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 Elizabeth Doren on Jul 11, 2020 7:01:17 GMT 10
Elizabeth headed to the greenhouse, setting her pot down. She would try to find Professor Sprout, and if she wasn't in the greenhouse the staff room was Elizabeth's next plan, but she wouldn't want to carry all that dirt around for that long. She looked for the Herbology professor, though she didn't call out for the professor, in case there were other students around. She most definitely did not want to seem like a fool.
Hopefully she could get this over with quickly, she considered as she pondered what getting her Herbology kit would be like. Planting seeds, growing plants. It wasn't something Elizabeth was very comfortable with, which was why she had to do it. In case whatever her parents decided was based even the tiniest bit in Herbology or plants. Even with Potions, sometimes you needed some stuff from Herbology.
Professor Sprout was busy weeding some prickly-looking plants nearby. Her back was turned, so she hadn't heard Elizabeth come in. The Professor moved away from where she was working, which made her presence noticeable to Elizabeth and anyone else who came by.
She tossed aside some thick gardening gloves. 'Hello,' Sprout said when she spotted her Slytherin company. 'How may I help you, Miss Doren?'
Though she was surprised to see her in the greenhouse during free time, Sprout was mostly curious and willing to help as surely there would be a good or interesting reason for it. She noticed the garden pot nearby but didn't want to just assume it was Elizabeth's.
Post by Elizabeth Doren on Jul 12, 2020 12:22:22 GMT 10
"I was wondering if I could have your permission to practice my Herbology skills in the greenhouse. I feel as if they need improving." Elizabeth gestured to the pot, "The groundskeeper..." Elizabeth could not recall his name and hadn't asked for it. Titles would seemingly be enough to her. She wouldn't be offended if someone referred to her as 'the fifth year Slytherin prefect,' after all.
"...gave me this pot, and I was hoping to practice my skills today." she said once more. She wasn't sure about Professor Sprout. Herbology was one of her weaker points, and it was Sprout's favourite, Elizabeth assumed, as she taught it. So she might have a lesser opinion of Elizabeth, something the fifth year would be sure to remedy if that was indeed the case.
'Hagrid,' Professor Sprout kindly informed her of the groundskeeper's name, though she was surprised a 5th year wouldn't know it by now. Then again, she supposed it made sense for a select few and the social circles they usually kept to.
'There is always room for improvement, for those willing to put the work in.' Sprout nodded. 'Having access to the Student Greenhouse and making use of it in you free time... that's quite a commitment. Are you sure you're up to the task?' She wanted to know why Elizabeth sought the permission, and to be convinced that she was serious about it and the work involved.
Elizabeth had always been a diligent though somewhat less hands-on student, but that was during classes. Sprout didn't otherwise know the girl very well or her ambitions. It always interested her in who showed up asking to use the greenhouse in their spare time, and it wasn't often the ones she might expect to seek it out. She was happy to help, so long as their intentions were well-meaning and respectful of the subject.
Post by Elizabeth Doren on Jul 16, 2020 12:27:12 GMT 10
Elizabeth acknowledged Hagrid's name by nodding her head, though she wasn't really certain if she would remember it. It seemed easy enough and so she tried not to let it escape her mind. Hadn't she just been considering learning more names, anyways?
"I am, Professor Sprout." she said, standing up taller as always. Keeping a few plants couldn't be that hard, and if she ever became, a Healer, perhaps, maybe she would benefit from knowing which plants would cause rashes from first hand experience. She wondered if that was a job her parents would be pushing her towards in the future.
Professor Sprout wasn't entirely impressed with the response, as she'd expected more of an explanation that would convince her of the fact. Yet Elizabeth was a bit different compared to her peers, and Sprout knew the girl took her studies seriously. On those counts, it was enough.
'Before I give you access, I'd like you to prove yourself and show you're willing to put the work in,' Sprout said. She aimed her wand at a plant nearby, and water sprouted from the tip like a hose. 'The Water-Making Charm. 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 gesture, teaching Elizabeth the wand motion.
'Concentrate carefully,' Sprout said. 'Consider the need for water, and say the incantation: aquamenti.' She indicated to a second plant to practice on. It would take a few attempts, but she was confident Elizabeth could do it.
Free-RP is allowed; success and progress are determined by you.
Post by Elizabeth Doren on Jul 17, 2020 0:37:38 GMT 10
Elizabeth knew the Water-Making Charm already, so she was pleased that she would have a chance at something she already understood. She glanced at the plant, holding her wand much as Professor Sprout had, and spoke the incantation, "Aquamenti."
She was more pleased when she found the jet of water coming out of her wand, just as expected. If this had been one of her lessons with a tutor and her parents had observed, they might have deemed her performance satisfactory enough to get a slight smile from one of them, and the thought made her smile.
Elizabeth looked over at Professor Sprout. Would she, too, let a small smile cross her face? Would she praise Elizabeth? Or was something that she had done wrong. She waited for Professor Sprout's response, nervous. If Professor Sprout wrote her parents, what would they say?
From the practised way Elizabeth cast the spell, Professor Sprout could tell it wasn't new to her. She shouldn't be surprised really, as the Doren children were known for being a bit advanced in their studies.
'I'm impressed. You've clearly cast this before. Why didn't you say so?' Sprout said, amused. 'Nevertheless, well done. Your wand motions were perfect. Three points to Slytherin.'
She gathered supplies to get Elizabeth started, which included some seeds.
