Ethan entered the Potions classroom with the same quiet determination he had carried through all his exams so far. The air was thick with the familiar scent of herbs, crushed roots, and a faint trace of something acrid, burnt ingredients from a previous class, no doubt. Rows of cauldrons lined the room, their dark metal surfaces reflecting the flickering torchlight along the walls.
Professor Snape stood at the front, his sharp, calculating gaze sweeping across the room. His expression was as unreadable as ever, but his voice, cold and clear, cut through the quiet murmurs of the students finding their seats.
"You will begin today's Potions final with a brief written section," Snape announced. "This will test your theoretical knowledge before you are permitted to begin brewing. Those who fail to demonstrate even a basic understanding of the subject will not be allowed to continue."
Snape's expectations were always high, but in an exam setting, he seemed even more severe. Ethan watched as a stack of parchment flew from Snape's desk, each sheet landing neatly in front of the students. A fresh, sharpened quill appeared next to each.
"You have twenty minutes. Begin."
Ethan immediately began reading over the questions:
1. Describe the purpose of a Self-Stirring Cauldron. Explain its advantages and potential disadvantages.
Ethan wrote quickly. A Self-Stirring Cauldron was an enchanted piece of equipment that maintained a consistent stirring motion during potion-making, ensuring even mixing without constant manual effort. This allowed the brewer to focus on precise ingredient handling or multiple tasks at once. However, over-reliance on such cauldrons could result in sloppy technique, as a skilled brewer must understand how stirring speed and direction impact a potion's outcome. Additionally, malfunctions in the enchantment could ruin a delicate brew.
2. Name the primary enchantment used to create a Self-Stirring Cauldron and briefly explain how it functions.
The primary enchantment was a modified Automotio charm, designed to maintain a steady, controlled circular motion. More advanced cauldrons could be enchanted to change speed or direction based on the potion being brewed.'
Ethan's quill flew across the parchment, his thoughts clear and focused. He had read about Self-Stirring Cauldrons several times, fascinated by their practical application in potion-making.
3. Give a brief account of the history of Self-Stirring Cauldrons. Who is credited with their invention?
He paused briefly, recalling the details. Self-Stirring Cauldrons were first popularized in the 17th century by the French alchemist Alphonse Flamel, a relative of the famous Nicolas Flamel. Alphonse had sought to improve efficiency in alchemical labs, and his enchanted cauldrons became a staple among potion-makers of his era.
Tim passed on, the only sounds that of scratches of quills on paper.
"Time is up," Snape's voice cut through the room. "Quills down. Parchments will collect themselves."
Ethan watched as the sheets of parchment floated gracefully to Snape's desk, stacking themselves in perfect order.
"Now, for the practical portion," Snape continued, his gaze sweeping across the room. "You will be brewing a Forgetfulness Potion. The instructions will not be provided. You must rely on your own knowledge and memory. Those who produce a potion that is improperly brewed or dangerous will receive a failing grade."
A wave of nervous energy washed over the class. A potion brewed entirely from memory, this was the real challenge. In Ethan's mind, he already began recalling the recipe he had studied so many times.
The Forgetfulness Potion. A pale, silvery liquid that caused mild to moderate memory loss when consumed.
Ethan prepared his workstation quickly, placing his ingredients in careful order. He whispered a quiet spell, "Aguamenti," filling his cauldron with just enough water before lighting the flame beneath it. The water began to heat, and he pulled out his first ingredient, Valerian sprigs.
He carefully stripped the leaves, adding them one by one. They floated for a moment before sinking, and the water took on a faint green tint. Ethan stirred gently, keeping the motion clockwise, a now habit he had developed through his studies.
Next came a measure of Lethe River Water, the most critical component. He uncorked the small vial and carefully measured a single drop. Too much, and the potion would become dangerously potent. Too little, and it would be ineffective. He added it, watching as the green tint began to shimmer with a silvery hue.
The next step, chopped MistletoeBerries. Ethan used his silver knife, carefully slicing each berry in half and ensuring there were no seeds. Seeds could cause a toxic reaction in some potions. He added them slowly, stirring once counterclockwise after each addition.
Steam rose gently from the cauldron now, a faint, sweet aroma filling the air. It was time for the final ingredient, powdered Sopophorous bean. This was the trickiest part, as too much would thicken the potion, making it useless.
Ethan took a pinch of the fine, dark powder and sprinkled it over the surface. The liquid shimmered more brightly, but he saw it begin to darken slightly, too thick. He quickly adjusted, adding a single drop of Lethe River Water, balancing the mixture.
His focus was absolute. Stir clockwise three times, then once counterclockwise. Allow it to simmer for a minute. The color began to shift back to a pale silver, the correct hue for the Forgetfulness Potion.
Ethan leaned in, examining the consistency. A faint mist was rising, and the scent was light, almost floral. Perfect. He extinguished the flame with a flick of his wand and allowed the potion to cool.
Snape moved silently among the rows of cauldrons, his sharp gaze watching each student's progress. He paused briefly at Ethan's workstation, his dark eyes lingering on the shimmering silver liquid. Ethan maintained his focus, but he could feel Snape's presence, like a cold shadow. Then the professor moved on without a word.
When the cooling period ended, Ethan carefully ladled a portion of his potion into a small glass vial, sealing it with a cork. His hands were steady, his mind clear. He labeled the vial with his name and set it aside.
Moments later, "Time is up. All potions must be submitted at the front," Snape announced, his voice cutting through the quiet murmur of the class.
Ethan stood, vial in hand, and joined the line of students handing in their work. Some looked nervous, others resigned. A few were even shaking slightly, those who must hadn't managed to complete the brew in time. But Ethan felt confident.
As he placed his vial on the table, he met Snape's gaze for a brief moment. Those cold, dark eyes seemed to search him, but again, the professor said nothing.
Ethan returned to his workstation, carefully cleaning up his supplies and ensuring his cauldron was spotless. He knew Snape's standards, and he wasn't going to risk losing points over a messy station.
Once finished, he stepped outside, feeling the cool dungeon air brush against his face. He let out a quiet breath, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. The theory had been straightforward, the potion, brewed perfectly.
He made his way back to the Ravenclaw common room, his footsteps echoing in the stone corridors. He wondered if Hermione had been as confident in her exam. The thought brought a slight smile to his face. No doubt she had performed excellently, as always.