timeskip logging.

[brainiest]

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[depicted]

[Dorian has to just let himself get dragged along. One minute, he's outside Caer Glaem. The next, he is in Nimh Gleanne. In doors. About to head up a staircase.

He walks, he follows her along physically, but only because what else can he do? The things she says float past his ears as complete nonsense as he moves in a trance, and he steps inside.

Wait.]

Ah . . . I don't know what Floo Powder is?

[A Muggle.]

Oh! But what an impressive workshop. It looks so scientific.

[brainiest]

[ She pauses, the realisation running through her, before she turns and offers him a shy grin. Honestly, she hadn't meant to get away with herself so much but she was excited to show him how far she had come, to let him have a go at the truth potion and the luck potion, if he wanted to.

As like-minded as they were, she's sure he wouldn't say no. ]

Floo Powder is a magical item that lets you travel through fireplaces, basically. You step into the flames, drop the powder and say where you want to go and you travel there. It's been really helpful while I was here.

[ She urges him to follow her inside quite happily. ]

I only have two cauldrons right now, but I'm hoping to expand a little once things at the Citadel are a little more calm.

[depicted]

It sounds convenient, as long as you know the names of places. [And pronounce them properly, which is not always possible here, he has found. His Celtic pronunciations have gotten much better since arriving. He follows her in, now able to do so without feeling like he is in a daze from the sudden change of scenery.]

What are you preparing now?

[brainiest]

Well, this is Haven Townhouse, Nimh Gleanne. That should get you here easily enough. You can use it to pop back to the Citadel as well, if you'd like, until the rings are sorted out - you can use my rooms. [ Because she has them. Rooms. In the Citadel. It's still a rather strange thought and one she's trying to get used to.

Walking over to her cauldrons, she waves a hand over them as she speaks. ] This one is Dreamless Sleep and the other one is one that should be finished just about now. It's what I wanted you to come and help me test - truth potion.

[depicted]

[He almost opens his mouth to ask for Dreamless Sleep—but he gets very distracted.]

A truth potion? A real one? [Forgive the child wandering over to the kettle. He looks up at her, amazed once more at what she can do.] Oh, I wonder what it's like! We can try?

[brainiest]

A real one. I've spent the last four weeks brewing it for us to try.

[ She reaches over for a small vial at the side of the cauldron, holding it out; the colourless liquid looks very like water. ]

It doesn't taste like anything and it's odourless, too. While it is a truth potion people can only tell the truth they know - so if I was raised thinking my name was Sarah, even though it was Hermione, I would say my name was Sarah if asked.

[depicted]

So it cannot be used to divine things beyond our own knowing. [It seems fair enough. He takes the vial, turning the liquid in it one way or another to look at it. It looks like water, smells of it, will taste the same. But because of what it is, the potential it holds, it promises so much more. That delights him.]

[brainiest]

Exactly. It's limited by human nature as much as anything is. [ He looks as excited as she feels and she grins, stepping forward. ] I thought we might try a little ourselves, ask some questions like name, court, things we both know, and see how it works?

[depicted]

Certainly! Do I just—? [He gestures tipping back the vial to drink from it. Is that okay?]

[brainiest]

Yes! You first, then me, and then we get to the testing part. [ Which, she thinks, will be the fun part for Dorian. ]

[depicted]

[It does seem fun indeed. Dorian tips back the vial, careful not to let it touch his lips. Not for a moment does he question the wisdom of drinking such a thing before Hermione. As she promised, it is flavourless, in every way like water. He does not think of how easy a trick it could be. Instead he offers it back to her.]

Time to see how we fare.

[brainiest]

[ Hermione makes a point of not saying anything as he finishes his drink before she reaches out and takes it, swallowing her half before her nose wrinkles. It really is like drinking water, just without the mineral taste. ]

Well. I hope you're feeling alright.

[ Carefully worded so it's not a question. ]

[depicted]

[He nods. He does feel fine. However, he doesn't cue to her strategy, and he looks at her (her nose wrinkles very endearingly) before he asks,] Should I try to tell a lie?

[brainiest]

[ Hermione can't help the way her lips twitch. ] Yes, you should. That's how we test the potion - by asking questions and attempting to lie. Try asking my name.

[depicted]

[Don't make fun of him just because he isn't very bright ok]

Ah—right. What is your name, Miss Granger? Oh, that does sound—I mean, please do answer the question. [So good at this.]

[brainiest]

[ This time it's a full fledged smile and she has to bite back her laughter. Absolutely precious. ]

My name is Hermione Jean Granger. What's your name, if you please?

[depicted]

[He opens his mouth, and then he remembers he is supposed to lie. So he tries to.]

Oscar Wilde.

[Oh. That worked.]

That wasn't supposed to happen, was it?

[brainiest]

No. It wasn't.

[ She frowns. ]

Did you deliberately try to lie? Did anything try and make you stop?

[depicted]

I did, and nothing tried to stop me. Or compelled me.

[He turns a quizzical look on her. She knows how this should work.] I don't think it has had any effect.

Can you lie?

[brainiest]

No.

[ The answer comes quickly and she frowns, hands on her hips. ]

You can't be immune, can you? I mean, magically speaking?

[depicted]

[Dorian freezes. Could he be? Could the portrait protect him? But that doesn't make sense. It keeps his body constant. It doesn't affect his mind. And no other magic has failed to work on him.]

I . . . I don't know. Should I try again?

[brainiest]

Yes - here.

[ Hermione moves, offering the vial, just over half left. ]

Try finishing it.

[depicted]

[Dorian takes the vial back. He looks at a moment, frowning. And then he throws it back and finishes it off. And he hopes, he truly hopes, that he works. He doesn't want this to happen to him.]

My name is Hermione Grange—damn! [Glancing at her, he flushes.] I apologize for my crudeness. [Swearing is rude.] I do think . . . it works on me.

[—wait, that isn't what he meant to say. Um.]

My name is Dorian [good] Granger. [WHAT?]

[He pauses, open mouthed. He has no idea now.] Ah?

[brainiest]

No, that's alright, there's nothing to apologise for.

[ She feels like she might end up swearing a little herself. She doesn't understand why it's not working, and her frown is obvious as she steps forward, putting a hand on his shoulder. ]

Dorian, are... Are you feeling alright?

[depicted]

Yes. [There's a lie. He frowns very hard as he tries to figure out how to get around this.] What would you say if I told you that now I keep feeling compelled to lie, although it isn't so strong I can't avoid it sometimes?