#18 - The Hunt for A Better Potions Grade

The Potion Class today had been enlightening and she was still thinking about her notes. While she hadn't been sure what she wanted to do, the need to finish her own kit was there. It was good to get hands on experience and why she had waited so long was a mystery to even her. With the completion of her own Herbology kit recently, she felt confident in her ability to complete this one.

As she made her way to the lawn, she did take a moment to smile into the sky and look around. It was nice. The fresh air was pleasant and she only had a limited amount of time before she would be forced into her little space at home, with limited to no time outside. She hated that and she shivered for the moment at that thought.

With a quick look around, she was slightly surprised and suddenly nervous when she saw her sister out there. Did she not have class today? Charlotte wasn't sure and she swallowed a little before she made her way over towards her.

"Good morning, Elizabeth," she said meekly before she took a look around for some brittlebush. She did need it, afterall.

"Ah." Elizabeth said, mildly surprised to see Charlotte. She was still getting used to her younger sister being a Hogwarts student now, especially since they were in different houses. She wondered if Charlotte had seen those unruly first years and their actions. It was her house table, after all. "Good morning, Charlotte."

Elizabeth wasn't sure what else there was to say. Should she ask Charlotte about that morning's class? What did the first years even have? Not Care of Magical Creatures, of course. Elizabeth wondered if she should tell Charlotte not to take the class. Then, of course, she decided against it. Charlotte was only a first year, after all.

She collected two ingredients of Fluxygrass, and continued to search for Brittlebush. She glanced a few times at Charlotte to see if her sister was doing anything odd.

Brittlebush proved to be evasive this morning, as it was tricky to find the right bushes but also the right stage of growth. Even with the Spring revitalising the plants and grounds in general. 

Then, finally, Elizabeth found the right Brittlebush for what they needed -- able to collect a viable ingredient each. That would be all she could collect for now, but Charlotte could still collect another Fluxygrass found earlier or seek something else.

Charlotte smiled when her sister said it had been an alright morning and rushed over when her sister pointed out the Brittlebush. As she took it herself, she looked up at her older sister and then answered as she was putting the ingredient away.

"This morning we had Potions... We were learning to brew an herbicide, which the Professor was quick to warn not to take into the Greenhouse," she said in a matter of fact tone, but still one that held what one could call amusement. Charlotte did not pick up on it herself, but she felt a warm feeling in her chest as she began to look for anything else.

Pulling out her list, she searched it for anything else, but nothing seemed to be in this area.

"Elizabeth, can I ask you a question?" She asked as she began to roll the list up and put it away. "Did you have trouble with the Seek Charm during your first year? I know I asked before, but we were cut short when everyone started to leave for the match." The idea of match day made her stomach do a flip. So many loud, excited people leaving all at once.

Charlotte was quite happy to have the plant now and looked at her collection. She would have to count later, because at a glance, she wasn't sure if she had all five. But, she was also excited to go back to the Greenhouse.

Morning was almost over and she wished to plant some seeds before she had managed to make it to lunch.

"I know I would be very unhappy if someone did that to my plants... It is quite..." The word fun had come to her mind, but she felt a sudden urge to stop herself from saying it.

"Educational to learn when you can do it, over just reading about it," Charlotte said in a small tone. "Do you think mother and father will ever allow us to do lessons that are more hands on?" She asked in a tone that said she really wanted something like that, but also knew the answer.

So, Elizabeth had been able to do it? Charlotte felt her heart sink and she let out a sigh as she glanced down at the ground, pretending to look for anything else. Then why had the professor told her about needing a bond with someone else? Maybe she should speak to the professor?

When Elizabeth said she was leaving, Charlotte shook her head and decided it was time for herself to go.

"I am headed to the Greenhouse," She said and with that she went towards the Greenhouse.