Infinity and Magic

*Anos's POV*

The Castle was lively, some Quidditch match between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff that had been put off for a long time due to the snowfall and was going to take place anyways since the weather hadn't changed for a while and which I had fairly no interest in.

After Potions Draco had hurriedly ran off to watch the match and was likely to cheer Cedric on, fair enough considering how skilled he was in Quidditch. If it came down to a choice Draco would reluctantly pick Hufflepuff over Ravenclaw.

'Uncle Lucius would be disappointed, but then again he would be disappointed at anything other than Slytherin, though he seems amicable enough to the 5th house.' I thought shrewdly.

Maybe he had tried to get Draco moved to Slytherin but had stopped for whatever reason, it was pointless to think about it now, I would know anyway after the Year ended.

Lan had gone in the general vicinity of the Astronomy tower while Hermione had left for the library before I could ask her for help.

"Damnit why is your dad so arbitrary with his instructions, how were we supposed to know that he meant exactly a quarter of the potency." Simon was in a rage making wild gestures with his hands and trying to repress words that I'm sure his Father would've been horrified he knew.

'But then again, he is a Belmont, his father might just be proud about it.' I thought wrily before putting my hand on his shoulder.

"You would have known, if you had listened to the words. Trust me their usage can convey a lot more than the speaker intends, surprising I know but no less true. It'll help you in the long run." I said chirpily and Simon sighed, dragging his left hand across his face.

"Now listen here, and don't tell anyone about this unless you want a taste of what Filch considers appropriate punishment." I added leaning in conspiratorially and could see Harriet leaning in too.

"Back there? You only got marks for making the potion not If you had a quarter or the complete potency unless it was inappropriate to both standards, then you get points taken off as you noticed with Longbottom." I said in a low voice.

"Why not tell us that?" Simon asked without missing a beat.

"Because it would all be moot if you knew about it, it keeps you on your toes and allows the Professor to see what student needs which type of help in their tasks. None of us are perfect in his eyes but we can improve but not if we're not affected by his words." I finished smiling lightly.

Harriet looked as if a great burden was taken off her shoulders, rightfully so. Despite my best attempts, Potions wasn't her strong suit.

"I think it's not the best way to go about it, discouraging mostly and not as effective as might be thought." Alucard muttered lightly enough that only I could pick it up.

"Perhaps not, but it's what we're getting. No need to be aggrieved about it." I answered in the same low voice that only he could pick up, now traveling at the back of the group.

"Not what I would have expected, our Potions teacher is…. eccentric." Alucard muttered and I tried to remain at the same pace as I was before.

'A low blow Alucard, don't do this.' I thought, shaking my head at the bait.

"To each their own." I spoke sarcastically in barely whisper and though I was sure he heard it and picked up on my tone he didn't say anything afterwards.

"Now Harriet, why didn't you go to the Quidditch match? I thought Oliver had plans to try and get all of the team to see the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff team? What does he call it?" I asked.

"Bird watching, more like staring at too much happening all too sudden and trying to make sense of the mess." Simon said haughtily.

He hadn't proven to be the biggest fan of Quidditch, apparently it made his eyes wobble in his eye sockets and his head hurt after a while.

"He did ask but I am too tired but considering what everyone was saying, Oliver will probably be the only one there today." Harriet said, smiling as we made our way to the Great Hall for lunch.

I had noticed Alucard quietly separating from the group and going towards the stairs but hadn't said anything.

The Great Hall was mostly empty except Scamander sitting on the Gryffindor table eating sandwiches with gusto and some older students that were eating slowly, considering they had arrived quite early for lunch.

"You both sit, I'm going to greet Scamander really quick." I said and Simon shrugged before pulling Harriet into a conversation about some Charms homework he needed help with.

"You really are good at Potions." Scamander said as I sat beside him.

"I've had practice, started early so I'm not absurdly bad at it." I answered.

He slowed his chewing for a bit and swallowed before speaking.

"Perhaps you started too early, I wouldn't be surprised if you were already finished with the First Year syllabus." He said, smiling lightly.

'Try, first 5 years of Potions.' I thought with mirth.

"Now, don't lie to me, you're great at it yourself and I did get told about what I had done wrong." I said and he laughed lightly.

"Now, don't be too humble, your mistake was using too much strength, that's not as bad as me not pouring the potion correctly and almost spilling it." He said taking a moment to shove some of his long golden curls off his face.

"You're still great at it,and don't let anyone say otherwise." I said and he nodded smiling.

"I'm not going to argue with a compliment, from you of all people." He answered fluidly, moving his hands around to grab a boiled egg.

"Shoot, you want to say something. I might not exactly be as close to you as your Housemates but we're still friends." Scamander said, slowly chewing.

" I meant to ask you for a favor." I said, adding a bit of fluster at the end.

"Ask away, I owe you more than a bit. Especially regarding help with Weasley." Scamander said and I did my best to not wince.

Turns out having Ron Weasley as your roommate and your Potions partner wasn't an entirely safe venture, I had just helped Scamander to not turn Weasley hostile to himself, and brokered some amicable peace between Scamander and some other kids that would have otherwise resulted in wasteful conflict.

"Could you help Simon with his Potions homework for a week?" I asked warmly.

Scamander stopped chewing, before laughing heartily and patting me on the back with one of his long arms.

"Sure, it would be my pleasure. I also want a chance to get a one up on Belmont." He said still grinning and I nodded happily.

'A bit more time.' I thought, getting up after thanking Scamander again.

It seemed I was hungry as well.

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