CHAPTER 10
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Breakfast was a little problematic, with Louis having to explain his actions to the entire house. Soon, everyone had calmed down and things went back to normal.
'So, which class you all have next?' said Ginny, trying to get Harry to eat some more.
'I've had enough Gin' he said trying to escape the hovering spoon.
'Herbology' said Hermione, and we better get a move on it's a long walk till the greenhouses.
Ginny kissed Harry goodbye and the quartet (inc. Louis) headed for the greenhouse.
'We have it with the Slytherins' grumbled Ron.
'They aren't that bad' said a Hermione absentmindedly.
'WHAT!' said Harry and Ron together. Realizing her slip, she explained to them what had happened in the Library.
'Poor Malfoy' said Ron 'I actually pity him now'
'Well try and be nice to him' said Hermione sternly. The other three nodded.
They entered the green house to see that most of the students had already arrived. Before they could be any Slytherin-Gryffindor bad blood, Prof. Sprout walked in.
'Right Class, today we'll be studying the magical plant of Therasus' she said putting on her dragon hide blood 'What are the properties of this plant?'
To the Gryffindor's surprise apart from Hermione's and Louis's hands, most of the Slytherins had also raised there hands.
'That's strange' mumbled Ron to Harry.
'Mr. Malfoy' Prof. Sprout said, glad at such a response.
'The Theraus, plant has the unique ability to test for purity of blood' he said. As whisper rang out through the Gryffindors, no wonder the Slytherins knew what it was!
'The plant does this my concentrating on the magical standard per liter of blood.' He finished having to raise his voice to be heard.
'Thank you Mr. Malfoy, the plant was used extensively by you-know-who to gauge his followers. The plant does distinguish between muggle-borns and pure-bloods. The magical standard of blood does not indicate the power of the blood, but merely its existence and nature. Though many will try to concoct theories that pure-blood means better magic, it is incorrect. Lord Slytherin himself admitted as much. They have been plenty of Wizards who have gotten a very low score on the test and yet have had great powers. Nicholas Flamel is a classical example. Please take down some notes' she said, knowing what they were all thinking.
She sighed, year after year everybody in Slytherin wanted to see whether it could be used to find out muggle-borns. She had tried to take it out of the syllabus, but the board of governors had insisted it remained.
'The plant is quite rare in England, it requires…'
She went on for another fifteen minutes on the methods to grow and harvest the plant.
A hand went up from Slytherin.
'Yes?' Prof Sprout said.
'Prof. how do we use the plant for the test?' asked the Slytherin.
Prof Sprout knew this was going to come. There is no point hiding it she thought it's in their text books anyway.
'It is a very simple procedure; the leaf is taken and crushed. A liquid pours out of it. This transparent liquid is applied on to the person's skin and allowed to seep in. Depending on the color the magical content is given'. The class was furiously writing down all this information.
a) Green – No Magical Content
b) Red – Muggle Born
c) Brown – Pure blood.
d) Black – Extremely Pure Blood.
e) Blue – Abnormally Pure blood.
A large smile went over the Slytherins face. However most looked fearful, they had built their image in the house as pure-blood, if something went wrong…
'Now, I want all of you to try and trans-plant them, be careful of the roots they like to grab your fingers' Prof Sprout said. The entire class broke up into batches. Most of the Slytherins and some Gryffindors were taking off the leaves, to try the test.
Even, curiosity got the better of the four. They leaned forward to see Malfoy drop the liquid onto his arm. Prof. Sprout had left the greenhouse to get some supplies. Therefore, everybody could see what Malfoy was doing.
The liquid stayed on his hand for a few moments and then turned stark black. The Slytherins clapped, as Malfoy showed it around a smile on his face. Many others then tried some in public and some in secret.
Hermione sighed as she saw the stares from everyone and put some on her hand, immediately it turned red.
'Wow! It works!' said Parvati.
'Yes, it does' said Hermione grimly.
Ron put some and his turned black as well.
'Oh, well' he said, trying not be proud of the achievement.
Harry sprinkled some on his hand, and it turned black.
'No surprises there' said Seamus grinning.
Harry though was surprised; he has a muggle born mother!
'Why don't you try, Louis?' asked Hermione.
But before he could reply, a small batch of fluid came flying onto his neck from the Slytherin side.
Sniggers ran out through the Slytherins while the Gryffindors watched in horror as the color changed to green.
'But that's not possible!' exclaimed Harry 'You can use a wand and all'
By this time the entire Green house was looking at Louis. Louis was feeling extremely humiliated, just what I need he thought, another spectacle.
The Slytherins were laughing like anything by now at his plight. Malfoy however, kept quiet.
But their laughter soon stopped and their faces began to show disbelief as the spot changed its color and became a deep shade of blue.