The vines were putting up a good fight and they were winning it seemed until the woman who started all the spells seemed to gather some momentum and was freezing parts of the plant. When the others came in the plants slowed even more though a few of their vines kept going after each of the wizards as they shot spells.

The vines around the man tangled in them seemed to all still but one, that one was still trying to twist and squeeze around his waist.

Right. Yes... Griffin. Archer sprinted towards the man and his chair. The one vine that was apparently still active had to be stopped. Archer used his manly muscles to try and remove as many of the vines from Griffin, whilst trying to avoid his wand. "Are you okay?" he asked. Obviously he wasn't in an ideal situation, but... was he able to keep breathing? "Is it winding you?" he clarified. After unwinding some of the other vines from around Griffin, Archer started to physically attempt a removal of the vine still wrapping itself around Griffin's waist. "Reckon one of us can get you our of here if I can get this vine loose enough?"

He was struggling that was for sure and the more he moved the more the plant tangled around him. "Yeah it won't let go. I thought I was free when Olly was hitting it with spells but there must be a few vines still moving around me"

Making a face from the pain he could feel his insides being fully squished as the vine pulled tighter around his middle. "Maybe you guys should just get out. If we leave it alone, maybe it will calm down." Griffin was sure that wasn't what was going to happen, that once they leave the plant would do him in, but really Olly had done everything possible and the plant still had him. If nothing else he would know his friend and the rest of his coworkers got the hell out before it hurt anyone else.

Really, Griffin? R E A L L Y ???

Olly actually took the time to turn around to give him an unimpressed look. Making sure he SAW it, too. "We're not leaving you in here." Whatever he was playing at, he needed to stop it right now. This was NOT the time to be the hero here. Or a martyr. "Just hold still so Archer can pull you out, yeah?" And the way she said 'yeah?' clearly suggested that any other answer apart from 'yes' was NOT acceptable.

Now, back to freezing the plants.

Right, so no magic. This was going to be a bit trickier than Kat had thought.

But perhaps, since Archer was here now, it wouldn't be so bad. Kat was mostly avoiding having to deal with vines herself, and she didn't want to tackle them physically. Sure, that was part of her job during field work... but if she could avoid them being near rogue plants, she definitely would.

...Except she was very unamused by Griffin's suggestion to leave him alone. Really? "Har har, that's not going to happen," Kat said, giving him a look. She wouldn't even dare to leave the most skilled herbologist in the world strangled by a rogue vine. Awful. With that said, she sent more stunning spells at the vines approaching them and at the ones trying to squeeze Griffin's waist.

If that bloody vine decided Archer was good meat too, well... Kat hoped not. This was not going to be another plant attack à la Professor Burbage moment again.

The plants vines were going more and more still with all the spells flying around, but it tried to keep moving. The vine around Griffin stopped as it was hit as well, but with one last try a vine flew out and smacked into one of them before all went still.

Well he knew they wouldn't go with that, but he had to try. Though it seemed they were finally winning. "I think you got it." He didn't feel like the life was being taken out of him anymore and the plant stopped around his middle. Could he get himself up out of here now?

Beginning to try to use all his arm strength to get away from the plant he wiggled until he was loose and fell to the floor with a bang. "Ugggggh"

That wasn't feeling great, but it was better than just being thrown around by a plant. Grabbing his wand that thankfully didn't break Griffin looked around. '"Can't say I have ever been happier to see people."

Wait -- just leave him? Archer looked taken aback, but before he could respond, the others had, and not much differently than he would have.

But something in the air seemed to settle. Archer looked up from his attempts to pull some of the vines from out of Griffin's chair, when *SMACK* something slapped him across the cheek. "Merlin," he muttered, as he got over the shock of being hit. "Those vines are feisty." Although he didn't have to actually say so.

"Are they actually... done?" They seemed to be. He went back to carefully untangling the vines from Griffin's chair, just as the man fell out of the chair and onto the floor. Archer frowned and looked at him. "You okay?" Once he thought all the vines were untangled from Griffin's chair, Archer took his wand out and cast "Repairo," towards it.

Back to work meant he had to go back to the greenhouse and honestly he hadn't been dreading it. He grew up with plants, though they were of no magical sources, he loved what he did. So why as he wheeled himself in did he feel a panic in his stomach?

Could it be from the last term?

Yes, it most certainly was, but Griffin was strong and he could deal with it. Plants needed his attention and he wasn't going to let them down. As he headed inside he glanced around and made a mental note on everything that needed to be done. It was quiet for now, so a great time to be productive.

"Now as long as we don't try to strangle me or break my chair this time we will all get along nicely." Laughing a little to himself he started to water.

Another beautiful day, and Astara got to spend it at work. Fortunately, today she would find herself getting to know some of the greener aspects of her job. And would get to actually enjoy some of the outdoors.

