Hummm what plants. Charlotte thought about it and as she did her immediate thoughts were spoken by other people but she was determined to give an answer Professor Myers would like. Oh. OH HEY.

Her hand flew up.

"What about the Siberian Blood Vine? I know this isn't Siberia but it would like a forest like this, and who knows, maybe someone unleashed one in there once? They're also known as the vampire vine because they gorge on blood and if you slice one open wrong and burst a membrane, blood goes EVERYWHERE its gross!" But kind of cool.

Oeh, this lesson promised to be AWESOME!!! The forbidden forest, how cool was that!? She always had wanted to see it from the inside once but... She didn't had knew how to do it secretly AND to net get caught during the process... But now, she could go and that even with permission from a teacher! This was just too cool! Hah!

Smiling widely she walked toward the professor and was barely able to hold back her excitement. "Hello professor!" She practically sang with joy while speaking and after she had greeted the professor she almost ran toward the other students to wait for the lesson to start.

Hmm, that question wasn't such a bad one, her mum loved her garden and Leesha had learned a few things herself too about muggle plants because of her mum's garden, so she rose her hand without even a second thought. "Maidenhair Fern" She said while remembering that her mother always had kept those plants into the shade to prevent direct exposure to the sunlight.

Herbology! She loved herbology. She wasn't the best at it but she was trying ot get better. And that was what mattered right! She tried her best anyway, and she had two years before her OWLS, so that meant she had loads of time to get better at herbology!

But for now she was going to be excited that they were going into the forest. That was so cool! She beamed, excited about going in there. It was kind of scary, but that was really cool right. "Hi Professor" The third year beamed as she looked at the professor. She then started thinking about an answer to the question.

"I agree about mint" She said eventually. "It sometimes grows in a bog, and as long as it's moist, and gets a bit of light it'll grow"

The weather is nice, but too nice for his liking. The sun is blinding, but he can't complain considering plants... Most of them, at least, need sunlight to grow. He follows the rest of his classmates where they gather. "Hi, Professor Myers!" he waves and shifts his attention to usually unnecessary amounts of buckets.

It's about to start. Nero shifts his attention to the professor, now telling them that they are going deep, deep, deep into the Forbidden Forest. The. FORBIDDEN. Forest. There are obviously reasons why it was given such a name. Nonetheless, a part of him is still excited, but there is also a worried part. It's not like he doesn't trust Professor Myers, but how could one teacher possibly protect all these students if anything happens? He doubts there are just plants in the forest. There probably are dangerous creatures as well. But still, it would be interesting to see things that they don't see everyday. It's like going on an adventure!

So, Professor Myers are making us guess what plants we will be studying today. Nero listens attentively to the responses and agrees with mushrooms. "Don't they grow mushrooms in shades too? I mean the edible ones."

Yes yes hello Professor Myers, hello Professor Myers' energy. Good Merlin he was not prepared for a trip into the forest today. Everyone was offering completely plausible and bog-standard answers, so Roo went a completely different way. "I'll tell you what doesn't thrive in dark conditions, Sir. My HEART. When Miss Olivia Phillips is absent." Absence didn't make the heart grow fonder, yo. It stomped on every beat and messed you up. Luckily, Rooney had a reading date with his girl later that evening before his patrols.

WOE WAS A ROONEY WITHOUT HIS LADY. Hand holding in the forest was a must. Oliiiiiiiiiiiiviaaaaaaaa. Oliiiiiiiiiiiiiviiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

It wasn't that Natalia was afraid of the forest, but these many students with some not able to even hold a wand properly yet seemed a bit crazy to her. Though the herbology professor was never one for normal Nat had come to find, but she enjoyed his personality. So putting an extra sweater on before heading down she was ready for whatever the forest had in store.

Though she might not be ready for what life had in store if Cal was in class. She had heard the professors question but as she walked closer she heard Rooneys response and couldn't help but roll her eyes. They called her dramatic, she felt that compared to him she was quite boring.


