It was a fine, mellow September morning, the kind of morning that poets sing of, the kind of autumn morning that makes you forget that winter is coming in a few months.

Out behind Greenhouse One stood a rather large, low, flat cart loaded with various herbology supplies. There were bags of special fertilizer, boxes labelled Earmuffs (maximum noise reduction), crates of small, narrow but long spades. But the most intriguing thing of all was a collection of what looked to be some sort of potted plants, at least 3 dozen of them. At least, they appear to be plants--all of the pots are covered with muslin fabric which is securely fastened down around the pots.

Professor Tapio DeVries is standing nearby, holding a wooden clipboard and clumsily trying to make notes on it--apparently taking inventory of the supplies on the wagon. His bandaged arm is still in a sling, so he has to lean the clipboard against the end of the cart in order to write. Since some of these supplies can't be moved using magic, Tapio is really hoping that some of the students (or staff) will show up to help in response to the notices he recently posted on all the common room bulletin boards.


(OOC: Please post your character's arrival to this group roleplay, greetings, etc.. Tapio will chime in shortly (by tomorrow, at the latest) with more instructions.)

It was always a bit overwhelming to be back at Hogwarts. So many kids, so much energy and noise. One would think Luca would be used to it by now, but he still found himself seeking quiet corners of the castle or spots outside where the fresh air helped with any anxieties he’d been feeling. It’s why he decided to jump at the chance to help at the greenhouses. Best of both worlds, he hoped.

Unless a group of first years turned up…

”Hello Professor,” He greet politely as he walked towards the man, shaking any doubts off as he did. He’d brought his own gloves and tugged them on, just in case. ”I saw that you needed some help. Am I early?”

Nora still didn't know much about magic, but she knew enough to wonder why this couldn't have been done with magic. Wasn't that sort of thing supposed to be faster and more efficient? Or maybe the professor just didn't want a bunch of amateurs handling all the new plants with basic magical training. That did make more sense. Regardless, the first year decided to head outside to help out. After all, a muggleborn with no magical experience skipping an event this early in the school year really didn't make much sense.

"Hello, Professor," she said, as she approached the area. She didn't know why his arm was bandaged and in a sling, but in a way, she was scared to ask. It might make her run for the castle. "Do you need me to write something for you?" Assuming it wasn't something that required loads of skills in magic, that is. There seemed to be only other student here, which had Nora wondering if they all knew something she didn't. Maybe she could just edge on out without anyone seeing her? She'd just ignore the fact that she'd already spoken up and greeted the professor.

Herbology had always been a subject Dhruv was decent in. Yes, the slight anxiety of accidentally murdering a plant always lurked beneath the surface but they trusted Tapio’s insight and vast knowledge to guide them. Hence, the DADA professor decided to make an appearance in response to their colleague’s request. “Tapio,’’ they announced their arrival, neatly tucking their shades into the pocket on their shirt. The frame partially stuck out but that was fine. “I also volunteer to help with writing, if need be.” In their opinion, Tapio looked awkward with that clipboard.

“Mr… ah, Bennet. Ms. Collins.” Dhruv offered each a smile, though admittedly, he had almost forgotten Luca’s name. That was a downfall to being a newbie once more at Hogwarts. They looked off in the short distance, observing all that was covered under the muslin cloth - no doubt these were Tapio's newest babies.

Yukie liked any reason to be out and about, and to just offer a helping hand whenever she could. She also really happened to enjoy the greenhouses. Plants were pretty, and she'd been so used to being surrounded by them after how many times she's visited her older sister Becky and her friend Cathair's flat. That place would count as a greenhouse all on its own!

The Hufflepuff has been putting on her gloves on the way to Greenhouse One, where she saw a group of people already gathering. Yukie could see Professor DeVries from afar, he was a tall man. Also the new DADA professor, Mr. Khanna, and a smaller girl with the red hair. Probably a first year, judging by the stature. But the student boy with the dark brown hair, she would probably be able to recognise anywhere.

"Hi, Professor DeVries... Professor Khanna," Yukie first greeted the staff members, then smiled and waved at the younger girl (Nora). The littlest Rasting proceeded to stand beside Luca. "Morning," she said to him with a smile, while adjusting her gloves in her hands.

