Toxic Environment

       Garland burst out of Charms Class in broad strides as his last class of the day wrapped up. There was a palpable energy in the air and it affected everything that breathed. Even as he made his way through the halls, skipping down the countless stairs of the castle in a rush to go nowhere, he couldn't help but notice that the student body was abuzz in courtship. Pairs walking in clasped hands. Yeah, it was definitely springtime.

       Since he was doing so well in Alchemy, Professor Stone afforded him the option to skip this particular extracurricular for a time. So then the question became a choice between the library or exploring the castle. Garland kept his pace towards Central Hall, weaving between the scattered classmates, sweeping his house relic cloak to the side as he hopped around each and every one. He was a deep blue spectre flying through the hallways on his way to follow his whims.

       From the top of Central Hall, he caught a glimpse of the large stone mural that hung above the Library's entrance before he turned and vaulted over the railing onto the next flight of stairs below. The next corner he came to, he threw himself over as gracefully as the last and flew over a small collection of students that hugged the inner railing, bolting off towards the fountain as swiftly as he landed. He cared not for the eyes he attracted doing what would be expected of a Gryffindor late for class, only the experience gained from doing it.

       He was left somewhat out of breath as he approached the trickling waters surrounded by more chattering students, some who were engaged in after-class assignments. One in particular caught his attention out of the corner of his eye, walking off in a dark skirt with red frills and crimson vest. Though her back was turned to him, he could tell by here blonde ponytail that she was April. But the way she near-jogged towards potions and held her books to her chest convinced him she was in a spot of distress. Perhaps springtime conversations were too much for her. Nevertheless, he followed her into the Potions Classroom where she prepped for an extra assignment.

       Professor Sharp noticed Garland enter right away, "Ah, Mr. Stephald! Come to assist Ms. Windsley again, have you?" Garland straightened a bit and slightly bowed, "Yes, Professor." The Professor tilted his head to the her and said, "Alright. Don't waste or cause a mess in the classroom. Feel free to submit your work when you're done." April hid just around the corner flipping through a potions book, only briefly looking up to give him a pained smile. As Garland approached, he asked, "Getting in some extra Potion lessons?"
       "Better than being out there right now", she replied with a sigh, "I don't want to seem like I'm avoiding the issue, Garland. At least potions is mostly quiet."
       "That it is, April! Now, what would you like help with?"

       April flipped back a few pages before placing the book on the potions station. "I really just need you to supervise. Perhaps guide me along as I try to make something." She walked over to the shelf behind her and scanned the ingredients with another book in hand 'The Potioneer's Catalogue'. Garland pulled up a seat and monitored which ingredients she focused on as she searched the shelves. He also tried looking over her shoulder to guess what she wanted to make but nothing she did really helped narrow down her goals. But she was doing this to keep the spirit of spring from getting to her. Every time spring came she would get clingy and slightly more irritable. It was only now that as a student participating in the human world it became a problem. Nothing he has not dealt with.

       A few moments passed before Garland's curiosity got the best of him and he had to break the silence. Scratching his chin he asked, "Have you a specific potion in mind?" She looked back and shook her head with a slight cringe, "This may sound odd, but may I get a better understanding of the ingredients before I decide?"
       "Its not exactly odd to learn what you're putting into the cauldron, I should think...", he said, "Most of the better potioneers know what they're doing and let their books collect dust on the shelves."

       April's expression brightened a bit. The two spent the next few hours going through the available ingredients, eventually managing to brew an evaporating paste that could deodorize a room in minutes upon applying it to any surface. Once tested, the product and notes were submitted to Professor Sharp who was impressed with the results of their experimentations. "Very good! Very good, you two. However, before I reward any points... Ms. Windsley, can you tell me the three ingredients you used that are poisonous?" Asked Professor Sharp.

       April held her wrist and closed her eyes as she sifted through the ingredients in her mind while Garland understandibly kept silent. It took a minute, but she managed to get two and no more. "Um... Lethifold Bile and Clabbert Urine. I could not tell you what else was poisonous, unfortunately", she said dishearteningly. "How about you, Mr. Stephald?" Asked Sharp as he turned towards Garland. Garland spaced out going through his mental list as well, giving his head a good scratch, "Uuuh... maybe... Gnome Spit? But the effects are negligible."

       "Nothing in potionmaking is negligible, Mr. Stephald. It may not be taught in school but Gnome Saliva contains a very mild toxin that can make you more susceptible to disease. In large quantities, it can disrupt normal bodily processes and in it's most extreme but unlikely circumstance, cause death. That said... you did well, Ms. Windsley, under the educational supervision of Mr. Stephald. Ten points will be awarded to each of you." Both April and Garland gave a slight bow and said, "Thank you, Professor!" Sharp handed them the small dish containing the paste and hobbled back to his seat, continuing on, "As with all potions you make here, you get to keep. However, I would advise you to severely limit its use as the toxin will be airborne once the paste dissolves." The two nodded at Sharp once more. Professor Sharp waved them off and said, "Have a good evening you two."

       The week went on. The spring energy did not dissipate and the student body was as lively as ever. April continued to hide in the classrooms, only ever leaving to get to the next class. Garland felt she was doing so only to keep her mind occupied, and perhaps it was therapeutic in a way. Some classes she liked and some not, but he did his best to stay by her as it was the only thing he knew of that calmed her.

       As the marched down to the Great Hall, Garland could detect her palpable discomfort, wrapping an arm around her and squeezing as though she were a sponge. She seemed to shrink, but he felt an arm wrap around his waist before crimping down, bending him into her. He turned his head to kiss the side of hers and then asked, "You want to go to the vivarium after class? Relax a bit?" "That is tempting, but no thank you", she replied listlessly.
       "Come on, April. You've been avoiding changing for over a week and it is getting to you," he said concerningly, "I know you too much."

       After a brief moment her grip tightened on his cloak, "We need to find a very secluded spot..." Garland's eyes widened as the realization hit. Going back to his earlier years, he spent an inordinate amount of time studying gryphons. And he remembers reading about couples hiding away for a few days when it was time. That was why she was avoiding other classmates and being more aggressive than usual. He quietly asked, "Is that why you really wanted that paste?" She nodded, "To prevent accidents... hopefully..."
       "You could have told me you were in season! I would have tried making a reverse-love potion or something!", he chided, whispering just below the ambience.
       "I didn't want you to think I wasn't interested, I am!", she quietly snapped, "But I also didn't want you to think you were obliged to solve my problems either!"

       Garland insuringly rubbed her shoulder, "April... Love... You are my wonderful Gryffingirl and I would do any-" April placed a finger over his mouth to quiet him, "Love, just... help me find a spot where we can snog in peace, please? The more you sweettalk me the worse it gets..." He relented and chuckled, "Alright", he said giving her a loving peck on the head, "there's a ruined castle in the vivarium."

       "Perfect", she said as the two picked up the pace