November 2nd, 1895 — Greenhouse #3, late afternoon

Theory.

Theory had always been Stella's strongest suit when it came to anything. Practical applications tended to make her nervous, but she had been improving. At least most people didn't expect her to know how to fight with magic. Herbology was the most practical of her classes, though, and she didn't want to disappoint her new professor, nor did she want to set a poor example for the younger students.

So here she sat, studying the flutterby bush. Thus far, she'd managed to introduce a surprisingly pretty red hue to the veins of the leaves, but she had no way of knowing if it was actually the effect she desired.

Nor did she have any idea how to test it. It wasn't as if Hogwarts had a gnome infestation...

Stella hummed to herself as she tended the plant.

The following 1 user Likes Stella Dhan's post:1 user Likes Stella Dhan's post
   Ambrose Carrow

---

Antelope breezed around the greenhouse re-potting several specimens while she pondered her project for the year. The venomous tentacula was a fascinating plant and she had managed to germinate several which were growing well but were still a little to young to perform and experiments on. She would likely use mice, that would be the best way to tell if the plant was as aggressive as usual. "Perhaps coating some of the leaves in peanut paste would... hmm.... now now, behave yourself." she giggled as Lahmia snapped at her in protest at being pruned and repotted, "I suppose its just been past your birthday hasnt it?" she said to the vampiric plant, placing her nose gently against one of the toothed flowers that might have purred if it had the will to do so. Antelope was very pleased with last year's project and hoped to replicate its success. "Oh... Stella, I didn't even notice you there. Sickle for your thoughts?" she greeted her roommate with a warm smile framed by elements of mud on her cheek.

---

Stella Dhan

  

---

Her name is pronounced similarly to Penelope

Stella froze briefly as she heard Antelope Grace chattering with her own project, before resuming her mindful tending of the flutterby bush. She really did not like the venomous tentacula. She had thought it would be too risky a choice, especially with her nerves. Better the flutterby, something that in itself does no harm, for her.

Still, Stella put on a friendly smile once her roommate noticed her presence. "Just contemplating how to test my flutterby's efficacy," she said gently. "The plan was to make the leaves mildly toxic to garden pests — gnomes, especially — so that a person might be able to use them as an effective and attractive barrier hedge. Nothing deadly to them, mind. Just...a moderate irritant."

Antelope Grace

  

---

Antelope listened to Stella and gave a curious look "Interesting... I like that." she looked at the growing plants, they didnt flower often but even the leaves were pretty. "Tricky, I suppose one option would be to take samples of the leaves to the grove in town. Hmm... what do gnomes like? Worms maybe? Use them as a lure and devise some kind of leaf barrier?" she pulled out a pencil and started doodling on her paper, a very simple wreath shape surrounding a bowl of what looked more like spaghetti.

She slid it over toward Stella for her to observe. "I'm planning to test my project by seeing if it will attack mice. Just have to fight the castle cats for them." she laughed. There was a lot of cats about and the quickly dealt with most vermin but Antelope had already caught a couple for her plans and was keeping them in a small cage. If Stella was interested she might offer to accompany her friend on a gnome hunt on Hogsmeade day.

---

Stella Dhan

  

---

Her name is pronounced similarly to Penelope