The office of Professor Dodson is not particularly interesting.

Nope, it’s just your basic, average old office space – complete with a desk and spinny chair, along with a couple of waiting armchairs and a large bookcase. Upon closer inspection, you’ll see that all the books relate to general gardening, British farming and of course, Herbology.

The most personal features of the room are the various potted plants scattered around the small space and the animate photograph sitting upon the desk. If you catch a glimpse of it, you’ll see all eight Dodson’s waving and posing before the family barn.

There is one very simple reason for the plainness to the room. Professor Dodson doesn’t like to spend much time in here. You’re more likely to find him tinkering around the greenhouses or student garden.


OOC: If you want to pay a visit to Professor Dodson, please post your character knocking and wait for him to announce you may enter. There are lots of threads where you can chatter away, so please don't clog up this thread too much. :]

Ok just because Bunz was no longer here, did NOT mean Chris was going to stop coming down and working in the Greenhouses. No suree!

The Head Boy had woken up that morning still so full from the Feast the night before he had decided to skip Breakfast and pop down to the Greenhouses and perhaps meet the new Professor to make it seem that he needed to ask permission before he started to play with the plants.

He walked over to the office of the new Professor and knocked on the door. While he waited he began to pick off a bit of dried dirt that was on the doorframe; he began to wonder what the new Professor was like. He was one of the new faces he had not been sure of the night before.

Sage wasn't sure he liked having an office. Or what he was meant to do in it. Read? The Herbology professor was about to get up, deciding he'd rather tend to the plants than sit inside.. when he heard a knock at the door.

Someone was visiting him? So early on in the term?

"Uh.. come in," Sage called tentatively, adjusting the books on his desk.

He had read his Herbology book - at least, some of it - and he wanted an explanation. Plants were so NICE. With, er, pretty petals and colours and they SANG when the sun came out in cartoons. HOW could there also be plants that KILLED? And were EVIL?

It made no sense to little Tyler.

Knock, knock. Yep, he wanted ANSWERS. Never mind that there was someone already there. Scratch that; EEEP. There was a BIG guy there!

He'd granted whoever it was the other side of his door entrance, and yet they hadn't entered! Was that ANOTHER knock? Perhaps they hadn't heard him.. Sage wasn't the shouty type after all. Hm.

Getting to his feet and rounding the desk, Professor Dodson strode to the door before opening it. Opening to find not one but two male students. One considerably smaller than the other. That at least explained the two knocks.

"What can I do for you, gentleman?" Sage asked politely, stepping back to allow them both in before propping the door open with an old doorstop. There. Much better.

And then the door opened, and Ty felt incredibly small again as he came face to face leg with his Herbology teacher.

EEEEP. Why had he come again? Grown ups - like his parents - were SCARY. And he'd had TWELVE years to get used to his parents. Ty had NO time to get used to THIS Professor.

"Er... Hello, Professor," Ty squeaked up at him and, giving the tall boy who closer to his age a slightly scared look, stepped into the office. Looking around, Ty felt a little confidence come back, and a little of the hyperactivity return as he saw the normal plants around the room.

SEE? THEY didn't want to kill him. "I'm Tyler. Tyler Adams," he began, remembering what Uncle James had said. Tell them your name. And THEN begin talking so that they remember that it was YOU who said all those grand things.

... Somehow, he didn't feel particularly grand right about now.

This lad seemed awfully timid, and the professor smiled comfortingly. Having always been small for his age, Sage understood. It was unnerving when everything was so big. "And are you a fan of Herbology, Tyler Adams?" He asked, motioning that the boy take a seat in one of the squishy armchairs as he moved to lean against his desk.

Oh yes, he hadn't failed to notice the way the boy had been eyeing his office decorations.

Smiling, Ty plopped down onto one of the armchairs. WHOA! These were COMFORTABLE! The armchairs at home weren't NEARLY as nice as THESE.

Giggling, and forgetting where he was for a second, Ty bounced in his seat, enjoying himself immensely on the black armchair. This was so much FUUUU-

Ahem. Yes. Herbology. Right. Fan? NO. Was he? Ty didn't think so. "Er, well, I dunno, really. I mean, Professor," Uncle James' voice echoed in his head "CALL THEM PROFESSOR!"

