"If I'm remembering correctly, I believe that Gillyweed gives the person webbed hands and feet," Alice said with a little smile.

She had read about Gillyweed while reading about the famous Harry Potter, and while in her opinion the stuff looked absolutely repulsive, she figured in a situation such as his it was necessary. Perhaps it was just because the plant was so slimy that Alice couldn't help but gag when thinking about ingesting it...or perhaps it was the color that was eerily close to being the same color as vomit.

Jai raised his hand and said,"The gillyweed which is originally found in the Mediterranean ,helps the individual who consumes it to breathe under water like a fish for an hour especially in fresh water.

He thought it best to give it a go since it's one of the things he read mostly about.

Simon smiled at the Professor. "Doesn't Gillyweed make sure that you can live underwater or something?" Simon asked. "So if I was to get some from somewhere I could go and move into the Great Lake." Simon had no idea if it was true or not.

Kimalia having been reserved to getting her notes situated decided to give her input in raising her hand, "Well, I believe gillyweed like it's namesake is a plant that can temporarily give you gills." She looked up at the ceiling momentarily before adding. "I doubt that it would taste very heavenly as well.

While sitting down, of course he attempted to look around the class for a certain reason and the very moment he did, Josh caught Kurumi's friendly gaze and wave towards him. At least some people seemed to be on their happy mood this morning. Forcing a small smile back the younger lioness, he did a quick waving before sighing some. Eh...at least she did not ask anything.

However unable to help the urge, the lion boy looked up again to see where his...beloved was. And hopefully this time he managed to have a sight of her once he leaned forward a little. She was sitting at the back as usual so there were many people between them making it difficult to glance at her. Difficult or not seeing only a bit of her beauty did worth every single bit of effort, there was no doubt about that.

Then, all in a sudden, Josh mentally poked himself when he realised that he had been staring too much at someone he shouldn't be staring that much anymore. It did hurt, yes, but he had to accept it if she was happy that way. So, he had better turn back and stare at the blackboard instead.

Hmmm...

Huh?

Since he was pretty much lost in thoughts about Evelyn, Josh jumped slighty at where he stood when the professor adressed back to him. Thank him for what? What? What was it? What was wrong? He had done done anything? No throwing into the detention dungeon pleaseeee...

And it was a great relief when the boy had finally figured that she was only thanking for the flower. Normally, he would utter a compliment to the woman combined with one of those warm and confident smiles of his yet because of obvious reasons he had no mood for that so he only nodded at the professor and murmured a quiet ''You are welcome''

Was someone else greeting him too? Yes, apparently she was since what had been voiced was his name. There was not another Josh in this class, right? Right. Not to mention that the voice was familiar. So he turned his gaze towards the direction that the greeting had come from only to see another younger lioness: Tayla.

Forgive him for the foul modd though, Tayla for because of it he could only nod back at her as a greeting.

The Gryffindor was lost in deep thoughts again, his dark eyes fixed down on the desk while his fingers tapped on it repeatedly giving him a stressed and uncomfortable sight. He wanted to glance back at the Slytherin girl every now and then yet he had to hold himself. He shouldn't be looking at there. It was not...good.

So when he decided to focus on what the professor was saying to distract himself from the thoughts about the girl, he was only able to catch the question about a...gillyweed yet it was...whatever. It kinda worked anyway for now he was thinking and trying to remember what gillyweed was.

Wait...

Wasn't the thing Professor Lafay had offered him to make him able to swim under sewage without dying during one detention called a gillyweed? But he just couldin't stand and mention this, could he? Plus, he was not sure of it.

Noticing Josh's somewhat empty smile, Kurumi frowned slightly before returning her attention to the front. Sometimes, she felt like the older boy was trying to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders - just like a Chocolate Frog Prince would expect themselves to be. Maybe he really was out their slaying dragons...or perhaps figuratively anyway.

He needed cookies...lots of them
Well, Kurumi's assumption that they would be studying aquatic plants was spot on. Suddenly. she had a thought as the professor asked them about gillyweed. WHAT if, they were all going to use it today? After all, the tanks in the front of the room were very large and she supposed that there was plenty of gillyweed there for everyone to get a slimy mouth full of it - not that Kurumi really fancied a taste of it.

It DID make sense after all. The only way to study aquatic plants would be to explore their natural habitat, yes?

