Hey peps,

I would say I'm sorry this is late, but I'm not (ok, I'm a little sorry) I would say I promise to get this all out by the end of this month, but I cant.

(If you're a member of Character Sketches, you know what's going on, so continue to the chapter.) Yesterday my mother went in for emergency cancer surgery. With that, and my eye still playing up, and the hospital will probably discharge her tomorrow, and I don't think she'll be ready, and, and, and. ARRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Ok, I'm having a few personal problems at the mo, but I will not stop with this story, as it is the only break I'm getting from 'life' at the mo.

(Also, if you see a lot of mistakes, i apologise. you all know why, I also haven't beta'ed this chapter yet) This also took an hour to load! STUPID STORM AFFECTING MY STUPID INTERNET CONNECTION.

Blame it on the Butterflies

PROMPT: Mystery

Severus Snape was nervous. Normally the trainees going for their potions mastery would not handle any studies pertaining to using gemstones in the creation of magical fluids until they were about to graduate, but the educator in this case was up to something. The wizard, who singularly kept the black cloth mills of Britain alive, was trying to discover Hermione's favourite stone, which to him, at the moment, was a mystery. Even if they had been dating for over a year, the male in this partnership was still unsure, so as September came to a close, he moved their private lesson away to a more familiar setting in the dungeons of Hogwarts.

Hermione was nervous. Her partners motive for today's lesson was a mystery. She knew Severus was up to something, that man never did ANYTHING slightly non-potions related unless it had something to give him in return. Therefore the witch, who's hair made sure Sleekeazys stayed in profit for the last 8 years, sat in the first row of the potion classroom, ready to discover his intention.

"Today we will be studying the affects of gemstones on a variety of potions. Each gemstone has its own personal energy, which stimulates the potion through its magical compounds. Same as the effect of the different size in the quantity of ingredients, the size of the fragment can affect the potency of the influence of the substance."

The dark robed man conjured his sample box, and beckoned his apprentice to view its contents.

"In here you will find many pieces of precious and semiprecious gemstone. Are their any that stand out to you at this stage?"

She gazed over the set, deciding on a small ball of highly polished stone, clear to the sight, but containing threads that look like spun toffee.

"Well this one seems interesting...Labradorite?"

The potions master nodded, gesturing for her to continue.

"Well, its known to strengthen the will and inner strength of the wearer, so maybe it could be added to the base of the Veritaserum antidote, but you'd have to be careful otherwise it would cause the person to become cocky and try to escape whoever is questioning them... Maybe it could also aid in combating addictions in the weaker willed... so perhaps it could be utilised in the Rehab potion recently created by Grotoski?"

Her love smiled, gesturing for her to continue her search.

Well, this smoky green stone I'm certain is Adventurine. This could defiantly be used to increase the 'luck' content of Felix Felicis , because it's know as the good luck stone. But it would also help the consumer because its other affects include stimulating creativity, intelligence and perception, which you definitely need to counter react the foolhardiness that can come about by knowing everything will succeed."

"Hmmmmmmm, the Lapis Lazuli, Agate and Alexandrite could all be used in healing potions, because of their emotional healing, general medical healing and renewal and regeneration properties. The tri-coloured Sardonyx could be used in calming potions, while the Tiger's Eye could be used in the potions equivalent of the cheering charm...And WHAT is this doing here?" The young girls eyebrows travelled towards her hairline as she pointed to a chalky dark blue stone hidden in the corner of the wooden frame.

"That", Snape drawled, "is Azurite."

"I know what it is 'Sir', but why is a stone that is believed to increase shudder "psychic ability" doing in here? It's total hogwash I tell you!"

The master only smirked. "I'll have you know, Miss Granger, that its also found that flakes of that particular gem, added to most creams and tinctures, help in the active relief of arthritis and joint pain."

"Oh"

That smirk danced over his face once again.

"Oh indeed... Now, my little brain box, indulge me for a moment, but if you were choosing stones just for yourself, which ones would they be?"

That sentence stirred the girl to select a small pile of stones, brushing the rest of the samples to the side. Severus motioned to her for an explanation.

"Well, Sir, these choices are really quite simple. The diamond, because being brought up as a muggle, I was told diamonds were rare and precious. It's also the stone that my mother had on her wedding ring, and she loved it always because Dad saved over a years salary to buy it for her when they had both just graduated. I chose the emerald because I love green stones, and green, for me, means you too, but it's also known as "the mind stone", helping with clear thinking and such. It's the same reason I chose the sapphire. The blue is such an amazing colour, but its such a tranquil gem. And the other blue stone is the Aquamarine because it also is such a beautiful hue, but it also..."

"... improves sight and sharpens the mind. Hermione, why do nearly all of your favourite stones have something to do with the mind?"

The bushy haired witch smirked. "Well, being such a 'know it all', I have to make sure my brain is in full working order. After all, I have to keep up with you."

With that Hermione left the dungeon for Snape's private quarters, leaving the curious man to his puzzling. He now knew the stones he needed, but it was a complete mystery exactly how he was going to get them into a ring, and onto his lady loves hand.

ps: yes, i did research all those stones. I do believe that Hermione would know the meaning of some of the stones already, as she is a researching net! ((bit like me :P ))

The next prompt - Board Games.