SnitchSeeker.com - View Single Post - Herbology Lesson Three @ The Whomping Willow

BanaBatGirl · 12-01-2009, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by individual

Listening to a Ravenclaw talk, she had no clue what the girl just said, so it went through one ear and right out the other. What? Germination? WHAT? "Perhaps...Dumbledore planted the tree when he found out that Remus Lupin was a werewolf. Or Dumbledore had whoever the Herbology Professor plant it since, well...yea." Yup, easy response. Smiling up at the professor, she thought of how the knot could have been created on the tree. Was it created by magic? Or was it already there? Did all Willow trees like the Whomping Willow have a knot thing? Now she was stumped. There could be many possibilities on how the knot came to be there. Sure, only a few of the possibilities would actually be able to happen...but... maybe she should just choose a safe response instead. "Someone could have put the knot there by magic, so Lupin didn't have to fight his way to the passage. Or maybe the tree already had the knot in the first place."

"Yes, Dumbledore didn't do all the physical labor himself, obviously, in planting the tree. He was more of the planner of the tree and contacted a grower who specializes in such.... rare and majestic Whomping Willows."

It was difficult having to watch what she said around...er...whilst seated on the tree. But Bunz nodded and added, "And yes, the tree already had the knot in the first place."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Eye Touz

Plymouth raised his hand as HIGH as it would go ~~and might have jumped just a LITTLE to try and maybe, maybe, sort of reach a very, very peripheral leaf~~.

"I think if I had a tree this smart I'd just say to, "HI TREE. Can you show me your sweet spot?" And it would show me, because me and trees are tight. So, I agree with CellBell on that part. I would think potions and spells would just really PEEVE a tree like this. AN EPIC TREE LIKE THIS."

Excited much? hehe

... hehe.

"....I think you should try that, actually, Plymouth, and let me know how it works out. You may want to address a tree of such age and wisdom with a smidgen more respect, however, as this tree is not nearly as erm, modern? Just a bit of advice to keep in mind."

Bunz didn't doubt Plymouth Morgan's ability to be 'tight' with trees, however.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celandine

"Well, Professor?" Cela waved her hand around and it sort of turned into a wave for the Willow. "She's 100 years old almost, right? Which is totally cool and impressive, but like, she was always full-sized right? So would it be correct to assume that a tree like this doesn't have the same kind of... like germination process and stuff? Like, she doesn't spend lots of time growing because its more important for her to be grown? I'd guess that she grew in only a few months, or weeks or even days over the summer of 1971, that would also explain how she got here too, because it is much easier to transport a small plant than one that is great and beautiful like the Willow is now. "

Cela made a thoughtful face.

"So if that is true, is it a spell that makes an amazing tree like this one start growing? Or do you ask it? Or a potion or something like that? Oh and it was supposed to be Dumbledore who was responsible for the Willow appearing, in time for Lupin to start at Hogwarts in September 1971. The knot was probably part of whatever magical process caused the Willow to grow in the first place."

"Very good, Cela!" Bunbury beamed at the bright Ravenclaw. Of course she wasn't a bit perturbed by all the questions... because the professor had all the answers.

"The growth of the Whomping Willow is actually a bit of a combination of all that... obviously communicating with the tree directly is of vital importance and yes the knot was there from the start...." she trailed off and raised a brow at Fyo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SenoritaMaxie

Fyo raised his hand. "Bonsai, professor?" He suggested. "There are some trees that can live for decades, and I would say that the art of Bonsai fits because, that way, such a tree - a whole tree - could have been developed in a very small container. Albus Dumbledore was a man of wisdom and, when he needed such a plant, he could have had it transported with amazing ease, because the size would not be a hindrance."

"The knot could have been part of the tree, already - Bonsai is an amazing art, and it's wonderful what people can do with it, how they can 'build' entire trees from several, or separate, sections or cuttings - but I think it more likely that it was an idea of Dumbledore's. He was gifted with many magical skills, and he probably made good use of them to install a 'controlled defense mechanism' - or, if the knot was already there, to activate it in such a way, for such a purpose." Made sense to him.

"But ahhhh, that, Fyo, is exactly the answer I was looking for!" Anastasia almost started applauding the Gryffindor but she probably would have fallen off the tree by doing that.

"Obviously the herbologists who work with such regal... trees... as the Whomping Willow do not want to keep them small. A process involving complicated spells, potions and a knot-like layer were combined to expedite the growth process here."

