'That's good to know.' Evelyn thought, picking up her wand again and staring at it. Her head snapped up to the Professor Morgan when she said she would be handing the class over to Professor Bunbury. And, for some random reason, Evelyn felt a sinking sensation in her stomach. 'I shouldn't judge people at first meeting...i shouldn't judge people at first meeting...i shouldn't judge people at first meeting...' she repeated in her mind, looking down at the ground. She was broken out of her thoughts when a pumpkin piece landed not too far from her. 'Wha-' Evelyn looked behind her to find a man standing there with a few more pumpkin pieces in his arms. 'Okay, that's not weird.' Turning back to face the trees, she returned to her thought process of NOT judging people at the first meeting.

Ahaaaaahaha yess now the class was all Annie's. At least for the moment.

"Right so," she took a step toward the class and clasped her hands together in front of her. "We know the basics of Harry Potter's wand. 11''. Supple. Phoenix core. And holly. It was made of holly wood."

Holly...wood. Hollywood. Good pun if she did say so herself.

"Tell me, what do you know about holly?" Bunz stared around at the class. "What about the tox----"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tailzinator

Though, it was CLEARLY obvious that Bunbury was hosting a class, it was just as CLEARLY obvious that Constantine just did not care. Not even if she was talking about dogs. 'Cause, it was Bunbury. She didn't like him, she mildly amused him (and kinda did not like her back).

But yes, back to the not caring...

SO, in order to show his ability to NOT care about Bunbury and the fact that she was trying to talk about something that was of little or no importance to him, he decided to go for a walk past the class. In his arms, he had a few more small, cut up pieces of pumpkin.

Smiling, he tossed a couple realllly small pieces into some bushes and then he threw an piece (that was a touch larger) in Bunbury's direction.

"Oops," he smirked, "Guess my aim's a little off today..."

Toxicity... TOXIC PUMPKIN TOSSING MAN! Anastasia flinched and jumped slightly to the side as a GIANT piece of pumpkin landed smack dab on the toe of her boots. RUINED!

Masterson was not interrupting another of her lessons. Not again.

Without a moment's hesitation, Annie flicked her wand at the ridiculous, childish, pumpkin-throwing stubborn man and the next instant there was a niffler where he had just been a standing. Yep. Neo!Niffler was back, sitting on a pretty pile of smashed pumpkin.

Smirking proudly at her handiwork (and good thing Ili hadn't been there to witness it), Bunz marched over to the niffler and scooped it up to sit it on the bench by the tree. No more distractions from him... ah, and the children could just pretend they hadn't seen that. Nope. Nifflermen were commonplace at Hogwarts.

"Now then, where was I?" Anastasia clapped her hands and put on a cheery smile for the class, standing in front to block their view of the niffler behind her. "Holly. How can you identify a holly plant? What are some qualities of its wood that make it good for wands?"

Anya raised her hand hesitantly, a little unsure of herself around all of these older students, especially boys!!!!! "Umm....doesn't a holly plant sometimes have little red berries on it?" she asked, hoping for the best.

Chris raised his hand ignoring the hard to ignore flying object coming close to hitting the Professor. "Well the holly plant had leaves that have sharp points ont he tips and at various places ont he leaf. It also has a bright ead berry on it. This plant is I believe toxic. It is also used in Christmas decorations." he added a bit off the topic. He smiled.

"Holly wood is said to represent resurrection." he said.

'Did she just...turn that guy into...that thing??' Evelyn thought, looking back to where the man used to stand. Looking at the Professor with wide eyes, she couldn't help but smile widely a few seconds later. She had no clue how to identify a holly plant, but who cares? That was some cool magic. "Cool." she whispered to herself, speaking her thoughts. 'Yup! I shouldn't judge people on the first meeting.' she thought, smiling widely in her mind as well.

Ohhh...

He hadn't thought that far.

