blazing red, and Antonius looked at me in a way that made me want to melt into my potion cauldron and disappear among the bubbling ingredients.

"Now, I need everyone to watch closely,"Professor Park demanded, striding up to a large cauldron he used for demonstrations.

He sprinkled some sparkly, grey dust into it in a circular motion, then drew out his wand and softly spoke the incantation,"Sola Scintilla Ignis."

A tiny spark dropped from his wand into the cauldron, and within a few seconds, a small fire was blazing on the surface of the liquid inside. There it remained, crackling as it gave off a light greyish white smoke that curled into swirls and whips before disintegrating into the air. It was fascinating to watch.

"Now,"Professor Park said,"you are witnessing a very delicate and complex process. This is the final and most important stage in brewing an incredibly rare and advanced potion. It requires precision skill in the methodology. I need you all to watch me and pay close attention to everything that I do. This lesson is not about memorising ingredients, it's about the methodology! Potion-brewing is more than simply adding the correct ingredients. It is more than just preparing those ingredients adequately. It is an art, you could say; but one that could have deadly consequences, if not perfected. This potion is particularly dangerous when brewed incorrectly. Danger of death is present during every stage of its creation, the final stage being the most perilous. Even if you survive the full brewing-process, the slightest mistake along the way, gone unnoticed, could render the potion itself as a deadly poison, killing the drinker in a most horrible manner."

Everyone had his full attention now.

"However, an interesting fact about this particular potion,"he went on,"is that it only works on the brewer. If anyone else were to drink it, whether brewed correctly or incorrectly, it would have no effect opon them whatsoever. Meaning that if this potion were to become a deadly poison, it would only poison the brewer. Anyone else who drinks it would find it as simple as a plain glass of water. Therefore, if any of you are fool enough to brew yours incorrectly, you only need to worry about poisoning yourselves."

Some horrified gasps followed this remark.

"This will be a test in your potion-brewing methodology,"Professor Park continued,"you will watch me, copy what I do and then drink the finished result. Any questions?"

Several hands shot into the air at once.

"Steel,"Professor Park chose.

"Sir,"Richard Steel said,"surely it's not safe? We shouldn't really be taking tests like this in school , this could go very wrong..."

"So?"Professor Park answered,"you're all adults now. If any of you are under the age of 17, you may leave the classroom. You're old enough now to be taught to take proper responsibility. The brewing of the most advanced and dangerous potions are best taught in a controlled environment; and for that purpose, this classroom is ideal."

There was a horrified silence. I was wondering whether Professor Park was exaggerating, or trying to scare us. I'm sure he wouldn't really put us in this kind of danger for a potions test? Or would he?

"Now pay close attention,"Professor Park instructed,"any daydreamers in this class,"here he looked at me,"deciding not to pay attention, may find themselves trapped inside a nightmare they can't wake up from. Literally, actually."

As he glared over at me, I shuddered.

I stared at Professor Park anxiously examining everything he did. He took up a stirring-spoon and informed us that it was 'resistant to magical fire', which apparently was a very important detail. With this, he stirred the potion anti-clockwise in a steady motion for a whole minute, then took up a bottle of powdered mandrake root. He carefully measured out the quantity before dropping it into the cauldron, then quickly stepped back from it by at least five feet. Within thirty seconds, there were some popping sounds, then some loud bangs followed by great tongues of flame leaping out of the cauldron like snakes suddenly striking from an opened basket. This died down shortly, but still he waited at a distance.

The fire crackled on for what seemed like a few minutes, then slowly fizzled out completely, leaving a hovering cloud of greyish-white smoke. Still Professor Park remained at least five feet back until the cloud of smoke had completely vanished. Then he returned to the cauldron.

"As you can see, the fire has now completely gone out,"he explained,"it is very important to make sure that no evidence of that fire remains, by this stage.

He lifted a bottle of dark purple liquid and dropped into the cauldron three drops, one after the other, pausing momentarily in-between.

Then, as he stirred the potion, he instructed us,"stir it until the potion changes from black to dark red. It has to be dark red, not brown, not bright red and absolutely not pink! If you have trouble distinguishing colours, I'd suggest using a colour-comfirmation spell, or the eyes of a person that can, who, of course, you trust with your life. For that is what you will be entrusting them with."

Finally, when his potion had become the desired colour, he spat into it, gave it one last stir, labelled it into a cup and drank it.

We watched him expectantly, wondering what it was going to do - I wouldn't be surprised if I wasn't the only one wondering if he'd brewed his correctly.

It didn't seem to do anything.

"Tastes like elderberry cordial,"Professor Park remarked,"perfect. Now - I hope you have all carefully noted every part of that process, for I will not be repeating it. Now - Steel, you'll be the first to take this test."

We watched in a sort of fascinated horror, as Richard Steel approached a table in a corner of the class (set apart, with plenty of space around it) and summoned his cauldron.

