11 Monday

That morning in charms class, the students were being taught the water-making charm, or aguamenti. Unlike the week before however, with turning vinegar into wine, this charm required a bit more finesse and concentration. As such, Professor Flitwick announced to the class that they would only be allowed to study its components for the day and that they could try casting it the next week.

This received many a groan for those anxious to learn more magic. For those like Hermione and Brooke however, they enjoyed their studying, and both looked excited at the prospect. Noelle was among the groaners.

Now it was time for Professor Sprout's class. She looked around happily at everyone. "And how are all my students today?"

Everyone smiled and murmured polite responses, looking past her at the venomous tentacula. They all remembered hearing about it the week before, and Noelle at least was looking forwards to seeing it in action.

"So then class. Today, as we discussed last week, we will be learning how to defend yourself against the venomous tentacula. We will also go over how to feed the plant safely and successfully. As we mentioned last week," she went over to the plant, gesturing at its spiky fronds. "this plant can be used as a protective force as it is an aggressive plant. However, you must of course be careful of it turning against you yourself. Can anyone tell me which charm is used if you get in a tangle with it?"

Several students talked amongst themselves until Neville raised his hand. He was well known for his expertise with herbs and plants. Unfortunately, it was about the only thing he was well known for. "The severing charm ma'am?"

Professor Sprout beamed. "Yes Neville, that is correct! The severing charm can be used to both stun the plant, and sever its arms so that you can be released. I assume you all know the severing charm?"

A hufflepuff spoke up. "Yes, we learned it our second year."

Sprout nodded approvingly. "Moving along then, does anyone know how to feed the plant?"

Neville once again spoke up. "I believe they eat chizpurfle."

The woman walked over to a sealed plastic container and opened it so they could all see the crab like creatures inside. It was very similar to its native creature other than greenish-blue tipped fangs and claws.

"These are chizpurfles. They are known for attacking magical objects, and in the absence of it, electric muggle ones. The best way to feed them to the venomous tentacula is to draw them in with a Lumos spell on the end of your wands. You just need to be extra careful to not let the chizpurfles get ahold of your wands. Now who would like to try?"

Each student lined up in front of the plant, wands at the ready. As each reached the front, Professor Sprout would put tump out another chizpurfle onto the wooden countertop, and the student would cast Lumos, carefully leading the creature towards a plant which would then scoop it up into its mouth and crunch it up. Seeing it in action, Noelle was finally able to differentiate its mouth from the rest of its spiny appendages.

When her turn came, Sprout put another on the counter and nodded at her. "Lumos!" Noelle's wand lit up and she carefully kept enough distance from the creature so it wouldn't take it. The mistake she made was in not paying enough attention to the direction in which she was headed. Very quickly she realized this.

Something wrapped around her left arm, spiny protrusions cutting into her arm. She let out a cry of pain and forgot her lumos charm and the chizpurfle, turning to face her adversary. The plant was attached to her with several vines, trying to pull her arm into its sharp pointy mouth full of thorns. She struggled to remember in the moment what to do.

Putting her feet against the counter to provide leverage against the creature, she heard people clamoring in the background, calling her name and the name of the severing spell. That was it… "Diffindo!" The vine nearest the plant was severed from the body of the plant, falling limp but still hanging from her arm. She heard a few cheers as she repeated the process several more times before falling on her butt, free of the plant but not from harm or embarrassment.

She stood, trying painfully to unravel the plant from her arm, blood trickling down her fingertips. She winced.

Professor Sprout made her way to Noelle's side, smiling kindly. "Ms. Lestrange has provided us with a wonderful learning experience. Now you've all seen a beautifully executed defense against the venomous tentacula."

Noelle smiled back at her, glad that the teacher had said it in such a way that it didn't make her look bad. It was true that mistakes were expected to occur in most classes and that they were considered learning experiences, therefore it shouldn't be all that embarrassing. But Noelle was the type who liked to have everything done right the first time. It was part of a competitive nature.

As she thought this, however, other students clapped for her success and she felt the embarrassment melt away to be replaced with something like pride. It was nice to be noticed and not ridiculed. The only ones not applauding her were Malfoy and his posse and honestly? Noelle could care less for their opinion.