Moving closer to Tim she smiled at her friend's answer. She knew Tim was interested in Herbology and had been studying it tons lately. As other's were answering the head girl decided she'd just stay quiet for now.

Junia stood close to Professor Myers, mostly because if she were a creature in the woods looking to eat something, she'd want to pick the bigger meal and, well, the professor was certainly bigger than her. There was also the fact that she quite liked the man. Her interest in plants both magical and mundane had grown in past years and she valued the knowledge he shared each time they saw each other. ...Hopefully a creature wouldn't feel like eating anyone today after all.

"I believe Knotgrass grows in the forbidden forest, Professor." The thirteen year old gave a little smile and then added, "Good for potions and brewing of beverages, or so it says in the books."

And oh, wasn't that Rooney boy so romantic? Her own heart hurt as of late and a certain Gryffindor was to blame for that. It was a wonder she'd made it to class, honestly.

Skylar was not enthused about today's class today mostly because she found it irresponsible for the professor to bring the whole class into the forbidden forest. Yes Sky was a bit of a coward, but she also had way too much pride that she would never admit as such. So instead she just found herself standing next the transfer boy, Brent, because one he was older and two he was a boy and boys had a natural instinct to protect girls, didn't they? Not that she would ask him to.

Oh what was that Myers was shouting now? Plants that lived in the dark or in the forest. She refrained from laughing at Rooney's answer because it was kind of sweet in the sappy sense.

"Black flowers are said to grow in the forest." Sky piped up. And if they were roses, would someone be able to turn her black roses red?

Had he been warned that the Class today was going into the Forest he would have dressed a tad more appropriate for the excursion. It was under Simon's assumption that the class would be outside so he dressed just for that. School Robe, slacks, his Hufflepuff Colored Tie, the Sweater-vest, and under the robe and just over the sweater-vest he wore as suit jacket. One button done up. He looked down at his feet. He regretted not wearing sneakers the most. Especially now. If he had escape then dress shoes were not the best shoes to run in.

the only thing that calmed him slightly was the appearance his friend and dorm-mate Derfael. Was he wearing Muggle American Football gear? Was that what all that was? He'd have to consult his American No-Maj Studies book on it some more.

He also starred at the Ravenclaw Prefect. Whom he instantly recognized as the Older Boy from the Fountain. Weird. Simon Figured he be a bit more mature than how he was acting now? Especially with how he spoke to him that in Diagon Alley.

Oh and regarding Plants in the Dark...Simon thought they all needed Sunlight to Grow? Darkness doesn't grow anything.

Ashley walked towards the gathering. Am I late? As she joined the group, she heard the Professor.

Forbidden Forest?

But that is FORBIDDEN!

She considered walking back to the castle. Just walk back slowly, act as if you were roaming around the grounds. Nice and easy.

OH why do they do this? She had been looking forward to Herbology. Protection? He said protection? And she eyed the metal buckets.

What was it with this school and the buckets? Weird place. She shook her head, and moved closer. I can't go back. Nothing will harm me. NO.NO.NOOOO.

Her internal musings continued as the Professor kept talking. And that guy said something... WHUTTTT? She looked at the guy, which Olivia was he talking about?

And there she noticed Nat. She inched towards the Head Girl. Maintain distance from the guy. And the Professor. And the Forest. "Hi" She smiled at Nat. "We are really going in there?" She asked pointing at the Forest clearing. Nat would tell her they weren't. And they would all go back to the castle and take a nap. Now that's a perfect day.

OH the Professor. He'd asked something? Damp plants? "Hello professor" I don't understand why we have to go into the forest "I don't know about damp plants but we had parlor palms at our home, they didn't need much light or water" That's all she could offer.

Lizzie made it to her first Herbology class on time! She was excited to learn about the different plants, which was weird because she never had any interest in plants and/or gardening before. She blames Professor Myers, his excitement was contagious.

"Hello Professor!" She said brightly. She listened to what he said. 'The Forbidden Forest?' That sounds interesting?' she thought to herself. She wasn't sure if she should feel excited or scared. 'I guess I will just wait and see.'

