I got a bit sloppy trying to get this update in, so if you'll excuse the bits that don't really flow...

Double Herbology

It's been a rather horrible day so far;
I'm sure that doxy's claws will leave a scar
And I forgot to finish my astronomy chart –
Actually, I probably didn't even start.
But I think everything will turn out okay,
Because we've got double Herbology today.

I never really liked animals at all,
The way they slither and creep and crawl
The way they can kill you with just a look;
Surely they're better as pictures in a book.
But plants, you see, I understand
I don't know why, but I think they're grand.
Some are deadly and dreadful, for sure,
But others are used as medical cures.

Hey! Don't eat that leaf, can't you see?
It causes hysteria – it's called alihotsy!

For example, the mandrake's roots
Cures Petrification from head to boots;
Essence of murtlap should be tried before
Any other remedy for cuts and sores;
And a pinch of hellebore and a few moonstones
Can do away with all your moans and groans!

Beware of that fanged geranium there!
Make sure you handle it with utmost care!

And potions use these floras too,
In many of their reeking brews –
Knotgrass goes in Polyjuice Potion
(But nettles are just a spurious notion)
Daisy roots are used in a Shrinking Solution
(But using dandelions is simply pollution.)

Don't worry, that plant is not your doom!
It looks like Devil's Snare, but it's just Flitterbloom!

I have to admit that some are plain weird;
I don't know why the Blug grows a beard
Or why the Flutterby Bush shivers and shakes
Or how Gillyweed lets you breathe in lakes
It's all strange and fascinating, see,
But that's what makes it wonderful to me.

Hold it gently! Yes, like that, in your lap –
Otherwise, you'll be covered in Stinksap.

Now, with some leaves and bits of twig
– And maybe a snip of Abyssinian shrivelfig –
I can chase away Plimpies and fix up your boils
Or tell you why a frightened Fluxweed coils
And if your Screechsnap wriggles, I'm sure
You've given it too much dragon dung manure.

Hey there, Hermione – what's wrong with you?
Did you forget the astronomy chart too?
Well anyway, we're studying the Snargaluff –
What do you mean, we're not with Hufflepuff?!
Snape put them in Potions because they're behind?
Well Ravenclaw's not bad – why do you look so resigned?
Oh no, sweet Merlin, don't tell me it's true –
We've got double Herbology with Slytherin's crew!

-Neville Longbottom