Second Chappie

"Come on Ralph," piped a teeny first year, "it's Herbology now."

"That's similar to biology, right?" Ralph asked curiously, walking alongside the boy.

"Uhhh…. What is biology?"

"Never mind."

"Mind this though," the boy said, glancing it at him. "We have it with the Slytherins."

Ralph felt a tight knot in his stomach. He'd be taking the same lesson as Jack.

Ralph sighed and pulled back his hair in frustration as he realized the predicament he had fallen into; what with being in the same grade alongside teeny people- the age he was 2 years ago, when he was deprived from civilized life on the isolated island…

"Good luck Ralphie," Michael, a supposedly fellow third year said, as he gave him the 'thumbs up' for his performance at his first lesson in this magical academy.

He would've responded with a "thanks,"- however his throat was too tight. So he settled on a nod and mustered up a smile. As they approached the classroom, they were coming nearer by the second… nearer to facing the boy that haunted his nightmares for the past two years.

اHe entered the greenhouse quad. A stout witch was waiting for them by the entrance. A few students had gathered around her. Ralph didn't see Jack's head amongst them, which would've been hard to miss seeing that he too, would be prominently taller.

"Welcome to herbology first years," The witch with a strict but kindly face said, greeting them. "My name is Professor Sprout. Should you find remote interest in plants, animals and the general physical elements of our fascinating world, then I see no reason why you shouldn't perform compassionately in this subject. Let the lesson officially commence. Everyone off to Greenhouse One, over there. Mind you wait patiently, and don't under any circumstance, touch anything! Unless you wish to be contaminated and expelled of course. Quickly. You boy," she pointed at Ralph, "Stay behind. You too."

Heart beating rapidly, Ralph turned to the other person she was addressing. Jack had appeared. He stood as further away from him as possible.

"Now," she said sternly "I'm going to keep an extra eye out on you two. You're meant to perform at a much higher standard than your classmates, should I feel you're adequately qualified to be promoted into a higher year- then it shall indeed be realized in due course. So, follow these instructions carefully: I want to see outstanding performance from the both of you today. You shall return here promptly after dinner to execute your first practical examination, based upon your comprehension of the subject of today's lesson. Which is handling water-leaf herbs. Quite easy but that is not to say you may 'slack out', as your contemporaries say. Shortly after, you shall be handed sheets which is imperative that you study from tonight. For I shall test you on it for your written test tomorrow, also after dinner. You pass, I shall promote you. Fail, then you remain in First Year until you actually do pass. So I suggest you both pay full attention and participate to your utmost extent. Any questions?"

"I have one," Jack said, nose in the air. "Can we go now?"

Ralph cleared his throat.

"I have a relevant question," he quickly said "is our promotion only based on passing Herbology?"

"Certainly not, no." She answered. "I believe that each day throughout the week you shall be tested on one of your various subjects."

Ralph suppressed a groan.

"I know this question should be reserved for the Headmaster," he said. "But what if I pass everything except, say, one or two subjects?"

"Yes. That is something to worry about… because of potions." She said, "I can't be quite too sure, but I think that you'll constantly be examined on those specific subjects until you eventually do pass them. But you'll be held back in First Year even further in time, as you'd most probably be examined once a week only. Enough of the discussion now. Let us proceed with the lesson."

She barged into the Greenhouse and and grabbed something which was placed inside a pot.

"Water-leaf herbs," she explained. "Anyone know anything about them?"

Someone shot their hand up.

"Yes?"

"They're found on water?"

"Obviously. Hence the name. Anything else, yes- you?"

"My mum uses them when she's cooking," a little girl added.

"Yes. They're food ingredient material. Actually, they're versatile. For they are used in potions, wands and can even be used to cleanse broomsticks. Those are just a few examples."

Ralph shut his eyes, attempting to memorize all this.

"Now I shall teach you how to brew them, so that you are enabled to use them." She said. "These ones here, which are freshly picked, are useless. To activate their qualities, you must dip them slowly into this Herbal Solution, called Rowsy Ruff- after the name of the wizard who discovered it. Observe its colour. Once it starts to turn slightly orange, take it out with those special fork-like objects called Disformayuns, ever seen them before?"

There was a murmur of assent.

"After you've taken them out, place them on a hard, dry surface such as these pads and wait for them to dry. It should take approximately 5 to 10 minutes. After the moisture has completely perished, you are entitled to use them."

The bell sounded, indicating the end of the lesson.

"Stay. I haven't dismissed you yet. With the exception of the two pupils who know who they are, you shall carry out the task of brewing the herbs successfully in our next lesson. If you haven't been paying any attention, which I'm assuming is the case with most of you; I recommend research in the library. Mind it doesn't happen again though; I must warn you that I'm a full supporter of discipline. I'm generously letting you off now as it is your first day. OK well I shall cease my ranting. Goodbye."

The class eagerly clamored out of the talkative woman's lesson.

"Retained any of the information?" She inquired of Ralph as he passed by her.

"95 of it."

"Good boy."

During the practical, Ralph was carefully placing his herbs into the solution. Out of the blue, Jack's elbow knocked it over.

Ralph wildly turned around to see whether the teacher had noticed. Jack quickly went back to his own work. The teacher hadn't noticed.

"Professor," Ralph called frantically. "He… he knocked over my solution!"

"Did not!" Jack half-shouted with false indignance. "How dare you try to frame the innocent?"

The teacher wearily handed Ralph new contents.

This time, while Ralph was using the Disformayun to peel out his leaf, Jack sneaked towards him. He slapped Ralph's wrist onto the solution, causing him to cry with pain and drop the leaf, once more. Within an eye blink, Jack was back at his place absorbed with his own work.

The professor angrily approached Ralph.

"You are to tell me it's Jack this time again, are you?" She said testily.

"It is!"

The teacher pulled out a paper.

"I heard that you two have your severe differences, but to sacrifice your academics to achieve vengeance isn't the way to go Mr. Whitman. That was your second and last chance; you're failing. And 20 points from Gryffindor for an attempted accusation on a fellow candidate. I am disappointed."

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Thank you sooo much to my wonderful 8 reviewers. I apologize for taking long to update. It wont happen next time, all I need is at least one review on this (second) chapter.