THC

Drabble R8

Ravenclaw, DADA

(Dialogue) "Save your breath to cool your potion." (adapted from "Save your breath to cool your broth")

WC: 548

IWSC

WS R7

Mahoutokoro, Year 2

(Character) Hermione Granger

Too many Potioneers...

The burning flame underneath the cauldron warmed the dark dungeon. It was quite crowded in the potions room. Fred and George were adding ingredients in rapid succession. With a ballpen and a notebook, Hermione tried to keep track of it all. What good was their experimentation if they stumbled a perfect cure to only find that they couldn't reproduce the results?

Back in the corner of the room, the Lord of the Manor throned on a three-legged stool. The paper of the business magazine rattled each time Lucius turned the page. From time to time he lurked over the pages to keep an eye on what was going on.

Draco reemerged from in between the storage shelves with a glass jar in his hand. "Do you think we should add a few Mermaid-scales?"

"If you add those as well, the final potion will be too expensive. And without a customer base, where to add the win-margin?"

"Lucius!" Hermione shrieked, "We're working on medicine, profits shouldn't be your main goal, that's just wrong."

"We are talking about cough medicine, with what else should I earn money? Essential potions?"

Hermione exhaled loudly.

"Save your breath to cool your potion." Professor Snape stepped out of the shadows. He pushed himself past her and joined the Weasley twins at the cauldron. "You should stir three times clockwise."

As if only to piss their former professor off, George, with a wide grin on his face, stirred four times counterclockwise.

Professor Snape raised his eyebrow. "Teaching you has been clearly a waste of my precious time," he commented dryly.

"What effect would have stirring three times clockwise compared to four times counterclockwise had at this stage?" Hermione inquired.

"Ah, Miss Granger, it must be horrible for you that you don't know everything if you can't hide behind a book," the Professor teased.

Hermione slammed her notebook onto the workbench. With her outstretched finger, she hammered against his chest, making Snape take a few steps back until his back was pressed against the wall. "If my understanding of the logic of brewing potions is somewhat lacking then only because you failed to teach me."

There was a chuckle coming up from behind the magazine.

"Do you have something to add?" Hermione snapped.

"No." Lucius turned his attention back to the stock market.

Professor Snape looked at him. "I'm glad you find me being attacked so amusingly, old friend."

"I think we should let the potion sit for a while," George said, laying down his utensils.

"We should use the time to locate the wine cellar."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Draco said, but the twins grinned at each other.

Draco rolled his eyes. "This is exactly why we don't invite Weasleys."

They were about to rush out of the room when a swift flick of a walking cane blocked the way.

"Oi, looks like ol' Lucy isn't as rusty as we thought," Fred stated.

Lucius drew his wand and pointed it at them. "I give you old Lucy. I have been more than generous in providing my facilities and resources to your little project."

Hermione took his wand out of his hand. "We all know that you're only doing this to improve your image and not out of the goodness of your heart."