He hated doing anything out of obligation and even more so out of guilt. Herbology just so happened to be the subject that hit both those notes and caused him to shoulder the heaviest of both sentiments. Perhaps these heavy emotional burdens were why Hercules was in his pocket today. Perhaps it was because the little mechanical cockroach had managed to break off one of its legs and Atlas was keeping him in his pocket for safe keeping until he had a moment to repair the little fellow. At least Hercules was in good company with the metallic matchsticks that never left the Gryffindor's pockets.

Mostly though...Atlas felt responsible for leaving the Greenhouses in decent shape and seeing the subject through NEWTs despite knowing for essentially absolute certain that his future would not involve the subject much beyond keeping house plants alive. In honor of Aunt June...and the fact that it had been he who had first made the call to fight the Pharaoh's Triumphant with fire and then one of the first to set these very same greenhouses ablaze. He would publicly claim to have just been an opportunity. The opportunity to utilize spells he was actually confident in AND blow something up for the greater good safety of others ticked off a lot of boxes. Privately...he wallowed and lamented even though Aunt June had long since forgiven him.

His baseball cap on and backwards as per usual and for reasons, the seventh year made his way down and over and decided to do the professor a solid by actually saying hello for once. "Hey there, professor," he nodded while making note of what HE felt was questionable penmanship while towering over the little first year from his own house who had also offered to help. But, well, experience spoke louder, no? "I ... er ... I've worked inventory in Wiseacre's for two summers now...if...you'd like a hand with that. "

Thank Merlin today would be more manual labor. His spellwork was still...well...questionable. Almost like his wand needed to be used by a wizard who had better clarity of themselves and honest where this seventeen year old fell short.

Go. Figure.

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Mitsuki neither liked nor disliked Herbology but she did like Professor DeVries and was curious to observe Professor Khanna. So she was here and with her clunky third eye pinecone pendants (of which she wore five) around her neck. She had been wearing them ever since the train and had grown quite fond of the clinks and clanks they made as she glided and strolled about the castle, particularly when they echoed through empty corridors. There were no echoes outside, regrettably.

Also regrettable were the enthusiastic (for a Mitsuki) steps she had thus began to take towards Luca, for as soon as she allowed herself to slip a bit more...none other than her sister came bouncing in and the Ravenclaw recoiled back into the shadow of a nearby shrub and sidestepped over to the array of potted plants covered in muslin.

She reached her hands into her pocket for two pinches of salt and flicked them at the display before licking her fingers clean.

Herbology was a class that she had started to enjoy more and more. She liked learning all the useful applications of the plants for potions and medicines. That’s what she found fascinating. “Hi Professor DeVries! Hope you had a good summer, sir. Ready to help,” she greeted before nodding to a few students. Her eyes gazed upon Atlas and she paused. It had been a while hadn’t it… She… had been a lousy friend to him. “Hey At..” she said, offering him a small smile as she stood near him. “How was your summer?”

She’d understand if he didn’t want to talk about it.

Morning huh... Yumeki came into the Greenhouse and looked around. Mussing with his long hair and still putting together his uniform so it didn't look horribly untidy beneath his school robe. He saw all the supplies sitting around the Greenhouse and wondered if the Professor just never finished unpacking everything before the School Term started and was now putting the student body to work to do what he couldn't do because of injury? But wasn't magic an option to just put all this stuff into order? What a pain to have to be put to work like this. Nevertheless the right thing to do was to come here and help where he could. "Good morning Professor DeVries." He smiled tiredly toward the Herbology Professor then smiled toward the DADA Professor who seemed to have also have come here to help DeVries-sensei with putting away his unfinished business. "Good morning to you as well Professor Khanna."

Yumeki elected to move toward the back of the the organized students. His ears picked up on a familiar clicking and clacking sound and spotted Mitsuki Rasting toward the back doing her own thing. Hands in his pockets the 6th Year Lion stood behind her "Morning Mitsuki-chan. He looked slightly over her shoulder which wasn't too hard now. Having had a pretty decent growth spurt last summer. Curiously trying to see what it was that she was doing.

With great potions prowess comes great herbological responsibility. Milo was not, generally speaking, one for any kind of responsibility, but he did have an appreciation for certain areas of Mr DeVries subject, even if he did not particularly care for the growing and nurturing aspect if he could help it. Of course, Mr DeVries was now Head Hufflepuff, but Milo was trying his best not to hold that against him.