Oh! But there was already someone else in the greenhouses. "Good morning to you." Astara said cheerfully, as she made her way to a few of the more 'shrub-like' plants and fitted herself with a work apron that had a couple nice deep pockets.
She began to check the dampness of the soil gently with her hands, just a fingertip would do. "Lovely day to be able to spend outdoors." At least partly, anyway. "Much better than staring at the sides of a cubicle."
Astara smiled slightly, before she realized something. And that was the fact that she had not properly introduced herself.

"I'm terribly sorry." Astara stopped her soil checking for the moment and brushed off her hands on her work apron. "I'm Astara. Astara Hornebolt. I'm new to the department." She walked over to her fellow employee and extended her right hand in greeting.

He wasn't a very jumpy person, but Griffin had been in his own head and in his thoughts when someone had come in. He wasn't sure what was going on with the husband lately so his mind went to that and maybe taking a trip this summer together, so when someone came into the greenhouse and spoke Griffin jumped in his wheelchair a little.

Turning his head he smiled, "Morning" He had seen her at the department meeting, but hadn't had a chance to speak to her yet, so this was a good moment to do just that. "Why yes, it is a great day to be around plants, but really isn't any day?" He smiled a little for the fact that it was their job to be around plants so he figured most of them loved doing it.

Watching her get an apron he nodded, "Doing some trimming or??" Maybe she was working on a project, but either way he was just curious to what she was doing.

"Nice to meet you Astra" He turned his chair and wheeled closer to her, "I'm Griffin, welcome to the department." He had only been there a few years, but he still felt like the newest one, so it was nice to see more.

Griffin made a good point, and Astara nodded her head in agreement. "Very true." Any day was lovely when it came to working with plants.

"Very nice to meet you, Griffin." Astara said sweetly. It was nice to finally have a conversation with a coworker, rather than just go about to job sites and speak minimally and so businesslike. "If it's not too much trouble, I prefer Ash. Sounds less formal." She slipped on a pair of work gloves. "How long have you been working here? And any tips for a newbie?"

"Ah-.." Ash started as Griffin asked about her possibly doing some trimming. Now it was her turn to look surprised. "I was considering it, yes." 'Man, he's astute!' "Unless of course I'm not allowed just yet!" Perhaps she needed to be overseen by a superior first? She didn't want to step on anyone's toes. That would made for a horrible impression. "I was just going to get a couple dead sections off the Flutterby bush." 'And?'
Astara pondered her question for a moment. "Do you happen to have any grafted plants here?"

"That is no trouble at all. It is your name so whatever you would like to be called." He didn't see a problem in calling her Ash, he knew shortening names were common. Many called him Grif instead of just saying Griffin. "I've been here about four years now. Was part time for a little bit as I finished up with University, but I graduated last May, so now I'm here full time." How had it been a year since he graduated already. Time flew when you were busy with life.

Shaking his head and lifting his hands he smiled, "I'm not the boss of these plants and you work here, so you can trim whatever you need to." He wasn't going to stand in her way, plus he was here just to water and work on his anxiety being in here.


Looking around Griffin motioned for her to follow him. "I think we do, in the back area over here." He wheeled around the greenhouse until they made their way to a back corner. "Yep there they are." He hoped there was enough for whatever she was trimming them for.

So Griffin had been here for four years already? "Must be an OK place to be if you can make it that long. Especially if you moved from being part time to full." Astara smiled, for this seemed to be a good indicator of a pleasant work environment.

"Great!" Ash said, clearly pleased by this news. She took out a pair of her own small shears (bright turquoise in color) and snipped a couple dried and unhealthy parts away from the nearest Flutterby. Astara got a good start before Griffin responded to her question in the way she'd hoped he would.
She followed behind Griffin to where the grafted plants were housed, a question burning in the back of her mind as she eyed Griffin's wheelchair curiously and with some concern. But upon reaching the grafted plants section, Ash just couldn't hide her delight, and that concerned look in her eyes passed for the time being. 'Later.' She told herself mentally, 'Later.'

"This is awesome." Ash said, obviously thrilled. "It's always been a passion of mine... horticulture. One that my grandmother pushed on me, anyway. Plants on their own are great, but I just love the grafting process."
She began to wander through the rows of the grafted plants, looking at their tags, seeing who was responsible for what combination, how it was responding to the process, the likelihood of it fruiting or flowering, et cetera. A couple of plants even shuddered a little as Astara passed them...she ignored those for the time being.
"Are you responsible for any of these combinations in here, Griffin?" 'This Dittany, Flitterbloom, and Floo plant looks wonderfully healthy...' Ash eyed the nearby plant longingly. 'Wish my Floo survived the graft...'

