(Coeus Black - PoV)
Herbology.
Plants.
Bleh.
Useful? Sure, sure.
But BORING.
...
Fine, fine. I admit, there are at least some cool plants. And who knows? Maybe some of the stuff in class could be fun.
Maybe.
But we haven't even gotten that far yet!
Noooo. No, so far all period has been sitting around, listening to Professor Plant Lady ramble on about...
About...
Err...
Something or the other.
Look, no one cares, ok? Can we get to the part where we throw dirt at each other and I cut things with giant shears?
That sounds pretty tolerable and is almost half the reason I am even here.
...
Ugh.
"Hey, Iris," I whisper.
"What?" she whispers back.
"I bet she would quit lecturing if something or someone caught fire. Help me out here?"
She seems surprised for a moment before something crosses her features.
Nodding seriously, she pulls out her wand and oh crap she is actually going to do it I was joking Iris!
Thankfully Plant Lady finally shuts up and Iris hesitates, looking over at me.
*Stop! No! Don't!* I gesture with my hands until she nods, putting her wand away.
Whew. I need to be careful. Was not expecting her to follow through with that.
I really don't get her sometimes...
Everyone has started shuffling about, grabbing stuff and getting properly settled in at the various tables. Getting up myself, I get some looks as I drag the biggest pair of shears I can find back, retaking my seat next to Phoebe as she rolls her eyes.
Iris and Daphne keep their table next to us, of course, but Book Girl from the train steals the table on our other side, settling on the seat closest to me, some other girl accompanying her.
She keeps giving me looks but doesn't say anything.
Whatever. I have work to do!
Heaving the shears onto the desk, I begin carefully maneuvering them...
"What are you doing?" Books asks.
"I dunno. Trimming?" I reply, making a careful(ish) cut.
Hey, these things are huge compared to this plant. Cut (heh) me some slack.
"Trimming?" she repeats.
Going silent, she allows me to cut in peace for a moment before shaking her head.
"After...everything, I thought you might actually know what you were doing. Weren't you listening to Professor Sprout at all?"
"No."
"...No?"
"Nope."
*Snip*
There we go! Practice makes perfect, right? I got exactly what I was aiming for that time.
...
"It's Herbology," Phoebe comments dismissively when Books looks at her instead.
Leaning back in her seat, eyes half closed and barely paying attention herself, she doesn't even bother to look at Books as she replies.
"We have better things to do than dig around in the dirt."
"Hey!" I object, looking away from our nearly leafless plant. "Digging around in the dirt can be ok! If you are making a castle or something."
Castles are cool.
Like Hogwarts.
Phoebe nods in my direction, conceding the point. Though now that I think about it, she usually makes me do most of the digging.
Hermione stares at us for a few moments before her attention focuses past us.
"What about Iris? Look! She seems to be doing quite well."
Looking over, we see Iris has-oh! We are supposed to be repotting them, I guess? It looks like she is already almost done.
Iris pauses, closing her eyes as she notices the attention.
"Please...don't," she asks before shaking her head.
"I...don't like gardening," She admits with a grimace, slowly opening her eyes.
"I can do it. I have...practice."
There is a slight pause as she examines her hand, eyes narrowed.
"But I...I hate it," she mutter/growls before reaching for her plant once more.
It withers to dust the moment she touches it.
Everyone stares at the empty pot.
...
"Why didn't I pair up with Tracy?" Daphne asks, cradling her head in her hands.
"Wha-" "Ho-" "That was so COOL!" I shout, throwing myself out of my chair and rushing over to Iris's table to get a better look.
Picking the bowl of dirt up, I shake it about a bit, finding nothing.
"It's gone!" I exclaim, dropping the ugly pot.
"Iris," I say, looking at the girl who sits, frozen in place.
"You," I meet her wide eyes, "Are. Awesome! How did you do that!? I want to do that!"
Pausing a moment, my own eyes widen as I have a realization.
"Or was it your Magic Powers!? I KNEW it!"
"What," a calm yet firm voice interrupts," is going on over here?" as the Professor makes her way over.
"Professor Plant Lady!" I wave at her, making her blink for some reason. "Iris has Magic Powers!" I announce proudly.
"Wha-"
"Oh, and we might need a new plant or three."
Closing her mouth, she stares at me for a second before shaking her head.
She looks at Iris and then Daphne before repeating her question.
"I don't even know," Daphne replies with a sigh before straightening up.
"Accidental magic, maybe? Iris was working on repotting the Marrentill as instructed when the conversation turned to her. The topic...somewhat upset her. When she next touched the plant it...died? Disintegrated? I am uncertain. Then Coeus made a scene, as usual."
"Magic Powers..." I whisper under my breath.
Sprout's brows are heavily furrowed by the time she finishes but she gives her a fake half smile.
"Thank you," she says, turning back to Iris with a concerned look.
After a moment's consideration, she picks up the pot, looking it over.
"Mmm," she mutters, "All fresh soil. Loose. Even the roots are missing..."
Shaking her head, she sets the pot down and focuses on Iris again.
"Iris, dear," she starts, waiting patiently when Iris doesn't respond at first.
...
Slowly, Iris looks up.
"You are not in trouble. It's Magic. Accidents happen. No one was hurt. Understand?"
...
She nods hesitantly.
"Good. Now, can you tell me what happened?"
...
She gives a half shrug of her shoulders.
...
"I...don't know? I just..." Her eyes glance around the room, noticing all the attention focused on her, and her mouth clicks shut as she withdraws once more.
...
My fingers twitch before Sprout nods, giving her a sad smile before turning to the rest of the room.
"Well? I assume everyone is done, then? Should I start grading early?" she asks.
There is a rush of noise as the class scrambles to resume work.
Most of the class.
Perching on Iris's desk, I grab her pot.
I am keeping it as a souvenir and no one can tell me otherwise.
Phoebe makes her way over as well, draping herself over Iris's shoulders and whispering in her ear.
"Do not be ashamed, Iris, or afraid. You are amazing, Iris. We love you, Iris."
Nodding, I give her a thumbs up when she looks at me for confirmation.
I mean, duh?
I told you. Awesome.
Plant Lady comes back over just a few moments later.
Or a few minutes? I dunno.
I was arguing with Draco.
Somone threw dirt in his hair.
It was me.
I did that.
Anyhow, not important.
"I take it you have, in fact, finished repotting your Marrentill?" she asks.
"Marrentill?" I ask. "Oh, the plant? Yup, all done. Well, I dunno about repotting but, I don't think it needs it at this point?"
"...Show me your plant, Mr. Black."
"Sure!"
Hopping off Iris's desk, I take the whole two steps over to mine and proudly present my work.
"Here ya go!"
...
She stares at the (only a little bit cut up) bare stalk in silence.
"I trimmed it up a bit," I explain, nodding toward the shears on my desk. "I call him Mr. Thin!"
...
Slowly reaching out, she carefully takes the pot out of my hands and walks away.
...
"So. Troll?" I ask Phoebe.
"Troll."
I nod.
That's fair.
Besides, it's Herbology.
No one cares.
