Eye of the Beholder

Chapter 6


Chapter 6. A Potions Primer

Sasha showed up Friday evening for her first son won with Snape. She had been excited all day, and was looking forward to starting, even if it was just mainly organizational things they had to cover.

 
Snape was sitting at his class desk and looked up when she walked in. "Miss Rowan, you’re right on time," he said briskly, and indicating a chair beside his desk, he motioned for her to sit. She could tell bs cos cool and detached politeness he was all business, so she clamed her excited nerves, and sat down.

 
Snape began. "First, I would like to outline the timeline involved. Secondly, I would like to set up a schedule we can both agree to. Thirdly, I will show you my personal lab where we will be brewing the potions." Sasha sat and just listened as Snape continued.

 
"We will begin Monday evening. I expect you here at six, and we will work until nine or ten, depending on what we need to accomplish. For the first phase of the experiment, we will meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for two weeks. I will assign you three potions, one of which will be very complex. I myself will work on four others. I will be present at all times while we are in this phase of the experiment, so if you need help or have any questions, I will be available. There may be exceptions when I have to supervise a detention, then I expect you to find me if problems arise."

 
"Phase two will begin after the precursor potions have been completed, and cooled. This is the phase that will require the most attention. Once all of the ingredients have been added in the correct sequence, the potion will require two additional weeks to complete. It must be monitored at least once an hour, every hour. The best schedule I can think of would be to assign each of us alternating six-hour shifts. The first shift will be midnight to six in the morning, the second from six in the morning to noon, the third from noon to six in the evening, and last shift from six to midnight. Is this clear?" Snape asked briskly. Sasha nodded her head in agreement.

 
"Good. Now, the ground rules. First, if you ever have any questions about the potion, or are not too sure if you should add somethingk mek me first. If the potion does not look right, come and find me immediately. It would be a shame to lose all that time and effort because the potion boiled over, or crystallized. Second, when we start phase two, we should meet before each change in shift, so that we can discuss any problems that may have occurred during the previous shift."

 
Snape looked her in the eyes and was satisfied she understood the directions so far. "Do you have any questions at this point?" he asked.

 
Sasha thought for a moment. "Yes - what about Filch? I do not want to get into trouble walking the halls after curfew."

 
Ah yes, Snape thought. "I will talk to Mr. Filch on your behalf. Phase two of the potion will occur when the majority of the students are gone, so I do not think the prefects will disturb you. Regardless, I will speak to the Headmaster about this issue."

 
"For your information, when you are conducting a shift you are welcome to stay here in my office," Snape indicated the room they were in, "or in the lab. I dare say that by the time you finish your hourly potion duties and walk back to the Ravenclaw section of the castle, you will hao tuo turn around and come back immediately. When the time comes, I will change the charm on my office door to allow you to open it. Anything else?" he asked.

 
"No, I think that is it," she replied.

 
"Good." Snape stood. "Follow me, I will show you my lab." He turned and headed off towards the narrow hallway, Sasha following. The hall was dimly lit, and after a few steps it branched into three separate paths. Snape stopped and indicated the left one.

 
"This leads to my personal chambers. I would appreciate if you respected my privacy, and did not go there unless it is a matter of the utmost importance." He indicated the central path, which ended abruptly in a wooden door. "The washroom, in case you require it."

 
Snape then walked down the right hand path, and they emerged into a large, well-lit room. His personal lab. It was about half the size of the potions classroom, and contained two large working tables. Along the back wall was a very long but narrow fireplace, which could house numerous cauldrons. The walls were lined with shelves containing various ingredients, and another table where his equipment was neatly stored. A large wash sink stood in the corner and above that was a beautiful oval mirror framed in dozens of intertwined, pewter snakes. The eyes of the snakes were jeweled, and appeared to be watching her as she walked about. She had the impression this particular mirror was very old, and very magical. The room was almost surgically clean; ideal for working in. For the next month I will call this home, she thought.

 
Snape had stood at the doorway of the lab watching Sasha’s expression. She turned to him and inquired about the mirror.

 
"It has belonged to the Snape family for many generations," he said regarding it. "It is one of the few personal items I enjoy looking at, so I keep it here, where I spend most of my time." Snape turned and left the room. Sasha, with a final look around, followed him back out into his office.

 
"So, if there are no more questions…" he hinted. He walked over to his desk, sat down, and picked up a student’s assignment to start grading it. Sasha had the feeling he was preoccupied, and left quietly, so as not to disturb him. He never even noticed her leave.