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 MJ Birdwhistle on Oct 7, 2023 9:08:42 GMT 10
After her run in with Amara (and still reeling from the fact it went as smoothly as it did), MJ wanted to tick another ingredient off her list. This one, however, she wasn't entirely certain how to find or gather.
As she contemplated what to do, MJ strode past Professor Sprout's office and then backtracked. Who better to ask but the Herbology Professor herself?
Pleased with her light-bulb moment, MJ knocked on the Professor's door and waited.
Hopefully she was inside her office and not off somewhere else... Though MJ wouldn't mind chasing her down, she would much prefer this to be a simpler task. Amara had run her ragged already from corridor to corridor and the Grand Staircase.
Thinking about it, MJ puffed out some air that caused her fringe to dance for a few moments.
As if swept by a gentle breeze, the door opened on its own to reveal the cosy office.
Professor Sprout was at her desk, taking notes and cataloguing a range of unusual-looking seeds. She smiled upon glancing at the doorway, and moved around the desk to give her undivided attention -- waiting patiently to hear why she'd been sought out.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Oct 7, 2023 19:23:39 GMT 10
"Good Afternoon, Professor. Sorry to disturb you but I have a quick question that I hope you can answer?" MJ entered the office and quickly glanced around. While not as nice as Professor Rivera's (which was one of her favourites) this was a close second, perhaps.
She smiled politely and it seemed like Professor Sprout wanted her to continue -- so she did, "I need to find a plant called an Archblade? I'm hoping to gather a few of them to use for potion brewing but I don't know where to look for it?"
The guide she had been using for other ingredients would either hint at a location to try, such as the Great Lake, or a time of day etcetera but this one (and a few others) weren't so easy to get, it seemed.
Hopefully she had made the right choice in asking Professor Sprout.
Professor Sprout set aside her tools, giving MJ a warm smile to show she really didn't mind the interruption at all. She nodded at the Ravenclaw's request, thinking on it for a moment as she had no shortage of magical plants to mentally sort through.
Understanding it was a Potions ingredient, Sprout nodded.
'I do believe I have some to spare, that could be put to good use.' She nodded. 'I'll have to go retrieve it and... well, if it's not too much trouble -- in the meantime, would you be a dear and deliver this to the Owlery for me? I'm afraid I've not found the time to do it myself today. But I really need to get these deliveries ordered.'
Professor Sprout retrieved a sealed letter from one of her drawers, offering it for MJ to accept.
'By the time you do that, I'm sure to have the ingredient freshly picked and waiting for you,' she said, knowing it might take a moment to choose the perfect school owl for the task. They could be a bit picky at times, when used by students.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Oct 8, 2023 15:41:54 GMT 10
As Professor Sprout spoke, MJ's face lit up. She had made the right call! She nodded as the task was explained to her and she took the letter. MJ didn't even look to see who it was addressed too as she held it close to her chest.
She'd deliver it safe and sound!
"Thank you so much Professor, I won't be too long." She promised as she turned and exited the office. There was a big smile on her face as she thought about being one step (or perhaps, one ingredient) closer to being able to brew a Polyjuice Potion.
A part of her was scared about brewing such a big potion and she hoped she wouldn't mess it up...
Otherwise, she'd have to collect more ingredients!
MJ hurried down the corridor and towards the big doors that led outside.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Oct 8, 2023 20:05:19 GMT 10
MJ knocked on the office door and entered with a smile, "Your letter has been safely delivered. Rather a keen owl, might be an express service?"
She hoped Professor Sprout didn't mind a little joke as MJ stepped further into her office. She allowed herself a bit more time to look around this time since she hadn't been in the office during her first year.
Poor Professor Sprout had always been at the Greenhouse sorting out this and that.
MJ stood in the middle and waited patiently -- she was eager to see what an Archblade even looked like, never mind to have one for herself. She was so close to being able to brew this potion...
The Christmas holidays would be a good time to get the rest of the ingredients she needed, she thought to herself. She was always planning the next step.
'Oh, that's always good to know.' Professor Sprout smiled as MJ returned to her office, and set aside some notes she'd been checking while waiting for her. 'And, as promised...'
She retrieved the Archblade ingredient for MJ, carefully offering it to the young Ravenclaw. It was quite magical-looking, with its almost metallic two-toned petals and the bright blue in the middle. Nothing she'd seen growing around the castle, that's for sure.
'Was there anything else you needed?' Sprout asked, just to be sure.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Oct 9, 2023 22:48:35 GMT 10
"Woah, it's beautiful." MJ looked at the plant, as she twirled it slowly between her fingers. The metallic leaves caught the light and she gave Professor Sprout a satisfied smile.
As she put it away, MJ shook her head at the Professor's question and then changed her mind, "Actually, if I need another one in the future should I just stop by to ask you again?"
She didn't know if there was anywhere to find it herself or if it was a rare plant that only Professor Sprout grew (within Hogwarts). It definitely wasn't like anything else she had spotted while ingredient hunting in the past.
It wouldn't bother her if she had to ask Professor Sprout again -- at least then she would know she was guaranteed to get one.
'Yes, you're more than welcome to make another request in the future, if need be,' Professor Sprout said, her words a promise. 'Some ingredients are just a bit too tricky. You'll find that many of your Professors have some personal resources or Herbology hobbies themselves; don't be afraid to ask to some help, as you've done today.'
Though Professor Snape in particular may not appreciate this being stated as a welcome invitation, Professor Sprout's words were still true. There was a reason that some ingredients were listed yet couldn't easily be found around Hogwarts despite this. If Snape put it on the list, then it had to be obtainable.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Oct 11, 2023 16:14:47 GMT 10
"Ah! That makes sense! Wow, thank you Professor!" MJ grinned, remembering how she had also got Wolfweed from Professor Hathmore as well... So some Professors were the key to finding certain ingredients?
This just made things more fun (and challenging, when she thought about some teachers).
"Thank you again, Professor. I won't take up much more of your time." MJ smiled and turned to leave the office. She still had a few more things to collect but she couldn't think about that now.
Her stomach grumbled and MJ knew she was ready for dinner.
With that thought, she hurried towards Ravenclaw tower to drop off her things.
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December