Eyes focusing on the tank, Kurumi slowly raised her hand. "Gillyweed is an aquatic plant that causes the person who consumes it to grows gills and webbing between the fingers and toes. The effects, at least in fresh water, last up to an hour. However, there is some debate as to its effects in salt water. This is probably because salt water will take more liquid from the muscles and blood stream and therefore, quite literally, dehydrate the gillyweed consumed." Kurumi paused for a moment when she heard people mention it in drinks and whatnot. She had always been curious about that. "Professor, if gillyweed is used in gillywater and other drinks, why is it that the drinker does not sprout gills and webbed hands and feet? Must one eat pure gillyweed in order for the effects to take place?" Since, you know, those drinks were mixing the plant with some other things. Perhaps it implied that something in them canceled out the effects?

Treyen look towards Simon as the boy answered, and so he raised his hand as no to speak out of turn, but he wasn't really answering Bentley's question, he was more like correcting Simon somehow...

..."Breathe underwater, yes," he nodded before adding something else, "But I don't think it'll be easier to move in there when you have to eat gillyweed every hour or so," or constantly make a bubble-head charm.

Simon frowned at his ex best mate Treyen, he wanted to shout at Treyen but he knew if he did that he would be in big trouble with the Professor and he didn't want that too happen, he wondered what would happen if he jinx Treyen but he decided he would be in too much trouble.

Simon whispered to Treyen. "Yeah I forgot Prefect Perfect has to get everything right doesn't he?" Simon smirked. "You have to outsmart everyone, and even though you think your always right most of the time your wrong." Simon was trying to keep calm.

Okay. Er, WHAT?!

Prefect Perfect? What was he talking about? Actually, had Simon talked to Finlay lately? Treyen frowned out of confusion, and shook his head, "What?" he mouthed, but then frowned even more, and had to reply after glancing back at Professor Bentley, "I was just voicing my opinion, never told you it was right or wrong," he whispered.

He had no idea why was Simon acting like this. Maybe he was still upset about not getting his way when Treyen stood up for Destiny. But really, Simon had been completely rude to the Slytherin genius.

Lexi lifted her head off of her desk long enough to turn her gaze to the Professor and raise her hand. "Innit wha' Harry Potter used to complete the second task of the TriWizard Tournament in his Fourth Year? It allows the person using it to breathe under water for about an hour. It gives them gills... there is some debate over whether the time frame is longer in saltwater or not," she croaked before letting her head fall back to the desk.

BLEH. Why couldn't they cast something on the bloody boat to make it stop moving?!

Simon looked at Treyen, he hadn't even appologise yet after believing the Slytherin Girl over him, well wasn't that normally why best friends fight though normally they are both in love with the girl but for some reason it was different with Treyen and him, Simon thought the Slytherin Girl was ugly and Treyen well he was madly in love with her.

Simon sighed as he whispered at Treyen. "Don't you mean you want to upstage me so that you can go too your girlfriend and tell her you got one over on me." Simon was sure Treyen would know what he ment. "Every since you became a Prefect you think that you are above everyone and so have to out do everyone."

Gillyweed. What is gillyweed. "Well it sounds like gills and it has the word weed in it so maybe..." Where was she trying to go with this. "Maybe it could mean erm- That this weed has gills and if you swallow it erm- it gives you magical fish abilities..." Yeah alright she has nothing.

SAY WHAAAAT?!

Seriously, Simon, shush! This could wait until AFTER class, right? Now, now, hold on a minute. GIRLFRIEND? "I would never do that--what girlfriend are you talking about?" he whispered, and...actually, Treyen shook his head, "I don't have a girlfriend!" he said, forgetting the fact that they were still in class and Professor Bentley probably heard that.

Which is probably why he looked her way, and smiled, a very apologetic smile. Sorry, Bentley.

Then his eyes were back on Simon, as he almost GLARED at the boy in question, "We need to talk," after class, he was tired of whispering, anyway.

Gillyweed... she'd read about that. Aurora spoke up "Eating gillyweed makes the user develop gills and webbed hands and feet, it makes it impossible to breath normally underwater but is incredibly useful when spending long amounts of time under without coming to the surface. An amount about this size" she gestured with her hands "Lasts about an hour." Just like potion doses, just a little let delicate. This was the sort of thing she liked and the exact reason she had been looking forward to herbology.

