An active, character-driven Hogwarts experience set in the early 2000s. Unique items, plots, and features. Non-canon; this isn't Harry Potter's story, it's ours.
Post by Lindsey Bryce on Oct 15, 2019 9:26:11 GMT 10
Lindsey had spent the morning out in the rain, going through the grounds to get a pot for her Herbology kit. The whole idea of growing herbs had always been a part of her life, mostly because her mother was a healer and herbologist. Lindsey had heard that class for the fifth years had finished, so she headed to the greenhouse as soon as she could. With a glance around, she searched for her owl for a moment and then headed down the path into the greenhouse.
Red plaited hair was pretty well soaked in top, but she seemed to not be phased by this much. As she looked around, she scanned the house for Professor Sprout before raising her voice in search. "Professor Sprout?" Her thick scottish accent seemed to flow from her easily as she looked around, pot under her arm, holding it steady with her other hand.
Professor Sprout made a sound to indicate she'd heard the Scottish girl, though was busy wrestling a twisty plant into its pot. She tossed in some soil and patted its leaves, then removed her gloves as she approached Lindsey.
'How may I be of assistance?' Sprout asked, though noticed the pot the Slytherin girl had with her. 'Here to request access to the Student Greenhouse? That's quite the commitment, as you know. Are you sure you're up to the task?'
She could make the assumption about Lindsey's reason for being there, as many students were doing that lately but also she knew this girl did well in her Herbology classes. She was actually surprised it had taken Lindsey this long.
Nevertheless, she awaited the girl's explanation for why she wanted to do this. Lindsey would have to be convincing, to show she was serious about the request and understood the hard work involved.
Post by Lindsey Bryce on Oct 15, 2019 22:08:39 GMT 10
The sound that followed her inquiries made her smile and she moved towards it, watching as the stout woman put some soil on the plant and gave the leaves a pat. As she removed her gloves, Lindsey made the final approach over towards the woman, whom she had high respect for. As she asked how she could help Lindsey, it didn't take long for Professor Sprout to notice the pot under her arms, which was soaked from the rain, about like Lindsey was.
"Aye Ma'am, I am. I'm use to helpin' my mam(mom) in her own garden and growing plants with her to help with her healin'. She has always encouraged me to take up some extra herbology at school and I just haven't thought about getting the kit until this year... Guess I wanted to make sure it was what I truly desired." She said to the stout woman before her as she pushed a bit of hair that had come out of it's plait. "Mam says I have a great skill with it and I do very much enjoy it me self." Lindsey added as she readjusted the pot in her hands. It was a bit heavy, but she didn't complain about it, mostly because it was like a warm anchor, holding her tight to the place on earth.
Lindsey's heart was pounding in her own chest as she awaited to see what Professor Sprout decided. She knew it would be her ultimate choice and she hoped she would approve.
Professor Sprout gave Lindsey a very warm smile. 'I'm sure your mother is very proud. And yes, you've always been a good student at Herbology.' She nodded. 'However, before I can give you access to the student greenhouse, I'd like to give you a chance to prove yourself and show you're willing to put the work in.'
She aimed her wand at a plant, and water sprouted from the tip as if would have a hose. 'The Water-Making Charm,' Sprout explained. 'Watering cans also do the job, but this spell is how it's done here. If you'd like to grow your own plants and use this greenhouse, you will need to know this spell.'
She made a gestured, teaching Lindsey the wand motion.
'Concentrate carefully,' Sprout said. 'Consider the need for water, and say the incantation: aquamenti.' She moved aside to give Lindsey easy access to the plant. It would take a few attempts, but she had faith in one of her best students to suceed. She also indicated to a spare counter, for the girl to set the pot aside as she'd need free use of her wand arm.
Free-RP is allowed; success and progress are determined by you.
Abigail made her way to the student greenhouse hoping to meet with Professor Sprout but was surprised to see that someone was already there speaking with her. Abby didn't know this girl personally she looked about her age maybe a little younger, however she was wearing Slytherin robes. Abby knew not to judge a book by its cover but she also knew to be wary.
"Sorry I don't want to interrupt but I was wondering if I could join you. My Grandparents had a magical garden and I was always in awe of it." Abby spoke kindly holding up her pot filled with dirt to show the others that she was ready to proceed.
Abby listened to Professor Sprout's instructions and took position by the Slytherin girl. "Hello I'm Abigail Maples, but you can call me Abby." She took a brief pause to listen to incantation that Professor Sprout was showing them. "So your mum's a healer? Mine too, muggle though." Abby spoke plainly awaiting the girl's response. Hopefully she was welcoming to the small talk.
It was Abby's turn to try the spell and she was determined to learn it. "Aquamenti," She spoke but only a few drops fell from the end of her wand. She sighed and stepped back waiting for another turn.
