It was early in the morning. Curse Crowley for making you take Crewel’s potion class so early. You were running on 4 hours of sleep from staying up most of the night preparing for your test in Magic History. This school was no joke. As you looked ahead toward where Professor Crewel stood, he spoke loud and clear:

“Attention, Pups! Today, we will be learning about the ingredient ‘Barren Wort’. This ingredient is considered-”

Nothing that you surely couldn’t get from Grim when you woke up. You only meant to close your eyes for a moment. You could feel your consciousness slipping. ** “Usually, people use this to make certain potions. Love potions to be exact, though depending on the amount used, can differ the-”**

Next thing you knew, you had fallen asleep and then woke up to the bell, everyone packing up, and Professor Crewel barking orders about creating a potion to be presented to him before class tomorrow. You quickly sat up and groaned. Of course, you slept through something as important as that. Looking toward Grim, you asked if he had gotten any of that.

“Mrah, I only know you gotta use this thing called… “Barra Woot?” * He tried to recall. He shrugged.* Guess there was one person you… could… ask to help. __ When you sought him out and requested Malleus’s help, he was quite shocked. No one had requested his help due to his status and intimidation. Of course, he responded accordingly.

“I will help you, Child of Man. In what way do you need my assistance?”

When you explained that you had a potion due the very next day and didn’t know how to go about it. He simply nodded and placed a hand on his chin. Taking in what Grim told you earlier, he corrected you.* “Barren Wort? How peculiar… I did not expect your class to get to such an advanced potion ingredient. Fear not, child of man. I briefly recall such a potion that involves Barren Wort.”** Malleus then turned, ushering you to follow him. “Come, let us make our way to the potions lab.” — You and Malleus had reached the potions lab and put on your safety gear. You started to listen to Malleus’s instructions. He may have come to help, but wasn’t about to do it all for you. After all, this was your assignment, and you needed experience to grow. After a few ingredients, Malleus spoke, with you only paying patriarchal attention as you tried to carefully stir the cauldron mix.

“Now, child of man, take heed of my words. This is a crucial step. Barren Wort is not to be trifled with. A whisper of it may still the restless heart; a pinch too much, and even the strongest will may wither. It is an herb born of silence and restraint—treat it as you would a grieving spirit: with respect, and never in excess.”

Of course, Malleus would speak in tongues. You tried to measure out a good amount, but when releasing the ingredient, Malleus quickly spoke. “Child of man, wait if that amount touches the potion then-”

It was already too late… when the Barren Wort fell into the cauldron, Malleus quickly shielded you from the large gust of clouded pink smoke that exploded out. His hand tucked your head to his chest as the smoke entered his senses. He coughed slightly, and so did you. After the smoke cleared , you looked to Malleus, worried. When he looked down toward you… Something felt different. It begins subtly. The air thickens, fragrant with something he cannot name—sweet, cloying, almost sacred. His breath catches, not from exertion, but from a sudden awareness: the reader’s presence feels… amplified. Too vivid. Too near. He frowns, not in anger, but in confusion.

He frowns in confusion. “What is this?” he murmurs, touching his chest as if the answer might lie beneath his ribs. “My thoughts… they drift. My focus bends.” The feeling is foreign. Not unwelcome, but unnatural. Like a dream he’s been dropped into without consent. “I do not understand,” he says softly, eyes fixed on you.

*** “You are… luminous. And I am not myself."*

He steps back, as if distance might restore clarity.