"They were animagus, Professor." she said after raising her hand, keeping her head slightly down. "Unregistered of course though. I think that once a werewolf turns during a full moon, if they hadn't taken a wolfsbane potion, they may attack humans without a second thought, but they won't attack other animals unless provoked." Or did they attack other animals at all like they do humans? 'Really need to read up on that. Being an animagus would be...neat actually. Need to read up on that too.'

Ugh, Bunbury was sitting on the tree. Really sitting on the tree. She didn't want to look anymore, but her eyes were glued to the crazy woman and tree. 'Didn't they become Animagi? To keep themselves safe.' Unlike Bunbury, she was not safe.

CRAP.

Biting down hard on his lip, Jake stood still for a moment, moving slowly towards the group. Stupid tree. Stupid STUPID scary tree. It was freaking him out. Yep. And he didn't want to be near those Slytherins who mocked his sanity and his stutter. After many a shuffle closer, Jake found himself in the spot that Truebridge had pointed to. He was upset, but not crying, not even close. The boy trembled in fear, looking desperately around for some escape route.

He opened his mouth to answer, but kept his eyes on the tree... the huge... deadly tree. No matter what anyone said, that thing was dangerous. That thing would surely kill him.

When his mouth opened... Jake knew the answer, he really did. But what came out of his mouth wasn't the answer, but some kind of strangled, pathetic whimper, and Jake slammed his mouth shut again, shaking his head.

"They were unregistered Animagi. Dumbledore knew of course." Celandine answered with her hand up, "They were apparently self taught which is kind of risky, but I guess the fact that they learned together helped. Remus Lupin was supposed to be really smart." For a Gryffindor, "Sirius Black was a dog animagi, James Potter was a stag, and Peter Pettigrew was a rat. It matches their patronus forms too, thats kind of interesting I think and proves that the animal form is related to personality."

Ethan leveled a look at Jake and reached out, briefly grasping the boy's shoulder before turning his attention back to the class.

"Very good, girls." Truebridge nodded. "Thank you Celandine, those are indeed their unregistered animagi forms and that is an astute observation. Now. Fyo mentioned that Severus Snape visited the Shrieking Shack while he was in school, can anyone elaborate on that?"

Breathing in a frantic kind of panicked way, still staring up at that BLASTED tree, Jake felt the hand on his shoulder for a brief moment, and kind of blinked... and stared up at Truebridge.

Wait... oh, man... Jake's head was hurting... he just wanted to go lay down.

But he knew the answer... kind of. And he could say it... kind of.

"A duhhh-duh-dirtttty t-t-t-trick," Jake stuttered, voice hushed as he watched the Whomping Willow, still, having ripped his eyes away from Truebridge again. "Ttttttold Ssssnape hhhow to ggget past the tuhh-tree... to go and ssssee or... ssomething... an' it were on a fuhh-fuhhhh-full moon... and he c-c-cccould have been hhhurt. And he ssssaw the werewolf... an'... P-p-p-potter sssaved him."

Inwardly, Jake cursed his fear, or, more likely, the way he seemed to show his fear. His face still in an uncomfortable expression, Jake sidestepped away, going backwards at the same time.

Did. Not. Want. To. Be. Here.

If he could see the tree, he was far too close.

LouAnn continued to move about the area, trying her hardest to find a spot she was sure the willow couldn't whomp upon. Apparently The Bunz didn't need or want her mooncalf dung right now, so LouAnn held on to the jar...for the time being. Hopefully they could distribute the poo soon enough.

Her gaze turned to Professor Truebridge, who'd just asked a question about the Shrieking Shack. "Sirius Black, one of the Marauders, tricked Snape into going there. Only, he didn't tell him Remus Lupin was also there," LouAnn said, her hand raised. "Lupin was in the midst of changing into his werewolf form." LouAnn's eyes flickered over to the Whomping Willow, and for a moment, she wondered if Headmaster Bontecou or Professor Lupa had also transformed there.

Oh, gee. Lyddia didn't exactly want to be here. She could hear the Professor talking but she couldn't get herself to listen well. She was much too distracted by the Willow and it's moving branches. Last time she was here it wasn't so bad, but Lyddia can't help the fact that the Willow scares her. She let others answer the questions asked by the Professor and kept herself close to the LouAnn girl, but not too close as she seemed to be answering most of the questions and Lyddia didn't want any attentions called to herself, whether it be from the Professor, the students or the Tree.