Unfortunately, in this instance, his best left a lot to be desired.

If it seemed that Milo had drifted here almost by accident, it was because, this time, he had. Or, rather, he had come to the greenhouses to pursue another course of action, only to find he had stumbled across some kind of... activity, seen first through the glass of the greenhouse before he had gone out back to investigate. He found himself gravitating automatically towards Mitsuki but, seeing that he was not the first, partly defied those gravitations and lingered well in the back of the group. He remained uncertain as to what was going on and why he was now a part of it, but more certain there was a reason, one unrelated to the scheduling habits of Mr DeVries. Suffice it to say, Milo was not in the habit of checking the noticeboards.

Over heads and through gaps between gathered individuals, Milo cast an eye over the items loaded onto the cart, balancing on one bare foot as he did so, and hooking the other around the back of his calf. His gaze fell upon the earmuffs and he wondered idly about the death zone of a mandrake's cry, and said nothing.

Vera was here for curiosity sake only. She had still not corrected her poor habit of not checking the noticeboards for any information on classes or extracurricular, and instead just usually tended to follow the masses. So when she saw others making their way to the greenhouses on her way back from the boathouse, her feet had taken her to follow along after them. The first two things she'd noticed upon entry were the lines of covered planets (intriguing) and Professor DeVries arm. Which when it came to the latter, people were offering a lot of assistance on but no one was focusing on the important question, so there wasn't much time to put much consideration into the former.

She supposed it would have to be her duty. It really was too bad Vera didn't delight in prying or anything of the sort. "Hi Professor!" She chirped as she entered, "What happened to your arm? Did a Mandrake make you trip and fall? Or maybe you wrestled with some Devil's snare?" She asked her questions as she joined the gathering group of students, finding a spot next to Milo who she gave a curious look regarding his stance before shrugging and mimicking him. She found the Ravenclaw to be an odd sort of fellow, but she liked him for it. Besides this just felt yoga-y and if they were about to do manual labor it would be good to be all loosened up and have full mobility.

It was a mellow morning in september, and Maria yawned wide as she trudged down to help out in the greenhouses. She liked herbology, and since Professor DeVries was her new head of house the third year badgerette wanted to do her part and help out in any way that she could. Following the line of other students Maria soon came up behind greenhouse one and saw the cart, the covered plants and many supplies. Moving around the group so that she could stand next to Vera she gave her friend a gentle poke in the side as she whispered a greeting "Hey Ve, are you eager to tend to some plants just like me?" Turning her dark gaze to the professors present she greeted brightly after first stifling a yawn "Good morning Professor De Vries and Professor Khanna, what can I assist with?"

At this point Maisey would literally do anything to have an excuse to go explore another part of the castle, or to learn something new about magic. So far she was enjoying all the interesting magical animals in Care of Magical Creatures and the interesting magical plants in Herbology. Even though she had visited the greenhouses a few times and had already had a few lessons under her belt she decided that she just had to come and check out what was going on.

Once she made her way down to the greenhouses, she found the small group that had already started to gather. Heading to the group she spoke to the professor first, not only was the Herbology professor there but so was the defense of the dark arts professor. ”Good morning, Professor Devries and Professor Khanna.” she said with a small smile.

She turned to the group while they waited for instructions. She walked up to her gryffindor yearmate, Nora. ”Hi Nora. I wonder what all supplies and things we will have to help out with.” As she asked, her eyes wandered over to the cart that the supplies were on. Some were labeled some were not, fertilizers, spades for digging and earmuffs…. ”Earmuffs? For herbology? Why?” what on earth? Earmuffs for greenhouses and Herbology? Weird she thought it was just weird. She looked around for some kind of confirmation.

Herbology was always something Keighley enjoyed. The events of the previous term and the 'power' that had been bestowed upon her, only strengthening her love of flowers and plants all the more. She knew she was likely one of the very few that honestly missed her 'power' even if it had become a tad overwhelming at times. How could she not miss having flowers grow around her constantly, rising up from where she had walked or upon things she had touched? It had been nothing short of magical.