'You may use this greenhouse any time during the day, except at breakfast or lunch,' Sprout explained. 'It'll be locked at night, so don't get any ideas.' She her a stern yet warm look. Not that Slytherins were typically known for getting caught in places they shouldn't after curfew. Still, it was only fair that each student was warned all the same. No one should be defined by house alone.
Post by Elizabeth Doren on Jul 25, 2020 11:06:18 GMT 10
Elizabeth turned a little red. Maybe she should have said something before, but with an opportunity to show something she knew, she would always take it. "Thank you, Professor." she said when awarded the house points, nodding her head. She accepted the supplies gratefully, recalling the letter she had written her parents about purchasing some other supplies.
"Thank you." she said again. She fiddled with her prefect badge when Professor Sprout mentioned it would be locked at night. Would one of her duties be to stand guard outside and make sure nobody tried to break in? "You don't have to worry about me, Professor. I would never break in."
Elizabeth got to work with her planting. She wanted to be done with this sooner rather than later so she could prepare herself for tea with the Minister, or maybe study for more things. Sometimes she wished that she had a better idea of what her parents wanted her to do. It would make keeping them pleased with her efforts so much easier.
She put on the gloves, not wanting to get her hands dirty, and planted her pink seeds in spot 31, blue seeds in spot 32, and yellow seeds in spot 33. Then, she watered them, "Aquamenti." Hopefully she was good at this. Herbology did make sense to her, even if she didn't totally enjoy getting her hands dirty. She dusted herself off. "Thanks again, Professor." Then she headed out to see how much morning free time she had left.
Post by Grace Babineaux on Aug 2, 2020 16:15:00 GMT 10
Grace wanted to get her Herbology kit. She had the pot, she knew the next step was to head to the Greenhouse. She did feel a little guilty for starting without Gerald, but she was truly excited for what the seed had to offer her. Why else would O'Klore want them to do their sacrifices separately? Grace could only hope that her book's loss was not in vain as she headed to the Greenhouse.
"Professor Sprout!" she called, somewhat out of breath from both running and attempting not to spill the soil from her pot. "Do I..." Grace huffed, "Have time to get my Herbology kit before lunch?" she held up her pot, still trying to catch her breath. At least she had been able to enjoy tea with Hagrid.
Professor Sprout was just putting away her gloves when Grace entered. 'Goodness, we'd have to make it quick,' she said, nodding. Sprout wasn't about to turn someone away from learning more about caring for magical plants, but lunch was getting close so their time was limited.
She smiled at the Gryffindor girl, already confident she genuinely wanted the kit because not many students would have ventured to the greenhouse so close to meal time. Unless it was one of those who were never on time, which was not Grace's record.
Nevertheless, Sprout was always fair and considerate. It was only fair that Grace got the same response and chance to prove herself as everyone else. 'That's quite a commitment,' she said. 'Are you sure you're up to the task?'
Post by Grace Babineaux on Aug 2, 2020 16:23:27 GMT 10
Grace was still huffing, so she simply nodded. She did like the reputation of the Professor, and from experience she was much less frightening than Snape. If she needed her Potions kit right before lunch, she'd be better off begging the creatures of the Forbidden Forest.
Grace grinned. "Absolutely, Professor!" Even though Herbology was a little boring to her, she was always excited when it came to stuff like the seed. Though she did have to wonder if Professor Sprout would be sneaking a glance at her special seed and wondering what it was. Heck, maybe she knew already.
It wasn't exactly a convincing argument, but Professor Sprout glanced at the time again and nodded. She had faith in Grace, so that was good enough for her.
'Before I give you access, you'll need to show you're willing to put the work in,' Sprout said. She aimed her wand at a plant on a counter behind Grace, and water sprouted from the tip like a hose. 'The Water-Making Charm. 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 explained, just as she had done for Elizabeth earlier.
She made a gesture, teaching Grace the wand motion.
'Concentrate carefully,' she said. 'Consider the need for water, and say the incantation: aquamenti.' Sprout indicated to the plant beside the one she'd watered, for Grace to practice on. It's take several attempts, but Grace had the potential to do well.
Free-RP is allowed; success and progress are determined by you.
Post by Grace Babineaux on Aug 2, 2020 16:31:37 GMT 10
Grace moved aside quickly, at first thinking that Professor Sprout was going to cast a spell on her. She quickly realized that it was just for the plant. Phew! Grace watched, mimicking the wand movements with her free hand. Alright, that seemed easy enough. It was always the thinking part the got Grace; she could do the theory just fine.
The first attempt failed. Not a single drop of water. Grace sighed, then again, "Aquamenti!" Nothing there, either. Grace shifted her wand in her hand, "Aquamenti!" she said again, letting out a small cheer as a few drops spurted outwards.
"Aquamenti!" she said, thinking about water, she really, really needed water for this to work. To her delight, a small stream shot out of her wand. She'd done it! She'd gone and learned the spell! She turned to Professor Sprout, "How was that?" she asked.
'Well done,' Professor Sprout praised Grace. She'd get better at it with practice, but she'd learned the spell well so she was pleased. 'Eight points to Gryffindor. I'd say you're ready.'
Sprout gathered supplies to get Grace started, which included some seeds. 'You may use this greenhouse any time during the day, except at breakfast or lunch. It'll be locked at night, so don't get any ideas.' She gave the girl a stern yet warm look.
With that done, Sprout gave Grace an encouraging nod then left the greenhouse to go get cleaned up before lunch.
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