“Mrs. Sheridan is another story.” She slid her glasses from her hair and put them on before reaching for a paper on the table next to her. “She recommended you start with the year three students at the least.”
I cringed. While that was one of my favorite subjects, she wasn’t exactly the friendliest teacher. “I’ve been reading the third year’s textbook to catch up. I don’t have any experience with potion making, let alone portals or making things move. I did well in my chemistry class last year, and I really enjoy science. I just need time.”
“I agree. I told Mrs. Sheridan that if you weren’t performing to her expectation by the end of this term, we would reevaluate.”
Right, because if I didn’t pass my classes, I would be expelled. That was one way to reevaluate.
“Mrs. Brooks informed me she has assigned a classmate to tutor you in your Water ability.”
“I’ll start meeting with him on Monday and Wednesday evenings.”
“Good, good. Mr. Beckerman stated your assessment results were surprising. You show signs of having not only healing abilities but vegetation and earth manipulation.” Her lips turned up at the corners. “You’re a rare student, indeed.”
Yeah, that was pretty much what Mr. Beckerman had said the day before. For the entire class to hear. Not only was I an anomaly for having two affinities, but three specialties within Earth were nearly unheard of.
“I imagine it’s adding to the already heavy burden you’re under, but I assure you that it won’t always feel like this. I’m sure within a year, you will level up and even surpass some of your peers. You are a powerful witch, Saige. That much is certain.”
But how? My mom was an Earth witch with a vegetation specialty, and my dad was a shifter. It didn’t seem like either of them was special or particularly strong. So why was I?
Was it because I was a hybrid? Did their combined abilities make me different? Yet another question I couldn’t ask anyone.
“I think our time would be best spent on science for now. As long as you put forth your best effort, I believe we can get you to the level you need to be before the holidays and in time for exams.”
I sucked in a breath. “Really?”
“I’m a Water witch, so I can help you with any questions concerning those abilities as well. If you need help with Earth, I recommend asking a classmate or Mr. Beckerman for a tutor.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“Let’s not waste another minute.” She stood and walked over to the table she used during my assessment. I followed her and bit my lip at the instruments waiting for us. Several labeled bottles were clustered near a small cauldron. A real, black, cast-iron cauldron.
Now, this was the witch stuff I expected.
“I’ll let you pick what we do today. Remember the things I told you about when we first met? The hair dye, blemish remover, and basic things witches usually learn at home?”
“Yes.” I’d been interested in those but pushed them to the back of my mind with everything else going on.
“We’ll start with one of those. They’re simple enough to show you the process we use to create potions.”
My eyes widened. “Really? I’m going to be able to make one?”
Her grin widened, but she quickly contained it. “Yes, what would you like?”
Well, my skin wasn’t flawless, but I usually only got one or two pimples around my time of the month. I didn’t want to color my hair. I loved my natural red even if it had made me the target of bullies in elementary and middle school. But it did get tangled easily. And my nervous braids were a beast to get out.
“Is there something to make my hair smooth or detangle easily?”
I swear her eyes twinkled. “Yes, we can do that.”
She read over the labels on the bottles, keeping a few and putting the rest on a shelf behind us while searching out some others.
“Here we go.” She explained the purpose of each ingredient, and I was surprised by how common they were. Shea, rose, honey, some oils. I recognized most of them by name at least.
“The most important part is intent. All magic is sensitive to the intent of the witch. You can use these same ingredients to create a potion to make someone’s hair fall out. Or a floor wax that will last a year. What you must focus on is thewhy.You must never forget that purpose.”
I nodded. I read this in my science textbook, but the way she explained it made sense. I didn’t plan on ever forgetting it. The last thing I wanted was to go bald because I wasn’t paying close enough attention.
She explained each step she took, whether to use heat, the order to add each ingredient, and how to tell if something went wrong.