Chapter 2
Chapter 2
It was quickly decided that no further questions nor spells were needed for Transfiguration or Charms. Each assessor marked off on their clip board and told Hermione to move on when she was ready. Hermione closed her eyes once again and allowed her magic to flow and lead her. Upon opening her eyes, she realised she was in what appeared to be somewhat of a potion's lab. "Excellent choice Ms Granger. May I ask you first to look at the ingredients laid out and make a guess at the potion I am requesting you brew." Hermione thoroughly checked each ingredient to find it was the highest grade of material and after shortly processing each material she realised the potion she was being requested to make. "Veritaserum? But that isn't a NEWT level potion, nor have I brewed it previously." Hermione questioned as fear began to fill her. "The most able potioneers are the ones who do not fear the challenge of something unknown. Why, if I hadn't challenged the unknow I probably would not be here at this very moment." Nicolas pondered as he watched Hermione process the information.
"Here are three culminations of instructions of the process for creation. None are perfect. I wish to see how you would use each and adapt them to make something you saw fit for consumption. Once complete I will assess the potion and if I believe viable, we will test its effectiveness as well as its potency." He finished the explanation of the task laid before her. Hermione over-looked each recipe and saw differing ways to prep each ingredient as well as different brewing methods. "May I use my own notes?" She asked looked at the assessors before her. Nicolas merely nodded and watched as Hermione went to her bag and pulled out a rather worn-down leather-bound journal with the markings of Ingwaz in gold leaf.
Hermione placed her hand on the journal and within a golden glow the journal open and begin to self-ink the pages with neat and concise notes. "Ingenious." Remarked Sage looking at Hermione and her Journal. "May I ask where you procured such a diary?" Hermione hummed as she was lost within her note. "Pardon?" realising she was asked a question. "That journal where did you procure it?" Sage repeated himself. "Oh, I made it." It was a quick answer before Hermione was once again lost to her notes. "May I use the chalk board?" She spoke out to the room without removing her eyes from her journal. "Of course, dear." It was Miranda's turn to answer her.
Without a second thought Hermione waved her hand and her thoughts began to chalk themselves onto the board. List of preparation methods as well as in-depth Arithmancy equations to check purity, volatility and success. Each assessor looked in wonder at her notes and calculations as well as interesting new thoughts to the preparation techniques using muggle sciences. Hermione looked up to the board every so often to check on her calculations before walking over to her satchel and pulling out a number of equipment that some of the assessors had not seen before.
Hermione began to cross check the recipes she was given and her prior knowledge on the ingredients laid before her. "May I ask a few questions whilst you are making your preparations?" Nicolas posed as Hermione readied herself. "Of course, however I often find I do lose myself when working on something new." She commented but continued to prep her brewing space. "Wonderful, what have you been able to deduce from the recipes I have given you?" Nicolas asked holding his clipboard and quill readying himself to take notes. "They are all roughly fifty to one hundred years apart in method. But the Author for each recipe is the same."
"Quick as ever in your deduction Ms Granger." Nicolas quipped as he prepared his next question. "How does each recipe vary?" Hermione paused allowing herself a final look over each recipe. "Although they all make the same potion each has vary effects, volatility and potency as well as each seems to be adapted for a certain need at a time. One draft is longer lasting however cannot force an answer. Ones potency is extremely volatile which in my opinion would make it the hardest to brew but would ensure answers are given once the drinker has consumed a small amount. The last was made to have a long shelf life and be an equal compliment to both however all could be improved upon in my opinion." Hermione finished turning to the chalk board and began to make a new equation that was separate to her own thought writing chalk.