The first question stumped Lizzie, she has never heard of plants liking darkness, so she stayed quiet, and listen to everyone list off answers.

The moon’s outline could still be seen in the sky. It was one of those days. Thereos peered out at the small humans with their excitement and nervousness as well as the old one, the Deputy Headmaster Professor Myers. If the human had not been so respectful when he had come to ask this favor of him a few days earlier, he would have told him no. Professor Myers had been, though.

He stepped out into the light and trotted leisurely towards the humans as he cupped his hand over his eyes to squint at the shadow of the moon in the sky. It was a good sign. Did Myers know?

“Good day to you all,” he said. He raised his hand in greeting. He was here to provide guidance and protection once in the forest. With the truce between Hogwartians and the Forest-dwelling centaurs still in place, he thought it was responsible of the Herbology professor to ask for his guidance. It was good to see humans behave responsibly for once.

Kane REALLY liked his head of house. He seemed fun, and if any subject needed someone FUN leading them at the helm, it was definitely herbology. Like...it was PLANTS. You HAD to be fun in order to make that interesting for kids.

And boy, was he making this fun! THE FORBIDDEN FOREST! Kane had read about it and looked at it anxiously from the castle windows, but he had no idea that he'd be heading in there THIS soon! With Myers to guide them, he was sure they'd be totally fine. He wasn't worried at ALL. Maybe they'd see a werewolf or something!!

He raised his hand when the professor started the class right off the bat. "Would venomous tentacula like this dark place? There's lots of places for it to slither about unnoticed in the darkness," he pointed out. He was sure that everyone else who said Devil's Snare was right too.

OMG THERE WAS A CENTAUR HERE TOO! Kane had to stop himself from letting his mouth physically drop open in amazement, as he'd heard centaurs were proud creatures and probably would not appreciate getting stared at.

"Hi there!" he said in greeting as the centaur greeted the class.

Aslan found herself more interested in the Centuar who had wandered up to them then Paul Myers or the voices of her peers. The forest was meant to be tranquil, a refuge for the soft, the dark and the hungry. It was not the place for the woes of Rooney Brownyn, or Charlotte's cheery explanations.

And yet.

Her arms wrapped under her chest, Aslan gave the Centuar a nod of greeting, her dark eyes watching and waiting. Would he be guiding them? Teaching them? Perhaps Myers was going to leave the rest of the lesson to the Being, what a nice change that might be.

She thought briefly of giving some terrible answer on purpose, but very little came to her mind aside from an old, and inappropriate limerick her grandfather had used to sing involving juniper berries and a woman named mary.

No, she would just have to remain somewhere between vaguely bored, and vaguely interested.

Someone explain to him why the man who believed in poncho Tuesday was given clearance to take them into the Forbidden Forest. No really, honestly, explain. Blaise wasn't likely to turn down such an opportunity to be in a place that was otherwise off limits and quite frankly awe inspiring, he was just questioning their guide was all. Professor Myers was okay when he wasn't trying to feed them, and he never forced him into using magic--which made him infinitely alright in Blaise's book but this had nothing to do with that.

The Gryffindor was openly skeptical at the mention of having protection to go into the forest but his questions were soon answered by the appearance of the centaur who received a nod of greeting in response to his own.

"What about Devil's Snare?" He asked, willing himself not to think too deep into this. The Forbidden Forest was epic. This class, regardless of the topic now had the potential to be too and if anything happened, his quill was right here ready to make it into the next big story. What could be better? "If they don't like light, I'd assume they prefer growing in dark places." Just gonna.....ignore Rooney's response because um...yeah....

While Nat was listening to all the other answers and noticing the Centaur that just showed up. She couldn't help but notice a certain younger student inching closer to her. She assumed the younger ones would probably crowd around the older students a bit more. It was a scary forest they were told to stay away from from the very beginning.