Becca took a moment to stare at Professor Bunbury and the Willow, who seemed rather... protective of her... and then raised her hand. "Sirius Black, a long time foe of Severus Snape lured him there. Little did Mr. Snape know, Mr. Lupin was in his second form. Luckily for Mr. Snape, James Potter realized the joke had gone too far and rescued him before anything bad happened." That was the general idea of it... wasn't it?

Ooooh, lookie! The professor has said his name! Out LOUD. Fyo beamed inwardly, then focused his attention on the latest question. "Snape wasn't supposed to be there, sir," he began, raising a hand. "But Sirius Black - one of his school-time enemies- tricked him into a visit. Snape had no idea he would meet a transformed werewolf at the end of the passage, though. James Potter realized this, and stopped him."

He frowned a little, in thought, then added, "This was the school year 1976 - 1977." Facts were GOOOD.

Bluntly put: Plymouth Morgan had no idea what Truebz was on about. He tried to listen and follow, but BUNZ WAS IN THE TREE. THE TREE WAS HUGGING HER BACK.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111 1


There was very serious business going on in this class. VERY SERIOUS STUFF. Plymouth had been hugging his flowers and plants and trees since... forever. He'd never been hugged back.


He threw an apologetic look at Professor T for not listening/knowing, and ... edged away, closer to the tree. It took ALL his restraint not to lift his arms like his baby sister did when she wanted to be picked up and held.


PLYMOUTH <3 WHOMPING WILLOW.

Bunz was being so very good and paying attention to her colleague. She really was. But when the tree leeeeeeaned a litttttttle bit closer to the class, it took quite a deal of effort not to start waving at Ethan to get his attention. Surely he would want to sit on the tree later?

The class though... they were getting distracted and unsettled. Bunz was going to set a good example and contribute to this discussion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoerawrr

Breathing in a frantic kind of panicked way, still staring up at that BLASTED tree, Jake felt the hand on his shoulder for a brief moment, and kind of blinked... and stared up at Truebridge.

Wait... oh, man... Jake's head was hurting... he just wanted to go lay down.

But he knew the answer... kind of. And he could say it... kind of.

"A duhhh-duh-dirtttty t-t-t-trick," Jake stuttered, voice hushed as he watched the Whomping Willow, still, having ripped his eyes away from Truebridge again. "Ttttttold Ssssnape hhhow to ggget past the tuhh-tree... to go and ssssee or... ssomething... an' it were on a fuhh-fuhhhh-full moon... and he c-c-cccould have been hhhurt. And he ssssaw the werewolf... an'... P-p-p-potter sssaved him."

Inwardly, Jake cursed his fear, or, more likely, the way he seemed to show his fear. His face still in an uncomfortable expression, Jake sidestepped away, going backwards at the same time.

Did. Not. Want. To. Be. Here.

If he could see the tree, he was far too close.

"Correct," Bunbury spoke up from her lounge spot on the tree. She raised a brow at Jake's weird sidestepping and excessive stuttering.... since... he didn't usually look like he was about to bolt, did he? "Is something the matter, Upstead?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

LouAnn continued to move about the area, trying her hardest to find a spot she was sure the willow couldn't whomp upon. Apparently The Bunz didn't need or want her mooncalf dung right now, so LouAnn held on to the jar...for the time being. Hopefully they could distribute the poo soon enough.

Her gaze turned to Professor Truebridge, who'd just asked a question about the Shrieking Shack. "Sirius Black, one of the Marauders, tricked Snape into going there. Only, he didn't tell him Remus Lupin was also there," LouAnn said, her hand raised. "Lupin was in the midst of changing into his werewolf form." LouAnn's eyes flickered over to the Whomping Willow, and for a moment, she wondered if Headmaster Bontecou or Professor Lupa had also transformed there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs_Molly_Weasley

Becca took a moment to stare at Professor Bunbury and the Willow, who seemed rather... protective of her... and then raised her hand. "Sirius Black, a long time foe of Severus Snape lured him there. Little did Mr. Snape know, Mr. Lupin was in his second form. Luckily for Mr. Snape, James Potter realized the joke had gone too far and rescued him before anything bad happened." That was the general idea of it... wasn't it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SenoritaMaxie

Ooooh, lookie! The professor has said his name! Out LOUD. Fyo beamed inwardly, then focused his attention on the latest question. "Snape wasn't supposed to be there, sir," he began, raising a hand. "But Sirius Black - one of his school-time enemies- tricked him into a visit. Snape had no idea he would meet a transformed werewolf at the end of the passage, though. James Potter realized this, and stopped him."