So it was with pure excitement and a bounce in her step that the fifth year made her way towards the greenhouses this morning. Having seen on the noticeboard that the professor was asking for assistance, there was noway that she couldn't stop in and see what she could do. "Good morning, Professor Devries. I'm here and happy to help with whatever I can." Keigh smiled brightly.

Glancing around she noticed several familiar faces and others she didn't know so well but anyone that caught her eye got a smile from her. Ever the friendly one, she was. This went for Professor Khanna also as well as a verbal, "Hello, Professor." It was always nice seeing other professors show up to offer their help too.

Nora was just becoming familiar with all the professors, but she did recognize Khanna by name and face as the Defense professor approached. "Good morning, Professor Khanna," she replied. Truth be told, Nora was one to want to sleep in and not wake up early for anybody or anything, but greeting the professor seemed like the polite thing to do. She also returned Yukie's smile and wave.

Atlas showed up then, and Nora noted that he, too, was offering to help with the handwriting. He was probably more suited for the job, but Nora had thought helping with writing would be less dirty work than actually handling the plants. Still, the seventh year was probably more suited for the task.

Vera grabbed her attention, as the older girl asked the one question Nora had been hesitant to ask. Yeah, Professor, what did happen to your arm? And better yet, would it cause the first year to reconsider her offer to help with whatever this was?

Maisey had once again come to a stop beside her, causing Nora to suddenly feel a sense of gratefulness toward the Slytherin girl. While Nora wasn't one to worry too much about whether or not she was surrounded by a group of friends or not, it did ease the awkwardness to always have someone around. She shrugged. "I have no idea. Most of this stuff I've never even heard of..." ...yet alone seen in person. She eyed the earmuffs suspiciously. She hadn't really thought too much about them yet, but...why were they here? "Is there a plant that...screams?" Now that would be awesome, and it really caught Nora's attention.

When Tapio saw that everyone he'd seen approaching was here, he set the clipboard down on a nearby barrel and raised his voice to make an announcement. "All right everyone, hello and welcome. And thank you all so much for volunteering to come down and help me with this. " He smiled once more and looked around at everyone to make sure they could see he really was grateful.

"What we'll be doing today is putting away some special herbology supplies I've ordered for an upcoming class, and the reason I need help--well, besides the obvious reason," and here he waggled his bandaged arm a bit, just in case anyone could possibly have missed it. "But the other reason, and it's a very important one, is that the plants themselves--the ones in pots covered up with muslin--can't be moved using magic, or...well, let's just say it would disturb them, and we don't want to do that right now." We'll save that for class, Tapio thought to himself.

"So, the bags of fertilizer, the spades and other tools, and the labelled boxes--those you can use magic to levitate into Greenhouse One, where you'll see where to put them, because there are either labels or other similar supplies there to show you the spot. And if you have any questions, just ask me. Even if you get something in the wrong place, it's not a disaster, they're only supplies." Tapio smiled encouragingly, because he'd found some students sometimes got anxious about being perfect and doing things 'just right' and in most cases, that fear really wasn't necessary. After all, this wasn't a potions lab!

"But as for the plants, you'll have to manually lift them off the cart and take them over to a temporary greenhouse tent I've set up right behind Greenhouse One here." Tapio swung his uninjured arm to direct their attention to a somewhat large canvas tent with netting in the place of windows which was standing right next to the greenhouse. The door flaps had been secured back so that one could enter easily, though the taller students might have to stoop a little (how Tapio would manage to fit in there was anyone's guess, but he must have, because there was wooden planking already set up on the ground along all the sides of the tent.

"Be very gentle with them--younger students, you might want to work in pairs, though they're not too large." Indeed, they were about as big as a medium-sized houseplant, though a bit tallish. "And please avoid shouting or singing while you work, the plants get disturbed very easily. Don't take off the muslin covers, just set them gently down on the planks, to keep them off the damp ground. And above all, don't use magic to carry them. Tapio around once more to make sure everyone was listening, and so that they could see that in this instance, he was very serious about this.

"Any questions, anyone? If not, we can get started. Again, supplies in Greenhouse One, magic is okay, and plants in the temp greenhouse, NO magic." And with that, Tapio turned to the wagon, carefully lifted one of the plants off of it in one hand, walked over to the canvas greenhouse, and somehow bent himself down enough to slip inside. A few minutes later he reappeared, smiling, and waved to them. "See? not too hard, then. So, let's have at it!"