Just before he felt someone grab around his middle, Constantine looked down. Paws and fur. Man, the grass looked amazingly tall. And then he realized that he had been transfigured into a niffler. AGAIN. By another woman. BY BUNBURY of all people. Greatt....

Neo!Niffler let out a squeak when Bunbury scooped him up and then put him on a bench. But...he didn't want to be on a bench. He wanted to...OOOOHSHINEHWANT.

Wiggling his butt, Neo!Niffler took a running start and then POUNCED! off the bench, aiming for Bunbury's wrist. He was a gunna get that bracelet! Oh yes.

He was.

Simone quickly raised her hand, "The wood is actually white, and it kinda looks like ivory. It has actually been used in the past for piano and organ keys, and handles for tools. Also the red berry's that the plant produces are very poisonus." She put her hand back down, and smiled up at the professor. She was glad she wore her jimmy choo's today. The couldnt compare with Bunz boots but they were almost as nice.

"Well for healing purposes, Holly can be used or colic and indigestion," Rafe said. His mum thought it important to understand plant in case he was ever caught in a tough situation and think fast. "But, I suppose for wands, holly is meant to protect you against evil, according to the Celtic Tree Calendar," he was looking in his little pocket-sized book of Magical Plants and Herbs, "Holly is best for those born between July 8 to August 4."

Rafe slouched back into his seat. He felt like he said too much last time and probably did this time around too. Oh well! He wasn't trying to show off or anything, he was just fascinated with the research that came with learning magic.

Bunbuuuury was takin' ovahhh. Cam didn't know why it was so important to remember this Harry Potter dooood's wand. He soon got distracted from the small--no, GIANT piece of pumpkin landed right on her shooooeessss. He couldn't hold back a snort really, HAHAHAHAHAHA. But oooohh a question. Cam raised his hand, still trying to hold back laughs, "Well, ya can identify holly plants by their berries, I guess? They're a bit toxic soooooo if yer stomach gets all craaazy and all... yeah. White flowers also... they've got this thick and sharp leaves so--"

WASTHATANIFFLER???

This class was confusing the hell out of him, not good. Screwing up his face, Blake lifted his head up, holy moly they were just talking about wands and first experiences and now Professor Bunny was asking something about Holly?? Beeerrgggh. He must have taken a nap or something, sigh. Wellll, he decided to raise his hand and just say whatever comes in his head, "Maaaam according to European tradition, the holly tree repels evil sooo maybe this is the reason it's used in wandss??" Yaawwwn.

July 8th to August 4th, Anya thought. Rafe was pretty smart, she had to say. She raised her hand again, more confident this time, "Also Professor, though the holly berries cause nausea for humans, birds consider it an important nutrition source,"

Quote:

Originally Posted by miss.weasley23

Anya raised her hand hesitantly, a little unsure of herself around all of these older students, especially boys!!!!! "Umm....doesn't a holly plant sometimes have little red berries on it?" she asked, hoping for the best.

"Yes it does, thank you," she nodded at the Ravenclaw. Was Upstead still taking notes on this?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanialRadFAN01

Chris raised his hand ignoring the hard to ignore flying object coming close to hitting the Professor. "Well the holly plant had leaves that have sharp points ont he tips and at various places ont he leaf. It also has a bright ead berry on it. This plant is I believe toxic. It is also used in Christmas decorations." he added a bit off the topic. He smiled.

"Holly wood is said to represent resurrection." he said.

She turned to the next correct student, Prefect Potter. "Ah yes, very good. The berries are mildly toxic and can cause vomiting and uh... stomach complications if humans eat them." So yes, he was correct, even on the topic of Christmas decor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tailzinator

Ohhh...

He hadn't thought that far.

Just before he felt someone grab around his middle, Constantine looked down. Paws and fur. Man, the grass looked amazingly tall. And then he realized that he had been transfigured into a niffler. AGAIN. By another woman. BY BUNBURY of all people. Greatt....

