Adz couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah - herbology's not exactly my strongest subject, so maybe something easy would be best to start with" Adz whispered, loud enough for only Sarah to hear.

Nadia walked inside the classroom, looking around for an empty desk, though it was all a bit cluttered over there. As she passed by the desk of the professor, she greeted her ("Good Morning") and resumed trying to spot a desk, finally finding one near the window. She sat down, started to get her supplies out and listened attentively waiting for the class to start.

"I hope it is some thing easy." Sarah wispered back

Professor Virohsa notes all the studens talking and mingling. When time to start class comes around, she stands up. "Ok, class! Time to start class", she said in a very loud voice.

Once class had settled, her eyes scan the audience. "Welcome to your first Lesson of Herbology this year. I hope everyone brought their materials", she said slowly.

"Today, we will be talking about Safety, a Recap of last year, and one of the theories behind herbology", she said coldly.

"First. Safety. Can anyone tell me why we would need to know about Safety in Herbology Class?", she asked the students.

"We need to wear gloves, and be cautious. Anything could be something else - so we need to be prepared for anything..." Adz answered carefully

Sarah raised her Hand and said " You need to worry about safety because if you don't you could get really hurt or get poisoned from one of the plants you are working with."

ooc: Again?

Jaren raised his hand. "Wear protective gloves when handling plants, and make sure you know exactly what you're handling."

Nadia raised her hand, "For one, herbology usually deals with plants that can be poisonous and would be used as component of analgesics in medicine or other. Plus, magical plants have their own defensive mechanism that we should be aware of before approaching the plant, say, know the whomping willow reluctance for company and its way to attack you, so you won't get near its branches, etc."

Meghan raised her hand even though the answer tshe thought of was silly. "You also need to follow the teacher's instructions carefully."

Professor Virohsa nodded. "That's true. Things are never what they appear. However, you forgot to raise your hand before answering. So no points this time", she stated coldly. "And in case some of you didn't read the classroom rules.. you have to be respectful as well as raise your hand before answering", she added.

"Anyone else has any ideas why we are talking about Safety?"

Kay raised her hand. "You should make sure that your earmuffs are on securely before handling certain plants, such as Mandrakes."

Professor Virohsa nodded. "Yes, you get get poisoned or hurt. 1 pt awarded to your house".

ooc- Oh yes, there are new 1st yrs after all
Professor Virohsa nodded again. "Yes, it is essential you know what you are going to be working with. 1 pt for Slytherin".

Professor Virohsa nodded. "That is very true. Pay attention everyone. Plants will have defense mechanisms that will hurt you. 1 pt for Slytherin", she said with her usual cold voice.

Professor Virohsa nodded. "That is true. However, we are not talking about the safety precautions to be taken right now. Perhaps you can raise that point when we start discussing safety precautions", she said very matter-of-factly.


---
"Ok, moving on. Most of the plants we will be working with will either have poison or will be used to remove poison or any other maladies", she looked at her class. "Write it down", she said slowly.

"Now..", she moved her eyes to Kay and Meghan. "We will talk about Safety Precautions. What should be implemented to keep all students safe?", she asked the children in her class.

Sarah raised her hand agian and said "one safety precaution is to always wear gloves when you are working with a plant becasue you don't want to get poked with any thing that has posion in it."

Nadia raised her hand again, "When extracting pus or other liquid component, wear goggles. When dealing with poisonous plants, gloves. When dealing with plants that should not be touched even with gloves, for various reasons, you use the wands. Of course, if dealing with all of them at the time, use all of those items.

"When dealing with agressive plants that can move on their own, one should have the due space. Also, we should know the weakness of the plant in case it goes out of hand, like with the Devil's Snare. To keep people safe the plant should be dealt with in a secure enviroment equiped with the tools necessary to deal with said problem."

Professor Virohsa nodded. "1 pf for Hufflepuff", she stated as she continued to wait for students to give more answers.

She listened to Nadia and nodded. "Yes, goggles are a definite. 1 more pt for Slytherin", she added.

Meghan raised her hand again. "Well now you would need to pay attention and follow the teacher's rules exactly."

Professor Virohsa nodded. "Very good, dear. You need to listen to the instructions very carefully. 1 pt for Ravenclaw".

Kay raised her hand again. "It is important that one has their protective gear securely on before handling any plant, such as securing one's earmuffs before handling Mandrakes." She hesitated for a moment as she remembered another safety detail. "Also, it is important to keep your work area and the floor clear of any unnecessary items."

Sarah raised her hand again and said "when dealing with mandrakes you have to make sure that you have your earmuffs on tight because the cry of the mandrake is fatal for anyone who heres it."

Professor Virohsa nodded. "Very well, Kay. 2 pts for Ravenclaw..", she replied. She nodded at the Hufflepuff, "! pt for Hufflepuff". Being how it was taking a while, Professor Virohsa waved her wand and the Blackboard showed the following phrases:

Kay bent over her parchment and copied down the list of safety precautions that Professor Virohsa wrote on the blackboard.

"Moving on. Last year we saw a variety of poisoneous plants and how they never appeared to be what they seemed. This year, we will be focusing on the Elements. The Elements we will be focusing on are Water, Fire, Air, and Earth", she looked at the students. Most of which were not taking notes.

"From which philosophical background do we base the idea that matter is divided into these four elements?", she asked the class.

ooc: Keep our child away? *watches Nadia-Ic's tummy and tries to feel somebody kicking down there*

Nadia took some notes on the safety precautions, wondering if they were indeed going to use ladders or it was just the common procedure. Well, if they were dealing with trees maybe...

Listening further the given instructions, Nadia raised her hand again, "Ancient Greek Philosophers, Presocratics. Actually, those philosophers held their own name and it was 'Physics', if I recall correctly."

Sarah had not heard the question because she was taking notes.

Kay raised her hand. "The Greeks, Professor Virohsa."