Jose couldn't believe that Jason tried it one handed. he turn to the professor and realised that something was wrong. He decided he would have a word with the professor later. Jose couldn't believe what was going on.

"Careful now! Let's not give the Ministry any more reason to 'help' us." Once Jason had safely landed he took hold of the vine. "Finn, I think you were next. Who else wanted a shot?"

Jose decided to ask "Is it safe?"

Maddox Rushed over, "Professor I would love to have a shot!" Maddox felt a little goofy to be so excited over swinging on a vine. But it was so much fun.

"I'm not as young as I used to be. I will stick to chess and trekking across Alaska," Ignatius stated. "The vine would not do my skin alot of good. I have spent alot of time conditioning these hands. I do not want them rougher than they already are."

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Originally Posted by liammoiser

Jose decided to ask "Is it safe?"

He nodded. "Quite. And I believe there is still a cushioning charm in effect, so even if you do slip you'll land lightly."

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Originally Posted by suzy18

Maddox Rushed over, "Professor I would love to have a shot!" Maddox felt a little goofy to be so excited over swinging on a vine. But it was so much fun.

"Alright, you'll get your turn soon!"

"can I have a go then" asked Jose.

Finn smiled and took a step up to the vine. Wiping the sweat that had accumulated on his hands, he gripped the vine tightly and pushed off. This was much more fun than his feeble attempts to fly.

He sped far too quickly to the other table and safely set his feet upon it and dismounted the vine.

He nodded to the professor and said a quick thanks before handing it to the next student.

Nicholai watched in amusement as the other boys became excited with the idea of vine-swinging all seeming to forget momentarily house rivalry, the gender segregation and the Ministry interference of this term. It was refreshing to see a class which combined learning and fun; considering there hadn't been alot of either.

He shook himself slightly as he weirdly found himself smiling at Maddox Darcy for the other boy's excitement; he quickly blanked the expression from his face and looked down at his book. Reading over the notes he had taken thus far in the class he frowned and raised his hand.

“Excuse me Professor; If only trace amounts of Iron Pyrite in soil is sufficient to neutralize the plants; if there is a significant amount of Iron Pyrite does it affect the plants any differently?”

He added another question musingly; his mind half on the lesson and half elsewhere.

"And if the plants were bred to have a weakness to Iron Pyrite, could they not also be bred for some other weakness and even perhaps have the weakness to Iron Pyrite bred out of them?”

"Of course, Jose. Give it a go!" He looked to Nicholai. "Of course it's possible. To someone who is very skilled in Herbology. I could breed a different weakness if I wanted. But iron pyrite is common, and ensures someone being able to find a way to get it to stop. And you don't have to constantly carry something. There are also some of the original plants out there still which do not have this weakness."

Will raised his hand. He was such a curious puppy! "Professor, if the vines have this reaction to iron pyrite specifically... how does their reaction differ when exposed to other soil inclusions with similar chemical attributes-- such as pure iron or other sulfides? And is it reactie when it is exposed to true gold, which though chemically dissimilar is structurally and visually quite similar to iron pyride?"

"It only reacts to iron pyrite. Do remember, either from potions or some other classes, that everything has a different magical or energetic signature, which is what causes a magical property. These energies reacting are just as important as the physical structure."

Nicholai nodded and added something to his notes. "Thank you, sir."
This lesson was making him wish that there was a Hogwarts this year; more evidence of a skilled Hogwarts Professor vs. the mostly laughable Ministry approved professors.

Hmmm, food for thought. Nico finished his notes and sat back to watch the vine swinging.

Jose took hold of the vine and then he started to swing on it buy was it fun. He hadn't had this much fun in like forever. Jose pushed off and swang to the other table where he dismounted "Sir how does the vine bare the weight surely it will be worn down by now?"

Finn listened with interest as the nuances of herbology was explained by the professor.

Maddox listened and took notes using while waiting in line. Nico always had to be the smart guy in class. It was like he had to prove himself. 'Whatever' he thought to himself while writing down everything the teacher said.

"The vine has a high tensile strength, which means that it can bear great loads for long periods of time. This is what makes it so useful." He looked about. "Anyone who wanted a swing and hasn't yet? There is more to this lesson than this one vine."

"Wow herbology is so interesting" replied Jose "is there a certain about it can hold before it break"

Travis raised a hand excitedly. "May I have a go, sir?"

"Alright, Travis. Have a go while I get the next bit ready." He went and plucked a few leaves from another vine, then began a pot of tea boiling. He wasn't planning on the second use, but he figured he had time to prepare it, he may as well.

Jason looked intently at what Professor Erickson was doing.

Finn wondered if there was some sort draught to be made from the leaves.

He raised his hand. "Professor, is there some sort of draught that can be made from the leaves, or is it simply an aromatic?"

"Tea?" Patrick asked somewhat rhetorically when he saw Erikson put the leaves in a teapot.

"These leaves are from the calystegia noctus, or the Nocturne False Bindweed. False Bindweed is actually a variety of Morning Glory. The Nocturne False Bindweed is known to the wizarding world only." He allowed it to brew while he sliced up a few of the leaves. "Chewing the leaves can act as a sort of tranquilizer, though much less effective than a calming draught. It's a suitable replacement for chocolate for those who are allergic to the substance, though wouldn't be suggested otherwise. Particularly since it's usually not readily available." He passed out the bits of leaves for the students to try, then went to check on the 'tea.'

Finn looked at the leaves that the professor had passed out. He put it to his nose and sniffed to see the smell. It had a slightly bitter smell to it, and he wasn't too sure about seeing what it tasted like.

He passed it on to the next student.