She glanced up at toward the tippy top of the tree affectionately. "What an elaborate process for such a worthwhile cause. I'm sure you all agree."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs_Molly_Weasley

Becca blushed. Surely her answer wasn't that "AHA!" worthy. Afterall, she'd only mentioned a small detail no one before her had. Then flying back into the lesson she raised her hand again, "I agree. It could've been there prior to being the way to gain 'entrance' to the Shrieking Shack. I believe that seeign as Dumbledore was such a great wizard and no one other than the four friends and himself knew about Mr. Lupin's "Furry Little Problem". It was a very clever idea because there was nothing abnormal about a tree with a not and no one dared go near the Willow, or shall I say, she didn't let anyone pass. I think it's rather creative... however, very harmful to Madame Willow." She summarized her thoughts. That was basically all she had thought of.

"I agree with you also, dear," Bunz nodded at the Ravenclaw. "The addition of the knot.... while it is a travesty to a tree such as this one it does have its few uses.... I suppose."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginny Molly Weasley

Virgi knew this one too. Great-grandfather Harry told her everything.

"Well professor, Dumbledore planted the tree and dug out a path to the shrieking shack when Remus Lupin joined school. To protect old professor Lupin he planted the tree and told Lupin the secret to getting past the tree. Lupin was embarrassed about him being a werewolf and when his friends asked about him and where he disappeared to, he would change the subject. He soon told his friends and they turned into animagi to join them. Sorry professor, I always go overboard," Virgi said.

"Yes, that's correct. Not overboard at all if you're just giving the right information." She nodded at the girl and then pat-patted the tree so it would lower her closer to the ground and she could sliiiiiiide off.

Once on the ground, Bunz dusted her hands off and came over to stand by Truebridge. "Before we continue the lesson into the Shrieking Shack...." she cleared her throat. "I believe you all have some jars of dung. Would someone like to step forward and demonstrate how to apply the dung around Ms. Willow's base? Don't forget to speak to the tree politely, now...."

ooc: actually don't wait for one person to go; you all should just step right up and try to get along with the tree. ;]

