Fifth Years: Lesson Three

“Good afternoon, fifth years!” Angel greeted from his usual spot reclining at his desk as the class settled in. “Hope you’re ready for a little hard work today, we’re going to be getting very hands on,” he said, slowly drawing himself onto his feet and wiggling his fingers, motioning the class to join him by the far greenhouse wall were a line of today’s plants were set up to be potted.

“We’ll be looking at Bouncing Bulbs today, note the distinctive purple bulb,” Angel said, beckoning the class a little closer. “Now these plants are at least partially sentient, they tend to uh, attack, when they feel threatened so watch yourself. These younger bulbs are small enough to be handled while they’re growing and a quick knockback jinx or shield charm can keep them at bay, but you’ll need to be very careful once these get bigger.” Moving the bulbs into the greenhouse in the first place had been quite a mission in itself, and Angel had already repaired one broken window today. He’d known there was a chance the kids could get hurt today, but Angel didn’t consider the plant much more dangerous than letting the students play Quidditch, so they’d be fine. Besides, what better way to remember a plant than having it beat it into you.

“They’re calm now, but be prepared once you get your hands on them you’re gonna need to keep that grip. Watch me,” Angel said, flexing his own gloved hands a few times before grasping the bulb firmly. The bulb flinched as Angel moved forward before springing to life, roiling in his grasp as he tried to wrestle it into its new pot. “The secret is quick, strong move-” Angel was cut off with a grunt as the bulb made a sudden move towards him, managing a stinging glancing blow before he finally slammed the bulb into the dirt, quickly burying it and packing the dirt tightly. “Quick, strong movements,” He finished with a sigh of relief, panting, before straightening up and smiling at the class. “No sweat, right?” Stepping back and brushing some loose hair away from his eyes delicately, Angel motioned to the class. “Your turn!” He said, dusting the dirt off his hands before stepping back several feet to stay clear of the ensuing carnage as the students got started.

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RP the lesson and repotting your bulb, have fun, they’re feisty.

 

[Hinata Edogawa]

Herbology was... interesting. Like most of her classes, Hinata hadn't really been paying much attention until this year. There had been a lot of catching up that needed to be done, especially to get her up to par for OWLs, but she thinks she's been doing well. Herbology was going a little more interestingly. Today, apparently, they were going to be tackling bouncing bulbs. She winced a little as Professor Castillo showed them the proper way to handle the plants - or perhaps she should say wrangle? It was going to be quite a physical lesson today. Hopefully, it wasn't as intimidating to do as it looked. She pulled on her gloves, took a deep breath, and reached for the bulb in front of her. The plant twitched, and she tightened her hands around it, bracing herself. Even though she had already expected it, she still yelped when the bulb lurched sideways, nearly pulling her along, but she held her ground. With much effort, she wrestled it over to its new pot and swiftly shoved it into the soil, pressing down with all her weight. Just as she thought she was in the clear, the bulb gave one more jerk, hitting her on the wrist, and she shoved more dirt, packing it tightly before examining the slightly tender area. That was definitely going to bruise.​

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O+5​

Bouncing bulbs where always a test of attrition for the students but Angel realized he should probably stop underestimating the Quidditch players and how willing they were to get their hands dirty, watching nearby as Hinata clung on tight to her bulb as it swung wildly just in case he needed to step in. They didn't let just anyone up there on a broom with bludgers flying after all so he shouldn't have been surprised when she managed just fine on her own even when the bulb got a hit in.

"Excellent work today, 5 extra points for hanging in there," he said, hoping he wasn't going to get an earful from Josephine later if Hinata ended up stopping by the Hospital Wing for that wrist.

 

[June Davenport]

The blonde made her way to the greenhouse and found her usual spot close to the professor. They would look at the bouncing bulbs today. Plants that attack, that sounded nice. June hoped they had an spell for that, because she was gonna put it on fire if she needed too. That thing was not gonna attack her. And indeed the professor told them about an jinx or shielding charm. But June figured there were more spells to get that plant away from her. She watched closely to what the professor instructed. June was good in following instructions so she just had to be relax and don't scare the plant. So as much as she hated this, she had to do well. She did her gloves on since she didn't want to get dirty and did as the professor told them. And gathered all her strenght, this was just an plant, she didn't need to be scared. June faced worse things before, this was just a plant. She did as the professor told them to do and took the bulb firmly. June had to move to not let the plant hit her, it was close really close. And she quickly slammed the bulb into the dirt burying and packing it tightly. The bulb was fighting until it was very tight in the dirt. This was stupid, very stupid and she wouldn't do this ever again.

O​

 

[Mikael Nightray]

Mikael did not know what to expect when he entered the Herbology greenhouse, but it was not this. He was not going to be doing this, nope. Definitely not. He'd signed up in this class to learn to distinguish plants. Not wrestle with them. He could definitely hear his boyfriend in the back of his head though, which was distinctly annoying. Even when he's not here and only in Mikael's thoughts, @Elio Boneheart could still cause him migraines. This was the exact kind of thing that his boyfriend would find cute and Kael could only shudder at the thought. Watching Castillo and Hinata deal with the bulbs didn't help any in convincing him to do the activity. He would willingly take a T for this class, but he was not going to be dealing with this sh!t. He turned to his friends, @Horror Zhefarovich and @Bailey Walden-Cade, because Hinata was already elbow-deep in dealing with hers. "I'll give you ten galleons to deal with mine."​

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A​

Angel couldn't exactly condem Mikael for not wanting to repot his bulb considering Angel himself was shamelessly foisting the work onto them so he wouldn't have to do it later. All in the name of education. He did have to stifle a laugh, turning it into a cough at the last minute when he caught his shameless attempt to pay off his friends to do it, making sure to shake his head just in case anyone noticed so they knew he disapproved.

"You'll never learn if you don't try," he said, giving Bailey a little nod of approval as she turned Mikael down. "I'm sure we have extra bulbs around if you're worried about needing extra practice," he added sweetly, sure the vague threat was obvious enough.

 

[Bailey Walden-Cade]

Bouncing bulbs were the topic of the latest Herbology lesson and they would be getting their hands dirty with them. The secret, as Professor Castillo put it was to be quick. Bailey watched as he gave his demonstration and she was already dreading having to try it for herself. Before Bailey could start, Mikael turned to her and offered her money to do his for him, she scoffed. “I barely want to touch mine, let alone yours,” She grinned at him before turning back to her own bulb and forced it, with some difficulty into a new pot, barely managing to do it before she was forced to let go and quickly buried it under layers of soil. “See, easy,” She said panting and brushing away errand strands of hair from her eyes.

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O+5​

Angel had to stifle a laugh as he overheard the exchange between Mikael and Bailey, hurriedly turning it into a cough and hoping no one noticed.

"That's the spirit, 5 points for Hufflepuff for setting a good example," he said to Bailey, glancing at Mikael and his untouched bulb pointedly.