Chapter 4

Points for Gryffindor

"Breakfast was scrumptious, don't you think, Anna?" asked Valentine as the three friends walked to their first lesson, Herbology in the greenhouse.

"Yeah, it was. All I ever ate for breakfast was noodles and dumplings and more noodles," Anna replied. She took a glance at Rachel. She was being awfully quiet since breakfast.

"Rachel, are you okay?" asked Anna.

"Huh? Oh! I'm okay, it's just that I've been thinking about that Heath guy," Rachel took a step into the greenhouse.

"Heath who? Oh! You mean Heath Weasley! Nick says he's a sissy," said Valentine.

"Really?" asked Anna, looking concerned.

"Live with Nick for ten years, you'll eventually know he thinks even Harrison Ford's a sissy, like he's the only real man there," Valentine claimed.

"Well, Heath did help me to carry my books to the library, he should be a nice guy," Anna said.

"Or it could be, he just wants to flirt with you," Valentine sniggered, followed by Rachel.

"Shush! The professor's here!" shouted a black haired boy. The crowd of students quickly turned down their volume.

For this subject, they had Professor Longbottom. He was a tall and handsome man. Some students said that he had lost a lot of weight after the Second Wizarding War, of when he, himself had fought alongside the legendary Harry Potter.

Rachel admired those who fought during the Wizarding wars. They saved a lot of people. Rachel loves to listen to her mother's stories of the war and was surprised that her mother had joined the war too.

"Shall we start?" asked Professor Longbottom to the crowd of students who were still making noises. Everyone shut up and looked directly at the professor. "I guess we shall."

"For those who do not know, my name is Professor Longbottom. Today's lesson, we shall start with inspections."

The whole class groaned while some gave questioning looks. Rachel did not understand why. Inspections are good for first lessons.

"I know that maybe some of you find the thought of having an inspection is ridiculous-

"I don't." Rachel stammered.

"Why thank you, Miss….

"Kennel, Rachel Kennel," Rachel smiled. She saw Celestine rolling her eyes in disgust.

"Miss Kennel. Anyways, as I was saying," the professor looked at his class. "This inspection will give me evidence that you are either excited of the subject or not so keen of it."

"If you want to learn Herbology, you have to pay attention to the plants and herbs and such. You have to understand the living process of the plants and you-DON'T TOUCH THAT, BOY!"

Everyone stared at Nick, who tried to touch a rose plant that was actually a venomous plant in disguise. Slowly and carefully, he took his hand away from the plant.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know. I really didn't-

"Just step away from the plant," Professor Longbottom signaled him to move away from the plant. "Right, as I was saying, if you want to learn Herbology the right way, simply answer my questions," the professor smiled and took out a chart he had made from his vine covered desk drawer.

"First question, 'Herbology for Beginners', who actually bothered to read it?" asked Longbottom. Rachel's hand immediately shot up to the sky.

"Miss Kennel, what did you think of it?"

"It was filled with great information about Herbology. Personally, I thought it was very interesting and detailed but it was quiet boring," said Rachel.

"Thank you for being honest, Miss Kennel. Take a point for Gryffindor," said Longbottom. "Anybody here heard of Devil's Snare?"

Again, Rachel put up her hand. Longbotttom nodded at her.

"I've read about Devil's Snare somewhere, it's some kind of a vine thing. Anyway, it hates sunlight," said Rachel.

"That's very good for a first year in her first lesson, Miss Kennel. You've been doing a great deal of researches there," Longbottom smiled. "Take another two points to Gryffindor."

Although she had already earned three points for her house, Rachel thought that it was not enough. 'Strive for more'. That is what her mother always said. So, during the whole inspection, Rachel was simply answering the questions. That was until that Heath guy came by.

"I do not tolerate tardiness in my class, Mr. Weasley," claimed Professor Longbottom.

"I'm so sorry sir, I got lost," explained the young Weasley.

"I wouldn't be surprised, that's the same excuse as your father," said Longbottom in a low voice, trying to keep it personal but Rachel was too sharp for him. She did not understand what the professor meant by saying 'same excuse as your father'.

"Go ahead and find a partner. Who doesn't have a partner here?" asked the professor. Rachel knew she did not have partner but she did not put her hand up.

"Ah! Rachel, you can be partners with Mr. Weasley, he's a nice young man," Longbottom smiled. Rachel nodded and stood beside Heath. Besides, it was just temporary.

"I would like to include that the partner you have now will be the partner you will have until you graduate from Hogwarts," Longbottom smiled as the whole class screamed.

"What? The whole seven years!"

The class whined and moaned. Rachel looked at Heath. She was not so keen on having him as a partner until she graduated from Hogwarts. Now that she had a closer look, she was not so excited about the surname "Weasley". It was not really from his personality, Rachel just hated the fact that he had such long hair that hid his eyes and she prefers to make eye-to-eye contact when she's talking to somebody.

Rachel tore her eyes off Heath and stared at Anna who was watching Heath with a dreamy smile.

"Shush! Now then, who here has ever heard of Mandrakes?" asked Professor Longbottom.

Rachel was about to answer this question suddewnly, she was interrupted by Heath.

"Mandrakes can be turn into potion that can immobilize a person who was been petrified. Although its cry is fatal, a baby Mandrake can only knock somebody's conscious out for a few hours," Heath claimed in a straight voice. Rachel's jaws dropped.

"How dare you! That was my answer!" she screamed.

"I'm sorry. I answered first," Heath apologized.

"Anybody heard of Gillyweed?"

"It's a type of weed that you eat and it can make you breath underwater," Rachel said quickly.

"Now that was my answer!" Heath complained.

"Bring it then, Weasley," Anna screamed and of they went arguing and answering Professor Longbottom's questions. It was not a pretty sight and it ended with a scream.