LouAnn eyed the tree, thinking that the only purpose it seemed to serve was scaring all the students half to death. It sure scared her, what with those whomping, animated branches flying about in all directions. It was swaying around and around, almost as if it was teasing her...daring her to cross its path the wrong way.

Her eyes flickered towards Professor Truebridge, and she raised her hand. "There's a secret passage leading from our school to the Shrieking Shack. That tree covers it up...makes it all shifty, ya know," she replied. "Remus Lupin went in there to change into a...a....a werewolf."

Fred raised his hand and answered, "The whomping willow was planting to disguise a certain opening of secret way to the Shrieking Shack. It was done so a certain student name Remus Lupin who started attending Hogwarts the year the tree was planted to go to the Shreiking Shack un-noticed to ge through his transformations in privacy", Fred said happilly for he had been reading the textbook a lot lately and it seemed to be paying off.".

"Good. As Tiberius mentioned, the Shrieking Shack was called that because of the sounds Remus Lupin, a werewolf student at Hogwarts during the 1970's, made while undergoing the painful transformations he had to suffer through each month. Before this time, the Shrieking Shack was simply an old abandoned house. Albus Dumbledore encouraged the impression that the Shrieking Shack was haunted, why do you suppose he did so and why do you think the Shrieking Shack was chosen for Remus Lupin to make his transformations in?"

Ethan looked up at the Willow and gave it a respectful nod before returning his attention to the class.

Fyo raised his hand. "He encouraged that impression so people would stay away, I think," he said, with something of a nod. "They wanted to keep the fact that Remus Lupin was a werewolf, a secret." Because there had been a lot of prejudice, hadn't there? Still was, in fact.

"It was probably chosen because it has no working doors or windows - you can't break into it from the outside, and that helped ensure the safety of the general population. Plus, the entrance to the Shack is very well-camouflaged - a secret passageway - and Lupin could pass between the two locations, unnoticed."

Or something of that sort.

Cela raised her hand. "Dumbledore allowed that impression and probably even spread some of the rumours himself, in order to provide a safe place for Remus Lupin to make his transformations. The Shrieking Shack is ideal because it is isolated enough to have kept the students here safe, and yet still accessible enough that Remus Lupin could get there without too much hassle."

Werewolves. Sigh.

They were people too.

Lucy raised her hand and said, "Professor Dumbledore probabaly encouraged the rumor so no one would ever suspect what was really going on inside, and so people wouldn't dare enter the Shack. He didn't want anyone to find out about Remus Lupin."

"The Shack was probably chosen because it was abandoned and no one ever went in there because it was known to be haunted."

Was that right?

She was aware that Professor Truebridge was talking, but she was still starring at the tree until she heard another question being asked. Hmm, why did Dumbledore do that? "Dumbledore could have encouraged the impression that the Shrieking Shack was haunted so no one would wander there during a full moon when Remus Lupin was a wolf. And the place was probably chosen since it wasn't so close to Hogwarts, that no student would really be in any danger when the full moon came around, and since it was abandoned anyway..." It seemed like a good explanation for it, but, eh, Evelyn wasn't so sure.

Becca raised her hand and answered "I believe Professor Dumbledore wanted Mr. Lupin to have privacy, so that no one would be at risk of being harmed by him while he was in his second form and so that he could be safe(as well as others). The rumor was a good way to keep the fact that Mr. Lupin was a werewolf a secret. It is definetly creepy enough, with the whole secluded and dark, deteriorated look, who wouldn't believe that it was haunted?" She gave her opinion on the matter, though in truth, her thoughts had already been said. These people were like mind readers!

Merlin's undergarments, Burple was rambling again. Bunbury exhaled a weee little bit through her nose and took a step back from the class when Ethan spoke up. He was such a good teacher. She should have been.... taking notes or something.... but she did know the history of the Whomping Willow. Of course she did.

It was only THE BEST TREE EVER. And it knew it too.

And with that thought in mind, Annie started edging away, step by high-heeled step, from her own class and toward the tree. They were learning. They had a much much better professor right there anyway... and... she was going to go... prepare the tree for the influx of students.

Right.

Oh oh! The lovely, sensitive, SMART you lady (age is relative when you're a very old tree, but the Willow looked pretty good for her age, yes?) approached.

The Willow liked her; they had always seemed to understand each other, even in Annie's youth.

Do you want to come closer Annie? YOU may. YOU are considerate and caring. And such a snappy dresser. You take care of yourself. I trust you to take care of me.

Crrrrrreeeeaaaaaaakk. The Willow tipped towards the Herbology Professor extending a branch as far as it would go and unfurling tendrils of leaves as if to beckon her closer.