"Hi Ashley, yep seems like we are going in there." She gave the girl an encouraging smile though, "See that centaur, as long as he's with us we will have nothing to worry about. Plus just stick with me if you are worried. [ This is my friend Tim and James. " She eyed James to be nice to the first year. He was fun, but she was still keeping an eye on him.

This was going to be a very interesting lesson. Janelle joined her classmates for their foray into the Forbidden Forest. Part of her was excited. Part of her was leery, well a bit afraid actually, given what happened to her sister in the forest. That place was no joke. People had died in there. And the acromantulas.....

Trying to brush off her concerns, she tried to focus on what they might be doing in the forest. "Hello Professor", Janelle said, as she readied herself for the action. Spotting the centaur nearby, made the Ravenclaw feel better, sort of. If anyone knew about the Forbidden Forest, he did.

When the professor asked a question, Janelle groaned inwardly. Where was Jasmine when she needed her. One would think that having a Herbologist for a sister would give you an advantage in this class. Sadly, that was not the case. Janelle drew a complete blank when thinking about darkness loving plants. She should know this, but all the good answers had already been taken. Keeping her hand down, she decided to just listen for now.

This time last term, Rula hadn't expected to be continuing in Herbology after OWLs. It was a subject she was only selectively interested in, so she generally didn't do as well in it as other things. But towards the end of term she'd been inspired to study harder for it, thanks to that crossbreeding project, and thus she'd somehow managed an E on her OWL. Probably just barely an E, but still an E nonetheless, and that was what mattered.

So here she was.

She didn't have an answer to give right now, but she WAS listening and paying attention.

"Hello, Professor, and...Mr. Centaur Sir." She offered them both a smile.

Tim was quietly listening to her classmates answers; kicking herself more in the head with each passing one. Maybe she didn't know that much about herbology as she led herself to believe. Talk about being completely disappointed in ones self. Swaying a bit, she felt someone stand next to her and listened to what they had to say. The blonde also recognized the voice and made an unpleasant face. Why was he standing next to her? Did he plan on grinding her gears at one of her favorite classes? Nope, not today. She'd grind his face into the dirt.But thankfully Natalia had showed up and she can use her head girl..whatever that made the badge so special to keep this guy away from her. WAIT WHAT. NATA WAS FRIENDS WITH THIS KID?! Just as Tim was going to mention something to Natalia, a centaur appeared and her attention was easily diverted from her friend.

!!!!!

A centaur was going to joining them during their class and in the forest! Tim was pretty much internally screaming right now. She hasn't gotten the chance to meet one up close but knew this centaur was familiar with the staff school. Instead, the blonde squeezed her friends arm and gave a little scream at the back of her throat.

Never fear, citizens of Herbology. Olivia was making her entrance now...in a decidedly demure way. While it was unthinkable that a theatre brat could be anything but boisterous, Liv was definitely making her case. Head down, bag strap clutched tightly within her grasp, no obnoxious greetings... The blonde Gryffindor looked to be in deeply in thought. Lessons were just hard right now, considering her renewed concentration issues, but she was showing up and making an effort. That was all that could be expected. An effort being made, because in reality, she wanted to be anywhere else but here. Here being Hogwarts. Not Herbology. Professor Myers always offered a safe space, and Olivia thought she could truly count the Hufflepuff Head of House as a friend. So, it was with less reservations that she attended his lessons.

...Until she saw their destination for the day. That was enough to stop anyone in their tracks... At least momentarily. Previous to the summer, this would've inspired her daring, adventurous side...but now?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanners

Yes yes hello Professor Myers, hello Professor Myers' energy. Good Merlin he was not prepared for a trip into the forest today. Everyone was offering completely plausible and bog-standard answers, so Roo went a completely different way. "I'll tell you what doesn't thrive in dark conditions, Sir. My HEART. When Miss Olivia Phillips is absent." Absence didn't make the heart grow fonder, yo. It stomped on every beat and messed you up. Luckily, Rooney had a reading date with his girl later that evening before his patrols.

