[Herbology] Term 5 - Class 1 - Lights Out

[Carolanne Roberts]

Laney looked around at the quiet classroom as she sat next to Ashton. Seeing no hands fly up right away she decided to take a stab at it. Knowing nothing of Devil's snare didn't exactly help her out but she didn't want to be the quiet one in the classroom. Raising her hand sheepishly she cleared her throat, "Um, well, couldn't it attack you or grow extremely fast?" she answered, or more like asked.

Laney hunched her shoulders a bit. Runes was her thing, not Herbology. She could already hear the snickers about her from the other students. "Well at least I try to participate," she muttered to herself.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash gave a small nod and smile at Laney's answer, squeezing her hand reassuringly under the table. "Just ignore them Laney." he murmured in her ear, referring to the ones who had laughed.

[Darius Willis]

Ignoring the Slytherin's comment, Darius watched as more students came into the greenhouse. "You, short-stuff." He grinned, turning to Bray. He paused for a moment, before bursting out laughing. "So, lemme guess. Your mum did a leprechaun. Or wait, was it your dad who did one?" He knew that Bray would probably beat him over the head or something, that is, if he could reach it.

As more students walked in, Gunner was surprised to find most of them Ravenclaws. He knew the Ravenclaws were nerds, but were they the kind of nerds that liked to group together? The thought of that made Dar wish he was sorted into a different house, but they were probably all the same way.

When the lights dimmed, it took a moment for Darius's eyes to adjust to the sudden lack of light. He focussed on the box, trying to figure out what was inside of it. Before he bothered to start thinking, a fellow Ravenclaw had answered. Devil's Snare.. It sounded familiar, but Dar was sure he hadn't learned it at Durmstrang. They probably talked about it, but either way, he was interested.

He figured he might as well sit back and enjoy the learning experience; he leaned back in his chair, causing the front legs to go up, and placed his hands behind his head. Gunner was still paying attention, of course, just in a more comfortable position.

[Bradyn Reed]

Bradyn grunted and glared at Dar. Perhaps he should have gone and sat by Ash, but he thought he'd spend some time with Dar. Obviously that was the wrong idea. "Actually, both of my parents are 5'8". And all of my siblings are taller than me, even my younger one. So yes, laugh it off. And shut up." He snapped before turning his attention back to the teacher.

Ah, so it was devil's snare. Bray smirked a bit and glanced towards Ash, seeing as he should remember their little encounter with it in the forest. Ash should know how to beat Devil's Snare better than anyone else in this class, and if he didn't then he'd have to let that slip to Fay and have her beat him over the head a few times.

"Devil's Snare is a highly dangerous plant. It's composed of tentacle-like vines that it can move freely and seem to be able to feel things. It uses those vines to bind it's victims, holding them down and eventually choking and constricting them to death." He said with a little smile. Even if Herbology wasn't his cup of tea, Devil's Snare was a different topic. It was more fun to learn about. "The more you struggle against it, the more pressure it will put on you, much like what muggles call Quick Sand." Bray resisted the urge to turn towards Erys and stick his tongue out at her, though it seemed rather tempting as he seemed to beat her in the book definitions for once.

[herbie]

"Mr. Willis." Jane said, putting her hands on her hips. "Try to keep profanity out of my greenhouse, and 3 points for your behavior, honestly. You're in the same house! Be civil!" Jane shook her head.

Jane smiled at Laney. "Good try." She said. Seeing that snickering students around her. "Well, at least she had the guts to take a shot." She said, smiling at Laney and her brother who was trying to comfort her. "Anyone else?"

Jane smiled at Bradyn. Redemption is sweet. "Correct! 10 points." Jane took out her wand and flicked it at the box. The box disappeared a a plant with tentacles, just as Bradyn had described, was seen.

"This is a very small specimen, the biggest the Ministry would give me. And no, Miss. McLane, it will not spontaneously grow." Jane said with a smile. "However, I don't think a small engorgement charm is out of the question." Jane waved her wand a again and the plant grew. It was now about five feet wide and eight feet tall. The greenhouse was rather large, so the students were still safe. However, Jane kept her wand out.

"Now, isn't it lovely." Jane said watched the tentacles move about aimlessly, annoyed with the tingle of the charm. After a few moments the movement ceased. "As Mr. Reed said, the devil snare captures its prey and strangles it to death with its tentacles. If you struggle, it will only kill you faster. If you don't struggle, it will kill you eventually. Doesn't sound too promising if you get caught in one of these now does it." Jane smiled at her students. She hoped that she was scaring them, it was a fun.

