Sierra drew in a deep breath. Well, at least they were silenced now, which made her feel a little more comfortable. She opened her mouth to speak, but then she paused again and cleared her throat. "So anyway, I've been thinking...," she started again. "Excuse me, Professor. I don't do this sort of thing often." Going out of her way in an attempt to make someone else smile wasn't exactly her kind of thing. This was completely new territory for her altogether.

She drew in another deep breath. Okay, Greingoth. Spit it out and get it over with. "This was your first year teaching here at Hogwarts, right?" Or, at least, the first year Sierra knew of. "I just wanted to welcome you to the school, since I never really did that before." She'd been sort of quiet in class, which was her comfort zone. "I know it's the end of the year now, but it's never too late to correct a mistake, right?" She gave the professor an awkward grin. So far, this was going a little better than she expected it to.

"Anyway, erm..., thanks for a good year, and..." She trailed off. Merlin. She should have practiced this in front of a mirror or something. "...I also wanted to ask if you needed any help wrapping things up for the year. I'm done with my homework, so I just thought I'd ask if you'd like some last minute help cleaning up the greenhouses or the gardens before we leave for the summer."

So it had taken some time for her to say what it was she wanted to say... Seren had sat there, watching the young Slytherin.. waiting, trying to decipher the pauses in her speech. It must have been serious.
"It's alright dear, take your time." She had plenty of it. Yup... she wasn't in the mood for paperwork... not now, and not at any other time.

But then...

"Yes it is my first year..."

Wait? What? ... Welcome her? Merlins Beard! Did Sierra Griengoth just welcome her to the school? ...

"Oh.. Miss Griengoth... thank you, such a kind gesture." Ok this was... slightly strange. She had not seen this coming from the young Slytherin, but it was muchly appreciated. She smiled a the young girl warmly.

But now she was thanking her? and offering to... help. Merlin that was nice of her.
"Well you're very welcome, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it." She assumed Sierra had enjoyed the lessons... if she was thanking her for them, then it would make sense for her to have liked them right?
"Everythings in pretty good nick right now, but you're always welcome to tidy up the student garden.. a little mulching wouldn't go astray. But whatever you're comfortable with."

In all honesty she couldn't imagine Sierra mulching. Not if she didn't have to, but the gesture was lovely enough.

Why did she need a silencing charm for that though? Hhhmmm, strange.

William (or Sarah!) entered the office. She smiled warmly at the Professor. "Hello Professah!" she said energetically, copying William's voice. "How was your day?" she asked.

Seren was mildly surprised at William's... enthusiasm, but what with all the suagry treats kids ate these days it wasn't all that much of a shock. She returned to her seat behind her desk, gesturing for William to make himself comfortable.

"Oh its been very good, thank you dear. And how have you been? Is there anything I can do for you?"
She was wondering whether this was a socail visit or something more serious. Either way she appreciated the distraction.

She smiled. "Mine's been fantastic!" Being William has it's own charm. She sat down opposite to her and watched the plants behind her. "What are those?" she asked, quite casually as always. "Hm, professor, can you tell me about Devil's Snare?" she asked. She had been going through that one for a quite a while.

Social visit it was then. Seren smiled... then looked over her shoulder... plants? the ones outside the window?
"Thats a Wiggenbush dear," she said smiling. "Its related to that of the Wiggen Tree.. but you'll find that the Wiggenbush is far more common in these areas." Just one of her favourites, very low maintenence, and charming little bushes.

Devils Snare?... what was it with boys and dangerous plants? Well as long as he wasn't thinking of testing it out on a student she could of course indulge him with an answer.
"Devils Snare... is a powerful and dangerous plant. Great care must be taken in its presense. See... it has the ability to bind and choke its victims to death, using its thick, and immensely powerful tendrils. But of course, defending against it is fairly simple. Devils Snare thrive in dark and damp conditions, so a bit of light or warmth is enough to make them recoil."

.... "Why so curious about Devils Snare?"

Mulching in the student garden? Blahh. She hadn't actually expected to be given a task. After all, she'd really only offered in hopes of getting house points just for offering. ...and she'd asked for that Silencing Charm, so the others wouldn't hear her efforts of brown-nosing.

Mulching, though? No, thanks... Even so, the corners of her mouth edged upward into the tiniest of smiles. "Well, you know, we do have finals coming up, and..." She trailed off, and then stood from her chair. "Oh, look at the time." She glanced down at her wrist, looking at a watch that didn't exist.

"Thanks for your time, Professor Bentley," she said, and then she looked at the woman expectantly. Should she just edge out now, or did she have to wait to be dismissed?

Seren smiled warmly, she hadn't expected the young Slytherin to actually want to do the mulching. It really wasn't a task most were prepared to do for fun-- except for her of course.
"Of course, you best get some study done while you can."

Bentley couldn't help but notice the girl looked uncomfortable... it almost looked as if she wanted to run. It was sort of funny. Well, she may as well let the girl off the hook, it had been nice for her to stop by.
"Not a problem dear, enjoy the rest of your day." She gave Sierra a wink for good measure.

"Studying, ...right," Sierra agreed. After all, she had just claimed to be overloaded with preparations for final exams. Actually, she hadn't been lying about that part. She was overloaded with final exams. Bentley's included. Sierra nodded. "Have a good rest of the day," she repeated. Not wanting to stick around any further and chance being told she actually did have to do the mulching, she gave Bentley a little smile and then edged out the door.

Seren couldn't help but grin as the young Slytherin left her office-- perhaps a little to eagerly. She wasn't scary was she? ... she hadn't fed anybody to the plants... she hadn't made them eat dung. All was good.

"You too Miss Griengoth," she called out, watching the door close behind her.

Sigh...


End of term.... it was almost over, how? It seemed only yesterday that she had started.

Deciding to finish off the rest of her making and award the last house points, Seren pulled a pile of work toward her.
After a couple of hours... it was all done. And she was free.

She needed a break.