WOE WAS A ROONEY WITHOUT HIS LADY. Hand holding in the forest was a must. Oliiiiiiiiiiiiviaaaaaaaa. Oliiiiiiiiiiiiiviiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

...Rooney!

Relieved that her boyfriend was already present, Olivia immediately made to stand by his side, soothed by his dramatic declaration. There was something to be said about being with/dating your best friend. As long as she had Rooney close, she'd be okay. Leaning into him to mutter something, Liv then spotted the centaur.... A real one! Wow...

Awe penetrating her strange demeanor, at least for a moment, she finally offered the professor a friendly wave. Oh, Professor Myers had posed a question, too. Plants that thrived in the dark.... She had a lot of time on her hands to read lately. "Cleopatra Caps...sir. They're a species of toadstool." Toadstools had probably already been said, but it didn't hurt to be specific, right? There were literally hundreds of species. Some that enjoyed the darkness. Others that didn't. "I think they appear bioluminescent, too." The words were more softly spoken compared to those of her peers, but she'd offered something, at least. So...

Alice caught up with the group of students following her favorite Professor into the forest. "Hello, Professor." Alice was sure to show off her pearly whites and baby blues in her best smile.. There were lots of great answers to the Professor's question.. She honestly couldn't think of a thing besides Devil's snare.. which seemed to be a common answer.

Then there was Rooney, hamming it up over Olivia again.. it was lame but at the same time it must be really nice to have some goof care about you that much that he says lame stuff in front of everyone like that. Hmm.

And as if this class couldn't get MORE interesting there was a CENTAR. MERLIN'S BEARD. Alice waved back in awe of the thing.. Now where was Tim.. Or Henry.

Olly was going to try really hard in Herbology this term. He really was. He wanted to be able to get a good score on his OWL because he didn't want to disappoint Professor Myers. So he was going to do his best to pay attention and learn things. This particular lesson was already shaping up to be pretty exciting. They were going into the forest!

Though the lesson was not really starting out well. First question and Olly already did not know the answer. What plants grew in the shade? One of the things he had been most confident about was that plants like sunlight. Apparently not all of them. Devil's snare grew in dark, damp places. A lot of people were saying that so Olly made a mental note to remember that. But he wanted to be able to give his own answer. He stared blankly into the forest, trying to come up with something. "Uh, there are a lot of trees." He had said magical or mundane it wasn't necessarily a horrible answer.

With his eyes already fixed on the forest there was no way Olly would have missed the shape coming out and walking toward them. It was a centaur! A real live centaur! "You're a centaur!" That was probably unnecessary. He already knew he was a centaur. But it had come out before Olly had a chance to actually realize that he was speaking. "I mean, uh, hello. What's your name?"

Tim looked like she wanted to throw acid to his face, okay so that wasn't new to him. Guess he must had rubbed her the wrong way at some point? Too bad he couldn't remember what he ever did to her. James was too busy minding his own face to care. Meh. Shrugging, maybe she ate something bad this morning. Thinking about breakfast again, his stomach instantly growled. Urgh, he should have brought some snacks to munch along the way. Good thing headgirl Nat finally showed up. Aww, how cute. She thought of him as a friend. Hear that Tim? He smirked. He winked at the seventh year Slytherin...before his attention moved to the little girl.(Ashley) "Sup." Why was Nat eyeing him for? Seriously, he wasn't going to do anything....yet.

Oh look a centaur, cooool.

Paul knew that as soon as he asked the question, someone was bound to say Devil’s Snare; it was, indeed, the most obvious choice, and of course students would think of it! Nothing wrong with that!

“Yes, you’re right, Henry, very good!” he smiled. Thankfully there’d be no Devil’s Snare in today’s lesson.



“Hello, Kitty, I am dandy! Hope you’re doing okay over there!” He smiled. And...well...her question O___O “Of course there are dangerous plants in there. And animals. But...I wouldn’t worry too much.” Paul had them COVERED, OKAY?



“I’m great, Ambrose! And you?” he winked at his small badger student. A first year. Precious baby. “OH...very interesting answer! Of course you’re right! Mushrooms!” hehe. He liked that answer.