Luca gave the Herbology Professor a nod in response, honestly relieved when more people approached. See, one wouldn’t exactly call Luca chatty and if it had just been him and the older man, well, he imagined the day would’ve been filled with some awkward silences he’d rather avoid. Speaking of awkward.. ”It’s Benetti, Professor.” This was directed at Professor Khanna, who’d given remembering his last name a valiant effort, though they’d missed the mark. Luca couldn’t blame them. How any of the staff remembered all the students’ names was kind of incredible to him.

The arrival of Yukie had Luca smiling, something he’d been doing more of as of late. ”Fancy seeing you here. I see we had the same idea.” The fourth year wiggled his own gloved hands at her before noting the arrival of Mitsuki. He was about to wave her over when she disappeared from view again and he blinked, confused. He could’ve sworn it was her.

…

Well, listening to the repeated warnings about not using magic when handling the plants wasn’t exactly inspiring confidence, to be honest. Luca looked around at the younger students in attendance and tried to decide which one he thought would be the first to throw caution to the wind and test out exactly why the warning had been given in the first place. He would keep his distance, not wanting to be close when it happened. Curiosity always seemed to win out in these situations. Looking to Yukie, Luca gave her arm a gentle nudge. ”I’m going to start with the tools. Want to come with?”

Luca smiling also made Yukie smile. Quite contagious, if she thought so herself. "Oh! Yes, have to keep our hands safe," she said, also wiggling her gloved hands as he wiggled his. She'd hate not to have working hands, you know? So much things hands can do. Very important to be cautious when dealing with plants and other Herbology-related equipment and everything else, of course.

Even though she knew she wasn't the only Miss Rasting at Hogwarts, Yukie sometimes couldn't help herself but look up whenever her surname was called, even when she knew it wasn't addressed at her. Kind of like a knee-jerk reaction. She turned to the side to look at her sister, whom she spotted by the shrubs and a couple muslin-covered plants. Yukie stared at the plants Mitsuki had just salted and...well, that was quite concerning. Fortunately, nothing happened and the plants seemed to look unbothered. Well, she couldn't quite tell from this angle.

Oh, and that Kappa attack story? Yikes, Professor. They'd learned all about those before in DADA class, as well as in Himitsumahou. Lots of those in Japan. Best to avoid.

Yukie listened as Professor DeVries gave out instructions. The main takeaways to her were 'greenhouse one, yes magic; temporary greenhouse, no magic'. She didn't quite know where to start yet, so she was grateful for Luca's side nudge. "Sure. Wands or no wands?" She could do both. That's where the gloves came in handy!

Was he surprised that the professor did not accept his, or the little lioness', help...not entirely. Some of these things were things that were just better done by yourself and by hands that actually had green thumbs. At least that was the little pep talk he was giving himself so he could stop internally cringing and the messy penmanship. "Sure thing, professor," he nodded before offering Nora (Nora? Was it Nora? Flora? He really ought to have paid better attention to the Sorting but alas) and sideways smile with just a subtle peek-a-boo at his pearly whites.

A coy little smile that faltered only slightly as Lisa slid up alongside him. For some one as nervous and paranoid as he was about his personal space, one really would have guessed that he would have better peripheral vision and reflexes. The hairs on the back of his neck stood as if there had been an icy chill blown on the back of it or someone's fingers combed through his hair (both eliciting very different emotional responses and feeling both at the same time was the most extreme form of emotional whiplash in the span of a second) and he sort of gazed upon her dumbstruck for a second longer than was necessary. Know what would make this easier? If she were an alpaca.

Anyway.

"Summer was...good. Busy up until the last two weeks abouts." DURING summer it had been amazing. Traveling with Aries from country to country and forgetting the inevitable divide had been everything. Even if his wallet felt quite cold now. There was only so much that a couple of weeks work in the Alley could do to rectify the absence of clanking coins. He was going to reciprocate the asking, but things were moving along with the volunteer efforts of the moment and Atlas really...REALLY needed to pay attention so he didn't make a bigger mess of things.

A kappa though. Yikes. Thanks for getting that information out of the man, Vera.

