Journal Entry #1

[doctorkishitani]

Out of curiosity, has anyone else had trouble keeping their cauldrons from melting?
I know the melting issue shouldn't be too surprising since we generally use reactive materials, but you would think they'd design cauldrons with that in mind.

I'm just wondering if this is a common issue or if mine is especially volatile.
And if there's an effective way of reconstructing them. I've tried using a mending charm, but that didn't work very well.

Comments

[clockspinner]

wow how cheap are you that you cant afford a cauldron with melt proofing
its like not getting a nonstick pan
youre just making yourself suffer more in the long run if you dont

[doctorkishitani]

I thought most standard issue cauldrons were melt-proofed, but maybe I was wrong. Or I might be using an older model.

I'm guessing you haven't been having any issues with melting or explosions. Is that correct?

[givesyouaboner]

What kind of reactive materials do you use?
Wouldn't it have to get really hot for it to melt?

[clockspinner]

oh ive had plenty of explosions
it was just always because i fucked it up somehow

[doctorkishitani]

That could be a factor, but most standard issue cauldrons are pewter, so the melting point would be high enough to be relatively safe.

It probably is the materials that are doing it. Most potion ingredients tend to be fairly volatile.

Have we met? I don't think I've seen you before.

[givesyouaboner]

What are you using, uranium?

No, we haven't.
I figured since this was practically the wizard internet that talking to strangers is chill.

[doctorkishitani]

I've mostly had to deal with melting, but I've had a number of explosions too.

What were you doing when your cauldron exploded? I was adding strychtnine leaves to a forgetfulness draught.

[clockspinner]

i dont remember
mindlessly following the directions in my textbook like a good little drone
guess that might be a contributing factor to why my cauldron got a bad case of the explodies

[doctorkishitani]

I haven't considered using uranium yet, but that might be interesting.
Although I'm not sure where we would be able to find it. Or what its properties would be. I'll look it up and get back to you!

Are you talking about the electronically powered muggle communication networks? Do you use them? How do they work?

[itsintheblood]

Did you get the proper cauldron? Pewter size 2?

[givesyouaboner]

It's not stable in the way normal people use it, so I doubt it'd actually be safe to use with potions.
Maybe you can find a way around it; who knows.
I just know it's kept in secure locations.

I haven't heard of it like that, but yes. Basically it's a limitless network that people can access through almost any electronic device through routers or other means in order to access and send information.
Everyone uses it.

[doctorkishitani]

That's strange. I was told my cauldron exploded because I wasn't following the directions.

Maybe it was a particularly volatile potion. Do you remember what you were trying to brew?

[doctorkishitani]

Yes!

I just checked again. It was definitely pewter and from what I can tell from its remains, it was probably a size two.

[clockspinner]

nnnnope
potions isnt my best subject

[itsintheblood]

It may be a faulty cauldron. If you want you can come by my office and get a replacement cauldron to use until the end of the year.

[wwistful]

What in the world are you brewing that's causing such a fierce reaction?

[speedily]

Are you brewing something interesting and powerful, or just awful at potions?

[doctorkishitani]

I was wondering if that was the case.

Thank-you, Professor Mercer.
I'll come by as soon as I can and I'll do my best to keep this one from melting or exploding.

[itsintheblood]

Sounds good.

[doctorkishitani]

It's not?

I wouldn't get discouraged, if I were you. From what I know, exploding cauldrons are fairly common.

[doctorkishitani]

It started out as a basic sleeping draught, but I wanted to know if adding fire-flame root would have allowed the potion to stimulate lucid dreaming. It didn't work as well as I hoped, but I think it may have if I'd used a different stimulant.

[doctorkishitani]

How do muggles usually use uranium? I've heard it's used to generate electricity. Is that true? In any case, it probably would be an especially dangerous material unless you took the right precautions.

That does sound similar to the way our journals are connected.
Maybe electronics are what muggles use in place of magic.

[doctorkishitani]

I would have brewed something interesting and powerful if my cauldron hadn't melted.

