I saw soap being made at a demonstration in a colonial style village once and have read about it, but never tried making it myself.  So I'm glad I captured the feeling right, I love handmade soaps, however.  People don't realize how much work it is though, which was why I had Sev use it as a punishment.  And the squid ink too.

I always felt that part at the end was horridly unfair, too, after all the Slytherins had worked hard academically to win all those points and to have their cup snatched out from under their noses by three kids who had broken all the rules and then were rewarded for it was just terrible.  Plus, the cup was intended as an academic reward and also for good conduct, and what the three had done had nothing to do with academics or good conduct, just with being heroes.  yes, they saved the school, but if Dumbledore wanted to reward them he should have done so privately, not given them points towards the cup.  That was just blatant favoritism and you're right, I think that was when Snape started to hate Harry, since he seemed to get away with everything, just like James had.

I'm glad you enjoyed my version of events.