Mason wasn't sure he'd ever seen a student want to take apart a plant quite like this and certainly not one of the sentient ones. Then again Mr. Smellie had always proven to be quite curious. "I know," he nodded about the mandrake already being deceased beforehand.

"I do not, it was simply out of its pot when I came in this morning," they were in their teenage phase and therefore rebellious. It could have been trying to get into another pot, nearing it's maturity, but Mason figured it must have fallen too far or gotten too cold. "It was perfectly healthy, as far as I know." Mason wasn't sure if he should be concerned or impressed by Quincy's tenacity here. "My guess is it fell out of its pot incorrectly or that it got too cold." It was mostly a plant after all and without the insulation of the soil to keep the heat in, it may have indeed died from exposure, despite the warmth of the greenhouses.

"While I do not mind your interest, I would appreciate you asking for permission beforehand next time." The mandrake's place in the scrap pile had been temporary; Mason had planned to see if the nurse needed it for potion purposes.