Post by Lindsey Bryce on Oct 16, 2019 8:24:36 GMT 10
As Professor Sprout spoke of Lindsey's Mother's Pride and how she was a 'Good Student', she could not help but give a slight blush and push her wet hair from her face. "Thank ye, Professor Sprout, that means a lot." She said before she listened to more of what Professor Sprout said to her. As she mentioned the work, Lindsey gave a nod. "I'll do what I must." She said in her strong highland accent.
As she was listening, her eyes caught the sound of another and she turned her head to see a Gryffindor walk into the house with them. The girl was vaguely familiar, probably someone she saw in the great hall during meals. The new girl also had a pot of dirt and it seemed she was here to learn the same thing. Returning her eyes to Professor Sprout, she watched as she made water come from the tip of her wand. Lindsey had seen this charm before, as it was one her mother used multiple times. One thing Lindsey knew was that it was an older student spell, normally taught to older students, but her mother had showed her the motions and the way to say the incantation, though never allowed her to practice since she was too young to do magic outside of school beyond the homework.
After it was explained, Lindsey placed her pot down and smiled at the Gryffindor as she introduced herself. "It's a pleasure to met ye... I'm Lindsey Bryce... And aye, my mam(mom) is a healer as well, though she grows both magical plants and non-magical, as her herbs are used to help both the magical community and muggle community... We live in a mixed community and everyone comes to her." Lindsey explained before pulling out her wand from the holster that was strapped to her arm within her sleeve, a gift her mother had made her years before.
Letting out a steady breath, she pointed her wand, and as she moved her hand from right to left, waving the wand slightly, she spoke the words, "Aquamenti." A small, pitiful stream came from the tip of her wand and let out a sound in her throat that seemed like a odd growl like sound before she stepped back to allow Abby another go.
Professor Sprout gave Abigail a stern, disapproving look when she seemed to be in quite a rush to get started - not waiting for Sprout to get a word in. She gave Abigail the same words about hard work and dedication as she had to Lindsey.
The Gryffindor girl's explanation for being there wasn't as elaborate as preferred, but Sprout let it slide. Being in awe of it all was never a bad thing, in fact it was an good reason to learn more about something. Everyone had different ways of going about things, after all. She was never one to judge, and could sense both girls had strong motivations for expanding their knowledge or experience beyond what's taught in class.
Sprout supervised as they began to practice the spell, giving the occasional tip or correcting some wand movements. She was pleased with their progress so far, and was confident they'd each get the hang of the spell soon.
Abby concentrated on learning the spell. She knew it would come in handy and had multiple uses besides just watering plants. She took into account of Professor Sprout's corrections and even watched Lindsey because she seemed to be getting a hang of the spell too.
"Aquamenti!" Abby said more determined. She imagined what her mother would be like in the operating room asking for materials 'Stat!' A small steady stream of water shot from the end of her wand. Abby was a little taken aback from the sudden success and some of the water missed the pot and got on the floor.
She wondered if she should continue to practice or not, the 'stream' of water was by no means the 'jet' of water Professor Sprout had produced. Abby stepped back and watched Lindsey attempt again.
Post by Lindsey Bryce on Oct 18, 2019 6:17:33 GMT 10
Lindsey's eye brows furrowed together as she concentrated on the spell in question. Having listened to the corrections that the professor made. Lindsey held her wand with ease, her grip firm but gentle on her want. The light colored birch wood complimented her own skin tone nicely and the length of the wand seemed to extend with great elegance. Moving her hand from right to left, she waved the wand in the correct motion and spoke the words yet again, her Scottish accent rolling off her tongue as she spoke the words. "Aquamenti!"
A stream of water came out, though not nearly as powerful as the professors, it was steady and she aimed it careful towards the pot. Some water seemed to splash into the puddle already made by the Gryffindor, Abby... But she did manage to get water into the plant. A smirk firmed on her lips and she stood taller, her red hair become frizzled due to drying. She felt confident about her ability to perfect the spell and took in a deep breathe, looking at the professor to see if she had any more corrections or if she just needed to practice to get it perfect.
'Well done, both of you,' Professor Sprout praised them. There were improvements to be made, but that would come with practice. They'd learned the spell and done a good job of it, so she was pleased with their efforts. 'Twenty points to each Gryffindor and Slytherin. I'd say you're as ready as you'll be.'
Sprout gathered supplies to get them started, which included some seeds so they could get right to work. 'You each may use this greenhouse any time during the day, except at breakfast. It'll be locked at night, so don't get any ideas.' She gave the girls a stern, yet warm look.