"Lucky for us, we have magic at our disposal. What would you do if you were up against a Devil Snare, trapped and helpless?" she asked her students.

_______________________________________________

Points:
Hufflepuff: 5
Ravenclaw: 41
Gryffindor: 5
Slytherin: 10

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash spoke up, "Well, since Devil's Snare grows in dark, damp places, you could use the Lumos charm, which provides light, or if you're really careful about it, Incendio which produces heat. Either of these would hold off Devil's Snare. But it's best to use Lumos. True, it only provides light, but it's still efficient. Plus, unlike with Incendio, there's no risk of being burned."

[Alexis Heart]

She was slow today usually she was one of the first to answer but today well everyone else was just beating her to it. Still she tried not to get frustrated she was usually answering questions in class and helped gain her house a few points along the way, so what if today she wasn't the girl answering every question, at least the ones that were belonged to her very own house. Yes Claws were rather smart and at times they tended to dominate lessons with their sharp wit. It did make them hated by some of the other houses especially they Slytherins whom they always seemed to be in competition with, but that fact only made the house more appealing to Alexis.

So far her house was up in points based on her calculations, that was all one could really ask for wasn't it?

Now she knew they were working with Devil's Snare. That was a very tricky plant one that was highly dangerous which was probably why the box was small if there was a lot she highly doubted that the professor or the class as a whole would be able to handle it. Well she had to give the woman that much she knew how to make a class entertaining. Who ever would have thought they'd be in a room with some form of deadly plant as part of a school lesson, certainly not her.

[Darius Willis]

Biting his lower lip, Dar resisted laughing. "Alright. I'll be quiet now." He snickered, resisting the urge to laugh, and make another remark. Upon hearing his name, Darius immediately knew he was in trouble. 'Crap.' He thought, looking at the professor now. "Sorry.." He mumbled, embarrassed he'd been so loud. 'Ah well, what's three points?' He thought, knowing if he would say it out loud, his fellow house mates would pummel him to the ground.

As the professor let out the Devil's Snare, Gunner was sure it would go running about the room, attacking whoever it saw. Surprisingly, the plant wasn't as large as he had hoped. But, within a few minutes, someone had made a comment, and the thing grew (Professor Beckket had made it grow). The professor herself was keeping a wand out, just in case. Who knew if the enlarged plant would go insane. Could plants do that in the wizarding world? Probably; anything could happen.

[herbie]

"Very Good Mr . Laurent." Jane said, smiling. "Lumos is a very good way to stop a Devil's snare, as is Incendio. Take five points." Jane smiled at him. "However, Mr. Laurent didn't mention the spell we will be using today."

Jane looked at her students. "Now, do I have to stress that this is a very dangerous plant, and many a bad things could happen to you if you are not paying attention? I didn't think so." She smiled at the class and waved her wand toward a blackboard in the far corner of the room. The writing glowed slightly so the class could see it, and the Devil's Snare gave a shuddered to the light. Upon the board was written.

Bluebell Flames.

"Now can anyone tell me Why I have picked this charm? I suppose that is more of a question Professor Hubbles might ask, but lets see what fine work he has done with you!"

_______________________________________________

Points:
Hufflepuff: 5
Ravenclaw: 46
Gryffindor: 5
Slytherin: 10

[Erys Grace]

Unsure, the Slytherin still raised her hand, "I believe it is very controllable, and also waterproof in most cases, so it can work underwater. You can direct it anywhere you want. Its also easy to conjure and move around." Erys Grace put out there, wondering if that was really the answer. She must have missed the charms lesson on Bluebell Flames, which was probably the reason she received only an adequate mark on her charms essay on the spell. Ah, well, at least she studied up somewhat on it afterwards. And at least she tried! She didn't see anyone else attempting to rack up the points for her house.

Tapping her wand slightly against a nearby desk, Erys kept her eyes on the dangerous plant, curious as to what else they could do with it. If anyone was going to stick their hand in there, it was her! Alas, the professor probably wouldn't dare have a student do that, even though they'd be well protected against it.[/color]

[Jac Shaw]

A Ravenclaw said it was Devil's Snare and Jac had to agree with her, not wanting to admit it she kept her thoughts to herself. Jac watched the class carefully, a smirk across her face. The interactions with the students in the same houses were most amusing, even better then locking the Puff and Slyth in the broom cupboard together. That had been fun but this was almost better the the small Gryffindor's mind.

