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Though the November chill is strong outside, Greenhouse 2 looks and feels just as it always does when you enter it: warm and covered in plants. There are two plants on the table at the front of the room. The first is a Bubotuber plant, the second is a Fanged Geranium. Their name tags label them as Garfield and Toby, respectively. On each of the long student tables are also one of each plant. They all have their own name tags as well.
Professor Hawkins is leaning against the blackboard, watching the goings-on in the room. Please have a seat and be sure to not touch the plants on the tables before instructed. If you do, she will know.
OOC: Welcome to Herbology! Please refresh yourselves on the class rules if you haven’t already. Don’t forget to title at least your first post with your student’s name and house! And remember; though this is our first RPed class of the term, there would have been many IC classes before this.
I am getting this up while SS behaves! Class will begin *crosses fingers* in a little over 24 hours from this post.
Class has started! Please join in whenever - just pretend you've been here all along.
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ Claimed by Bits ❤️ ~ Queen of Typos ❄ Magical Mosh Pit ❄
Dragonhide gloves?
Levi had brought his as always. He had ensured to clean them after each lesson so the pair was definitely in almost tip-top condition. 'Almost' because they were still worn after use so often. They were free from holes and such too. Anyway, not allowing himself to be distracted for too long, he muttered the incantation a few more times then threw in a couple additional practice of the wand movement. The Hufflepuff felt more than prepared for what was to come.
Okay, one more question then.
“You can figure out the age of a Fanged Geranium by counting the number of rings on a fang.” Levi lowered his hand and continued to speak. “Once the plant has fully matured, of course.” Was that part of what they were going to be doing today?
Nyle adjusted his grip slightly on his wand as Professor Hawkins spoke again, attention lifting almost immediately back toward the front of the greenhouse. His gaze moved between Garfield and Toby for several moments before shifting his attention the Bubotuber and the Fanged Geranium settled on his own table ― both of which were considerably docile.
For now, at least.
"I think the Fanged Geranium and Bubotuber plants are somewhat similar... in the sense that both become more hazardous when stressed or improperly handled. Bubotuber pus destabilizes and the plant itself could retaliate with some, er, unfortunate popping if harvested carelessly, and Fanged Geraniums grow more aggressive when understimulated, overcrowded, or, likewise, handled without thoughtful finesse. Neither is really dangerous without context. And it sort of just so happens that Fanged Geraniums are… considerably more expressive about discomfort."
They were both somewhat good examples of why careful, empathetic observation matters.
His gaze drifted briefly between Christofern and Piper again, thoughts continuing to turn over quietly. Both required extraction processes that punished impatience almost immediately. Bubotuber pus, for instance, had to be collected with careful pressure and proper drainage technique or the outer membrane could rupture unevenly, contaminating the substance or irritating the plant itself ― not to mention squirt you right in the face, speaking from experience. Too rough a hand and what was medicinal became hazardous remarkably quickly. Fang extraction required timing more than force — ideally during natural shedding periods or while the plant was sufficiently stimulated elsewhere to avoid unnecessary distress. Attempting to simply restrain often escalated the aggression instead and treating the process like an exercise in dominance usually ended up bitten for their trouble.
Also why having a chew toy or two ready on hand was a must.
Lillian let the Hufflepuff get through his full answer without speaking, though she did nod encouragingly a couple times throughout, her jewelry adding softly to the soundtrack and once again catching Toby's attention.
"Great observation, Mr. Harden. While they are two very different plants, they both communicate very clearly when upset." As Toby had shown throughout the class. Garfield, on the other hand, was content to sit in his pot and behave while unbothered.
Text Cut: Mr. Melo-Dreamer
Quote:
Originally Posted by Charely Potter
Diego was taking his time through the lesson, drinking in all the knowledge (but not the plants, literally, of course). Herbology seemed to have comforted him over his typical feelings of missing his Papa and youngest brother after all these years. When it came time to learn the charm, he began to practice the incantation, her-BIV-i-cuss, and the wand movement separately until it was comfortable for him to execute.
Diego observed the Bubotuber plant, Garfield, and the Fanged Geranium named Toby. They were interesting names for plants. When they asked to share something they knew, he spoke when it was his turn. "The Bubotober plants don't like to be squeezed otherwise their pus can shoot out an unpleasant odour."
"Too true, Mr. Melo-Dreamer!" Lillian exclaimed. "For those of us that have experienced an angry Bubotuber, there is very little that can compare to that smell." She had stories, she did. But luckily the next student raised their hand before she could start into one.
