Note:  Potions Club meets on functions as an opportunity to practice, research, find tutoring or complete assignments.

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In the hallows of one dungeon, deep within the bowels of Hogwarts, an array of cauldrons bubbled and boiled.

Aside from occasional scatter of conversation that wafted over them (–typically, Theo noted, amongst those confident enough in their skill to risk dividing their attention), there was little else worthy of note: knives cut through flesh, chopping, slicing; the flat of them crushing the still forms beneath them until carapaces cracked, allowing juices to pool. Powder strayed to the table, or curled into the air, propelled by the force it took for their containers to be opened. Surfaces clear and milky, single-hued and iridescent, pitch black and thick… All churned away, dictated by their contents, the method by which they were prepared and the order in which they were added.

Theo took it all very, very seriously. But perhaps that was only to be expected. Even for someone such as himself one could only expend so much focus and passion for so many interests. Of his most basic, straightforward interests, it was Potions that had his heart.

And so it was with that very same focus that Theo devoted himself to Potions Club. For one hour, twice a week, the Head Boy withheld his usual condescension and exercised far more patience than he was known for. As he waited for his own cauldron to brew, he stopped by one table, hands tucked into his pockets, expression curious rather than critical.

“Unconventional,” he hummed. Coming from him, it was practically praise.

Fred never anticipated joining potions club.  But, when the Head Boy tells you to join, and when that Head Boy is Theo Whitman, you don’t say no.  It didn’t even really feel like an option.   

So, here he was – at potion’s club.  It was kind of good anyway because OWLs were coming and while others argued they were still a bit away, Fred wasn’t going to be so cavalier about his exams.  He also wasn’t going to mess around with his potions.  He needed to practice. 

He thought he was doing a pretty decent job, though.  His potion was starting to pink up[1] and he was measuring out the hellebore to add as soon as it was the perfect shade of pink.  His hands were steady as he poured into his graduated cylinder.  That didn’t stop him from holding is breath though, until he had the right amount. 

Lifting his head up, he looked into the cauldron and swallowed hard.  His eyes widened as Theo commented pretty much neutrally on his potion.  Oh fizzing whizzbees! Fred looked up at him with wide eyes.  “Um… just practicing… I heard this draught has been on the exam before…” 

1.	Draught of Peace