"Inside your cauldron, I have made sure to have the first part of your potion fully prepared,"Professor Park said,"this potion takes around six weeks to brew in total, but you don't have to worry about that part. If you are wondering whether or not this makes you the brewer, and whether or not it will work, no need to worry about that either. So long as you remember to spit into the cauldron before the final stir."

Richard looked into the cauldron like he was thinking of being sick in it.

"Sola Scintilla Ignis,"Professor Park prompted,"whatever you do, do not cast 'Incendio'!"

"What would happen if I cast 'Incendio'?"Richard asked, sounding very nervous.

"A swift death,"Park answered.

"Sola..."Richard began.

"You've forgotten something,"Park quickly interrupted.

"Oh - yes,"Richard said, picking up a small dish of the sparkly grey powder, he sprinkled it into the cauldron in a circular motion.

Then he cast,"Sola Scintilla Ignis,"and stepped back quickly.

The flames appeared as they had in the demonstration. Richard seemed to follow all of the steps correctly, and when he had completed them all and ladelled the dark red potion into a cup, Professor Park instructed him to drink it.

Richard stared into the cup for a few moments, in the same way he had stared into the cauldron to begin with, then he quickly gulped it.

"How does it taste?"Professor Park asked.

Richard smiled,"like elderberry cordial,"he answered.

"Well done,"Professor Park congratulated him,"now - Dominic Carrow!"

Dominic was frozen at his desk. I heard Regulus (who was sitting next to him) mumble something encouraging, and Dominic slowly got up and approached the table. He looked pale and seemed to be shaking slightly.

He reached for the powder.

"Steady yourself,"Professor Park warned him,"this must be done smoothly. It's not a process for the faint-hearted."

The last remark about the 'faint-hearted' seemed to inspire a defiant determination in Dominic. He stood a little straighter, put on a serious expression, and carefully sprinkled the powder in the correct motion before casting,"Sola Scintilla Ignis,"on he went, with so much determination that Park had to pull him away from the cauldron at the firey part where you have to stand back.

Finally, Dominic drank his potion and returned to his desk, alive and well.

"What does it do?"I heard Regulus whispering to him.

"I don't know,"I heard Dominic reply,"it tastes alright though."

Patricia Finnigan was next, followed by Artemisia Sanding; then Luke Stevenson, Amelia Sanding, Amber Harris and then me.

I felt terrified. Antonius must have sensed my fear, he grabbed my hand and squeezed it reassuringly,"you'll be fine,"he whispered to me.

The confidence in his voice gave me courage. I got up and went over to the table. I looked into the cauldron, then at Professor Park. He stood there, his hands behind his back, with a severe, stern look on his face. He said nothing and his expression did not change.

As I sprinkled the sparkly grey powder, I remembered the Obliviated Memories potion I'd brewed with Priscilla Bulstrode in the summer, and I felt a bit more confident - that had been a very complicated potion, but it had been a success.

I followed each step carefully, then ladelled it into a cup, but I didn't want to drink it. I didn't know what had been put into it before I'd completed the brewing process. I didn't know what it was for and what it did, and I didn't know for sure whether or not I'd done my part correctly.

"If you don't drink it, you won't pass the test,"Park informed me, noting my hesitation.

"What is the potion?"I asked,"what does it do?"

"You'll find that out when you drink it,"Professor Park answered.

"I'd rather find out before I drink it,"I objected,"I would never brew a potion myself, if I didn't know what it did."

"Very well,"Park answered,"it restores to the drinker, the memory of forgotten dreams. If you drink it, you will remember every dream you had in the night."

I heard some remarks from those that had already drank it that seemed to confirm this.

"This seems like quite a simple potion,"I said,"why would you go through such a dangerous process to create such a simple potion?"

"It also restores forgotten memories,"Park added,"or memories that have been obliviated or altered."

This surprised me!

"All of your obliviated memories?"I asked.

"What do you mean all?"Professor Park asked me.

"All of your lost memories,"I answered,"that you've ever had?"

"No,"Park answered,"only those from the last three days."

"Oh,"I answered, thinking.

This was very interesting, but I still didn't want to drink it.

"What other ingredients does this potion have in it?"I persisted.

"That is not necessary information,"was the response.

"But what if I'm allergic to any of them?"I asked.

"Well, which ingredients are you allergic to?"Professor Park asked me.

"I prefer not to advertise my allergies,"I answered,"but I'd know if you told me the ingredients."

I don't like people knowing my weaknesses, if I can help it, incase they ever decide to use that information against me. A lot of APS members were present in this class. Even if they had no evil intentions, they could pass the information onto Silas.

"Well, don't drink it then,"Professor Park replied,"but you will fail the test."

I put the cup down on the table. I wasn't going to drink it. Not without knowing exactly what was in it. I've had allergic reactions to some things before, and it is not something I'd like to repeat.

I felt like a complete coward and failure as I returned to my desk. Especially as I heard some of my classmates (mainly the Gryffindors) whispering around me and giving me judging looks.

Lauren Golding was next. She made a point of drinking the potion immediately, gulping down the whole thing confidently, and then smirking over in my direction.