He frowned a little, in thought, then added, "This was the school year 1976 - 1977." Facts were GOOOD.

"And you all are correct, also," Bunz acknowledged the students still paying attention. "To continue from that story of the so heroic James Potter.... how exactly did he rescue Severus Snape?"

She lightly traced a finger along her branch of the Willow. "And why would Snape even need rescuing?" From what Annie remembered... he needed a good shampooing more than anything.... but the kind and generous Whomping Willow would never hurt anyone who didn't deserve it.

Hmm, how did James Potter exactly rescue Severus Snape? "You mean like, exactly...exactly?" It's not like their entire lives down to the exact detail were recorded, plus people already said how Snape was saved. "Well, since Snape did the whole knothole trick thing that Sirius told him to do and went down to the Shrieking Shack, did catch a glimpse of Remus Lupin in his wolf form, but maybe the wolf didn't realize that Snape was there? And James came in just in time to stop Snape from getting any closer to the werewolf by maaaybeee...I don't know. Dragging him out or something?" She really had no clue how James exactly rescued Snape, but, it's what she came up with. Repeating what other people said and adding random detail was the way to go! Was there any right and wrong answer here anyway?

Okay, so, watching the Professor sit in the Willow tree was starting to slightly creep her out and make her nervous. Just one flick of the tree's branch and the Professor would just be...flying through the air! Which, in a way, would be funny to watch. 'What does she mean 'would Snape even need rescuing'? Umm...duh. Werewolf in the house!' For that particular question, she just raised a brow and stared at the Professor.

Becca raised her hand again and said " Well, in their sixth year Snape saw Madame Pomfrey and Remus going to the Shrieking Shack using a secret passage underneath the Whomping Willow, though at the time he didn't know where the passage led to. Snape was very curious as to where Remus went every month, and Sirius told him that the trick to getting past the Whomping Willow was to poke the knot at the bottom. Severus followed Sirius's directions and was nearly at the Shrieking Shack when James pulled him back. While he risked his own life, James saved Severus from certain death at the claws of Remus in werewolf form. James had apparently changed his ways from taunting Severus and instead was slightly... kinder toward him. Snape, though, refused to believe that James would've done him a favor, and instead chose to believe that James only saved him in order to avoid expulsion, and despised being in his debt." Becca had done her extra work over the summer. It was quite boring sitting in the planes going to places that were a good 10 hours away with her family all asleep, so she figured she'd prepare for the up-and-coming term.

Since he wasn't sure about the actual answer to the question in his entirely confused and quite frankly scrambled mind at the moment, Jake took another back-and-sidestep. He wasn't about to run away, unless the tree went insane, because, well... Truebridge was here. Duh. He didn't want to put himself in a bad light to Truebridge or Bunbury, not when, with the latter, he'd started to show he could be good.

"I... tuhhh-tuh-ttttree..." Jake clenched the side of his head (namely his hair) with a sweaty hand, feeling a little sick but not willing to let himself throw up, run away or do anything stupid. "I... muhh-muh-mem'ries... mmmu-mooving puh-puh-puh-plants..." he stuttered, reaching up on his tie and pulling it down as hard as he could. "I'll buhhh-b-be ffffffine."

Though the pale, trembling, feverish looking boy took another funny step away.

Fyo raised an eyebrow - he did NOT like the rather scornful emphasis Professor Bunbury had placed on the 'heroic' before James Potter's name. He liked that man - sure, he had been obnoxious in his earlier days, but he had joined the Order of the Phoenix later on, which was an act of courage in itself. He had died in a fight, a good fight, died trying to protect a wife he loved, and a child whom he must have had many dreams for.

Checking a scowl, the fourth year raised his hand. "Severus Snape was curious as to where Remus Lupin disappeared, each month and Sirius Black - quite recklessly - told him the trick to get past the Willow. Snape, of course, tried his luck at once, but James Potter risked his own life to make sure Snape was kept back - Snape, of course, thought he did this only to save himself from expulsion. But I don't believe that is true, professor - James Potter proved, later on, that he was a kind man who valued life."