However....no mushrooms in today’s lesson either!



“Yes yes, moss and fungi, of course!” How could anyone forget those? He smiled. “Moss grows in many places, too. And fungi, too.” Like food. Food could grow its own fungi. Wasn’t that just peachy?

Or rather...you wouldn’t want that on your peaches, would you?



Help? Myers blinked at home. “Help with what, m’boy?” he asked. “I appreciate the offer, though!” Helpful was always nice, and especially from an older student. It showed some real maturity.

“Well, that IS true and a very fascinating answer, Leon! Peperomia---” he began, loud enough for the class to hear, “Is actually very common for growing in rotten wood! Isn’t that interesting!” he grinned.

Again, no Peperomia today, though!



“Indeed!” he responded to Katy with a smile. “There’s always two layers in forests...typically rainforests, the top layer being the BIG trees that drink up the sun...and then the trees that don’t really need the sun, as you were saying. Very good!”

Heh.



“Well, m’dear,” he began softly, “There are...lots and lots of different kinds of ferns. And funnily enough...ferns are much more complicated than they appear,” he grinned. “Some species DO prefer darkness, though, so you aren’t wrong.”

Paul was kind of delighted they kept guessing mundane plants. Because they weren’t going to be studying one, but it was always good to have some knowledge about mundane plantlife. It was just as much a part of Herbology as the magical plant life.



Well. “Yes, Cassie, yes. They do indeed!” he smiled. It was a little surprising no one had guessed yet. Hmm. Maybe his question had been a bit too broad. However, the question wasn’t a GUESS WHAT WE’RE DOING TODAY...he was more wondering if anyone would happen to know about the plant they were doing today.

So that was that!



Um. Paul blinked for a second at the headboy. “I...don’t think they would survive without ANY sunlight, though. But...good guess!” Colt got a thumbs up from Paul...even if Paul thought the answer was...well, odd.



“Shady...but not quite darkness,” he commented. “But interesting thinking there, m’dear,” he smiled. He hadn’t thought about hellebore in a very long time. Hmm. What an interesting plant. Perhaps for a future lesson. There was LOTS to say about hellebore.



Paul smiled at Sam. “Well...you’re right, of course, Sam,” he said gently. “They do indeed.” And even though she hadn’t mentioned the chiming ones out loud, Paul’s mind went there because they were very relaxing.



It wasn’t every day a student mentioned dead organic matter. Paul laaaaaaughed. “You’re right. I don’t know if I would consider it...a plant...it’s all part of the ecosystem, though, I guess.” Ha. Paul was amused.



“Well, yes, Tim, you’re right!” He nodded. He was amused she had spat out a bunch of plants at once--SHOW OFF!!! But he gave her a wink. Plus, Chinese evergreen was a rather interesting answer in itself, so, kudos.



Paul smiled and nodded kindly at the young Slytherin boy. “Well, yes, the trees growing in the underlayer in here WOULD be able to survive with sunlight, of course!” As Miss Toussaint had touched on in her response!




Mint! “Also known as mentha,” Paul winked at the Gryffindor. “Good answer! If I had to say the ONE thing about mint, though, is that they NEED moisture...not necessarily darkness. They can sometimes grow underground, though!” So yeah!



Wiggggggentreeeeee! Paul grinned. “Well, yeah. Interesting answer, m’dear,” he said to Miss Moss. He decided in that moment he never wanted to call her Miss Moss out loud because it just sounded very silly.



Paul turned to smile at Zara. Enthusiasm from the first years was always just the BEST wasn’t it? “Belladonna, yes, and flitterbloom can survive in both light and darkness.” He thought he’d comment on it. “But great answer!”



Paul was GLEEFUL at all the answers that were Devil’s Snare because it absolutely was NOT what they would be doing today! Haha! He grinned, though. “Yes, you’re correct.” Merlin help them if there was wild Devil’s Snare growing anywhere in the Forest, to be honest.