Another little first year (a Slytherin girl) appeared beside his housemate, one asking about earmuffs WHICH Atlas actually knew a thing or two about seeing as he had been THAT kid who neglected them on more than one occasion. "Yeah. There are some plants who have cries that can kill you...or at the very least knock you out," he explained calmly while tapping on his ear for emphasis. "A mandrake is one of those. They'll bite too if you tease them or poke them with your fingers while repotting." Not that he was speaking from experience there either. Ahem.

Rolling his broad shoulders in preparation for some manual labor involving lugging plants, his blue eyes shifted back to Lisa and...well...he wasn't sure what to do here. She WAS better at Herbology than he but he wasn't sure that he trusted her to work with. "...I'm gonna start preparing plants for transport," he announced vaguely - to Lisa, to Nora and her little companion, to whoever wanted to listen.

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She would not cause problems on purpose, professor. Mitsuki was no thrill seeker, that was Mercer territory and she just willingly along for the ride. Noticeably jumping when the professor kindly but firmly chastised her, the Ravenclaw turned around with eyes only slightly wider than usual. She nodded her head nonetheless, but she was also quite curious about the pots and the dwellers she had just disturbed. Perhaps a sensitivity to the light? There were many unknowns that she wished to known. Patience was a trait she possessed, so a small step away from the pots it was and hands across her front with palms over her abdomen it would be for the time being.

That is until the arrival of Yumeki-senpai and then her attention ever so slightly shifted. "Ohayo, Yumeki-senpai," she replied. Really, any time of the day warrant that greeting when it came to the sixth year and she had begun using it as such in full acceptance of his more dream-like existence. Overhearing the professor's explanation to his injury, the corner of her lips twitched upwards ever so slightly as she recalled a memory from the summer. "I was almost drowned by kappa over the summer along with Mercer," she explained as casually as though describing the weather. "We had kappamaki for lunch to celebrate."

Instructions were given and Mitsuki did her best to keep her gaze ahead and not shift back to her sister and Luca, which also meant that she entirely missed Milo's presence and had been speaking when the professor had futilely encouraged him to put shoes on.

"Which will you do?" she asked the tussled hair boy beside her, her own head tilting up considerably to look at him properly.

He bowed slightly at Mitsuki-chan after her greeting. "Ohayo" repeating it back to her.

The slight humming and the shifting of what was underneath the tarps caught his attention. If the reaction of the salt was that, perhaps whatever was underneath them was possessed and now was purified "I think it worked?" He said offhand toward Mitsuki.
Though he couldn't explain what the humming meant from it all.

Count that as three of your students intrigued by being attacked by a Kappa DeVries-sensei. He should make sure that the Professor had a handful of cucumbers with him should he go back to that stream in Japan. he could appease that Kappa from being violent with those in hand. Yumeki counted him lucky that nothing else untoward happened with the Kappa...Does a Kappa bite cause bad luck? There was a look of concern on Yumeki's face at Mitsuki's passive comment about nearly drowning. She really should be a bit more emotional about that whole situation, but he won't bother with telling her how she should react. From his understanding everyone else was doing all that for her.

His suspicions seemed accurate to a point. It really did sound like DeVries couldn't finish putting together his Greenhouses because of injury and he was now just putting them all to work to finish what he couldn't do. Coming down to help was the right thing to do still it was a part of his code to act and helping an injured Professor seemed selfless enough. "Let's help with the covered plants, I'm dying to know what's beneath them." His eyes darted toward the pots that were behind them, if they helped with the plants then they might get to see them first once they're all properly transferred. "If you want to help with the tools. I don't mind." He scratched his chin with one hand then pushed his bangs out of his face letting out a small yawn. He was absolutely fine and could move the plants no problem.

Phoenix wouldn't mind getting in a few bonus points with Professor DeVries as Herbology wasn't his strongest class, so he thought it might not be a bad idea to help out when he saw the notice. But once he got there, he saw that there were plenty of students and maybe his assistance wasn't all that necessary.

He stopped over by Maria and Vera, pausing to listen to the instructions given by the professor. "Do you want to work together?" he asked the girls, once he heard what needed to be done. "Probably easiest to do some of the levitating," he suggested, glancing at the earmuffs. "Do you think there are mandrakes under the coverings?" At least that was where his mind went when earmuffs and greenhouses were combined.

