[a/n0] "multi-vacited" Though probably a misspelling, was meant to refer to how I've seen and heard spider vision described [as opposed to what humans experience]
[a/n]MarcusRowland again: "Professor Sprout. She grows deadly toxic plants, man eaters, etc. etc., it's amazing that she doesn't have a herd of triffids around somewhere. What's really growing in the greenhouses and out in the Forbidden Forest, and what fertilizes it?"
Harry Does Different DXXXVb
Sprout's Leviathan
"Ron! Harry! Hermione! Come in. Come in. Come in." the affable Herbology teacher waved the Golden Trio into her office.
The teen witch beamed "Thank you for inviting us Professor Sprout."
" Oh stuff and nonsense." The teacher scoffed "The three of you, like the other Eighth Years we have, are all adults and largely war veterans. I do not wish to be seen as intruding on Professor Carter, as Head of Gryffindor, but I was curious how you returning students are managing things."
With self-depreciating humor, Ron said "Still not great handing in homework."
"Honestly, Ronald! Can't you se - - OW!" Hermione began a scold, but was cut off by her boyfriend pinching her knee.
Pomona chuckled "Well that is certainly one difference. No Fourth-Year boy would consider such an act in front of a professor. A girl would likely turn fuchsia in embarrassment. You may all certainly address me informally, especially in private. Right! Let's just talk; as wizards and witches; just …talk. School I suppose, first. Hermione?"
"Well …umm Pomona… I have discovered an interest in government." Answered the student "After our experiences the past year, I do not think I need a full course to NEWT in Defense. Just the books and some review. Hush Ronald! So I loaded my schedule with courses I did not even know existed until they gave me an Order of Merlin."
Harry cut in "You know perfectly well you earned it."
"As, of course, did you, young man." She gushed at Harry, then bounced her hand off her head "Oh how forgetful of me! Invite you here and not serve refreshments. Some brownies, my own recipe. As you are all of age, feel free to have butterbeer or firewhiskey as you desire."
Ron immediately grabbed three of the dark cakes, stuffed one in his mouth and mumbled "Mmm choc-hips e'even."
"We just had dinner Ronald." Was Hermione's long-suffering complaint.
Pomona smiled beatifically "Oh, I do not mind, dear girl. We'll hear from Harry for a bit. Good butterbeer, I trust."
"They are actually quite good, Professor." Hermione had daintily consumed a brownie in three bites "May I have another?"
The hostess simultaneously waved permission to the witch and prompted the wizard "So I know you are writing a book on your adventures, Harry. I think it most admirable. Of historical significance. If I may be so bold? I had the smallest contribution to your First-Year quest. Might I hear just that part? Devil's Snare is notoriously …well…devilish to escape. Not something many even OWL students could accomplish."
"That's not mine to tell, ma'am." He demurred, indicting the young witch.
Hermione blushed faintly causing a disappearance of her freckles "Well, Profes …I mean Pomona… I did learn the passive method of just not struggling. Unfortunately, Ron panicked."
"Yo! I did good with McGonagall's chess set." The redhead protested.
Noting the Trio were consuming snacks fairly liberally, Sprout gave a tolerant smile 'just need to keep them talking a bit longer' and so thinking said "Pause that a moment, Hermione. I consider myself an above average player. Latrunculorum." And a functional, but unfancy chess set appeared.
"Oh I even remember all the moves!" said Ron, excitedly "You play White, Pamona." And that took about 15 minutes.
All the while, she gave surreptitious glances to the young adults. When she felt they'd been exposed enough to her food, the Herbalist took up with the other witch "You mentioned the relaxation technique to trick the plant, Hermione, but I am curious. What ultimately, did you have to do?"
"I saw the poem 'Devil's Snare deadly fun, but will sulk in the Sun' So I used Lumos Solem. It dropped Ron instantly. And I - - -"
Ron caught her by the shoulder and asked with concern "Alright there Mione?"
"I don't feel good either." Said Harry, rolling out of his seat to the floor. He could still speak "Professor? Help us."
Sprout changed subtlety, still looked Human but not quite somehow. Voice turning gravely, answered "Whyever would I do that? Axonium is particularly difficult to extract and purify for use. I'll just jump in. It paralyzes any animal to one degree or another. I impregnated it into everything you three ate and drank tonight. I have been looking forward to this day for over six years. The spell you used, Granger, caused a significant portion of Devil's Snare to lose its sight. Which it is only recently recovered."
"It would have KILLED us!" protested Hermione, trying desperately to make her limbs obey.
Poking a vulnerable side with her bare foot, Sprout smiled maliciously "The light from that spell is damaging to all chlorophyllic matter! Lumos would have served! Silence! This is the part where the villain tells all. Except there is no last minute rescue for the heroes." She proceeded to snap all three wands.
"Do you know that was the Deathstick?" Harry was actually lying.
She shrugged "A silly child's tale. Mine is the truth. Imagine losing most of your eyesight for years. The only fortunate happenstance is this Human aspect of me provides some relief. And there goes the light of endless nosiness." Gesturing expansively brought familiar plant tentacles into view.
"Professor! You know how dangerous it can be!" the young witch protested at the sight as the thick green things groped about the room. One sliding across the professor's lap, others seeking the students.
Sprout merely smiled and stroked the coils "Be prepared to silence them, if need be, my loves." In response tentacles curled around human necks and poised above mouths "I would rather have some conversation. Let me tell you my story. I am Leviathan. I existed before Hogwarts, though I lacked intelligence then. As humans came to my lake, I absorbed their knowledge."
"Ate them you mean!" shouted Ron, then a tentacle tip inserted itself in his mouth.
She nodded "But I was only instinct then. Once my own sentience took hold, I generally ceased human consumption." Sweeping the three with more green-tinted eyes, she slurped. A massive leaf curled around the redhead and lifted, bringing him close. Tasting face and hair with a now dark-green tongue. "Even my human aspect enjoys the taste. You are such top predators."
"But if you are so old, what is Professor Sprout?" asked Hermione, unable to suppress her curiosity.
Ron groaned "Eww, I'm gonna puke."
"By all means. The Snare aspect finds that quite tasty." Sprout did stop drooling all over the young wizard to answer the witch's question "Well spotted. Perhaps you will have noticed Sprout is a trifle older than Brian [you know him as Albus] In fact he owes his Herbology OWL to me. But about every couple centuries, the Human aspect wears out, despite the Snare's benefits. I seek an appropriate Human to become that aspect at the right time."
Harry leapt on the answer, screaming "NEVILLE NOOOOOOO!"
"Sometimes I wondered which of you is the smarter among the Gryffindors." An entire giant leaf tightened around the young man's body, enforcing silence. When brought to her, the sharp edge of a leaf drew a bloody line down his leg, which she delighted in tasting "Quite. It is why I recruited an eight-year-old Hanna Abbott to eventually seduce Neville into my sphere. Built his own greenhouse even before coming to Hogwarts. A true prodigy that deserves to be part of me. And, now that you three understand the past …and my future… you three will appreciate at least the minor role you will be playing in it. I bid you farewell."
This time, the vines made no attempt to suppress the screams. Leaves merely completely surrounded the young magicals as their final journey began. Nothing bad that happened for several weeks could even begin to sour Pomona Sprout's happy mood.