For Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Assignment 6, Photography Task Five: Write a story involving flowers.

And the Spring Seasonal Challenges:

(plot) Being distracted in class

A memory triggered by a scent

(object) watering can

(colour) scarlet

(dialogue) "I trust you."

(theme) growth

(object) plant pot

(AU) Wings

Mixed-gender friendship

Ernie Macmillan

(word) radiant

Character/group of characters recovering from an illness of injury

And the Ultimate Battle Competition: (season) spring

713 words excluding A/N.


Daphne walked slowly to the greenhouse for Herbology, watching the other students soar through the sky, and sighed.

She'd suffered a freak accident involving a nasty mix of curses in Defence Against the Dark Arts a few days ago that had seriously damaged her wings, and despite Madam Pomfrey's best efforts she still hadn't been pronounced clear to fly.

Still, there was plenty to be happy about: the sun was shining, spring was in the air and Professor Sprout had promised a surprise for the seventh- and eighth-years. She'd be back in the air before long.

The moment she stepped into the greenhouse, cluttered with old plant pots, she could smell the precise musty scent of Theo's clothes, and her mind flew back to the Battle of Hogwarts.

They could hear curses being cast outside, many of them Unforgivable, as they sheltered, pressed together, under a table in the Transfiguration classroom.

"You okay?" asked Theo.

"Okay as I'm going to get," muttered Daphne. "But Astoria won't be. If she gets accidentally hit by anything, she won't stand a chance. We've got to get to her."

"Yup. But it's dangerous out there. So many stray curses flying, it's a risk to go anywhere. I could lose you, Daph."

"I'll be fine," she replied. "I have to be."

"I trust you," said Theo. "If you want to go, we'll go." He cupped her face in his hands and pulled her into a kiss, letting go with the utmost reluctance. "Let's get this over with," he muttered. "Ready to die?"

"If I die with you, at least we'll still be together."

They pulled themselves out from underneath the table, holding hands, and then Theo opened the door.

The Killing Curse hit him a second later. He didn't stand a chance.

She blinked away the tears forming in her eyes and sighed. Then it hit her: if Theo was dead, how was his scent here?

"Daphne, are you all right?"

Her head snapped round, and she relaxed when she saw it was only Ernie Macmillan. To her surprise, she'd found herself becoming friends with the boy since the battle. They'd both lost loved ones there, and it drew them closer together. He wasn't too bad, really, for a Hufflepuff.

"Yes – fine – just that scent reminded me of – "

"Theo, right," said Ernie. "I could smell Justin as well."

Professor Sprout smiled as she called the class to attention. "Gather round, gather round," she said, "Come closer. I have a very special treat for you all today, something that only happens once a century: our Flutterby bushes are flowering."

Oh. "Of course," said Daphne. "They change their scent to attract the unwary, and it made me – " she sighed.

"Makes sense," agreed Ernie. "Seems a bit mean to do that to us, though."

"Who can tell me the special properties of the Flutterby bush?"

Granger's hand shot up, and Daphne cracked a smile. Some things never changed.

"They quiver and shake back and forth, and when they flower, they change their scent to attract the unwary. I can smell fresh parchment."

"Correct. Ten points to Gryffindor. Now, if you'd like to come and look at the bushes…"

She moved aside, allowing the class to see the three bushes behind her. They were indeed quivering and shaking, and Daphne could clearly see their radiant scarlet flowers. It was beautiful, but now she knew exactly what the plant could do also quite horrifying.

"Now, the bushes don't need pruning at the moment, but they could do with some watering. Grab a can, everyone, but be careful not to get too close."

Daphne hung back as the students surged forward to grab the cans: she told herself that it was because she didn't want to be caught up in the scrum, but knew that it was also because she didn't want to get too close to the plant and its treacherous scent.

"Sorry," said Ernie. "Are you okay with this?"

"I can cope," she said, a slight edge to her voice. "I've grown a lot since the battle, and I can deal with a stupid flower that changes its scent to lure you in."

"If you need to talk, I'll be there."

"Thank you," she replied. "I'll be all right, though."