Mathematical variants in potionsmaking

[alt_pansy]

Sally was talking earlier about how she has trouble when it comes to preparing them. So what if we timed thousands of wizards and got the average of, say, 1 counterclockwise stir. Of how long the standard (by which all texts will be written to that standard). THEN you create a spell that times the actual wizard's time against the predetermined mathmetical standard and compensates for it? I was thinking like an equation such as Aurelius Assisi's from 70 AD when he was studying Imhotep's pyramid theorum that said all things being equal, you can build on mathmetical coordinates from other pyramids to create them exactly one like the other. Well, some scholars say it doesn't cite Imhotep its just that he was old and had a small seizure while writing.

What do you think? Professor Slughorn, thoughts?

Comments

[alt_megan]

What? I don't understand any of that. Is this going to be on the potions exam? Am I going to fail the potions exam? I don't remember learning about Egpyt in potions at all. Oh dear.

[alt_zacharias]

I don't think any of that is going to be on the exam. Pansy's just copying stuff out of books to look clever. She doesn't know what any of it means.

[alt_megan]

Oh. Oh! Good. I was worried. Thank you.

[alt_pansy]

The strain of studying is clearly taking its toll on me.

[alt_megan]

It's awfully nerve-wracking. All the exams coming up.

[alt_pansy]

But we've got some stress relief tonight!

[alt_megan]

We do?

[alt_pansy]

Music party, silly!

[alt_harry]

Pansy I read that in one of the books I was looking at you are not fooling me!

Youre going to get creamed on that test and you know it!

[alt_pansy]

Oh, Harry. Is that a challenge? Care to make it interesting?

[alt_harry]

No I just think you dont know what you're talking about. Cause I dont and I dont think you're any better at potions than me!

[alt_pansy]

I didn't think you would.

[alt_harry]

What?

Pansy, come off it, that's mean. I mean it. Stop being such a swot!

[alt_pansy]

Tell me what you're doing and I will.

[alt_harry]

Nothing!

[alt_pansy]

You are up to mischeif. Bad boy.

[alt_padma]

Huh?

What does a single counterclockwise stir have to do with making a potion? Or pyramids, for that matter?

Assisi wasn't a Potioneer, either, he was an Arithmancist. Stop copying out of books, that's plaig play plagiarism. You can get detention for that, Parkinson.

[alt_pansy]

I'm writing in here, not writing the authorized biography of Our Lord. What does it matter if I plagiarise?

[alt_padma]

It matters because you're asking Professor Slughorn to say whether your right or not and that's disonest if you just copied it!

[alt_pansy]

Not really. I'm asking his thoughts on the theory.

[alt_sally_anne]

That almost made sense Pansy.

Almost.

[alt_pansy]

Yeah?
Go me.

[alt_neville]

Huh?!?!?

[alt_pansy]

Yeah, I don't get it myself. It's from a potions text I ran across.

[alt_horace]

Thoughts, Miss Parkinson? My thoughts are that this level of potions theory is something we will discuss when you reach your NEWTs and understand the words rather than copying them out of a textbook.

[alt_pansy]

It's a pretty interesting idea, though, don't you think? Is it something that they're working on? Or would it even make a difference?

[alt_horace]

Your commitment to learning is commendable, Miss Parkinson, as is your passion for the theoretical aspects of the subject, which are often overlooked in favour of the more colourful and occasionally explosive elements.

However this level of theory, as I said, is more suited to NEWT level understanding, not least because of the role of arithmancy, which you have yet to begin studying.

I don't believe the Ministry are currently undertaking any work in this area. You have at least five years in which to learn the best way to stir your potions - you will have to take my word for it, I'm afraid, but most witches and wizards do master it in the end. A spell would therefore seem unnecessary, as well as potentially having unforeseen side effects, as the interaction of spells and potions is often wont to do.

If you are genuinely interested in this, I can lend you an introductory text on potions theory. It won't answer the questions you've asked here, but it will start to lay the foundations for your later learning. It's no easy read, however, and I wouldn't normally recommend it for anyone below third year, so do think carefully about whether you're really ready and sufficiently interested. If not, we can return to this in a few years time.

[alt_pansy]

You've been doing this a bit longer than I, so I'll take your word for it. I do wish I didn't have to wait to take arithmancy, though.

Thank you for answering my questions, Professor, and for being so kind when Mum fell ill.

[alt_horace]

A bit longer, yes indeed! You're most welcome, my dear. My door is always open.

Arithmancy is a complicated subject. I'm sure when the time comes you'll enjoy it greatly, but the foundations of your other subjects must be in place first or it won't make a shred of sense!