Text Cut: Miss Patterson
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nordic Witch
Tiana took her time with chanting the incantation, and practicing the wand movement. There was like Professor Hawkins had said earlier good to go slow to go fast later. That her idea about dragonhide gloves got mentioned to everyone brought a happly smile to her face. Her thoughts mattered too, even if Tiana was just a small first year.
Focusing her attention to the two plants on her table she tried to see differences and similiarities which wasn't easy, so Tiana stated the obvious facts when she raised her hand to answer. "I think the bubotuber plants are easily identifiable since they look similiar to giant black slugs with shiny portrusions, and not many plants have that easy trait to remember them by. The fanged geranium on the other hand look like flowers with sharp teeth that can be used in cooking, and as potion ingredients." Tiana shot a look at her bubotuber plant hoping that she along with Professor Hawkins plant Garfield up front weren't offended by being described as looking like slugs. Slugs were icky in her opinion.
Lillian couldn't help but smile at the look that girl gave the plant after potentially insulting it. Garfield continued to do nothing, though, even as Toby swayed somewhat menacingly in his general vicinity. "Completely correct, Miss Patterson, on all accounts. The Bubotuber plant has a very distinct, very molluscan appearance." And... Fanged Geraniums bite.
Text Cut: Miss Murray
Quote:
Originally Posted by love-for-HP
"The Fanged Geranium obvioulsy" Greer said point toward the plant "has small sharp teeth, and they tend to bite if not taken care of properly. Their teeth are often used as poition ingriednts, like most herboloy plants."
Greer smiled, she felt like she had nailed that one at least. But unlike some of her fellow students, she was never bored with the discussion portion, she prefered her books to actual hands on activites.
Lillian strode slowly to the other side of the front table again, now standing near Garfield. "Correct. The fanged geraniums' teeth are quite possibly their most notable feature, given their name. Though it is important to note that their teeth only come in if they have been properly cared for." Keep this in mind, students, yes?
Text Cut: Mr. Singh-Phora
Quote:
Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19
Dragonhide gloves?
Levi had brought his as always. He had ensured to clean them after each lesson so the pair was definitely in almost tip-top condition. 'Almost' because they were still worn after use so often. They were free from holes and such too. Anyway, not allowing himself to be distracted for too long, he muttered the incantation a few more times then threw in a couple additional practice of the wand movement. The Hufflepuff felt more than prepared for what was to come.
Okay, one more question then.
“You can figure out the age of a Fanged Geranium by counting the number of rings on a fang.” Levi lowered his hand and continued to speak. “Once the plant has fully matured, of course.” Was that part of what they were going to be doing today?
The next answer from the Hufflepuff only added to her point. Lillian nodded approvingly. "You also make a important point, Mr. Singh-Phora. The fanged geranium grows teeth at maturity. So there must be other ways to identify it before its teeth come in, hmm?" Something to think about, wasn't it?
Once any answers had been given to the question, Lillian walked behind the front table. She leaned her hands on the edge, peering at the class for a moment before a smile returned to her face and she gave a spritely little hop of excitement.
"We've reached the practical! For the rest of the class, we'll be working with the plants themselves." She paused here to give the class a look that indicated that this was a priviledge. The same look she gave every class.
"You'll choose between either of the plants at your station. Extract a seed or a cutting from the plant, then use the Herbivicus Charm to guide the plant through its life cycle. You may want to consider your options - will a seed or a cutting get you a more desirable result? At the end, you'll be welcome to prune, collect seeds, or collect other renewable parts that you may use for potions." The key word was renewable, of course. They would not be sacrificing any plants today.
She held her arms out at her sides before half-turning toward the board at the front of the room. With another gesture of her hand, the looping script changed once again to its final iteration for the day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackboard
Pick a fanged geranium seed or bubotuber plant cutting from either plant at your table.
Properly plant the seed/cutting. This may include more mini-steps; consider what your plant needs to grow healthy
Use Herbivicus Charm to grow chosen plant through desired lifecycle stages
Prune/collect seeds
Lillian looked back out at the class, spending a moment to take in the current state of her plants before they were permanently altered. It was, in a way, the best and most difficult part of any class. Or any similar plant interaction, really. Then she turned her smile to the class.
“The instructions are on the board. Simple enough. If you have any questions or decide to cause bodily harm, I will be here.” She paused. Then, as cheerfully as ever, continued, “Don’t cause bodily harm. That is precisely what your dragonhide gloves will be useful in preventing.”
That was no small hint, class. She was not in the mood to deal with lacerations or acid burns.
She moved to the side of her table, leaning one hip against it. “Alright then. Get started.”
OOC: We’ve reached the main activity! Your charrie can pick which plant they want to use! Feel free to be as creative as you’d like with the process - my aim is 3-5 posts for the whole process. Of course, Lillian and I will be around for questions, etc.