The only thing that Georgiana was enjoying right now, besides the weather, was the fact that this lesson was about water plants. Herbology wasn't her favorite subject but was way better than Ancient Runes.

Back to the class, what did she knew about Gillyweed? it was green...obviously. She raised her hand and said "A plant that has the ability to make you breathe underwater" she shrugged.

William raised his hand. " If yo ueat Gillyweed, you can stay underwater for an hour" William told the professor.

Simon looked at Treyen and sighed, why was it when Treyen was losing he had to say they needed to talk after lesson, Simon whispered to Treyen. "You know who I mean." Simon sighed he was trying to keep it down so the Professor didn't hear.

Simon sighed, well okay if Treyen wanted to talk after lesson then fine, Simon whispered. "Fine we'll talk after lesson." Simon didn't know why he had said fine it wasn't like their friendship could be saved well maybe it could he would have to see what Treyen said before decided if it could or not.

Connor raised his hand. "Doesn't gillyweed allow one to breathe underwater for an hour and help them grow gills and webbed hands and feet, making it easier to swim." He had been sitting quiet for most of the lesson, feeling somehow out of sorts to day.

Tayla's eyebrows furrowed. "That's odd..." she thought, now starting to get worried. This wasn't like Josh at all. "I hope Professor Lafay didn't do anything more to him." Tayla remembered that Professor Lafay magicked Josh's hands to disappear in Potions class. He didn't seem to mind too much then, and Salander had mentioned Josh went through more than just that. So what was bothering him?

Tayla wanted to ask, but thought better of it. She tried to listen to the professor and made a mental note to ask if Josh was alright after class.

Tayla was familiar with the plant Professor Bentley had just mentioned because of how often she ate Chocolate Frogs. She didn't know much, but she decided to share what she did know anyway and raised her hand, "Professor, I think the characteristics of the gillyweed were first discovered by a witch named Elladora. Her last name was Kartridge or Ketteridge I think...? But anyway, the discovery was credited a hundred years later to Beaumont Majoribanks." Tayla smiled and added, "I have four of his Chocolate Frog cards."

Ariella raised her hand. She remembered reading about gillyweed in one of her textbooks before term started. "Gillyweed...it's a magical plant...native to the Mediterranean Sea. When consumed, a person will grow gills and webbed feet and hands. It usually lasts for about an hour, in fresh water." Ariella paused. "It could also be used as an ingredient in a drink."

Selina rose her hand and the question and answered once more, "Well ma'am Gillyweed is an aquatic plant that when ingested allows people, humans, to breath under water for a short period of time. It gives them gills and webbed feet so it simulates the makings of a fish. The most famous usage was by Harry Potter in the second task when he competed in the Triwizard Tournament." Something like that at least.

Another year and Mina wasn't all too sure what to think of the class yet. Herbology wasn't her strong suit but maybe she would have to give it another chance now that she was back. Beside, it was starting out rather well, they were on the ship and she did love a good field trip.

Mina jotted down her little card and pulled her journal out to get ready for note.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Attendence Card

Name: Jasmina S, Bennett
Year: Sixth
House: Ravenclaw

Name tags weren't all that bad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hera

"Today we're having an introductory lesson in magical water plants... I'm not sure how much you have been taught on this topic yet, so this is a bit of a feeler to see how much you know. Hopefully a lot of this material will be knew to you though."
But back to what she had for them today. She looked at the line of tanks, each a different shape to the next. Oh she had planned an interesting lesson for them- or at least she thought so. Then again it didn't take much to get her interested in herbology... she lived it. Uncovering one of the smaller tanks Seren peered down at the tangled knot of slimy greenish-grey seaweed. "Gillyweed", she said gesturing to the plant.

"What can you tell me about gillyweed?" she asked in general, testing the students underdstanding of the plant- after all they had probably already studied it at some point.

Jotting down a bit of what everyone was saying, she looked back up at the seaweed and tilted her head slightly in thought. She was pretty sure she studied it in her last two years, but what was it she learned that hadn't been mentioned before. Coming up rather blank, she just remained silent and took notes for the moment.

Gillyweed...gillyweed...what is it anyways? For starters, it's a mgical plant, duh. It's got magical qualities. Obviously.

what makes it special?