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Did Wiley have spare time to help? Of course he did! Professor DeVries was cool and he liked his head of house, so he wanted to be helpful. Plus he knew he had hurt his arm and probably needed loads of help. And Wiley was just the kid for that!

It was nice that there were lots of other students already here too, but that meant that Wiley wasn't sure where he could be most useful. He was just about to ask when the professor began to tell them all what needed to be done.

Well, he definitely couldn't help with the magic part yet, which was a total bummer. He hadn't learned much yet. So, that meant he could help with the plants... though the professor said that younger students could pair up with others. Hm. He didn't think that was necessary for himself, but again, he wanted to be helpful.

"I'm pretty strong, so if anyone needs a partner.." he offered to any fellow first year who wanted some help. He wasn't so sure he would be any help to any of the older students. But he started over towards the plants to see where to start.

The moment he realised he was being mimicked, Milo felt a sudden surge of something-he-could-not-describe-but-was-fairly-sure-he-did-not-like, something he could equate to all the times his younger sibling had attempted identity theft in his own home, something he could equate to more recent years here, at the school. One might think that by now he would be able to describe it and be fairly sure how he felt about it, but they had perhaps not reckoned with the idiosyncrasies of Angelo Milano Evans.

So he tried to ignore it, and her, and instead his gaze drifted ahead again to the Head Hufflepuff. "I do not want wear shoes for this, Mr DeVries," he said, perfectly happy to confirm that for him, as he had been unsure. "They hinder connection." This was safer.

All through Mr DeVries' introduction to the group en masse, Milo stayed balanced on the one foot. But, though he'd joined to find out what was going on, he was not as attentive as he might have been, because a remark by Mitsuki had ensnared his attention. I was almost drowned by kappa over the summer along with Mercer... I was almost drowned by kappa over the summer along with Mercer... I was almost drowned by kappa over the summer along with Mercer...

What did it matter, really, that Mercer had never been almost drowned with him? That was not a rhetorical question, but one Milo ruminated on throughout the majority of Mr DeVries' explanation, while something deep in his chest - lingering, twisting, wrapping around his sternum - writhed and burned unpleasantly. As someone who could not swim, it seemed suddenly significant, a point of certain and unprecedented gravity, that he had never almost drowned with either of his... with anyone.

People were bustling to action. Milo blinked... and blinked... and blinked again, and suddenly his face was a riot of blinks and grimaces that he made no attempt to rein in. He turned to... yes, that was her name... and suddenly he understood. "Thanatos. He is the god - or personification - of death," he said, by way of greeting, deciding that he might tolerate the mimcry - to a point. And even the... the Hufflepuff, on her other side. To a point. "What will you work on?"

Meaning, of course, that he had not been paying enough attention to know what to do, or to have a vested interest in anything but the storm of thoughts now tearing through his synapses. That he would follow the lead - unless he didn't - of the portentously named Thanatos.

“Apologies, Mr. Benetti,’’ they corrected hastily and offered the Hufflepuff an apologetic smile. Yep, they were going to try harder to be better with names. This was definitely not the first time they had made a mess of names. It was embarrassing! Dhruv saw Yukie approaching and this gave them time to search his brain to ensure they had her correct name. Thankfully they did. “Miss Rasting. Good to see you again.” Actually, it was good to see everyone gathering. Tapio’s plans for this activity would go down nicely, they were sure, with all the help about to be received. Since this was their colleague’s activity, Dhruv attempted to fade into the surrounding, so to speak, for a bit. They’d just… lurk… here, a few paces away while trying to make educated guesses as to the names of the plants that had been secured.

For that reason, they missed some of the other arrivals but after hearing their name and looking back at the group, they observed that the numbers had increased. “Good morning, Mr. Kawatani. Ms. Dolph. Ms. Wilde. Ms. Anders.” Had they mentioned how heartwarming to see so many bright faces out here to assist?

Excellent! They were getting started! Dhruv continued to hover at the back of the gathering, fully focused on Tapio’s instructions. It seemed that manual labour was in great demand today, then? That was something they could fall into easily, especially if the students needed help. They headed for the plants, but not quite taking the lead in getting things started. Dhruv did well to remember this was all about the students. Though… the kappas conversation certainly interested them {the man chose not to speak up on the topic right now}. But they did have a question. "What is kappamaki, Ms. Rasting?'' they asked with interest, directing the question to the Ravenclaw. No, they didn't think it was made of actual kappa flesh. But even professors didn't have the answers to every single thing.

