Belle's Herbology Lesson Two
 

Astrid was thinking to herself as she walked past the opened Herbology classroom. She heard someone talking inside and knocked on the door.

"Professor Korvis, is it okay it I'm the first one to class?" she asked and sat down in a seat right up front. "How are you today, ma'am?

Allie walked in, and went to sit next to Astrid.
"Hello Professor!" she said cheerfully. "How are you today?"

Torie Ledger, 6th Year Gryffindor, walked delicately into the herbology classroom. Her posture was straight and tall, almost as if she was carrying a book on her head, which, in fact, she was. Earlier that day, she had cast an invisibility spell on one of her textbooks and carefully placed it on her head. So far she had been lucky, for the couple of times the book fell off her head, she had managed to find it without too much difficulty.

Nearing the front of the classroom, Torie sunk into a slow and graceful curtsy. "Good day, Professor!" she said brightly as she rose to her feet as if in slow motion. She continued down the aisle, cautiously navigating the various hazards of the classroom. Finally she found a seat and sat down.

Anna headed into class, pleased to see a room full of Gryffindors already there. As she walked in, the professor was chatting on and on to a 'Jimmy," appearing oblivious to anything else besides that and her flowers. Anna shrugged, deciding against a greeting (the professor seemed completely absorbed in her flowers), and simply watched as the professor began setting things up.

Anna wondered briefly what the conversation had been about. Announcement? Figure it out? Yikes. Just from gathering bits and pieces of information, it seemed as if the students were in the dark about something.

Michelle looked around, somewhat stunned. "My, there are many Gryffindors today! Ah, let's get started. So, today is all about house plants!" she said cheerfully. "Namely, what makes for a good house plant. Who has plants in their home? What kind?"

Astrid raised her hand and said, Professor, we have all sorts of plants in our house. Some of my favorites are the Amorphophallus (Devil's tongue, Snake Palm) and the Aphelandra squarrosa (Zebra Plant) which are both quite lovely."she continued by stating, "Since houseplants are commonly grown for decorative purposes and health reasons such as indoor air purification. Plants used in this fashion are most commonly, though not always, tropical or semi-tropical."

Torie tipped her head forward and caught the book as it fell. She placed it on the counter in front of her, hoping she could keep from losing it during the lesson. Considering this, she took out her wand and tapped the book gently. "Finite incantatem" she whispered. The book became visible and she tucked it into her school bag.

Just then, the Professor began speaking. Torie listened carefully, then she raised her hand. "I have plants at home, Professor. I have a spider plant, a cactus, and an African violet."

Melinda walked into the Herbology classroom. She was not feeling well at that moment, but she needed to get updated on some of the subjects this year. She saw the professor and quickly sat down, as the class was about to start.

She raised her hand and said. "At my house, we have geraniums..." She said, starting to think about the question, well, the second the professor had asked the students. "What mostly makes it a good house plant is how good we take care of them, by that, is the ventilation, sunlight, the fertilization, the soil on which it is planted...etc..." She added, then taking a deep breath.

Anna quickly raised her hand. "Well, my father and mother have lots of house plants at home. We have a gorgeous ivy plant decorating our mantle. There are also several peace lillies and corn plants placed throughout the house. They're all really pretty." Anna stopped talking briefly to consider the first question the professor asked. She then added, "The fact that house plants don't require as much sunlight makes them good for the house."

Allie raised her hand.
"At my Grandma's house we have ll sorts of plants." she said. "My favorites our the Orchids."

Rian sat down quietly, listening to the other students answer questions. She never seemed to know the answers. At times that she did, she was to shy to call out.

"A- a venus fly trap?" She looked rather stunned, as though it wasn't something she'd even considered she'd want in the house. "Oh, well..."

Jimmy nudged her, causing her to look down. He gestured for her to continue.

"Oh yes. Anyhow, things that are best to look for with a house plant is ease of care, how much sunlight it needs, and of course... how it looks!" She giggled, gesturing to the pastel colors around her. "How your room looks will determine that last part. After all, pink flowers in a dark contemporary room doesn't have a tendency to work out well. However, white sleek flowers do very well. Remembering your color wheel from flower arranging, as well as the style you're going for is going to be rather imperitive. And don't forget, all of the flowers have some sort of meaning or feeling behind them."

"Now, for instance, does anyone know what an orchid represents?"

Astrid raised her hand straight away and said, "In dreams, orchids represent your inner need to have finesse, kindness and romance in your relationships. Orchids also symbolize modesty and purity."

Torie was surprised. She actually did. "Professor, orchids have come to mean love, beauty, luxury, and strength, due to their delicateness and exotic beauty."

Jamie raised her hand and said. "Orchids represents Magnificence, Love, Beauty, Refinement."

Raising her hand Liz says "Doesn't it mean finesse, kindness and romance in your relationships.

Naomi raised her hand. "We have lots of veggie plants like peppers and cucumbers. oh and roses. Lots and lots of roses."

Allie raised her hand.
"Orchids symbolize beauty, love and refinement."

Anna raised her hand and replied, "Orchids are said to respresent many things, including peace, gratitude, sophistication, elegance, rare beauty, and love."

"Wonderful! Two points to each of you!" She smiled brightly. If she were any brighter, she would be glowing. Or maybe sparkling at the least. Wait... was she actually sparkling? "What about..." Before she could choose another flower, she was prodded by Jimmy, who showed her an image that was most certainly not a house plant. However, she remembered something about it being important. "Oh, what about the Tiger Lily? What does that represent?"

Anna raised her hand once again. "The tiger lily, like most lillies, symbolizes the feminine principle reflecting the qualities of mercy, compassion, kindness and unconditional love."

Jamie raised her hand. "Tiger Lily represents Wealth and Pride." she said.