She lingered in case they had any questions or needed assistance with anything else, though began sorting some pots on spare table nearby. Sprout gave them plenty of space though, as she was confident the girls probably wanted to get started on their own pots and no longer needed her supervision.
Post by Lindsey Bryce on Oct 19, 2019 8:26:21 GMT 10
At the sound of praise, Lindsey smiled brightly, "Thank ye, Professor Sprout." She said as she put her wand away. When both the girls were reward points, Lindsey looked at Abby. "Well, I'm sure some of my housemates might disagree, but good work." She said with a smile. She knew the relationship between Slytherin and other houses was sometimes strained, but she was in no way, shape or form one to deny praise to others.
As they were given some seeds and other supplies, Lindsey accepted them with a thankful nod and went to stand by her own pot. As she told the girls when they were allowed to use the greenhouse, Lindsey looked up with a slight question. "Professor? Are their any plants that require planting at night? Or tendin' at night?" It was a question sprung out of mostly curiosity, as she had never looked into such plants.
Lindsey pulled out some yellow seeds to start her first plant going and she looked at the Professor. Pulling her pot close to her, she dug a hole into the middle of the plot and placed a yellow seed into the plot, gentle covering the seed with the dirt. Lindsey pulled her wand out and pointed it at the pot, moving her hand from right to left before saying the incantation, "Aquamenti." She waited for a stream of water to gentle came out of her wand; as she was concentrating hard to not put too much or too forceful into the pot. Then, she picked up the pot and placed it in the empty slot numbered 45.
Once that was done, Lindsey looked over at Professor Sprout. "Professor, I heard you might need some help with a plant." She said as walked over casually and smiled at the professor.
Last Edit: Oct 20, 2019 1:32:14 GMT 10 by Lindsey Bryce
'Oh, yes.' Professor Sprout nodded. 'Many plants thrive in moonlight or night conditions, though none here at Hogwarts - not that students would be handling, at least.'
Sprout resumed her own pot sorting task, while Lindsey planted her seeds. She glanced over as the girl's water-making charm was cast, pleased to see some improvement already. By the time Sprout was done sorting, Lindsey had regained her attention to ask a question.
'The plant in the corner?' Sprout checked, indicating to it. 'All right, let's get to work. I'll need you to mix a special fertiliser for it. Can you do that?' She led Lindsey over to spare spot of counter near the corner, though safely out of reach of any plants. There were some tools, containers, and sacks.
'Combine an even amount of manure, standard fertiliser potion, and powdered honey.' Sprout pointed to two sacks, and a vial of brown potion. It was implied that Lindsey would mix them together in the container, then bring them over to Sprout when done.
She heads to the corner, where the plant's pot rests on the ground. She stands by it, checking the leaves and preparing for their task.
Post by Lindsey Bryce on Oct 20, 2019 1:59:29 GMT 10
It was a shame they would not be able to work with those plants, but maybe one day with her mother she could learn about them. It was possible that she could write her mother and see if she could get some of the plants. Learning at home had always been something that happened in her family, so it would be no problem continuing her schooling at home during the breaks.
Once that was done and she asked Professor Sprout about the plant, the professor motioned towards it and Lindsey followed with her own eyes to see it. The professor was quick to set her to work and she smiled as she looked at the ingredients. Well, this would be interesting and she smiled at the professor. "Aye, Professor, I can do that." As she explained everything, Lindsey looked at the container and nodded, getting to work as she added each ingredients. She was careful to make sure that each one was put in equally to the others and mixed them all together.
As she finished, she picked up the container that held the mixture and walked over to the professor. "What kind of plant is it, Professor?"
'Something Dutch,' Sprout replied. 'I'm still trying to work out it's exact species. It was a gift from a Cursebreaker who I helped deal with some Devil's Snare a while back.'
When Lindsey approached with the container, Sprout moved to keep the plant's big bud distracted so it wasn't focused on the girl. 'Evenly place the mixture on the top soil,' she said. 'Be careful not to draw attention to yourself.'
Post by Lindsey Bryce on Oct 20, 2019 2:15:33 GMT 10
If the professor wasn't sure the exact species, Lindsey felt herself grow a little wary. She knew Professor Sprout was extremely knowledgeable with plants, but she also knew that there were many plants around the world.
As she got closer, she listened to the instructions of what she said and nodded, slowly moving around away from the bud that the professor was focused on. Lowering herself down in a position that allowed for easy movement in case she had to bolt, she placed the container down gently. Taking a slow-even breath, she scoped some the mixture out and placed it upon the soil and spread it out as evenly as she possibly could with her hands.
Keeping her eyes on her task, she glanced to check and make sure that the professor still had the bud in her direction and continued until the professor told her that it was enough. She was slow in her movements at all times, something she had witnessed her mother doing on many occasions.
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