Advanced Potions Week 2

Unfortunately my favorite class is also the one I'm most worried about. Maybe it was a little too soon to start them on the Felix Felices-I'm not too stubborn to admit when I've made a mistake. To make up for this, I had spent all of the previous night simplifying the instructions. The potions they had been working on were stewing in the back of the classroom, corrected by the adjustments I had added before. Nevertheless, I still hope to get back to the Felices later.
“While our potions from last week are still stewing, we will be working on a much simpler challenge. Today we will be doing the strengthening solution,” I announce as the instructions appear on the board behind me. “Before starting, please take out your parchments and list some of the useful Erumpent parts.”
Strengthening solutions are relatively harmless unless used in sports and competitions during which the…

I intentionally show up late to potions. Yes, I, Alithia Awn Astraia, am inexcusably late to class. Not that it will make much of a difference, Prof. Marshbanks just nods as I take my seat. It’s all part of my plan, of course. I’ve noticed that Blake usually shows up late and takes an empty seat in the back. So, logically, if I show up later, I can sit next to him and continue with my attempts to befriend him. I tell myself that I’m doing this because I feel bad for him and that it has nothing to do with how lonely and utterly friendless I’ve been feeling lately but I’m not sure I believe it. I smile at him as I take my seat. He hates potions, so maybe if I can help him out a bit, he will open up more but first, I’ll give him a chance to speak first. This will work out so much better if he thinks being friends with me was his idea.
I pull out the last ingredient, pomegranate juice, and begin.

For once I was actually on time for potions class. I took a seat and then noticed that Alithia, who is never late, was not in her seat. I began to worry because she hates to be late, but a few minutes after class had started she sauntered in and sat down in the seat next to me. She smiles and then we start the work.
"Strengthening solution", I mutter to myself. I see Alithia take out pomegranate juice, so I follow her lead.
I couldn't remember the other ingredients but I thought one of them was a scarab beetle. Luckily right before I put it into my potion Alithia yelled, "No!" and stopped me just in time.
"That would have caused a major explosion", said Alithia.
This caused me to feel quite embarrassed and I decided to ask her what the next ingredient was.
"Salamander Blood she said", and I muttered a "Thanks", still feeling very sheepishly at my almost detrimental mistake earlier...