Chappie Nine

Araminta, Blake, and Selene hurried toward the greenhouses for Herbology. On the way, they met the Hufflepuffs, and Araminta said a silent thanks to the heavens that she didn't have to wear yellow and black. I'd look like a bumblebee, she thought. On the other hand, her green and gold accoutrements stood out next to the green and silver accessories Blake and Selene wore. Flipping her long, blonde hair over her shoulder, Araminta decided to put it out of her mind for now.

After getting a closer look at Professor Sprout, Araminta put her on her list for makeovers. She was sure that underneath the dirt and hair there was a woman waiting to get out. Araminta could sympathize; before Daddy Drakkie had taken her to the Chanel counter the first time (when she was four), her inner beauty hadn't been reflected in her outer form. It seemed to Araminta that the moisturizer had started it all--once her skin felt soft, she wanted to smile, then sing, and then, magic had started to pour out of her....

"All right, gather 'round," said Professor Sprout. "Who can tell me the properties of Morning Glory?"

Araminta's hand shot into the air, and she answered without thinking. "Morning Glory is a weed that grows in gardens and chokes plants. Its flowers can be any color, but are generally white--not a good eye color. When the vines are cut, it leaks a sticky, white substance everywhere. It's so gross."

"Excellent work, Miss Potter-Malfoy...or was it Malfoy-Potter?"

"Either," said Araminta.

"Well, take five points for your house," said Professor Sprout.

"Professor?" Araminta raised her hand again. "Which house? Gryffindor or Slytherin?"

Blake and Selene began to chant. "Sly-the-rin! Sly-the-rin! Sly-the-rin!"

Professor Sprout waved at them. "Stop that, now. Five points to each of your houses."

The Slytherins half-groaned, half-cheered at this.

"Now, you can recognize the leaves of the Morning Glory because they are tear-shaped and attached to a twisting vine. It may or may not be in bloom, and likes to climb."

Araminta interrupted again. She knew her magical plants, and there was something off here. "Professor, forgive me, but what is magical about Morning Glory?"

"Nothing," said Professor Sprout, "but it's overrunning this greenhouse! It got a bit wild in here over the summer, so your job is to weed the greenhouse so that we can have a proper Herbology lesson next time. Get to work, everyone!"

Everyone groaned, but put on a pair of gardening gloves and went to work. Araminta hoped that the rest of her classes wouldn't be this boring.