12-01-2009, 02:38 AM	#151 (permalink)
BanaBatGirl Banshee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gotham Posts: 51,213 Hogwarts RPG Name: TBD Gryffindor Hogwarts RPG Name: Zara H. Bunbury-Foster Slytherin Fifth Year	rearranged a little Professor Pink \| Mrs. Bruce Wayne \| I'm on a Goat \| Glitterpuff \| Dumbledore's Defense Squad \| BHB Quote: Originally Posted by individual Listening to a Ravenclaw talk, she had no clue what the girl just said, so it went through one ear and right out the other. What? Germination? WHAT? "Perhaps...Dumbledore planted the tree when he found out that Remus Lupin was a werewolf. Or Dumbledore had whoever the Herbology Professor plant it since, well...yea." Yup, easy response. Smiling up at the professor, she thought of how the knot could have been created on the tree. Was it created by magic? Or was it already there? Did all Willow trees like the Whomping Willow have a knot thing? Now she was stumped. There could be many possibilities on how the knot came to be there. Sure, only a few of the possibilities would actually be able to happen...but... maybe she should just choose a safe response instead. "Someone could have put the knot there by magic, so Lupin didn't have to fight his way to the passage. Or maybe the tree already had the knot in the first place." "Yes, Dumbledore didn't do all the physical labor himself, obviously, in planting the tree. He was more of the planner of the tree and contacted a grower who specializes in such.... rare and majestic Whomping Willows." It was difficult having to watch what she said around...er...whilst seated on the tree. But Bunz nodded and added, "And yes, the tree already had the knot in the first place." Quote: Originally Posted by Mad Eye Touz Plymouth raised his hand as HIGH as it would go ~~and might have jumped just a LITTLE to try and maybe, maybe, sort of reach a very, very peripheral leaf~~. "I think if I had a tree this smart I'd just say to, "HI TREE. Can you show me your sweet spot?" And it would show me, because me and trees are tight. So, I agree with CellBell on that part. I would think potions and spells would just really PEEVE a tree like this. AN EPIC TREE LIKE THIS." Excited much? hehe ... hehe. "....I think you should try that, actually, Plymouth, and let me know how it works out. You may want to address a tree of such age and wisdom with a smidgen more respect, however, as this tree is not nearly as erm, modern? Just a bit of advice to keep in mind." Bunz didn't doubt Plymouth Morgan's ability to be 'tight' with trees, however. Quote: Originally Posted by Celandine "Well, Professor?" Cela waved her hand around and it sort of turned into a wave for the Willow. "She's 100 years old almost, right? Which is totally cool and impressive, but like, she was always full-sized right? So would it be correct to assume that a tree like this doesn't have the same kind of... like germination process and stuff? Like, she doesn't spend lots of time growing because its more important for her to be grown? I'd guess that she grew in only a few months, or weeks or even days over the summer of 1971, that would also explain how she got here too, because it is much easier to transport a small plant than one that is great and beautiful like the Willow is now. " Cela made a thoughtful face. "So if that is true, is it a spell that makes an amazing tree like this one start growing? Or do you ask it? Or a potion or something like that? Oh and it was supposed to be Dumbledore who was responsible for the Willow appearing, in time for Lupin to start at Hogwarts in September 1971. The knot was probably part of whatever magical process caused the Willow to grow in the first place." "Very good, Cela!" Bunbury beamed at the bright Ravenclaw. Of course she wasn't a bit perturbed by all the questions... because the professor had all the answers. "The growth of the Whomping Willow is actually a bit of a combination of all that... obviously communicating with the tree directly is of vital importance and yes the knot was there from the start...." she trailed off and raised a brow at Fyo. Quote: Originally Posted by SenoritaMaxie Fyo raised his hand. "Bonsai, professor?" He suggested. "There are some trees that can live for decades, and I would say that the art of Bonsai fits because, that way, such a tree - a whole tree - could have been developed in a very small container. Albus Dumbledore was a man of wisdom and, when he needed such a plant, he could have had it transported with amazing ease, because the size would not be a hindrance." "The knot could have been part of the tree, already - Bonsai is an amazing art, and it's wonderful what people can do with it, how they can 'build' entire trees from several, or separate, sections or cuttings - but I think it more likely that it was an idea of Dumbledore's. He was gifted with many magical skills, and he probably made good use of them to install a 'controlled defense mechanism' - or, if the knot was already there, to activate it in such a way, for such a purpose." Made sense to him. "But ahhhh, that, Fyo, is exactly the answer I was looking for!" Anastasia almost started applauding the Gryffindor but she probably would have fallen off the tree by doing that. "Obviously the herbologists who work with such regal... trees... as the Whomping Willow do not want to keep them small. A process involving complicated spells, potions and a knot-like layer were combined to expedite the growth process here." She glanced up at toward the tippy top of the tree affectionately. "What an elaborate process for such a worthwhile cause. I'm sure you all agree." Quote: Originally Posted by Mrs_Molly_Weasley Becca blushed. Surely her answer wasn't that "AHA!" worthy. Afterall, she'd only mentioned a small detail no one before her had. Then flying back into the lesson she raised her hand again, "I agree. It could've been there prior to being the way to gain 'entrance' to the Shrieking Shack. I believe that seeign as Dumbledore was such a great wizard and no one other than the four friends and himself knew about Mr. Lupin's "Furry Little Problem". It was a very clever idea because there was nothing abnormal about a tree with a not and no one dared go near the Willow, or shall I say, she didn't let anyone pass. I think it's rather creative... however, very harmful to Madame Willow." She summarized her thoughts. That was basically all she had thought of. "I agree with you also, dear," Bunz nodded at the Ravenclaw. "The addition of the knot.... while it is a travesty to a tree such as this one it does have its few uses.... I suppose." Quote: Originally Posted by Ginny Molly Weasley Virgi knew this one too. Great-grandfather Harry told her everything. "Well professor, Dumbledore planted the tree and dug out a path to the shrieking shack when Remus Lupin joined school. To protect old professor Lupin he planted the tree and told Lupin the secret to getting past the tree. Lupin was embarrassed about him being a werewolf and when his friends asked about him and where he disappeared to, he would change the subject. He soon told his friends and they turned into animagi to join them. Sorry professor, I always go overboard," Virgi said. "Yes, that's correct. Not overboard at all if you're just giving the right information." She nodded at the girl and then pat-patted the tree so it would lower her closer to the ground and she could sliiiiiiide off. Once on the ground, Bunz dusted her hands off and came over to stand by Truebridge. "Before we continue the lesson into the Shrieking Shack...." she cleared her throat. "I believe you all have some jars of dung. Would someone like to step forward and demonstrate how to apply the dung around Ms. Willow's base? Don't forget to speak to the tree politely, now...." ooc: actually don't wait for one person to go; you all should just step right up and try to get along with the tree. ;] __________________ yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________ __________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind