Potions and Items, Desperately Needed [Open]

[jointheclub]

[The Itemcrafting classroom looks like something out of The Sword in the Stone today, with beakers, cauldrons, tubes, liquids, chests, and sundry supplies all floating around in midair, almost but not quite bumping into each other. On one side of the classroom, knives furiously chop away at roots, stalks, and bulbs; on another, large tongs stir boiling cauldrons. In the midst of all this, Slughorn directs traffic with his wand, hurrying here and there to check this process or temper this reaction.]

[Truth be told, Slughorn is running himself raw, between days of gathering up students on the Island and nights of making items and potions to repair the damage they've done to themselves. A very uncharacteristic scowl seems to have landed permanently on his face, and he is constantly mopping at the shine on his increasingly-mottled forehead. In fact, one might almost say he's showing his age...]

Don't even know why I came out of retirement. What am I, a Healer?

[He flicks his wand irritably, sending two completed sleeping draughts and a half-dozen Potions flying into a box.]

Comments

[earthlychild]

Are we really going to lose that many bones? I thought we were more in danger of breaking them.

[jointheclub]

And if a chimera stomps on some cadet's foot, do you think there will be much left of all those tiny bones to put in a cast?

[earthlychild]

You're right, of course.

[Aerith delivered her herbs onto a desk and sank onto a stool, dropping her head in her arms.]

We've just narrowly avoided that so far. So many of us have been chewed on.

[jointheclub]

A few simple charms would set that straight in no time. Don't know how Muggles survive past the age of five in this world...

[earthlychild]

[Aerith smiles and shakes her head.]

We just learn to be more careful, and we've got SeeDs fighting many battles for us. When you grow up in a world of danger, you learn to defend yourself pretty quickly.

[jointheclub]

Hmph. Yes. Well. Quite aside from that. Still entirely too much burden for one wizard. I ought to protest.

[earthlychild]

I'd help you more if only I was a witch.

[Aerith checks the ingredient lists and slowly starts to organize her package, ensuring that everything will be in order and ready to go.]

Is there a potion you can give yourself to make this easier?

[jointheclub]

[He leans on the side of a counter, mopping at his brow again as his general irritability takes a backseat to his weariness.]

Most of the ones I could make quickly and easily are superficial. Cheering and relaxation, things you'd think might be useful, also can make your mental processes less than perfect. Bad idea, for potionmaking. The famous ones that do wonderful work are dreadfully complicated. Side-effects as well.

[earthlychild]

[Aerith passes him a glass of water.]

I'm afraid I don't have a magic solution either, but I'll be holding a quiet relaxation day for everyone when this is all done. It's sort of the rest-friendly version of a party. You're certainly welcome.

[jointheclub]

I wouldn't call my little gatherings strenuous. But I'd be delighted to attend.

[earthlychild]

They're not! I'll just be adding pillows and blankets, as we're likely to be especially tired.

[jointheclub]

And weary. And pained. Bad back. Ulcers and rheumatism. What they expect of a broken-down old man like me I wouldn't ask of a dog.

[He's fairly obviously showboating in a way, given the tasks he's otherwise undertaken, which probably ought to be well beyond a man as decrepit as Slughorn is painting himself.]

[earthlychild]

Chin up, Professor Slughorn. You'll make it through. We all will.

[jointheclub]

Of course we will! This is nothing. I've been through much worse. Though it involved fewer potions and more fighting Dark wizards. Compared to that I'm on holiday here.