Oh Merlin. Bunbury has lost her marbles. She probably planted them somewhere, maybe in some Devil's Snare?
She was walking to the tree like it was a safe little apple tree. And the tree was like calling her over. Destiny leaned in and whispered to Evelyn, 'We're going to need a new Herbology Professor after this class.' It was nice knowing you Professor.

MEHHH.

What was going on here? The Whomping Willow seemed to take a liking to Professor Bunbury and all of a sudden Professor Truebridge was there! It actually probably wasn't sudden though. Livvy was most likely off in her own little dreamland world and not paying any attention to the class. Tsk. Tsk. What a poor example she was setting.

PSSSHH. Who cares about setting examples? What a laugh!

If Livvy didn't know better... she'd say the Willow fancied the professor. She knew better. At least she thought she did.

Evelyn couldn't hold it in. She burst out laughing after what she heard Destiny say. Of course she noticed the Professor sneaking away towards the tree, 'Crazy person.', and she was watching the entire time when the tree sorta...gestured her over? Is that what it did?

Hiding slightly behind Destiny so she wasn't soooo noticeable, once she got herself under control, she stood straight again and gave Professor Truebridge an apologetic look; guilty even. Leaning over to Destiny, she whispered, "Read my mind." Smiling, she looked towards Professor Whatshername, raising a brow since the tree wasn't crushing the professor or anything, before turning her attention back to Truebridge. 'Stupid...yet magnificent tree.'

Merlin, Merlin, Merlin Meee! That thing was creaking and beckoning and doing things no tree on this Earth should be capable of doing. Concerned for her well-being, LouAnn promptly scooted a little more to the left in an attempt to be further away from the tree. That was when she noticed that the branches of the tree seemed to be calling Professor Bunbury forward. LouAnn froze in place while she watched this interaction.

"Gooo, Professor B! Gift it with some mooncalf dung! Here...you can have mine!" she called out, holding her jar forward. "Share the wealth!"

"Indeed. Thank you for mentioning the lack of doors and windows and you are right about the general population being safe from the werewolf too." Truebridge answered, turning slightly in order to keep an eye on the Willow and Annie. Not that he expected any issues, it was more just a force of habit.

"Accessibilty for Lupin and indeed the students of Hogwarts were kept safe from him in his wolf form." Truebridge nodded and turned his attention to Lucy.

"Right, Dumbledore's intentions were to keep Lupin's condition a secret, I'm sure in the light of recent events you may understand why he wished to do so. "

He listened to the rest of her answer and shook his head just barely. "It was known to be haunted as a result of Lupin using it."

"Very true." Truebridge answered.

"Right you are..." Ethan cleared his throat and frowned.

"Evelyn, Destiny, Livvy and LouAnn pay attention. If any of you are unable to recap what we cover during class I will be docking points."

Where was he?

"The Shrieking Shack was known as the most haunted house in Britain for a long while. Even the Hogwarts ghosts refused to go anywhere near the place as it was reputed to contain dark spirits. All of this added to the 'haunted' rumours which Dumbledore initiated. Lupin was not alone during his transformations, can you all name who accompanied him on his monthly visits to the Shrieking Shack?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Whomping Willow

Oh oh! The lovely, sensitive, SMART you lady (age is relative when you're a very old tree, but the Willow looked pretty good for her age, yes?) approached.

The Willow liked her; they had always seemed to understand each other, even in Annie's youth.

Do you want to come closer Annie? YOU may. YOU are considerate and caring. And such a snappy dresser. You take care of yourself. I trust you to take care of me.

Crrrrrreeeeaaaaaaakk. The Willow tipped towards the Herbology Professor extending a branch as far as it would go and unfurling tendrils of leaves as if to beckon her closer.

Annie had somewhat abandoned the sneaking away tactic and was just openly strolling toward the tree now. She trusted Truebridge to watch the class (he was doing a good job)... and besides....

Ms. Willow was so very welcoming. The redhead openly beamed as a branch beckoned her to it and she obliged, practically skipping to its side. Only not, because Bunz was a professional who did not skip anymore. She paused after her approach, however, and then went with a quick curtsy and respectful nod at the tree.

"You are looking absolutely ravishing, Madame Willow. Pardon me for not visiting more often," she told the tree solemnly, "but surely you understand... the children.... are in desperate need of some teaching..."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

"Gooo, Professor B! Gift it with some mooncalf dung! Here...you can have mine!" she called out, holding her jar forward. "Share the wealth!"

....yeahhhhhhhh.

"Like that one, for example." Bunz tilted her head back toward LouAnn and then pat-patted the branch that had welcomed her there. "Would you be so kind as to help my er...." she eyed Ethan for a moment, "colleague and I in our quest to educate the youth of Hogwarts?"

