#21 - Collecting for a Cause

The cloudy weather certainly made for a pleasant afternoon, if a little overcast which sadly obscured any bright sunlight that could have aided either of them. But the afternoon wasn't too chilly and moving around would help keep both of them warm.

Arthur had chosen a good place to begin looking for the mud toadstools, but he would definitely need to search carefully. They loved damp and muddy ground so perhaps moving closer to the water's edge would help him spot some.

The slime covering Amelia's arms was slowly drying but was still sticky and could possibly distract her from her task at hand. The water was mostly still but every so often there would be a small ripple, as if a small creature had dived under the surface.

It wouldn't be easy to spot the algae amongst the other reeds and grasses but if she took her time, she could be rewarded for her patience.

Amelia was sticky, she hated it! She wanted to go crazy, but she got closer to the water's edge and looked into the reeds. The closer to the water she got, she took off her shoes and socks, putting her feet into the water. She was careful, not going to far in the water. She reached down, rubbing some water on her hands and arms to try and get some of the slime off.

Lake water was better than slime in her honest opinion.

She searched the Reeds, looking for the algae so she could collect them for Snape. The snake making her get nasty like this. She was no stranger to this, but she hated it.

Amelia let out a gasp at the cold water, but after a while of walking, she was use to it. It was cold, but it was the best way to find what she was seeking. And sure enough, she saw the green algae and it looked to be enough. She was careful as she got to it, not wanting to disturb it too much before she started to scoop it.

Once she had the first jar out, she took her time to collect the first batch. It was hard work, she algae was very slick and she growled a little when didn't get enough the first time. She was slow and gentle with the algae. Why couldn't this be the algae that the herbology processor told her about? What was it... Quick Grow or something? She would need to find her notes from the year before.

She started on the second one shortly after capping her first jar. She was again slow and careful. Her feet were freezing from standing so long in the same spot, but soon she had the second jar capped and smiled at her work. Finally, she got out of the lake, grabbed her shoes and socks, put her jars in her bag and headed to the castle.

Shower and then Snape... That was her next plan.

Amelia had no problems collecting the algae she wanted as she went slow, careful with each scoop.

The trick was to skim the jar through the water without disturbing the algae too much.

Which was something Arthur would have to keep in mind as well.

Where Amelia had been before him was no good now. The water remained still, with few ripples disturbing the surface and so he needed to walk along to find more algae.

The algae was tricky to spot amongst the other water plants growing here and there. There wasn't a lot of daylight left either so he would need to work quickly.

If he searched carefully enough he would find a patch of mature algae. It was hidden amongst some reeds but there was certainly enough here for two jars full, if he wanted or needed it.