September 2nd, 1895 — Greenhouse #1, Hogwarts

With both the NEWTs and introductory classes under his belt, Rory was starting to get the hang of this whole professor thing. It wasn’t nearly as intimidating as he’d imagined; in fact, it was rather fun. He liked seeing the first years hopeful, curious faces as they poked and prodded at their little sproutlings. He was impressed and validated by the NEWT students’ ambitions and keen interest in their hybrids. Now all that remained was his OWLs.

Greenhouse #1, which had been split between introductory and OWL, was once again tidied up and rearranged. This time there was a grouping of three to four different species of adolescent plants in the center of the bench every few feet or so. Each one had a small specimen placard with a number on it. As the students piled in and settled in their seats, he gave a quick introduction (“Good afternoon, my name is Professor Carrow…” etc.) and then launched into their first assignment.

“Today we will be examining the various plants that have been situated before you. Some are toxic, some medicinal, and some are both depending on preparation. By the end of today’s class, I’d like you to identify the following,” Rory turned to a small chalkboard near the back and flipped it over. There where three questions listed in his best handwriting. “Firstly: is the specimen you’ve selected safe, toxic, or conditionally safe? Secondly, what is its primary magical property? And lastly, how might one safely safely handle or harvest it? Bonus points if at the end of each specimen report anyone can identify the name and genus of the various types.

Now, you may pair up in groups of two or three or attempt the assignment alone. I shall be making the rounds to help answer any questions and award house points for correct answers so make sure your writing is legible.” He flashed a knowing grin. “I myself have trouble with this at times too.” Then, with a nod, he said: “You may begin.”

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James Callum, Philippa Rowle, Toby Seacoal, Eros Mohr, Harriet Bythesea, Oakshaft Bell, Nathaniel Gallivan II, Forsythia Rowle, Katherine Arundell, Louisa Weasley, Wren Burroughs, Draconia Yarwood, Maeve Halloran, Bonnie Greyback, Lincoln Dashwood, Morgan Valenduris, Lucy Tatting, Maeve Buchanan II + anyone I may have missed!

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NOTE: Plants might react to their examination; they may emit noxious fumes, puff spores, snap at fingers, or glow when treated properly.

  

Kitty found herself position by a Belladonna plant. After Earth Magic last year she felt confident of her answers and as such looked to the student next to her with a smile. "Shall we work together?"

With careful work her quill inked the words "Belladonna" at the top of the page and listed it as toxic but that it could be used for beneficial purposes.

The following 2 users Like Katherine Arundell's post:2 users Like Katherine Arundell's post
   Ambrose Carrow, Morgan Valenduris

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One would think that Toby, son of apothecary owners, would thrive on such a subject, and yet....

"Ah, not toxic, right?" He asked his partner as he poked the plant. Only to have the bulbous green plant shoot stinky green sap at him. Merlin's trousers it had been a stinksap plant.

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   Ambrose Carrow, Morgan Valenduris

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The plant Eros had ended up with was a Puffapod which he recognized by sight from previous Herbology lessons. He thought for a moment before classifying the plant as being conditionally safe. It wasn't outright toxic like a poison plant might be but the spores did cause dizziness. But only if triggered. It was completely safe if handled properly.

He continued writing down the rest of his answers as he pondered the plant before him.

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The following 1 user Likes Eros Mohr's post:1 user Likes Eros Mohr's post
   Ambrose Carrow

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eros is half-veela which means females tend to feel drawn to him with older ladies feeling protective of him

The plant Lincoln had chosen was the flutterby bush which was pretty safe. It emitted a scent to lure the unwary according to his textbook but that was pretty much all it did. A lot of people used it for decoration. The main thing he had to read up on was how it was harvested. It seemed it was mainly used as garden shrubbery for magical households.

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   Ambrose Carrow

Given what had happened in the Hufflepuff common room, Wren expertly navigated away from the plant she knew could spray smelly sap at her and towards one that looked more likely to snap at her. Oh, joy. She didn't understand how people like Herbology when the plants always seemed to want to do something bad to you. And then she felt guilty for thinking that for a variety of reasons.