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Nyle's attention lingered on the two plants at his station for a long moment after Professor Hawkins finished speaking, his gaze moving carefully between the squat Bubotuber and the faintly twitching Fanged Geranium beside it. Neither Christofern nor Piper seemed to be feeling any particular way about being a part of today's experimentation. A cutting would undoubtedly be faster, more stable for immediate results perhaps, but there was something about beginning properly at the seed stage that appealed to him. Especially after all the discussion of cycles and progression and patience.
He set his dragonhide gloves off to the side as his thoughts settled more firmly on the geranium. Carefully, he gathered what he needed first rather than rushing immediately into the spellwork: pot, soil, his small trowel, dragonhide gloves, and wand.
First into the pot were some drainage materials in the form of rocks collected from the greenhouse floor. Next he began using his trowel to add the soil, inspecting the texture between his fingers, dirt catching under his nails, every once in a while and loosening it slightly by breaking apart compacted sections so the roots would have enough space and oxygen once established. Finally came the indentation with his index finger into the soil just past the knuckle ― not too deep, but enough so that the Fanged Geranium seed would be well incubated and protected for proper germination.
Nyle slipped his gloves on then, tugging the cuffs securely into place now that his hands would be venturing considerably closer to Piper's mouth. Slowly, and with the same careful caution someone might use approaching a wary cruppy, he held one hand out toward the Fanged Geranium.
"There now," he murmured under his breath, absurdly gentle for something with visible teeth.
Piper reacted almost immediately, lunging forward with surprising enthusiasm and promptly latching their sharp little jaw around two of his gloved fingers. Thankfully, the dragonhide absorbed the the pressure with only a faint crunching sensation beneath it. With Piper now thoroughly occupied gnawing on his hand like it had discovered the greatest enrichment toy of its life, Nyle had ample opportunity to retrieve a seed safely from the base of Piper's stem.
"Just borrowing one," he murmured.
The only issue now was that Piper did not seem remotely interested in relinquishing their new chew toy.
The sixth year examined the seed as it rested in his palm for only a second before he lowered it gently into the soil. He covered it lightly again, brushing the soil back over with slow, precise movements before patting it down just enough to anchor it without compacting the earth too tightly. Then, after a small adjustment of the dragonhide glove at his wrist, he retrieved his wand from his pocket and then came the smallest flick of his wand.
"Aguamenti."
A soft mist of water emerged, just enough to dampen the soil without oversaturating it. Too much moisture this early could encourage rot before proper root establishment ― especially, he suspected, when combined with magically accelerated growth. Nyle lowered his wand slowly afterward, his thumb brushing absently against the side of the pot as he studied the freshly planted seed in thoughtful silence, not yet casting Herbivicus.Not because he doubted the incantation or the wand movement — those he trusted well enough — but because something in him balked faintly at rushing past the quieter parts of the process so soon after spending nearly half the lesson discussing the importance of observation and patience. There was something oddly contradictory about speaking reverently of natural development only to immediately force a plant through it at magical speed.
Even if that was, literally, the assignment.
Not to mention that he probably ought to retrieve his fingers from Piper's mouth before attempting accelerated magical growth.
__________________
We broke into a million pieces, and we can't go back.........................................
But now we're seeing all the beauty in the broken glass.....................................
The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony
My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ Claimed by Bits ❤️ ~ Queen of Typos ❄ Magical Mosh Pit ❄
Levi had been glad to add to Greer’s point about the Geranium’s teeth. And it was true, just like humans, their teeth needed to and should be well taken care of. Professor Hawkins - like the other professors - sure was putting him through the gauntlet this term! Not only with the workload but with the additional questions during lesson time. He didn’t realise he was mentally complaining, but did it really count as complaining when Levi intended on looking up the answer to how one knew the age of a young ‘Fanged’ Geranium? The hardworking Hufflepuff sure was determined to!
For now, it was time to focus on the next activity!
Listening to Hawkins’ instructions and reading them from the board, the third year’s quiet confidence grew. First up, he donned his trust pair of dragonhide gloves, ensuring they were on securely so that they wouldn't slip off. His head tilted left to right as he thoughtfully tried to make up his mind about which plant to go with. For some reason, his gaze lingered a tad longer on the slug-like plant poking out of the soil.
Bubotube it was!
His wand was carefully pointed at the plant, at the spot precisely where the cutting would be taken from. “Diffindo!” The corresponding downward slashing movement was done. Knowing how destructive this particular spell could be, Levi really, really thought only about making an ample enough cutting. In the end, he got what he wanted; it was just that the cutting that fell away was a smidge bigger than he wanted.
Herbology - Plant Life Cycles 
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