Neo!Niffler let out a squeak when Bunbury scooped him up and then put him on a bench. But...he didn't want to be on a bench. He wanted to...OOOOHSHINEHWANT.

Wiggling his butt, Neo!Niffler took a running start and then POUNCED! off the bench, aiming for Bunbury's wrist. He was a gunna get that bracelet! Oh yes.

He was.

Bunbury raised her wrist to brush back a strand of hair when MEEEP she was attacked! AGAIN!

"EeeEEE!" the redhead squeaked, trying to keep her wrist up and out of the niffler's grasp. "No no now, hehe," insert awkward giggle here, "this is not for eatings."

She picked the niffler up yet again and just... decided to give him the bracelet for now, even if it was her precious Pink Ladies one. She set the furry creature on the bench again and with another tap of her arm, cast obscuro so the niffler was now blindfolded.

It totally wasn't animal cruelty. He was secretly a man, after all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzypants

Simone quickly raised her hand, "The wood is actually white, and it kinda looks like ivory. It has actually been used in the past for piano and organ keys, and handles for tools. Also the red berry's that the plant produces are very poisonus." She put her hand back down, and smiled up at the professor. She was glad she wore her jimmy choo's today. The couldnt compare with Bunz boots but they were almost as nice.

Bunbury quickly whipped around and noted the attractive shoes on the student before acknowledging her answer. "Very good, Miss Morgan. And thank you for identifying the wood's physical appearance." That would be useful later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by unicornkeeper07

"Well for healing purposes, Holly can be used or colic and indigestion," Rafe said. His mum thought it important to understand plant in case he was ever caught in a tough situation and think fast. "But, I suppose for wands, holly is meant to protect you against evil, according to the Celtic Tree Calendar," he was looking in his little pocket-sized book of Magical Plants and Herbs, "Holly is best for those born between July 8 to August 4."

Rafe slouched back into his seat. He felt like he said too much last time and probably did this time around too. Oh well! He wasn't trying to show off or anything, he was just fascinated with the research that came with learning magic.

She turned wary eye to the boy who had quoted the textbook earlier, but at least now he seemed to know when to stop speaking so much. "Yes, excellent. Harry Potter's birthday happens to fall on July 30, between those dates in the Celtic calender. What effect do you think that had on his wand or his wand had on him?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingDong

Bunbuuuury was takin' ovahhh. Cam didn't know why it was so important to remember this Harry Potter dooood's wand. He soon got distracted from the small--no, GIANT piece of pumpkin landed right on her shooooeessss. He couldn't hold back a snort really, HAHAHAHAHAHA. But oooohh a question. Cam raised his hand, still trying to hold back laughs, "Well, ya can identify holly plants by their berries, I guess? They're a bit toxic soooooo if yer stomach gets all craaazy and all... yeah. White flowers also... they've got this thick and sharp leaves so--"

WASTHATANIFFLER???

"White flowers, thick and sharp leaves, poisonous berries, yes." Bunz knew Cam could be smart when he wanted to. "Good. I would suggest using the other characteristics of the holly plant to identify it rather than eating it and discovering that the berries are poisonous though..." And yes she did need to spell that out for the children.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristin

This class was confusing the hell out of him, not good. Screwing up his face, Blake lifted his head up, holy moly they were just talking about wands and first experiences and now Professor Bunny was asking something about Holly?? Beeerrgggh. He must have taken a nap or something, sigh. Wellll, he decided to raise his hand and just say whatever comes in his head, "Maaaam according to European tradition, the holly tree repels evil sooo maybe this is the reason it's used in wandss??" Yaawwwn.

"Maybe," she nodded at the confused-looking Slytherin. "How could that extra protection have helped Harry Potter - or his enemy with a twin wand?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by miss.weasley23

July 8th to August 4th, Anya thought. Rafe was pretty smart, she had to say. She raised her hand again, more confident this time, "Also Professor, though the holly berries cause nausea for humans, birds consider it an important nutrition source,"

Ah Ravenclaws always did try to give every answer. "Yes they do. The holly berries only seem to be toxic to humans, as far as I've observered..."