[harlequinzel]

Oooh, sounds like somebody's making something fun!

[givesyouaboner]

Yes, it's a component in nuclear power.
If the plant has a meltdown, the areas around it wouldn't be safe for life.

Technology in general would be.
It's not like we can hop on a broom stick to go across the pond for a spot of tea in a former colony.

[psiignlanguage]

If you have a new cauldron bring it by my office at the end of the day and I can melt-proof it.

[clockspinner]

naw really
i wouldnt have guessed from the pile of shitty cauldron pieces left in my wake
no but im not that shit at it im just not good

[doctorkishitani]

It was an experiment! I wanted to find out if adding mild stimulants to a sleeping draught would work to stimulate lucid dreaming. Nothing's been successful yet, but my cauldron didn't explode this time, so I think I might find the right method soon.

[doctorkishitani]

Would you do that?

Thank-you very much, Professor Onikous! Professor Mercer has offered to let me borrow a replacement cauldron. I'm fairly sure it would have been melt-proofed, but I'll come by just in case.

Out of curiosity, how do you find out if a cauldron has been melt-proofed other than through trying to melt it?

[psiignlanguage]

Heat charms.
Gradually warm up the air around the cauldron until you start to see the early signs of melting. Usually takes about fifteen minutes. If after fifteen minutes pass there's no bubbling, you've got a melt-proofed cauldron.

[wwistful]

That's an interesting potion to be working on. I certainly hope it's part of your classwork and not an attempt at free lancing.

[doctorkishitani]

So under the right conditions, it has the potential to produce massive amounts of destructive energy? How do you create these conditions without using magic? Or do muggles have a way of manipulating uranium's natural properties?

You're probably right about that too. You use massive flying machines for trans-continental voyages, don't you?

[doctorkishitani]

Really? I should probably try that first because there's no sense in melt-proofing it twice, is there?

Thank-you for the advice! I'll test the cauldron right away.

[doctorkishitani]

Thank-you, Professor Donoghue.

I don't think I'm freelancing. I did come up with the modifications, but the sleeping draught itself was for an assignment.

[psiignlanguage]

2ollux captorOh no, bring it to me right away.
If your cauldron isn't melt proof and you don't remove heat quick enough you're bound to have it explode.
I might be your Runes professor but I know how to do this.

[doctorkishitani]

Of course! When would be the best time for me to come by?
I think I have a spare period later this afternoon, but if you're not available then, I can seen you another time.

Thank-you again for your help, Professor Onikous!

[psiignlanguage]

Whenever you would like. I can make myself free just about any time.
And if you would like to come by this afternoon, I can be in my office.

[doctorkishitani]

Are you sure? I wouldn't want to inconvenience you, especially if I could just test the cauldron myself.

One of the first signs of melting should be a slightly noxious steam, shouldn't it?

[psiignlanguage]

Please don't test it yourself. I would actually feel responsible if something were to go wrong.

And a noxious steam is second sign. First sign is what appears to be warping in the air around the point that might be melting first.

[doctorkishitani]

You might be better than you think.
After all, explosions usually mean that you're on the verge of discovering something especially powerful!

[doctorkishitani]

If you insist, Professor.
I've halted the testing procedures and I'll be able to see you at three o'clock.
Would that be acceptable?

[wwistful]

It wasn't a compliment. Don't do anythin' stupid.

[doctorkishitani]

Don't worry, Professor Donoghue. I won't be doing anything stupid.

I'm sure I know what I did wrong, so my cauldron probably won't melt this time.

[wwistful]

Probably bein' the keyword.

[doctorkishitani]

I think probably was the wrong word in this context.
I'm reasonably sure it won't melt.

[wwistful]

Reasonably doesn't inspire faith in you either.

[doctorkishitani]

I mean to say that I am taking precautions, Professor Donoghue.
I will be doing everything in my power to ensure that my cauldron doesn't melt this time.

[wwistful]

Tell me how it turns out and I’ll tell you whether it’s worth the points I’m considerin’.