Then Priscilla Bulstrode; she performed her part confidently, though at the end, before drinking, she felt in a pocket of her robes and a horrified expression crossed her face.

"I can't drink it!"she said,"I've forgotten my Bezoar!"

Sudden laughter filled the classroom.

"Silence!"Park ordered, drawing out from his pocket a Bezoar and handing it to Priscilla.

She drank the potion, waited for a bit, then handed the Bezoar back to Professor Park and returned to her desk.

"Elderberry cordial?"he asked.

She nodded.

So it went on.

When it reached Antonius' turn, he didn't drink it.

"Like Catherine, I like to know what I'm drinking,"he said,"even if this means failing the test."

He returned to his desk next to me and smiled at me. I suddenly felt a warm feeling of happiness and security. I smiled back at him.

When we had all finished, Professor Park addressed us all.

"Only one of you passed this test today,"he announced.

There were surprised murmurs, and one or two frightened gasps.

"No need to fear. None of you have poisoned yourselves,"he went on,"Bulstrode passed this test, and it is because she is the only one out of all of you who thought to make sure she had an antidote on her, in case the process should have gone wrong. A bezoar is a universal antidote that will cure most poisons, including this potion when incorrectly brewed, and others like it. It will also work for allergic reactions,"here he looked over at me,"Parkinson and Carrow may not have passed this test, but they have passed a different sort of test. It is important to know exactly what you are drinking, especially if it is a potion. As for the rest of you... Dominic Carrow almost burned himself alive, and most of you all needed prompting from me on at least one vital step, which shows that, by yourselves, you would not have succeeded. I'm disappointed. You'll be tested in potions at the beginning of every month. You will begin brewing your October potion tomorrow. Class dismissed."

When we were leaving the Great Hall, after dinner, Max approached me. I haven't properly spoken to him since we were on the train. He was with Jeremy Jackson (Hufflepuff 7th Year) who was running after him, talking about something enthusiastically.

"I bet we could do it, and you'd better do it quick, because you'll be 18 next month, and then I'll have to do it instead,"Jeremy was saying.

"What are you two up to?"I asked, raising my eyebrows.

"Sneaking into Hogsmeade,"Max began,"well, not sneaking ,"he quickly added,"I'm not banned... I mean... not that I'm referring to..."

"It's alright,"I said, understanding he wasn't trying to make fun of my inability to leave Hogwarts,"how did you know?"

"Know?"Max asked.

"I'm not allowed to leave Hogwarts,"I said.

"Antonius told me,"Max answered,"anyway, you know when we were in Potions earlier?"

"Yes?"I said.

"Well, I was very confused, because Professor Park said we were all adults,"Max went on.

"So?"I said.

"But we're not!"Max answered.

"You are 17, aren't you?"I responded, feeling confused.

"Yes, but that's the thing,"Max said,"Muggles don't become adults until they're 18!"

"Oh,"I said, starting to understand,"I forgot that."

"So Jeremy and I have come up with a plan to go to Hogsmeade and buy Firewhiskey - well, see if we can, that is. Seeing as we're of age, and old enough to risk dying in Potions Class, I don't see why not."

"Professor Park made us do the Deadly Potion Test too,"Jeremy put in,"we had it with the Ravenclaws."

"How many of you passed?"I asked, remembering how well the Hufflepuffs usually did whenever we had potions with them.

"About half and half,"Jeremy responded,"one of the Ravenclaws asked Professor Park about antidotes, and we all got the idea from her. Turns out that was the icing on the cake."

"Did everyone drink it?"I asked, curiously.

"Of course,"Jeremy responded,"why wouldn't we? Professor Park had a bezoar ready, but I doubt he'd have needed to use it, he was scrutinising our every move. I'm sure he wouldn't have let us drink it if he saw we'd gone wrong. But you know how he likes to scare everyone."

"Anyway, I'm off now,"Max began.

"Can I speak to you?"I quickly interrupted.

"We're already speaking... Oh...,"he said, he must have noticed the serious look on my face.

I imagine it was a serious look, anyway.

Jeremy went off somewhere, and I spoke to Max in a low voice,"I don't suppose you've seen any sign of Silas?"

"No,"Max answered,"it's a bit strange. No one has even been talking about him. It's like he's been erased from history."

"You don't think he's erased... himself... from history? Do you?"I suggested,"what if he's obliviated everyone's memories of his existence?"

"I don't think so,"Max answered,"why would he do that?"

"I don't know, but you never can tell what he's up to,"I responded.

"I wouldn't worry too much if I were you,"said Max,"he's a fugitive. The Ministry know about him and he's on the run."

I told him about Wells' altered memory concerning the events of the summer.

"That's very strange,"Max replied,"but there's no point in worrying about it too much. Silas is good at obliviating memories and things like that, but we beat him at that game before, remember?"

I nodded, though still feeling unsure.

"Cheer up!"Max smiled at me and put his hand on my shoulder.

Then he went off.

I'm not sure that his and Jeremy's plan will be successful. I'm not actually sure myself whether we're allowed to buy Firewhiskey at 17...