Fyo raised his hand again. "He had a close-knit group of friends, sir, and I believe those were the ones that accompanied him there each month. Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew and, of course, James Potter, father of the legendary Harry Potter."

He scrunched up his face, then added, "I believe Severus Snape, one of the former Headmasters of Hogwarts, went there too, once. But that was an accident - he wasn't supposed to be there."

"Sorry Professor." she mumbled, trying to think of the names for his question. "His best friends sir." At least this she knew. "James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, and Sirius Black." Moving so her hands were behind her back, Evelyn tried to keep her focus forward and to the Professor, but she had to glance at Destiny. Did she remember to bring the mooncalf stuff?

Destiny got in trouble? Again? 'Sorrrrry Professor!'

Hmm, Lupin's friends? 'They were James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew.' Yeah, way to redeem yourself, Destiny. But she really couldn't keep her eyes off the Batty Bunbury and the crazy tree.

Annie was such a nice girl. And so clever. Calls them like she sees 'em. And yep. The shorter children really were needing education. The Willow figured she could teach them about self preservation, and maybe about nimble movements if they got close enough.

Oh and that one needed to learn that short-children needed to be WHOMPED seen and not heard. But then on the other hand, mooncalf dung sounded quite lovely. The spring chill hadn't quite lifted yet.

Oh anything for Annie! Annie took care of her! The Willow curled a tendril around Annie's waist and lifted her to sit safely in a strong low branch, swaying gently back and forth like a mother rocking a child.

Jake had caught the look from Truebridge and though he wasn't sure what it meant, he liked to tell himself it was just because he looked at him first.

Jake stood quite a bit further away from everyone else. He had set the jar down on the ground and now stood a little way away from it, pointedly faced in the direction of the castle, trying to keep his breathing under control. Ever since that detention, Jake feared plants with a mind of their own, especially near Bunbury when she was trying to teach any sort of lesson. How could he be good if he was so scared and tense?

Looking over at Bunbury again, who wanted something with LouAnn and was standing closer to the tree, Jake took another step back. You know, to compose himself.

Being so panicked even made him miss the history portion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Whomping Willow

Annie was such a nice girl. And so clever. Calls them like she sees 'em. And yep. The shorter children really were needing education. The Willow figured she could teach them about self preservation, and maybe about nimble movements if they got close enough.



Oh and that one needed to learn that short-children needed to be WHOMPED seen and not heard. But then on the other hand, mooncalf dung sounded quite lovely. The spring chill hadn't quite lifted yet.



Oh anything for Annie! Annie took care of her! The Willow curled a tendril around Annie's waist and lifted her to sit safely in a strong low branch, swaying gently back and forth like a mother rocking a child.

"Oh!" Annie gasped in surprise when the tree just picked her up and put her where she wanted her. Well that was just wonderful! Lovely, wise Whomping Willow tree, so gentle and kind. So gentle. Such a good whomper too.

Clearly, plants > people. The professor leaned back against the tree with a ridiculously wide grin on her face and looked out over the class from her happy vantage point. Maybe she could reconsider that statement a little.

"Do you think we could.... lean a little toward them to better hear the other professor? I'm afraid my senses are just not as refined as yours," Annie politely whispered at the tree trunk area. Yes. Plants had senses. Look it up. "Professor Truebridge is very.... knowledgeable. And trustworthy. I'm sure he respects you, Madame Willow."

Oh that is true isn't it? The children don't hear or see or sense nearly as much as the Willow did. Ever a mystery HOW, since she was without ears or eyes, but you know... Magical Trees = mysterious abilities.

Then of course SOME children would hear better if they merely LISTENED! But Annie was not such a child. Annie was a good child. And this Truebridge fellow... If Annie said he was good people, well then...

The Willow slowly leaned forward until she was as far as she could get without bringing her roots out of the ground, keeping her branches in tight and protectively.

Cela was listening to Professor Truebridge but most of her attention was on the tree. The best tree ever. Celandine was as close to it as she could get without quite being in reach of the whompers. Not that she expected the tree to whomp her. She made a little coo of delight when Professor Bunbury was pulled up in the tree.

Saddles anyone?

"Jake. Come over here please." Ethan pointed at a spot directly in front of him and well out of the way of the tree and Annie. It wouldn't do for the boy to get her worked up.

"Alright girls." Really, Ethan expected more from Slytherins, particularly these two, he knew they were smart and could even give the best of the Ravenclaws a run for their money. It was smart of them to apologise too. He'd keep an eye on the both of them.

"Right and we'll get to Severus Snape, thank you for mentioning that, Fyo." Ethan answered. "Pettigrew, Black and Potter accompanied Remus Lupin to the Shrieking Shack during his transformations. How did they keep themselves safe?"