Bluebell Flames? Jac ran the phrase though her mind, trying to place it. She knew she had heard it somewhere, perhaps read it, and then, as the Slytherin began to speak, the girl with the multi coloured hair remembered. When performed properly it is quite pretty, a rather insipid word to explain the beauty of it but there it was.

Jac took a wondering step towards Erys, listening intently as the Slytherin spoke. She was careful not to get too near to the tendrils that flapped around lazily. "Yeah," Jac said, "and well, the Bluebell Flame is a type of fire, and Devil's Snare hates, not only sunlight, but warmth created by fire. So using any spell that conjures a flame will work. But for the reason's Erys said the Bluebell it the best choice."

Jac put her hands behind her, locking her fingers together and leaning against a cabinet of some sort. She smiled at the Professor. Devil's Snare, though highly dangerous, was fascinating and worth a closer look.

[herbie]

"Two points For Slytherin and Two Points for Gryffindor." Jane said smiling, finally some participation from the other houses. However, Jane was dismayed that her own Hufflepuff's were being shy. However,s he knew that it was a house trait and she shouldn't expect to much.

"Miss Grace made a lovely point that the bluebell flame is very controlled. You can put it where ever you want, and yes, water does not effect it. The light, placed in a strategic place, would most certainly tick off our little, well, big friend here." Jane said, her wand still at the ready, although the plant seemed content for the time being.

"Miss Biggerstall also made a lovely point that Devil's Snare not only hate light, but heat, which you can not achieve from the lighting spell." Jane rolled up her sleeves and smiled. "Now, everyone know how to perform the bluebell flame charm?" Jane looked around and seeing their faces, she demonstrated it pronouncing the spell slowly so they would be able to catch on. With the small flicker, and very small flame appeared the at the end of her wand. The Devil's Snare gave a large shudder and its tentacles started moving about. Jane put out the flame immediately.

"Not to worry." Jane said with a smile. "Everyone got it? Good." Jane smiled and took a step forward toward the plant. "If you will form a line behind me..." She asked, and the students scurried into place.

"Now, the exciting part of today's lesson." Jane said with a devilish grin. "You will be saving me from the Devil's Snare."

_______________________________________________

Points:
Hufflepuff: 5
Ravenclaw: 46
Gryffindor: 7
Slytherin: 12

[Erys Grace]

Though she knew the spell, Erys Grace practised the spell once more, just to be sure before she took her place at the front of the line. Awaiting to hear what was going to be happening, the arched an eyebrow once finally receiving the answer: they would be saving her from the dangerous plant? Well, this was new. So Beckket was going to throw herself over and get wrapped up in spindly little tentacles was she? Interesting, very interesting.

Not bothering to announce the fact that she was very much ready, Erys Grace simply stretched her arm out, pointing her wand towards it. Making one of those 'alright, go' looks with her eyes, she waited expectantly in silence. It should happen soon, right?[/color]

[Jac Shaw]

Jac snorted a laugh as she kicked her ruck sack closer to the cabinet she was leaning on. She should have realised that Erys would have ignored her. Jac didn't know why but she liked this Slytherin, though she would never admit it. She liked the girl's style and her 'take no nonsense' attitude. Quickly following the Slytherin into the line, Jac shook her head to herself, knowing she shouldn't have expected a high-five or anything.

Her wand in hand, and the incantation running through her mind a few times, Jac took a step out of line to look passed Erys towards the professor to hear instructions. When they came, Jac smirked and chuckled. "Sure that's wise, Prof?" Jac asked, "Entrusting your life to us delinquents?" Jac wasn't doubting her own ability or even Erys's. It was everyone else's knack for getting in the way that she was counting one. "Shouldn't I call Nish or Darke here before you do this?" This was a joke, of course, as she was sure the professor had already informed the healers of her crazy idea and that she would definitely be visiting them at some time during the night.

[Amara Conway]

Amara listened carefully to the words for the incantation as she pulled out her long, thin wand, mouthing it. The class began to move and so Amara moved with it. Once she had reached the far wall, Mara said the incantation and a small ball of blue flame formed from her wand. Smirking at her own genius, Mar quickly extinguished the flame and turned back to the class. The Gryffindor Jac with the brightly coloured hair was speaking about Healers but Mar had missed it completely.

Remaining at the end of the line, the young Claw looked at Bradyn with a little frown. "What was that?" she asked. She had been too busy practicing the spell to hear what the professor wanted to do. If she had she would more then likely not have protested. It would be brilliant to see that, a sight not often seen. Those were always worth seeing.