Second Years, Lesson Three

Landon folded his arms as the students filed in and took their seats. He was in a good mood and felt that last lesson was rather enjoyable to watch. He gave a smile to the class, "Good morning guys! How are you all?" He gazed over the class and just kept smiling at them all, even after nothing but a couple of nods from some of the students. "Well, remember the last lesson, you repotted the Mandrake seedlings. It wasn't all too pleasant, was it?" He chuckled softly. "Their cry isn't fatal yet, but it will knock you out for a couple of hours in the seedling stage. As they mature though, they put up more of a fight than what you saw last lesson."

Landon leaned against his desk and continued, "Those Mandrakes right now are in the toddler stage, and will be in the Childhood stage soon. Then, they will acquire more care and attention. But for now, all they need to get through the days is your care." He paused. "They prefer damp soil, shade to sunlight, and occasional food. It may sound easy, but it will take a combination of all three to help them thrive. I would like you all to go and find your mandrake and give them some water. Then, over in the corner are some barrels filled with food pellets. Only a fourth of a scoop twice a day to keep them satisfied." The professor smiled as he watched his students all scurry over to tend to their mandrakes. "Oh, and you'll have to poke the pellets down gently into the compost or they will over stimulate themselves trying to get to the food."

Landon sat at his desk the whole lesson, watching carefully as his students happily fed and watered their mandrakes. When the lesson ended, Landon quickly reminded them about their journals. "Don't forget to keep record of your mandrake. You will name it, talk about the stage they are in, and what you did to help it grow that day. Have a good week guys!"

-----

Assignment: RP the lesson AND write a second diary entry about your mandrake for full marks. Both only have to be a few words.

 

[Rose Edogawa]

Rose hesitated as Professor Carter explained the task, her stomach sinking at the idea of dealing with the wailing little plant again. Sayuri gave her a subtle nudge, and Rose squared her shoulder, determined not to let her nerves get the better of her. She found her mandrake and crouched down, muttering under her breath as she watered the damp soil carefully. The little root squirmed when she poked the food pellets in the compost, and Rose recoiled briefly before rolling her eyes at herself. “You’re just a gross baby plant,” she muttered, her voice low enough that only Sayuri might hear. Once she was done, she stood, brushing dirt off her hands with a mix of relief and mild disgust.

Diary Entry #2

Mandrake Name: Grumpy Gus
Stage: Toddler
Care Notes: Gave Gus some water and food pellets today. He squirmed a lot but seemed fine. Still loud and ugly. Hoping he grows out of it soon.

 

[Sayuri Edogawa]

Sayuri was not looking forward to interacting with mandrake again. At least she didn't seem to be the only one as she gave Rose a little nudge. As she took a seat, she adjusted her gloves and made sure her earmuffs were within reach, looking at the professor who had a smile on his face. At least one of them was feeling particularly cheerful. It was hard to believe that mandrakes would change much as they matured but she supposed they would see. The moment the professor let them go off to water and feed their mandrakes, Sayuri made her way to her workstation, looking at her mandrake skeptically. "Behave," she warned the plant before watering it, making sure the soil around it was damp. Once the mandrake was watered, she went and got a fourth of a scoop of the food pellets. She poked the pellets gently into the soil and decided that she'd done her job. She made sure to record in the diary before leaving the greenhouse with Rose.​

Diary Entry #2

Mandrake Name: Mandrake
Stage: Toddler
Care Notes: Watered. Fed. Still alive.

 

[Winnie Calida]

Winnie was rather disappointed with the fact she hadn’t in the end gone to the halloween feast. She had really wanted to, and had looked for the right excuse to be able to attend but she hadn’t found it and she had promptly given up on the idea. It was a little disappointing and hearing others talk about it when she hadn’t been able to go along was a little frustrating. Winnie tried to not be too bothered with it, but it lingered on her mind as she got ready for her classes. She put away her homework and then headed out of the dorm room.

Winnie walked into the herbology greenhouse pretty eager to just get started on what stuff they’d end up doing with the mandrake. She knew it would be about it, mandrakes took a while to grow. She took her ear muffs and had them on the desk beside her as the professor told them what stage they were at. She nodded along as the professor spoke and then took some notes about it too. She wasn’t really one for the fact she had to give it food and water, but she did as instructed, since she wasn’t about to lose points for not doing what she was supposed to.

Spoiler

I gave my mandrake food and water, ensuring it had enough of both and that the food pellets were pushed down enough so it would be able to eat. I look forward to seeing it's growth.

 

[Victoria de Lacey]

Tori pulled on her dragon hide gloves as she shuffled into the greenhouse. She didn't have very many friends in Slytherin, so she stayed somewhere between Jasper and Esme. Her stomach was still twisted in all kinds of anxious knots. It wasn’t the mandrakes she was worried about - they were ugly and loud, sure, but manageable. No, her mind was still tangled up in the chaos of her holidays, the twins’ shrill cries somehow still echoing louder than any mandrake’s wail. She mumbled a quick, “Morning, Professor,” and headed to her workstation, avoiding eye contact with anyone. When it was time to water and feed her mandrake, she knelt beside the pot, carefully dribbling water around Rory's leafy top and awkwardly poking the pellets into the soil. “There, you grumpy lump,” she muttered under her breath, smirking faintly as Rory gave a half-hearted wiggle of annoyance. At least he was consistent - ugly, needy, and prickly, just like everything else in her life lately.​

Diary Entry#2

Mandrake Name: Rory
Stage: Toddler
Care Notes: Gave Rory a good watering and poked a fourth scoop of pellets into the soil. He didn’t seem thrilled, but at least he’s still upright. Might try giving him a bit more shade next time - he looks even grumpier than usual.