"See, I was reading the book we had to have for the lesson, and I was wondering Professor, if there really ARE such things as man-eating plants?" Ty asked, turning his head to his Professor. And, feeling the weird need to elaborate, he continued, "And, like, plants that can harm you; or plants that basically don't just look pretty and make nice tea."

He smiled up at the Professor. Now that he'd asked, he wanted answers - and he was a LOT more confident now.

Sage's dark eyebrows furrowed slightly, enhancing the premature lines on his face. He wanted to know about man-eating plants? Dangerous plants? "Well, as is the case with every subject matter, Mister Adams," the professor started, deciding the boy deserved the truth - sort of anyway - "there are indeed dangers, yes." He wasn't going to lie.

Did he need to go into more detail? Explaining the process the Venemous Tentacular used to kill its prey seemed highly unnecessary. "As long as you remain focused and keep your wits about you however, I assure you, you're very safe."

Mister Adams? EHHH?? That was Ty's FATHER. Not TY!

Ty's face fell. He had been really hoping that the book had been lying. It wouldn't be a first - Uncle James had told him all about this one book that ONLY told lies. Ty had tried to get his uncle to give it to him, but Father had stepped in and said it was dangerous.

Pfft.

Point was - apparently this book didn't lie. "Oh, that's... well, that's..." he trailed off, not really knowing what to say. What COULD he say? Good didn't really fit, and bad just sounded weird. As the professor told him to keep his wits about him, Ty's smile returned.

"I wasn't worried about that, sir. My Uncle James, Professor, he told me all about how I should always be aware of... stuff; and never to be scared because there is always a way to make things better. Even against plants who want to bite my head off for breakfast," Ty nodded, shifting so that he was sitting up on his knees, his disappointment at the fact that there WERE evil plants gone from his face.

Ahh, better. The Professor was a lot closer to him now, which made it easier to talk to him.

What a funny little fella. The expression on his change kept switching with a blink of the eye. Nervous, excited, disappointed, curiousity. It's exactly what Sage liked to see - the reason he'd applied for this position. Spreading his Herbology knowledge.

"Your Uncle James sounds like a very wise man," Sage commented, bowing his head in respect. "And he's also quite right. There are dangers out there, but as long as you are aware of such dangers you'll get along just fine. You mustn't let anything in the greenhouses frighten you, okay?" Just like animals, some plants could sense fear.

UNCLE JAMES talk. Ty's favourite.

"Oh, yes, Uncle James is wicked. He's a fantastic man and he's soooo different from Father. People keep saying they're both great, but Uncle James is great with a smile on his face. He's just WICKED. And smart. And, like, all powerful too," Ty gushed, forgetting for a second that he was talking to his Professor, and not just another kid.

"... Professor," he added hurriedly, his expression shifting from admiring to wary. He had ALMOST forgotten to say professor! "And I won't. I'm never scared." Scared of the greenhouse. . . Hehe. Professor didn't know him yet!

Of course not! Why should he be? He was SMART. Smart people were intelligent and not scared - being scared means that you don't know what to do. And Ty ALWAYS knew.

He listened carefully with a faint smile as the young boy began to speak about his uncle. Tyler clearly looked up to the man whom he called 'WICKED.' Sage though, who had looked up to his father like that as a child, vaguely wondered why the boy wasn't gushing on about his father.

"Good, lad," Professor Dodson said when Tyler claimed he was never scared. "You've got nothing whatsoever to worry about then. Makes me wonder though, why you weren't sorted into the courageous house of Gryffindor."

There was no mistaking the blue crest emblazoned on his robes.

. . .

Why he wasn't sorted into Gryffindor? Er - that was; well, a rather good question. He was SMART. But brave?

"Well, sir, I dunno really - I mean, the sorting hat said that he was torn between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, to be honest..." Ty told the Professor, deep in thought as he placed a finger on his chin absentmindedly. He always did that when he thought hard - Uncle James did it too.

Coming up with only one possible solution, Ty looked back up at the Herbology Professor with a shrug. "Maybe because I'm more smart than brave?" he asked. His arrogant confident nature took a hit when he talked with grown ups. He didn't really know why, but it was WAY harder to be crazy energetic around them.

