Chapter 3: Hope

Harry, Ron and Hermione lined up outside the greenhouses after break along with the other Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws and (to general dismay) Slytherins. While they were waiting for Professor Bunnymund, Professor Sprout walked past with several third years. 'What are you all doing here?' she asked, her patched hat slightly askew on her fly-away hair. 'We're waiting for Professor Bunnymund, he's giving classes in Greenhouse 8', Hermione said.

Professor Sprout chuckled. 'Greenhouse 8 hasn't been here for over a quarter of century. It was destroyed in the blizzard of '68.' The class exchanged puzzled looks. 'It was sited a few meters into the forest from Hagrid's Hut,' she continued, pointing towards the game-keepers cabin.

After a few minutes of discussion, the class agreed to line up beside the forest. Once they had done so, a soft thumping reached their ears. Turning, they saw a large, furry figure come bounding across the lawns towards them. Parvati and Lavender giggled. The form of Professor Bunnymund reared up above them. 'G'day mates,' he said. All of the girls, with the exception of Hermione, began giggling incessantly.

'Follow me,' he said and he marched off into the forest. The class hesitated. The forest was off-limits to students and with good reason; the place was filled with terrible creatures such as werewolves and angry centaurs, not to mention giant, flesh-eating spiders. There was even a wild Ford Anglia roaming through the depths of the place.

'Are ya coming or not ya gumbies?' At the sound of Bunnymund's voice, the class drew it's breath and followed him into the forest. A couple of students squeaked as nettles brushed past them.

After a few minutes... 'WHOA!' A collective gasp echoed around the massive, sunlit quarry. Green plants filled it, some were clumped together in small thickets, in other places there was little more than meadows of grass. Flowing through it was a thin, purple stream which was emanating a fragrant, sugary scent. Dotting the place were massive egg statues and as they passed them, Harry thought he saw one or two of them turn to face him.

Then he didn't have to wonder any more as four of the statues marched towards them. Several students screamed like they had done in Wonder classes. The tops of the eggs twisted to show angry faces. 'Rack off, they're wi' me,' Bunny said. The eggs twisted again to show more complacent faces.

The class continued on, passing several weird flowers. 'Strange,' Hermione said, bending down to look at them. 'I've never seen any flowers like... aarrghh!' She yelled, jumping back as the flower split open. Inside it was a pure white egg. It jumped out of the petals on two tiny legs and hopped off into the undergrowth.

'What the bloody hell was that?' Ron said, staring after the little egg. 'Easter egg,' Bunnymund said from up ahead. 'Well that answers that question,' Ron said sarcastically.

At the dead centre of the quarry, a space had been cleared and several large stones had been set into the soil. It seemed that the rocks were supposed to be tables. 'Take a seat,' Bunny said. The class sat down on the soft moss around the rocks. Harry, Ron and Hermione chose a place beside a small pool of the purple liquid in the strange creek. Ron dipped his finger into it and it came out a rainbow of colours, not just purple.

Bunny hopped into the centre of the stone ring. He was holding an egg and a small paintbrush. 'I suppose you all think that Christmas is more important than Easter?' A few people murmured 'Yes.' 'WRONG!' Bunny bellowed. Neville squeaked and fell backwards into the stream. People might have laughed at Neville's predicament, but the sight of Bunnymund towering above them was far too off putting.

After a moment, Bunnymund calmed down. 'Do any of ya' know what the true spirit of Easter is?' No one answered. Then... 'Sir, is Easter about hope?' Everyone looked at Ron who blushed ruby-red. 'What gave ya' tha' idea, mate?' Bunnymund asked with an eyebrow raised. 'Well...' Ron hesitated, 'It's the name of the class?' There were several sniggers. Ron turned scarlet. 'Quite right,' Bunny said. 'Just because it's an obvious answer, doesn't mean it's not the right one.' Ron resumed his normal shade of colour.

'Easter is all about hope and new beginnings,' Bunnymund said, picking up a small flower. 'As we all know, new life is within an egg and new life brings new hope.' The flower split open. A small white egg on tiny legs hopped out. Bunny held it in his palm. Then he held out a paint brush and dipped the bristles into the purple stream. He put it to the shell and suddenly it burst into colours.

Bunny painted a beautiful pattern of green plant vines on a purple and blue background painted on the egg. He placed it onto the ground. The egg walked across the ground and it jumped into the stream. When it came out of the other side, it gleamed and shinned.

'As you're still only novices at this, ya' won't have to paint the eggs yet, but I would like ya' to help with the hatching process.' Bunny held out a small handful of white, egg-shaped seeds. 'I want you all to plant these seeds around the warren,' Bunny said, handing around the seeds. 'Make a hole about two inches deep and plant the seed into it. Make sure it's in partial or full sunlight.' 'And what do we get out of this?' Malfoy asked.

Bunny looked at him with mild distaste. 'If you do what I say, then maybe after christmas, I'll teach you this.' Bunny tapped the ground twice with his foot. A hole opened and Bunny jumped down it. The hole sealed immediately and a small flower sprouted out of where the hole had been. The whole class gasped. There was a small rumble and another hole opened on the other side of the river. Bunny jumped up out of it. 'I'll teach ya' to take the tunnels.'

Everyone immediately rushed around planting seeds. Harry found an empty patch beside a large rock carving. On the carving was a triangle and in the triangle was a carving of Bunnymund holding his Boomerangs. Harry dug a small hole in the ground... and out of it flowed a small quantity of black sand. Harry jumped back in alarm. The sand flowed together and created a small rat.

It leapt into the air and bit Harry hard on the nose. He jumped back. More sand appeared out of nowhere and this time it created a black sand horse. It reared up onto its hind legs and growled at him. It charged straight at Harry who fell back and dropped his wand.

Crash! A flash of mahogany shot past him and hit the horse which exploded into dust. The flash of wood turned into a boomerang and soared into the hand of professor Bunnymund. 'Are ya' alright mate?' he asked. Harry nodded, unable to speak. 'I think it's time to end this lesson,' Bunny said. 'Class dismissed,' he roared.

Once the class had left the Quarry, Bunny opened his tunnel and disappeared down it. He appeared in North's workshop. 'North, we have a problem.'