He couldn't help but think about her statement, it must be an okay place if he stayed this long. He hadn't been there horribly long, but he had seen many come and go, he was on his third department head (well second official). He wasn't so sure why that was, but he did like his job. "I like the people, I think we have a good department head now and she will do great things. So yeah I would say it is a good place to be, plus with plants, it all works out." That was the main reason he was there anyway.

Watching one's expression when they were passionate about something was one of the best things to do and she didn't disappoint. He nodded understanding, "My parents were marine biologist so my brother and I have been around at least some things all our lives." Though most of the plants in here he hadn't seen with his parents, though his mother would love to see a few of the more magical ones.

"No, I can't say that I am. My main stuff is just keeping everything living in here and working with the more mundane plants we have. " He liked working with them, it reminded him of home.

A certain collection of words caught Ash's attention, "Marine biologists?" She repeated with a slight tilt to her head. Astara never heard of that sort of career before. Sure they had a similar division at the ministry, but this was different.
"Where did you happen to grow up? If I may ask?"

Astara smiled, "Well, you're doing a rather bang up job if I may say so." It was the truth, "Everything is so full of life. I don't think I've seen such a healthy garden." She narrowed one eye for a brief moment, questioning her own words, then said, "Maybe my grandmother's garden, when she kept one. But that woman I swear could grow roses from a lump of coal." A slightly exaggerated fact that Ash was envious of to this day.

He turned to start watering again and looking over a few plants that seemed to need more than just water. It felt good to be relaxed in the greenhouse again. "I actually grew up in California for the most part. We moved to London right before I started Hogwarts actually. My parents are both muggle. Bit of a shock when both boys were magical, my twin brother a bit better at it than I am I'll admit." He was book smart and that helped, but Geth could do anything he ever tried.

He couldn't help but laugh, "Well things can grow in the weirdest places. I remember when I was in elementary school we did an experiment with different types of soil, but some had no soil at all, just air and water, for the most part, they grew pretty well." He was actually a little interested in if coal could be used, something he might try at home.

"I'm not the only one in here helping them though so can't take all the credit, I do enjoy spending time in here. Thank you for the compliment though. Have you been working with plants long or what made you decide to join us here?" It was his time to ask some questions.

Astara's eyes widened, as did her smile, "Both of you were born magical to muggle parents?" She couldn't help but laugh a little at the thought, "Yes, I'm sure that must have been quite an adjustment for them. And I'm sure you're equally as 'good at it' as your brother, just in different subjects. Is your brother the type that you can see tending to magical plants and being successful at it?" Ash didn't know too many of these folks. It took a certain special touch, not to mention patience, from what Astara had observed and learned.

Astara eyed a particularly nice specimen nearby and trimmed it just slightly.
"Been to California once about ten years ago. I had such a wonderful time. The climate there is wonderful. Do you miss it at all?" Granted he'd been here now for quite some time.

As she collected a few dry twigs from her trimming and tossed them into the compost, Astara considered Griffin's question. "Well, if I'm being honest, I joined the Ministry to try and settle myself down a bit. Been hopping from job to job for a while, always environmental related careers though. Been to a couple different countries in the process." Ash attempted to wipe her soil covered hands off on her work apron, "Don't get me wrong, I love seeing new places and meeting people, but something was finally getting to me saying, 'maybe it's time to find a home-home' you know?" She got out her wand again and started to help Griffin water a couple plants on her side of the row.
"Plus, my family missed seeing me." Astara added, vanishing a puddle of water that had collected on the floor nearby.
She looked over to Griffin with almost an apologetic look, "Sorry, that went on longer than I thought...". Ash rubbed the side of her face with the back of her left hand, smearing soil on it in the process. "I guess I've been working with plants since I was a child. My grandmother inspired me a lot. She kept a fabulous collection outside her home. Plus, being an outdoorsy person sort of amplified that interest I suppose. I have a plant identification book that I take and mark off when I go camping."
Getting an itch on her nose now, Ash scratched at her face again, further dirtying her appearance. "Did you always want to work with plants?" Had she asked that yet? How silly of Ash.

Having headed back from the food court on the lower levels back to her own job also located on the lower levels, it was obviously only natural Tahnia found herself strolling through level four. Perhaps it was the earthy scent sitting heavily in the air that guided her footsteps into the department, but it was certainly the large room full of color she got a glimpse of that made her stay.

She would have loved to really see what those potted plants she couldn't reach held, or to fly herself up there with wings to nestle into their leaves, but the large sections of greens and yellows and reds that she was witnessing with her own two eyes were burning right into the warmhearted brain spot in her brain. They looked... SOFT. And and... COMFY. Moving closer to the nearest patch of flowers, she bent down to gently touch one, her mouth moving into a shape of an 'o.' SUCH red. Such fiery flames in such a dainty petal that didn't burn her.

Yes. She had to lay down in them.

