the cauldron gurgled in the center of the dimly lit potions classroom, a foreboding, sputtering amalgamation of abhorrent ingredients. smoke billowed from its surface in thick, curling plumes, and the air was tinged with the acrid scent of something that was unquestionably burning.

arcturus burberry loitered a couple of feet away, his slender arms folded tautly across his chest. his expression, somewhat austere in appearance, oscillated primarily between sneering amusement and the breed of irritation that implied he could be reevaluating every individual decision that had led him to this moment in time.

at last, a reaction—arcturus crinkled his nose disdainfully, canting his head ever so slightly as though scrutinising the monstrosity before him would somehow reduce its absurdity. “fool. you have either created a new form of poison or a weapon of mass destruction,” he mused, his voice monotonous but touched with the cutting sarcasm that could only belong to a burberry. “congratulations. now, i do suggest you warn slughorn before this thing takes on sentience.”

a watery warble erupted from the cauldron in retaliation. apparently, it had heard him and opted to take offense. the obscene, misshaped cauldron began spewing droplets of a dreadful green liquid onto the stone floor, where it hissed and sizzled like acid.

arcturus, however, did not so much as flinch, though his brow arched in a manner that spoke volumes. “brilliant,” he maundered, retreating slightly to create a decent interval of space between himself and the incoming mess. his shoes clicked against the flagstone. “you’ve managed to offend it. excellent work. truly, this will go down in the annals of the schools history.”

arcturus tapped a finger against his elbow as if calculating just how much further he could distance himself before disaster struck.