"Or MAYBE because I like books? And I like learning about interesting stuff?" the key word there was INTERESTING. If something didn't interest little Ty, then chances were he'd either fall asleep in the lesson or, while doing his homework, "accidentally" change the writing topic to something else.

He'd done it multiple times with Mother.

The brave didn't necessarily make it into the house of Gryffindor. Sage was proof of that. Well, actually he was the opposite. He wasn't really what you'd call brave or courageous and yet that's where the sorting hat had placed him.

It was clear why this boy had been sorted into Ravenclaw house though. From their small talk, Sage had already noticed that he was attentive.. inquisitive and observant.

"Intelligence and bravery," the Professor nodded, smile still playing across his lips, "two very good attributes to have. I'm sure you're going to do great things in the future, Mister Adams."

Again with the Mister Adams... HIS FATHER WAS NOT HERE.

Ty cringed slightly at the use of Father's name but beamed with pride - literally - at the Professor's next words. "Thank you, sir. Professor, sir," he said, his tiny chest puffed out a bit ridiculously.

A HOGWARTS Professor had just said that he was going to do GREAT THINGS in the future. WHO WOULDN'T BE SUPAH PROUD???!?!?!?

He had to write a letter to Uncle James and tell him. He'd finally get to use Send. Poor thing was ACHING for something to do. "Well, sir, I think I'm going to take off. I came here to find out about the plants and now I have to go and see if there really is a charm that can take someone's wand away. I mean, that is just WICKED," Ty nodded enthusiastically and bounded off the chair.

Holding up his hand to the Professor, Ty took another leaf out of Uncle James' book. Be a MAN. And men shake hands. He'd seen it. "And, Professor, sir, would you mind calling me Ty? Or Tyler? Mister Adams is my Father - and Father wouldn't let me come to Hogwarts last year so..."

He forced away the sad face with thoughts of what the Professor had said. HE WAS GOING TO BE GREAT! Teehee.

Sage hoped the rest of the kids were as eager to learn as young Tyler obviously was. The opening feast had been a bit of a shambles, and the professor had been half expecting all the students to be ... well, scary.

The reasoning behind the Ravenclaw's apparent favouring of his Uncle James came to light too, and nodding Sage took the smaller hand in his own, giving it a shake. Oh yes, if all the kids were like this his job would much easier.

"No Mister Adams then - Tyler it is," he said reassuringly, mentally making a note in the back of his mind to remember. "I look forward to seeing you in Herbology, and good luck with your Charms!"

Yay! No Mister Adams no more. Ty'd have to make sure to tell the other Professors too - he didn't want to be reminded of father at every lesson. No sir!

"Thank you Professor, sir! I can't wait for Herbology now - it's going to be WICKED," Ty beamed and, after his hand had been engulfed and shaken by the Professor's, turned to leave the office. He really couldn't wait for Herbology - he'd get to be in this Professor's class!

UBER coolness. Looking up at the big boy with the HB - whatever that meant - badge on him, Ty smiled. "Professor Dodson is AWESOME," he informed him and left the office, headed back to the castle. He'd hoped the Professor had heard him - he was a quiet guy, he looked like he NEEDED to be told he was awesome.

Because he was. WICKED awesome.

Chris had nodded to the other boy who had joined him at the Herbology office door; he didn't know him. Before the Head Boy could introduce himself to the Ravenclaw, someone yelled for them to come and then before they could open the door it flew open.

Standing in the now open doorway was who could only be the new Herbology Professor. It was definately NOT Professor Bunbury. Chris smiled brightly at the man who seemed almost timid. He walked into the room and kind of hung back as the younger boy introduced himself and chatted with the man. Chris noticed that the Professor was a bit quiet, but that was cool. He seemed nice though. After tieing his shoe, Chris stood up just in the same instant that the younger boy was leaving. He smiled to him and didn't expect the guy to stop and acknowledge him much less shout out the awesomeness of Professor Dodson, whoever that was.... Oh yeahh.

