memory problems ; open

In true Hogwarts spirit, it had been raining all weekend. Alice didn't mind so much. The rain was simply a fact of life. If it wasn't snowing, it was probably raining. It wasn't worth getting too worked up about. It did make her morning runs a bit less comfortable, but Alice didn't care much for comfort. Running was miserable no matter what. It always left her with shaking legs and burning lungs. It was hardly the highlight of her morning. But it was simply a means to an end.

That end was why Alice Wyman was spending her first weekend curled up in the warmth of the library, her potions textbook across her lap and a sheaf of parchment covered in notes on the arm of her chair. A wiping charm allowed her to clear a large paragraph with her hand. The parchment clean, she began to write again.
Bonding Solution, unknown developer, refined by Geraint Ollivander in 390 B.C.E. Used in the process of crafting wands in the western world.
Requires pulp of tree to be used, and bowtruckle droppings.
Used in conjunction with Sealing solution, which core is soaked in. Bonding solution breaks down sealing solution, turns it into a conductor between core and wand.
Step One...

Alice paused, eyes shut tight as she searched her memory. Step one... step one... applying a wax coat to a gold cauldron? She peeked at her book, and groaned. Someone "shush"ed her fiercely. Alice winced, and began to write out the steps for the sixth time.

Step One: Wax a pewter cauldron with beeswax, and place three golden bricks evenly on the bottom.
Step Two: Fill the cauldron with distilled water. Bring to boil.
Step Three: Add Bowtruckle Droppings, reduce to simmer, cover and heat for six weeks.

Alice paused here to yawn and crack her back. Her everything was sore. She'd gone running for an hour this morning, down by the lake. No one seemed to venture to the water when it rained, guaranteeing the sixth year the privacy she craved. After her run, she'd begun finishing her homework from the week. She'd finished her Herbology essay and reading by lunchtime, and settled into her Charms and Transfiguration work quite happily. She'd even managed to complete the reading for Defence Against the Dark Arts ahead of schedule. And it had only been three in the afternoon when she was forced to turn her attention to Potions.

It was now nine at night and Alice still wasn't done with her reading. She hated potions. Hated how it turned her into an idiot, how she could barely keep ingredients or simple steps straight in her brain. She'd been sat in this bloody chair for six hours, working on this simple concept. Bonding and sealing solutions were so deceptively simple, and she understood how they interacted in wandmaking quite easily. But she couldn't for the life of her remember how they were brewed and the mechanics of producing them. Alice quite liked Professor Slughorn, but this reading was driving her to loathe him. What did she care how these ruddy potions worked, so long as they did? Alice wanted to be an Auror, not an Ollivander.

She slumped back in her chair, rather defeated. If she hadn't figured this out by now, she wasn't going to grasp it tonight. She had to get some sleep before class tomorrow. She supposed she'd have to study in her hour long break between Double Transfiguration and Potions and hope she could keep up in class. Alice rubbed her eyes, suddenly aware of just how tired she was. Running a hand through her long hair, she reluctantly began to pack her books. Alice hated turning in before she was squared away, but she was left little choice. Madame Pince was already sending students on their way with a fierce scowl.

She swung her bag over her shoulder, hurriedly abandoning ship as the librarian swooped upon her. Alice began the long trek to the Gryffindor common room, unable to get that bloody potion out of her brain. So, the binding solution has to be opened at exactly noon... or midnight? Wait, that's the sealing solution... or, no...

These thoughts kept Alice company as she made her way to the Fat Lady, digging in her bag for her book, determined to find the answer. Her feet carried her by instinct to Gryffindor tower, and she hadn't even realised she'd arrived until the pink portrait spoke disdainfully.

"Password?"

Alice blinked as she looked up. She stared as a horrible realisation began to pool in the bottom of her stomach.

"Err..." she stammered, going pale. "The password..."

The Fat Lady merely arched an eyebrow as Alice trailed off.

"Bow...truckle?" She ventured weakly. The portrait remained firmly shut. The Fat Lady was clearly not amused.


Alice sighed. It was going to be a long night.

this post is finished and it stands at a grand total of 797 words. this template was made by SARAH SMILE at caution, the graphics go to tumblr, and the lyrics go to the pixies. my character is looking fine in her swag if i do say so, and i would like to add that this thread is open