The GONG sound of metal on metal caught Paul’s attention, But of course it was Tenacius Salander. He was unsurprised.



…...more metal clanging? What the hell was Tenacius doing? Paul had whipped around to tell him off when he noticed….

Derf.

Derfael Ashburry-Hawthorne. “SIR DERF. I assure you, if anything comes after us in the forest, you will be the slowest student if we have to run away,” he said, a slight smirk crossing his face. He was only teasing. “We won’t have to worry about any dangers approaching us in the forest because all your banging and clanging will scare away any threats!” and Paul Myers laughed heartily. Oh Meeeeerlin, these kids!



…..”What is a ZZ plant, James, please inform me?” Because...well. Paul furrowed his eyebrows at him in a displeased way. Effort, please?



He was glad to see Suri Rider today! He gave her a wink before moving on to someone else.



“Good day to YOU, Miss Penrose!” he grinned. “Yes yes, very good! All correct,” he nodded. Mistletoe, though! Perhaps a Christmas themed lesson in the future, eh?



A quiet first year? Well no harm in that. They were still new to Hogwarts and all!



Well. “I can assure you...there will be no blood involved in today’s lesson, thank Merlin, but I like your creativity and thinking, Miss Kettleburn. Very good answer.”

Paul wasn’t a fan of Siberian Blood Vine >.>



Another fern guess. “Yes, of course, Miss Griffel, good answer!” Because they had already gone over that some ferns looooooved the darkness.



He smiled at one of his badgers. “Hello, Hattie!” he waved. And she got a thumbs up for her answer. Mentha, or mint, for the win!



“Well, yes. But edible AND non edible ones grow in shade...but some grow in the sun, too,” he nodded at him.



...Merlin’s undershirt. Paul tried really hard not to...laugh at that. It was quite sweet of Roo to have so much love and adoration for Miss Phillips, especially right now. The Herbologist thought she had looked sort of glum lately.



Paul sent the headgirl a quick nod to show her he had noticed her presence, yes, but moved on quickly. They had to get going!



“You’re correct, though, yes, Junia!” he smiled and would have given her a high five had he been closer.



“Yes ma’am, they are!” he grinned at Skylar. “Correct!” Was everyone done arriving yet? He was itching to get started. And his gaze flickered to the forest again.



Another quiet first year, but that was okay! Paul send the Hufflepuff an encouraging smile.



He chuckled at this one’s answer. She seemed nervous, and he hoped she would soon be reassured. Nooooothing would happen to them, not on Paul’s watch!

“Well...that’s certainly an interesting answer.”



“Hello, Lizzie!” he waved. He would have to make sure all the new first years kept up okay in today’s lesson for sure. Like...they should stick with the older kids.



OKAY THERE THE CENTAUR WAS. Paul gave the man a cheerful wave. “Good day, Thereos!” Paul beamed at his class. “Thereos will be joining us for our lesson today in the forest. Just for some added guidance and protection, of course!” Paul most certainly didn’t want to get lost getting to where they were going, and he most CERTAINLY didn’t want to run into anything he couldn’t handle.



As he foresaw, many of the students were enamored with Thereos’ appearance. It was amusing to the Herbologist.

“Well...not exactly. I wouldn’t say they THRIVE in the darkness, m’boy!”



Quiet, and Paul was curious as to why Aslan had continued on in Herbology. She hadn’t ever seemed remotely interested. However, he thought, THE MORE THE MERRIER! And when Aslan did participate actively, she always at least had something clever or smart to add. Aslan Evans was no dummy.



“Well, yes, Blaise!” he nodded at the Gryffindor. “Good good…” Okay. They weren’t doing Devil’s Snare, kiddos. They could do those in the greenhouses!



Janelle was being quiet, but Paul could tell she was paying attention, so kudos to her!



And the same could be said for Rula Botros. Paul gave the sixth year a smile.



Ah, there was Olivia. “Is your heart doing okay now, Mr. Bronwyn?” he asked Rooney with a smirk. “They do, Olivia, yes. And those do like shade over sunlight, yes,” he grinned at her kindly. Was she feeling all right today?