And now that sentence made her want to test them out on the niffler...humdedum.

"Anything else about holly?" Bunbury called out with just one sneaky glance at the bench behind her.

"Professor?" Anya said, "Is holly poisonous to Nifflers??"

Another ravenclaw yet again, took the words right out of her mouth. Sure, Evelyn was curious if it was true or not, but...she didn't really want to experiment with the idea either. Leaning slightly back on the bench, gripping the sides, she waited for the response, somewhat eagerly, smiling slightly. 'Get a hold of yourself Ev. Stop thinking so evilly...or better yet, stop enjoying that guys torment!' a voice said in her mind disapprovingly. 'Whatever.' she answered back, looking to the front of the class.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

She turned wary eye to the boy who had quoted the textbook earlier, but at least now he seemed to know when to stop speaking so much. "Yes, excellent. Harry Potter's birthday happens to fall on July 30, between those dates in the Celtic calender. What effect do you think that had on his wand or his wand had on him?"

"Well in the common belief that the wand chooses the wizard, I would imagine that the bond would be stronger if it fell within your birthday," Rafe replied. "Unfortunately mine doesn't and isn't one of 13 magical trees mentioned on the calendar, so perhaps it's just speculation?" Rafe hadn't really looked into the properties of his wand. He just thought it was cool.

Anya absentmindedly wondered why Rafe wasn't in Ravenclaw if he was so bloody smart. It looked like Evelyn was having some sort of fit; squinting and flinching at herself every now and then like she was part of some internal battle.

Is holly poisonous to nifflers.... ahahahahaa. HA. What a cute child that Ravenclaw was.

Chuckling evilly to herself, Bunbury smirked at the girl and slowly shook her head. "You know dear, that's something I've been wondering myself. I don't think it is but we'll have to see if the furry creatures have the natural instinct not to eat it, won't we?"

She marched over to a small pile of branches and hodgepodge clippings beside the bench. Bunz came back to the front of the class with a sprig of holly held in one hand.

"Here is an example of holly, so you'll be able to find it later. Pass it around and describe anything particular you notice." She handed it to the first Slytherin she spotted and then took a step back to answer the Gryffindor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by unicornkeeper07

"Well in the common belief that the wand chooses the wizard, I would imagine that the bond would be stronger if it fell within your birthday," Rafe replied. "Unfortunately mine doesn't and isn't one of 13 magical trees mentioned on the calendar, so perhaps it's just speculation?" Rafe hadn't really looked into the properties of his wand. He just thought it was cool.

Perhaps someone had tipped him off about the subject of today's lesson before it was held? Hmm.... Iliana had been a Gryffindor...

"Yes, I'd imagine the same," Bunbury nodded. "My birthday also doesn't fall during the time of the Willow but my wand chose me and it woks fine." She shrugged, suspecting her choice of wand was more a result of the WHOMPing in the willow wood of her wand than its date on the Celtic calender.

"Anyway, your point just demonstrates that a lot of what we do or do not know regarding wandlore is mere speculation. Back to the holly though - how many species are there? Which do you think Harry Potter's wand is made of?"

And why didn't more students have their books open???!

ooc: I sleep now. Lisa will be back early in the morning and I'll be back later in the afternoon, EST. Carry on describing/sharing what you know or notice about the holly. =D

Abby raises her hand. "There are hundreds of varieties of holly. I would assume Harry Potter's Wand was made of llex aquifolium or English Holly. It's also know as European Holly or Christ's Torn."

As Sylvia was given the holly, she flinched a little because of it's pointiness, but held it carefully as to not damage her perfect hands. Hehe. She passed it on to the next person and raised her hand.