Being a herbologist for almost a decade now, it was no wonder that Beatrice could often be found in the greenhouses rather than the confines of her office. After all, she had once been a caretaker here before transferring to the research team and she still worked very closely with the greenhouse personnel from time to time.

She was seated on a bench, a few documents splayed open on either side of her when the other woman, one she was fairly certain wasn't from DERP, stepped inside. At first, the former Ravenclaw prefect paid her no heed since the greenhouse was mostly open to everyone in the Ministry, but when she saw the woman reach out to touch a flower, she wondered if said woman wasn't aware that there were quite a number dangerous plants there.

Beatrice stood, smoothing the front of her skirt as she approached her. "Hi. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Picking off some of the petals, Tahnia rubbed them between her fingers, letting them crumble and fall to the ground. They colored her fingers RED! Raising the stained body instruments to eye level, her tongue poked out a little, just about to lick the color before someone's entrance made her jump. WHO THERE?

NOOPE. There was NUTHIN' going on here! Practically diving head first into the large patch, she wiggled around a bit as she kicked up a bunch of dirt in the process. Some flowers were plucked and thrown on top of her. Others were unfortunate to be squashed. The MOST important part of this was that she couldn't be seen if she was one of the flowers!

She was on an errand for her sister, albeit a strange one, but it didn't put her out of her way so it didn't bother her as much as it otherwise could've. A quick stop off at Olly's office, a stroll--real quick, she had things to do--through the greenhouses after to collect and then back to Level 2 to get through those expired warrants she was sorely tempted to pass off to the YATI. Vivi wouldn't be too mad she stole her live bait, would she?

It was something she'd have to remember to ask when she got back because Alexa Cambridge had far better things to do than sit at her desk staring at paper work for hours upon mind numbing hours.

Heading through the greenhouses, she spotted Bee and slowed her gait to spare a quick greeting. That's when she saw someone...er.....diving....through the flowers........

Right. Okay. DERP employees were always a little off in the head, tree huggers, zen and campfire hand holding one with nature types so she decided not to think much about this one that'd clearly taken the "one with nature" a little too seriously.

"Hey Bee." She said, still slowing. Hazel eyes fell on the other woman. "You know you're doing it wrong, yeah?" So they were on the same page here.

What...was she doing?

Beatrice squinted as she neared, only to come to a stop, turning to whoever it was and failing to notice the unnamed woman hit the patch, when she heard her name being called. "Oh...hi Lexa." She resumed to take the few remaining steps with the Head Auror, "I was just..." By then, she had returned her attention to the woman and it was plain as day for anyone to see what she was doing. Beatrice let out a small gasp at the sight.

Flowers...plucked, dismembered, mutilated.

Horrified. She was horrified, horrified she was.

"Holy hippogriffs!" Yes, wrong. So VERY wrong. Plants needed to be treated with care and this woman, whoever she was, was doing the complete opposite of that. "You can't do that!"

He always liked the reaction he got from people when ti came to his brother and himself being muggle-born, "Yeah, we have come to the conclusion that someone in our family line had to been magical for us both to become magical and not just one of us, but we are identical so that probably helped as well." He shrugged and chuckled a bit. "Geth is great at a lot of things, but he tends to go with the animals more than the plants. With our parent's profession, we've been around both all our lives. " He was comfortable to be around for them both and it wasn't a surprise that they did.

"Yeah, I guess I do, but I can visit often. Our grandparents still live there. I actually got married there on the beach." It was a nice small wedding that his groom and him enjoyed.

He listened to her talk about her experiences and enjoyed hearing it. She knew her plants and had worked in many places to get the experience, he couldn't help but admire the fact that she traveled as much as she did. If things would have been different for him he would have seen more of the world, but things happened for a reason and he was happy where he was. "Don't apologize, it's very interesting and it's nice to get to know my coworkers. " They would be working together for some time so he figured it was good to get to know them.

"Oh well, yes and no. I've always loved to be around plants and figured I'd end up with a job that was dealing with plants, but I figured it would be later in life. See... My brother and I, well, we were really into dirtbikes and racing. Was actually qualifying to become professional when I had a bad accident." He patted the wheel of his chair, "Changed some things after that."

One with the flowers!

Though her kicking and squashing came to a stop after being reprimanded by the spook lady. This wasn't able to be done? "But I'm doing it!" She certainly didn't find it difficult to move the dirt and flowers with her hands and feet, as she continued to do... and did ANYONE hear what just came out of her face hole?! "Did you hear that?!" Tahnia stopped her dirt flower angel making and looked up to the two fellow persons before her, mouth open in glee. "Do you work here? Are all the flowers red? No, nevermind. They aren't. Ignore me. Can you do this? What do you do? Wait!"

Dirt got into her face mouth hole. That wasn't an entirely pleasant sensation. The liquid stuff in her mouth was of much use to her as she tried to spit the stuff out.

Much drool on her chin.