"A wonderful analysis I must admit. Now I believe that Sage may have some questions." Hermione was surprised that there wasn't further questioning but looked to the younger assessor. "Firstly, could you explain the equation you have made and as there are a few a quick precise explanation would be fine." Hermione nodded and stood next to the equations she had set about. "First, I made an equation for each original recipe to understand their purity, volatility and potency. As well as deduce any unwarranted side effects. These several equations are the conduction between preparation method and interactions between each pairing of ingredient. These equations are in relation to alternate preparation methods such as distilling and hydration that can be done through muggle means and the effects it may have towards the creation. Finally, the hand written equations I have been working on are my theorisation of some spell work to speed the process of the whole creation as we do not have 28 days to complete the potion." Sage was bewildered by the explanation. "And the spell you used to allow the chalk to dictate thought and calculations?" Hermione smiled. "Clever isn't it, I have spent a lot of time creating it. When learning occlumency I realised I could use a similar spell to allow my thoughts to self-connote much like a self-dictating quill." Sage stood silent in shock before whispering to the others "I fear her Arithmancy is beyond my own ability. We may need to call him."
Hermione so attuned to continuing her work barely noticed the assessor's discussion. Miranda approached her gently. "Neither of these subject are my expertise however may I ask a question." She stood only a meter from Hermione who was beginning to preparing jumping shrooms. "Of course, I had hoped I would have time to pick some of your brains." Her answered caused Miranda to smile. "How do you plan to expedite the potion making process?" Hermione smiled "Well it is not something I have tried before but I have read and begun to theorise that within a small, enchanted area time could be speed up or slowed depending on the caster's ability and a number of other factors. But it is all theory and I fear that if plausible would need to be a closely guarded secret or heavily policed." Hermione finished her rant to see Miranda looking at her with glittering eyes. "What you are suggesting is time magic, not many have the ability to process the complexities of time magic let only can begin to theorise with eloquence how they may begin to use it." She hummed and walked back towards the other whispering assessors.
"I believe we should call off the NEWT portion, it is pointless and just test if she has mastery level skills. I fear that some of us may be out of our depth." Miranda let out a sigh as she finished her thought. "Miranda, we have called him." Surprised filled her features as she looked to Nicolas. "He should have been here to begin with." She finished and took a seat back within the sitting room space, her eyes carefully watching the movements of the remarkable young witch in front of her.
"Ms Granger, due to some unforeseen circumstances we have had to invite another party to the assessment. We will be debriefing them on what we have assessed so far and then will introduce you. Please feel free to continue with your brew. We will review upon our return." Hermione nodded as she watch them disappear through a stone door.
Within The Room of Stone.
"Merlin?" Nicolas called out to a currently black portrait. Slowly a Wizard draped in deep navy appeared within the portrait. "Nicolas, to what do I oh the pleasure." He asked down towards the five assessors. "And you have brought some "friends"" He looked upon each member of the group.
"I believe almost all of us barring Nicolas may be beyond our depth with this witch Merlin." Cassandra was straight and to the point she has barely said a few words since the assessment began. "Maybe it would be best for Nicolas to explain the proceedings so far." Miranda added. Sage and Newt stood quietly waiting for the debrief in confirmation that everything they had seen had truly happened.
Nicolas explained everything so far as well as adding in about her independent spell creation and magical item crafting. "How interesting I must say." Merlin mentioned. "I would like to see this dragon form she takes, is it a type I would know?" He asked the group. "I believe it's a Heberden Black." Newt added. "No one thought to question how she created the journal." Merlin sighed. "I believe you maybe correct. I think it best that Sage and Miranda just observe. Nothing against you but it appears we are in the presence of a true magic born."
"A true magic born?" Newt asked looking to the portrait for explanation however it didn't come only a huff from Nicolas. "True magic born, it is a term used to describe a child gifted from birth for a true affinity to certain or sometimes all magicks. Rare they are indeed. I, myself am one, as is Cassandra and yourself. Once found it is the Department of Mysteries job to monitor and records." Newt knew he had been monitored for a long time but assumed it was because of the beast he dealt with not some other unknown reason.
"I think its about time I am introduced to this Ms Granger indeed." Merlin finished the discussion for everyone and the walls of the room began to fall away adjoining the room itself to the assessment space.