One drop of goat's blood, stir twice, add porcupine quills …Three counter-clockwise stirs, one clockwise and rest for three minutes …
Frowning, a pale-skinned boy glances around the small dungeon. With lithe fingers, he holds the stirring rod completely still as the potion rests for the required three minutes. His eyes are bright, reflecting the flickering torch light as he allows his attention to rest on an equally pale girl two tables away. Her hair is like a beacon in the dimly lit room – fiery red and as turbulent as an ocean in storm. She is beautiful and for just a moment, her emerald eyes set upon his and there is nothing but the meeting of souls.
But like all magic, this too ends and the boy is left in the cold dungeon, his fingers clenching the stirring rod that must remain still for yet another minute.