"Good morning Professor...Dodson? How are you today? Apparently you are awesome, it's a good thing I came to meet you." he asked with a genuine smile and chuckle as he walked towards the desk and took a seat across from him. "I don't believe we met at the Feast, Im Chris Potter, 7th year Gryffindor." he said holding his hand out to shake the Professor's.

Chris looked around the office a bit noticing the books and such on Herbology, and it reminded him how much he enjoy the subject and therefore wanted to get to know this new Professor so that he could further enjoy his lesson in the Gardens.

Sage offered the older boy who had now entered the office and introduced himself another of his small smiles. He'd thought he'd been imagining things when he'd heard little Tyler speak of his 'awesomeness' but apparently not.

"Nice to meet you, Chris," the older man greeted, giving his hand a shake before taking a seat himself. He chose not to comment on the 'awesome' part. It made the tips of his ears burn a little.

He'd never been called that before.

"I'm doing great, still getting used to these new surroundings," he said, looking around the office space. His very first office. Hm. "Head Boy, huh?" He remembered seeing that red and gold badge during his own years here. Not on himself though.. goodness, no.

Chris nodded again when the guy properly greated him, for he had already introduced himself. And then there was a lull in the conversation. This guy was really quiet and seemed to have a bit of trouble with putting himself out there. Chris was kind of the opposite of that but he liked the man just the same. He just gave off a good vibe, you know. 'Like these chairs!' Chris thought to himself randomly bouncing a little bit in the one he was sitting in. He quickly settled down, Professor Sage was sitting right there and not very bouncy....yet. Chris would work on him.

Then the Professor acknowledge his badge. "Oh Yeah, that's right, I am Head Boy this term." he said matter-of-factly. "I am very excited actually. I had always dreamed of it when I was first given my Prefect badge in fourth year." Chris gazed almost dreamily as he remembered that day. Then he remembered the man in front of him and the reason he had came down here in the first place.

"Oh Professor what I came down here for this morning was to ask you if you wouldn't mind working with me in the gardens?" The Gryffindor asked him genuinely interested. "Professor it's just that I would love to help tend the plants and do other things for and with you. And to pick up on some of the tips and information you can share with me." Chris said with a large grin. "Oh please?" he said chuckling, how could he resist the request of a child? "It will be fun." the Head Boy finally said as if it was a true argument for the gardening. Even though Herbology was fun!

He'd been Prefect before his position as Head Boy? This Chris Potter lad must've been one of the top students around here. He seemed awfully chatty too, and Sage was a little taken aback as he talked ... alot. He was going to have to get used to this, wasn't he? Outgoing, bubbly teenagers.

Sage was about to congratulate the boy on his new title, when he asked something the older man hadn't quite been expecting. "You want me to accompany you in the gardens?" He hadn't been expecting kids to be quite so.. well, eager to tend the gardens.

"Between you and me Chris, that sounds a whole lot better than sitting cooped up here in an office," Professor Dodson said with a genuine grin as he got back to his feet.

Chris had told the Professor some about him and the Gryffindor was rather curious about the guy in front of him. He would surely expect to be hounded with questions if and when they headed to the Gardens. That quiet attitude would just have to subside long enough when Chris was around. Yeah huh!


Uh oh! He was about to answer! Would he say yes? Or no. Chris would be sad if he said no. But....he said yes! Chris bounced out of his chair excitedly and thought about grabbing the man's hand to pull him out of his chair, but he figured that would be a bit much for this not so out-of-his-shell teacher. Then the Herbology man made an awesome comment. Less office more GARDEN!!! Rawwrrr!!! "That's great Professor! Let's go!" he said happily with a large grin on his face. And then he went all sneaky eyed. "Race you there!" he shouted and then bolted out the door.

So Ced had finished watering the plants and flowers at the Student Garden and he decided that it would be nice if he'd pay the new professor a visit. He had to commend him for such great work with the student garden. It obviously had been renovated and he liked it. And he had to ask something... really.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

He hoped that the professor was in his office and he hoped the professor was benevolent yet strict enough. Now what he needed to do was to patiently wait.

Professor Dodson was on his way back from tending the gardens.. when he spotted a student waiting outside his office door. Oops. "Sorry, have you been waiting long?" He asked, looking apologetic as he went ahead and let himself in. He honestly hadn't been expecting so many visitors!