"Isn't there like ... hundreds of species?" Sylvia wasn't going to bother counting. "From the plant family of ... Aqui ... Aquifoli ... acae?" Oh dear, bit of an embarrassment there. But Sylvia didn't think she'll be trying to say really long words in Herbology. "Maybe Harry Potter's holly was the .. English/European one? Just because it's the easiest to find around here." Sylvia shrugged.

Jecca raised her hand and gave some information of what she knew. "The wood is heavy, hard and whitish; one traditional use is for chess pieces, with holly for the white pieces, and ebony for the black. Other uses include turnery, inlay work and as firewood. Looms in the 1800s used holly for the spinning rod. Because holly is dense and can be sanded very smooth, the rod was less likely than other woods to snag threads being used to make cloth. "

"AHHHHNUUUUU! Slow dowwwwwwn..." Jake cried out, his hand flyng across the page and slightly smudging the ink and whatnot. Not that it mattered, his handwriting was like a four year-olds, letters turned themselves the wrong way round, the size of the writing varied mid-word, and words were spelt attrociously, grammar and punctuation was misused... not that Jake realised.

Okay, so he had kind of forgot that he was taking notes for everyone.

Oh well. His input might be appreciated.

"Wait... what are we talking about now?" he asked, gazing around. Was he seriously behind in the notes? What had Bunz just asked?

Holly.

"There's only one kind of holly," he asked, misinterpretting the question. "The plant kind. Duh."

Well... he had known that girl called Holly.

"Maybe the human kind."

Emily knew not why they were talking about the wand of Harry potter, even though he was famous. She remembered her mum saying she used to have a crush on him when they were at school together, well not really together, she was a few years older than him, but she had always had a thing for younger boys.

"Holly has around 600 species correct? it would be quite hard to determine which species though i would speculate something native to europe, or more close to home england" she said

"It is? Why is that?" Sky did'nt know much yet...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

Bunbury raised her wrist to brush back a strand of hair when MEEEP she was attacked! AGAIN!

"EeeEEE!" the redhead squeaked, trying to keep her wrist up and out of the niffler's grasp. "No no now, hehe," insert awkward giggle here, "this is not for eatings."

She picked the niffler up yet again and just... decided to give him the bracelet for now, even if it was her precious Pink Ladies one. She set the furry creature on the bench again and with another tap of her arm, cast obscuro so the niffler was now blindfolded.

It totally wasn't animal cruelty. He was secretly a man, after all.

Neo!Niffler opened his little mouth and accepted the SHINEH bracelet from Bunbury. Content with his new toy/comfort, he plopped onto his but for a sit and started to watch the crowd. He totally was not expecting Bunbury's next move: blindfolding.

The little niffler let out another squeak as he suddenly couldn't see. He tried to use one of his paws, rubbing his face to get it off. But, no luck. With a sigh, Neo!Niffler laid down fully, keeping Bunbury's bracelet between his paws and close beside him and relaxing. No point in doing stuff when you couldn't see; it would only lead to more injury.

Josh was pretty dissappointed to hear that phoenix and holly was the symbols and best for protection and repelling evil. He wanted to be an Auror and his wand was not Holly and Phoenix not even close to them. Though his birtdate, August 2, matched the Holly dates the child mentioned his wand was Hazel wood. He stared at it as twirling it in his palm. It was working well for him and he was sure that this was the one for him when he first set his hands on it. He knew from the warm feeling. His thought of wands was interrupted when a student passed him the gold coloured phoenix feather. 'Hmm'. His wand felt warm like that, as well. The colour was beautiful. Nice. He passed the feather to another student.

He only kept listening as the class spoke about Harry Potter's wand and its wood. Holly. He did not particularly anything about Holly or about other wood kinds. But this class was the most interesting one he'd joined so far. Hoping to find out about his wand of Hazel and Salamander scale core which would help him understand himself a lot. He watched the Herbology professor carefully.