“Here to help with the plants!” Dhruv announced happily to those moving closer to the plants. In other words, they would make sure no overzealous student was going to attempt to fetch a plant that was much too heavy for themselves. Tapio hadn’t said they couldn’t peek at the hidden plants, right?

Her imitation of Milo was very short lived, as no sooner had she started it seemed Maria had sidled up and poked her arm. It was very gentle, but Vera's balance was also very rubbish so it had still been enough for her to teeter from one foot to both. And before she could so much as consider trying again, her attention was already enraptured elsewhere. Namely... the helping with the plants thing. She blinked at her Hufflepuff friend before letting out a quiet "oooooh! Is that why we're all here?" Professor's were really good at getting free manual labor from the students. From what she could tell, this time there wasn't even the bribery of food.

Professors really were quite the force weren't they?

And speaking of, her attention turned back to Professor DeVries and his explanation. She was a little disappointed it wasn't a wrestling match with Devil's Snare because that just sounded mildly entertaining AND she would have been very curious at who would have won, but she supposed that was just a question for another day and perhaps a different person. "Glad you're alright, Professor." Even if it wasn't that exciting of a story, overall health she supposed was the important part. Anyways, it was time for instructions which... half of the instructions sounded boring and the other half... She was intrigued. There was actually no cell in her body that didn't want to lift up the muslin cloth as soon as possible to see what was underneath. And breaking the rules sounded like it could be a fun type of chaos BUT there were a lot of people here and the likelihood of getting caught was high.

Was that enough to dissuade her? She was still contemplating that when Phoenix and his offer to work together with her and Maria caught her attention. She glanced at Maria raising a slight eyebrow in question, but her head was also already nodding in agreement. "Yeah! That'd be fun!" As for the tools.... that was the safer option wasn't it? And yet she still couldn't help stare longingly at the secretive and yet maybe-not-so-secretive plants. "I can't think of anything else that would make sense other than mandrake. But... my herbology knowledge is probably pretty small so that might not mean much." Except that she just didn't know of any other plants.

Hearing her name from her other side, Ve turned round to give Milo her attention - remembering all over again that she'd meant to be trying his stretch, if that was what it was. Trying again now seemed glib, so she resisted the urge and instead focused on his words - eyes lighting up with delight at this information regarding her name that she had not known before. "Ooooh I didn't know that! I feel like that means I should be the Grim Reaper for Halloween this year, right?" It sounded like a real question, but it was very rhetorical. She would absolutely be doing that. "Well..." Another longing look back towards the covered plants, before the decision to avoid temptation was made and she answered almost mournfully. "My spellwork could probably use help. I'm going to work on moving supplies with Phoenix and Maria." Well, assuming the Hufflepuff did want to work on that as well. "Would you like to join us as well?"

There was clearly plenty of things the Professor would need moved.

Tapio sighed to himself--Milo Evans could be a bit stubborn on some matters, as he'd learned. And Tapio was reluctant to press the issue during what was, after all, an optional activity. But still, there were safety concerns, so he decided to compromise. "I appreciate your desire for connection, Mr. Evans, but there are safety issues working barefoot in a greenhouse. But since this isn't a class, I think you had better confine your work today to the temporary greenhouse with the new plants--there are no stray tools or potions or other plants there to get in your way." Tapio just hoped he didn't step on a splinter or something; then he would feel guilty about it for the rest of the term.

Tapio looked at her in amazement and concern--those kappas certainly were dangerous. This was the sort of thing he'd been afraid would happen to Isla, though his wife had acted unconcerned about the whole incident, except for Tapio's injury. "Unfortunately I had thrown our last cucumber into the water after the kappa, so we were unable to celebrate with lunch that day. Well, I'm glad you seem unharmed by your experience. You did better than I did, to be sure."

"Thank you, Dhruv. Perhaps you could help with the students moving the plants--they really are very sensitive and I want to make sure no one uses magic on them, of disturbs them with loud noises or prying off their covers or anything." And it went without saying that that included professors as well.