Lesson One - Exploring Herbology

[Dinah Mills]

Greenhouse one was the perfect site for the first lesson of the year. Hoping all the students had received her notice about where to meet her Dinah closed the door against the windy rainy day that it was. September is always so lovely, she thought sarcastically. She didn't mind rain since it honestly kept her plants healthy but it was still annoying. Thankfully, being a fully qualified and quite talented witch she had not gotten wet. Dispelling the water repulsion charm she had placed over herself she laid her cloak across a stool at the front of the greenhouse.

Looking around she nodded in satisfaction. The stools were arranged along either side of the long table covered with dirt, pots, and various other tools of the trade. Checking the stock of dragon hide gloves, in case, the students hadn't brought any of their own, she realized students had begun filing in.

Turning to face the class she waited until they had assembled. Hopefully they weren't too tired, this was a fairly early morning class. She preferred working with plants in the morning and her creatures in the afternoon since both were more malleable at those times. She just hoped the students were as malleable as the plants and creatures.

"Good morning, class. I am Professor Dinah Mills." Gawd, she sounded a prig. However, she did her best to lighten up a bit as she delved into her introduction to Herbology.

"What I would like to do today is give you an introduction to the subject if you haven't taken it before and a refresher if you have. Herbology is such a useful and fascinating subject. Not only can wizards create new plants," Her eyes lit up at the thought of her newest creations. "They can also care and nurture those plants which we use in everyday life. Potions would not exist without Herbology, that is something I can say with certainty." Realizing she had waxed a little too eloquent she blushed a mite and continued on. "Anyways, if you need any help, I have an office in one of the greenhouses and am usually available during school hours. After school hours please make sure the door is cracked open or knock before coming in." On this mysterious note she paused to move toward the board opposite the door.

"So on with the lesson, eh?" She smiled at the students. "I think since it is the first lesson back from summer break, we will take it easy today. Just introduce yourself and turn in the homework assignment before next class."

She waved her wand at the board and the homework assignment appeared.

Herbology Homework #1
Write a short essay about what you would like to learn. Or, if you have had Herbology before, what your favorite plant is.

(( Homework assignment in mundane terms: PM me with a plant from HP or even a mundane plant and list at least one magical properties or uses that the plant has. If you need help see Dinah in her office and she can get you some reference materials (i.e., a couple of websites if you can't find any.) ))

[Reginald Lancelot]

Herboooology!

Reggie had come to the conclusion at the end of last year that this was probably his most favoritest class. For some reason, he found plants oddly fascinating, and wondered vaguely what his parents would say if they knew that instead of being in love with history, he seemed to be in love with biology. Humming a random little tune from one of his favorite cartoon shows, Dinosaur King [[SALINA ACTUALLY WATCHES THIS, OKAY]], he entered greenhouses numero uno. They had worked in here a couple of times last year, and he was eager to get started again.

Alas, introductions. Hopefully he didn't break into his gangstah speak like last year ... that would just be embarrassing. He was an older, more mature wizard now -- he shouldn't have to resort to such things! Clearing his throat, Reggie decided to speak into the silence mainly because it seemed as if nobody else was going to do it so he might as well. "Yooo." He paused, mentally scolding himself. "Er -- my name is Reginald Lancelot, but most people just call me Reggie-izzle ... I'm a second year Hufflepuff and I come from an all-Muggle family. Except for myself, of course. Herbology-izzle is my favoritest class, so I'm hoping that I learn a lot of stuff." Boy, was he lame. The redhead shut his mouth and waited for other people to introduce themselves as he worked on his homework.

[Maeve Campbell]

Maeve trooped into her class. She wasn't late, was she? There was already at least one other student there. She sat on her stool, wiggling around to try and get comfortable. Plants were all right. Not as cool as animals but hey, no one can be perfect right?

It was way too early and way too wet to be outside so she was perfectly happy sitting in this classroom. Ahh introductions. Not the coolest way to begin a class but she figured they had to know one another if they would be working together all year.

Standing up after the other boy introduced himself she spoke, "My name is Maeve Campbell. I'm a first year Gryffindor and I hope Herbology is all err Reggie-izzle says it is." Flashing a grin over at Reggie she slid back onto her stool. Taking out her Herbology textbook she looked around the class first. She couldn't think of any plants off the top of her head so she decided to go into the reference and pick something that sounded interesting. Ahh there was something likely. She started scribbling onto a slightly worse for the wear piece of parchment.

[Annabelle Delacord]

She knew the Herbology greenhouses like the back of her hand, even though it was only her third year, Herbology was already easily her up most anticipated class. She simply adored it. Her smile was a mile wide whens he skipped in and took her seat. Introductions, yet again, it got old but ah well she'd survive. Hoping up after the dude she met on the train and Meave, a girl she had in DADA as well, she introduced herself "I am Annabelle, I'm thirteen and in Hufflepuff and a total klutz 90% of the time" she plopped down in her chair, short and simple, yup! and then began on her homework.

[Dinah Mills]

((OOC....second lesson will be up today but I am going to leave this lesson up until Saturday so you can get the homework done.))

Dinah looked at the students. They were all fairly young but she hoped that despite them being Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs they would be willing to learn. Nodding at each of them in turn she tried out a smile. They were so young she didn't want to scare them.

"All right then. Now we all know each other we can get down to business. Once your homework is turned in you can leave and we will see you next class." Dinah petted the strange plant next to her. Her own version of a Muggle Tiger Lily, it purred and rubbed against her hand. They were sweet but had a tendency to bite people it didn't know.