"My old potions master used to start each school year in a very dramatic fashion," she said. "He'd come dashing into the room, slamming the door behind him, and then launch into this monolog about all the different things potions could do. It was, truthfully, very entertaining.
"But I have always liked the... subtle approach." She stopped about the third row of work tables and turned slowly. "Because potions are a subtle magic." Erywin's eyes locked upon a different student as she made each distinction known. "Yes, with potions you can bewitch the mind, you can ensnare the senses... you can bottle fame and brew glory..." She paused next to Lina and stared at her hard. "With the right ingredients you can even stop death.
"Now, I don't know if we'll learn all that this year--" Erywin returned to the front of the room and beheld the whole class, "but we will damn sure give it all a good whacking try."
Pointing to a blackboard, Erywin used her wand to make the day's lesson appear. "Now, I've been hearing all this week that we have a few people in this 1st Year class who are..." She set her gaze upon Lina once more. "eager to show their potions mettle. And if there is one thing that excites me," she flashed her smile upon the entire class, "it's people who are excited about potions.
"Now, normally first off I put the class through some basic understanding of potions and what they can do, and thew brew up something short and sweet and you all walk out of here with your heads held high, proud you showed dear, sweet Erywin a thing or do." She rubbed her hands together slowly, her grin turning into something of a leer. "Well, Erywin has something else in mind....
"Now, this--" she indicated the now-full blackboard, "Is something that is normally done in 4th year. To be honest I don't expect you to make it work; then again, I might just be pleasantly surprised. And as my old potions master use to say..." She paused for almost 5 seconds for effect, "'Always be prepared to be surprised'."
Indicating the board, Erywin continued. "This is a very unusual potion, and looking over the ingredients some of you may know what it is. Now, there are two version here. First, we have the 'textbook' version, which is what you would normally brew. And this second... well, that's a bit of improvisation I was shown for those times you might be out in the field and can't find the usual ingredients. And, as you see--" She waved her wand hand up and down for emphasis, "I have the brewing instructions for both versions.
"Note: you won't get extra points for choosing one version over another. In fact," she looked about the room, concern marking her face, "you won't receive a grade for this, as it's something I don't expect most of you to do properly." When the few moans faded, Erywin quickly added, "There are two things you will receive, however. One, there are coven points attached. No one will lose any, but you can certainly gain them, and trust me--" She affixed her gaze on Raven. "Some of your need them.
"And, two: you will get some pretty important bragging rights. Some of my 4th Years in the past haven't pulled this off, so if you--the oh-so-lowly 1st Years--make it work, well..." This time Erywin gave the appearance of someone very happy with something they've liked. "You will certainly make your Potions Mistress very happy. And she will make it known who it was put a smile on her face."
Erwyin laid her wand upon her desk and grabbed a white lab coat from a rack. "I will be helping where needed. Should you need some instruction, please hold up your hand and I will come over. If you need directions to ingredients, I will direct you." Once more she rubbed her hands together, this time with a great measure of glee. "Right then!
"Lets begin."