Wren opened up her textbook, looking at the plant with a somewhat confused face, "What do you think it is?" she said, turning to the person nearest to her. It definitely did not look safe.

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The following 2 users Like Wren Burroughs's post:2 users Like Wren Burroughs's post
   Ambrose Carrow, Maeve Halloran

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Thank you so much, Bee!

Morgan Valenduris genuinely enjoyed Herbology: It was one of the few subjects that didn't involve wandwork and thus was a class she felt confident in regarding her abilities to succeed and that confidence reflected in her mood. She'd been very excited to head out to the greenhouses that morning with her fellow OWL students and meet the new Herbology professor. His task also seemed simple enough and she smiled at the older Hufflepuff - Katherine Arundell she remembered her name was - when she spoke to her and nodded.

"If it's okay with you. This is Belladonna isn't it?" She asked, gaze lingering on the poisonous plant.

It was a striking plant, almost deceptively so. Its pale green leaves framed delicate trumpet-like purple flowers, still blooming in the early September warmth...however those weren't the only thing thats plant bore. Nestled at the base of the star-shaped sepals were clusters of berries - some still green and unripe, others dark and glossy, ripe-looking and inviting.

The name Belladonna, she recalled, meant “beautiful lady” in Italian... however the plant had another name, a name that truly revealed the danger in thinking that the plant was merely something beautiful: Deadly Nightshade.

It was certainly beautiful. But so very dangerous and deadly. The berries she knew could kill children who consumed them recklessly and even handling barehanded them could be risky. Even touching the plant could irritate the skin - her father grew some in his green house and the rash that she'd gotten from accidentally touching it once had been enough of a lesson regarding its danger.

Morgan found herself wondering about the people who had named it. Who had called the plant Belladonna? And why? And what did it say about them, that they had chosen a word that meant beautiful lady.

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Tag: Katherine Arundell - Morgan's being her pair.

The following 1 user Likes Morgan Valenduris's post:1 user Likes Morgan Valenduris's post
   Ambrose Carrow

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Set made by the wonderful Athena

Electives: Earth Magic, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Art
Clubs:  Garden, Potions, French, Art and Leisure Sports.

Child of Professor Valenduris and Irish Twin to the "Creepy Twins" who disrupted their (and her) Sorting Feast, and eventually one left the school after a professor died.

Maeve stared at the plant for a moment and then shot a friendly grin at Wren.

"It's Fanged Geranium." As her grandfather and mother were in the business of plants she knew more about them then she cared to admit and had she been another person she may have used her knowledge for the powers of good. The little beauty that Professor Carrow had managed to dig up looked especially menacing.

"Did you know that apparently you can tell how old one is by the amount of rings on its fangs?" She said and playfully looked around, eyeing the boys mischievously. She wondered who amongst them she could talk into sticking their head in to check. She had a feeling the newly appointed Prefect would be far too clever but the boys....... it was a shame Jimmy Fletcher was no longer in her class.

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Tag: Wren Burroughs (I hope this is the one you meant? You didn't mention it so I had to guess)

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   Ambrose Carrow

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Maeve is in the Gobstones, Creatures, Art, Charms and Transfiguration Clubs.
Maeve's Electives are Ancient Studies, Care of Magical Creatures and Ghoul Studies.

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"It is." Kitty smiled at the younger girl, remembering her from their introductory courses when the girl had been a first year. If she remembered correctly the girl was one of Professor Valendurious's children. "Careful, the whole plant is toxic." She warned, not entirely sure if the girl would know that. "What do you know about it?" She asked to try and make up for her quick assumption. Her quill was at the ready to jot down any notes the girl might have to contribute.

Morgan Valenduris

The following 1 user Likes Katherine Arundell's post:1 user Likes Katherine Arundell's post
   Ambrose Carrow

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