The
instant the door closed, the room filled with the sound of gossiping fourth
years.
"I
wonder what happened"
"Yeah,
me too"
"Maybe
somebody got lost in the Forbidden Forest"
"Maybe
the Whomping Willow killed somebody"
"Maybe
the Chamber of Secrets is open again"
"Maybe
you-know-you is back in power"
"That's
enough!" cried Harry. "How come everyone thinks something is wrong?
Maybe……maybe…..maybe Professor Snape is leaving!"
Cheers
broke out from all corners of the room.
"No…really…I
didn't…." Harry stammered. "Everybody be QUIET!" he shouted.
The whole
class looked at him in awe. Harry had never been that loud and he never tried
to attract attention to himself, if he could help it.
"Okay,
listen. I don't know what's going on, but I hope it is nothing serious. Let's
just get to our work like Professor McGonagall said and keep quiet!"
Everyone
was in shock. In a daze from what just happened, they got out their books and
started changing flowers to seeds and back. Professor McGonagall had told them
that it was a very difficult task, and that they had to be very careful. As
usual, Neville was having trouble. His flower had turned into a Vampire Cactus
and was snapping at his wand.
"Somebody
help me!" he cried. Harry and Ron rushed over and tried to help, but there
was no chance for him or his wand with out the help of an adult. Someone had to
go and get Professor Sprout, the herbology Professor.
"I'll
go," announced a small voice from the back. It came from Seamus Finnigan,
a quiet roommate of Harry and Ron. Harry started to protest,
"Really,
Seamus, you don't have to go-"
"No.
I am going to go," Seamus protested.
"Okay
then, The teachers are probably in Dumbledore's office. If they're not in
there, check the infirmary. You never know who could be there," Harry
informed Seamus.
"Okay,
I'm off," announced Seamus proudly. "Wish me luck."
No one
said a word as Seamus left the room. Neville's plant was still snapping at his
wand or anything that got too close. A screeching sound was emitted from
between its huge teeth. All of a sudden, it ceased. As Professor McGonagall
re-entered the room, She looked around with a stare the strength of a basilisk.
She immediately made the cactus disappear with one flick of her wand and a
mumble under her breath.
"Who
is responsible for this?" she demanded. "A Vampire Cactus is a very
dangerous plant and should never be mistreated, ever! Whose plant was
this?"
Neville
crept out from behind the crowd.
"So
it was you, Neville," the professor said. "Now what shall we do so
that this never happens again?"
Neville
was violently trembling as she was speaking.
"How
about a detention, perhaps. I think that will do just fine. Tomorrow night,
eight o' clock, the trophy room," she snapped.
Ron
shuddered and whispered to Neville,
"Good
luck, you'll need it.
"The rest of you,"
Professor McGonagall said, "may go to lunch."