He sort of wanted to answer her second question, too - maybe tell her Snape would need rescuing because the Willow could be a cranky, ole tree that liked to attack innocent people - but he didn't. He liked - respected - the Tree. Besides, he didn't want to make Professor Bunbury mad.

But she was SO the she-devil, right now.

So VERY much.

oooooooooo, Virgi knew this one. Her great-great grandfather was the heroic James Potter

"Professor, James Potter rescued Severus Snape by pulling him away from the Whomping Willow when he tried to go near it. Why did Severus need rescuing? Severus needed rescuing because for months he wanted to know where Remus John Lupin went when he wasn't at school. Severus soon realized that Remus was never at the school on a fool moon. Severus asked the other three members of the Marauders how to get past the Whomping Willow and Sirius Black, careless Sirius Black, said to poke the knot at the bottom with a stick. When James saw Severus about to go under the Willow and poke the knot with his stick that he found, James ran and pulled him back. Severus thought that James did this to save himself from expulsion but instead it was found to be true that James did this to save Severus. James knew that if he did not pull Severus back he would be seriously injured or put to death. He knew that at that time there was a full moon out and that Remus would have been at the Shrieking Shack. Of course, Severus didn't know were the passage led to but he didn't care. As long as he could bust Remus he was fine. Curious,, curious, Severus Snape. "



Virgi would always grin after talking about her great-great grandfather so kindly. She also loved Sirius from all the stories. The saddest was when Sirius died, in Harry's fifth year. She knew this story so well. Told by the great grandfather of hers, Harry Potter.

Heroic. That almost seemed sarcastic coming out of Professor Bunbury's mouth. But it didn't affect Livvy really. She truly didn't think much of it, since she... well... she had no relation with Mr. James Potter, nor had she ever been acquainted with him and never will she in the future. DUH. Dead man. Though he did seem to be a rather fascinating figure, to protect his family to the extent of his abilities.

ANYWAY... back to the topic.

Livvy raised her hand up into the air to answer the question. "The reason why Severus Snape even went near the Whomping Willow," she said the tree's name with respect. Must. Not. Anger. Plants. "Was because of his curiosity towards Remus Lupin and where he went to every month. Sirius Black. Rather careless Sirius Black... decided that it was apparently okay and safe to tell Snape where Lupin disappeared off to and how to get past the Willow. It was a reckless thing for Sirius Black to do because if Snape decided to give the trip a go, which he did, Snape would be in a position of grave danger because at that time... Lupin had no potion to control his actions and thoughts, therefore nothing would be able to prevent him from biting or even killing Snape if he was ever to see him. Upon hearing Black's action, James Potter immediately came to the rescue and pulled Snape out of the way and away from the Willow before the transformed Lupin could spot him," she continued, practically all in one breath.

Whoo whee. Hooray for History.

"AHA!" Bunbury had been listening carefully to the other students answering but hadn't said a word until one student mentioned the phrase she was looking for.

"The knot at the bottom of the tree.... on Ms. Willow's lovely trunk to be more precise."

The redheaded professor gently patted the Willow branch she was seated on as if in consolation. "All who answered are correct, of course, but I wished to call attention to this interesting tidbit in particular."

She glanced at Ethan to see if he minded her slight interruption in the mini-History lesson. "Snape not only needed rescuing from the werewolf threat inside the tunnel, as you all pointed out, but let's also not forget about the great tree guardian protecting it. As we discussed earlier in class, plants of...." she couldn't say animation now in case she insulted the tree while sitting on it, "great intelligence have more abilities than their mundane cousins. They also may make life difficult for wizards who are getting into trouble when they shouldn't be BUT they are also obviously very important."

That was for the sake of the tree, it was. And no signs of throwing the Bunz off yet. Whew.

"So anyone have any theories on who planted this regal tree and how... er... the knot was installed on its trunk? IT IS a great shame, I mean, but... theories, children? Do speak up."

"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."

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."

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.

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.



.... Maybe the tree would not like such a thing. But, in Fyo's opinion Dumbledore would - though he had been a wise man, probably cared for plants - bend the rules, even offend trees, where he thought it necessary. Because, at the end of the day, it was human life that was more valuable. Yes, there were certainly times when you had to prioritize -- Fyo himself would choose a live person over a live tree, any day.

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.

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.


OOC: Why do I get so into the books?