“Hello, Alice!” he smiled at the Gryffindor girl. She didn’t have anything to add? Well okay!



….Ha. Paul smirked at Oliver. “Oh, you can guess better than that, Olly, I know you can,” because trees had already been said, and...well, he was mostly messing with the Slytherin boy.

He glanced at his watch and then cleared his throat. “OKAY EVERYONE!” he called out loudly to quiet them down. “We are HEADING INTO THE FOREST!’ he said. “Before we go you all must make sure you have your GLOVES for you WILL be needing them-and TWO, each of you needs to pick up one of those buckets!” he gestured at them. “THREE--I need all first years to stick CLOSE to either a prefect OR myself. NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO WANDER OFF. Or else...Thereos won’t be too happy to have to go find any LOST SOULS in there…” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

“Now...we are going to walk and talk! Pick up your buckets, let’s go let’s go!” he smiled and turned for the forest. “If you would like to light your wand, you may do so!” Paul certainly would be! He muttered LUMOS under his breath as he began to walk. His voice was positively BOOMING so he knew they would all be able to hear him.

“NONE OF YOU spoke about the plant we’re actually going to see today!” He chuckled a little. “We’re headed for some….FIRE SEED CAVES,” VOILA! “It’s a bit of a trek, so keep up!” And Paul ducked his head to avoid a low hanging branch as the class OFFICIALLY headed into the Forbidden Forest.

The crunch underneath all their little feets was actually quite relaxing to the white-haired professor. But he would have to BOOM over it shortly. “There are many uses of fire seeds...and there is much to SAY about fire seed bushes.” However, instead of asking a BORING question, Paul decided he would give them an INTERESTING one. “Fire seed bushes are sometimes used in potions...they are very EXPLOSIVE sometimes, too.” Ha. Hahaha. Did that make them nervous? Paul wasn’t too worried. “Taking what you all know about fire seed bushes--” which Paul expected to be more than he had just told them, but wouldn’t exactly BLAME them if they didn’t. “If you could create SOMETHING--ANYTHING--” Potion? Candy? SOMETHING ELSE? “What do you think you’d make? ANd what properties of the bush would contribute to what you’d make? CALL out your answers, discuss with each other, I don’t care, I’ll be listening!” Plus the murmur of the class might keep unwanted attention away.

Or attract it, depending.




OOC: Hello everyone! Lesson has officially started so if you still wanna’ come along just pretend you’ve been here! They’ve entered the forest already so if you’re character is late..well.. ._____.

Forgive Paul for his zaniness, I do apologize. I’ll be moving on tomorrow around this same time.

Okay so his answer was not very good. Olly already knew that but he felt like he had disappointed Professor Myers and that made him said. But the professor thought he could do better. He really couldn't. At least, he didn't think he couldn't. But he would try harder next time. No more disappointments from him.

Yay, it was time to go into the forest now. That was the part Olly was really excited for. He made sure to grab some gloves and pull them onto his hands before also picking up a bucket. What was that for? Were they going to pick some of the plants and plant them in the bucket perhaps? He didn't know else they could possibly put in there but he would carry it for now. And he was going to stick close to Professor Myers because he didn't know many of the prefects, and didn't really want to have to stick close to Rooney. So he made sure to stay just behind Professor Myers, making him one of the first people to plunge into the forest.

Fire seed bushes sounded cool. Olly tried very hard to remember everything about them. Explosive, used in potions, lived in the shade and apparently in caves. What would he make with the fire seed though? It was hard to think of something since he didn't exactly know much about them. But if they had explosive properties then there was one thing that came to mind. "Fireworks maybe." He didn't have to talk very loud since he was still closely following Professor Myers. Olly also glanced around at who else was near to see if they might be thinking the same thing. "If the fire seeds are explosive then they might be useful in making fireworks. But what makes the seeds explode? Fireworks have to go off at a certain time, you don't want them to explode while they're still sitting on the ground in front of you."