She knew she read it in a book somewhere. OF COURSE. Thank you text book.

she raised her hand. "Pr-Professor...I-It gives y-you webbed hands...and feet..." curse this scarf that's hindering her speech since it was practically blocking her mouth with all its glorious fluffiness. "uhm...and g-gills...and makes the person who c-consumes it..b-breath underwater...f-for an..." she took a deep breath and let it out a bit loud. "-HOUR!" WHEW! Glad she was done with her answer-it was a battle with her scarf-tugging it down just so she could speak. she could take it off, really, but it was not a really good option to do when outside on a chilly day.

Gillyweed. It sounds familiar. No, that was gillywater. Wait! Can they be the same? Raising her hand, she quietly said, "Maybe it's somehow related to gillywater? Like used in making it?" Quite unsure, her answer sounded more of a question than an answer. *gulp*

Not good.

"Yes thats exactly right! when ingested gillyweed effects the ingester by giving them the ability to breathe under water... along with that webbing develops between the fingers and toes to help aid movement under water."
Seren was very pleased with the responses she had been getting so far. Seems as though the students had worked with gillyweed before.


Oh and what was this?... Seren smiled at the young Ravenclaw, very impressed with her knowledge of gillyweed.
"Yes that is absolutely correct," she nodded, "Take a point for Ravenclaw."



What in the name of Merlin's striped underpants was going on?... oh for heavens sake.
Seren starred at the boys as they had their little slinging match. Why couldn't Treyen have just left correcting the boy to her?........... prefects.

"Minus 3 points....... each," she said in a tone that reflected her annoyance at them disrupting her class, "for disrupting the class with idle chatter."

She would not tolerate this. If a student wanted to chat, then they may do so... but not IN her class.. she would dismiss them.
"If you wish to learn, then stay... if you wish to chat, then I'm afraid your in the wrong place."
Now on with the lesson.

Seren nodded... this was definitely a much better response than the girls first one... smiley? Ugh.
“Yes, absolutely!” she said brightly.

“Yes, absolutely right, it is noted that Ketteridge almost choked to death after eating gillyweed but survived because she stuck her head in a bucket of water”, Seren smiled, she was always amused by that tale.


“Yes, and those debates still exist today. Though we know the effects of gillyweed last an hour in salt water, the results from testing gillyweed in freshwater have been so varied that herbologists have not yet been able to identify a clear timeframe for it in fresh water.” Even her small study had baffled her....

“Correct”, replied Seren smiling at the young Slytherin.

Oooohh brilliant questions, thought Seren as she considered the two girls.
“It’s not so much a question of how much is used, it’s more dependant on how the gillyweed is prepared or harvested. Gillyweed in active form- and of course being a healthy specimen- will allow those who ingest it to sprout gills and webbed toes and fingers, but only a minimal amount of dormant gillyweed is used to produce Gillywater. So that way we don't feel the effects of gillyweed when we drink it.”

She had been waiting for this to come up, “Yes, yes he did indeed”, she said smiling brightly.

Seren nodded her head in agreement, “Yes that’s right”, she said.

Seren smiled at the young Gryffindor.
“Yes, gillyweed provides those who ingest it with the ability to breathe under water...”

Well she was on the right track... "Yes gillyweed is one of the main ingredients in Gillywater," she said nodding.




Right... so they had covered Gillyweed before. Great, it meant they could move onto something more interesting!
"Brilliant, so it sounds as though the majority of you have studied gillywater before", she smiled out at the sea of faces. But there was some information they had neglected to bring up.
"In terms of caring for and harvesting gillyweed it is important to note that whilst they are native to the mediterranean it is possible, now, to grow them across the globe. The key to doing this is to ensure the water they are grown in, is at a stable temperature ranging between twenty to twenty-nine degrees celcius. They may also be grown in salt and fresh water."
Seren paused here to catch her breath and let the students absorb the information.

"Now we wont be spending any more time looking at gillyweed just yet, so we'll be moving onto our next specimen"... Seren walked a few paces to the next tank. With a swift motion she uncovered the next tank. It was tall and slim... and it appeared to be .. empty. The eerie bluish-green light that was emanating from the tank came from the little lights at the bottom of it. Seren smiled proudly.
"Now who can tell me what we are looking at right now?"


OOC: Also note that you will find the Ultimate Guide to Herbology thread useful and is located in the Herbology Greenhouses section.