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It was such a nice day outside, the weather was mild, not quite warm but not cold either. Just the way Seren liked it. Unfortunately the lesson wasn’t being held outdoors, no, it was being held in Greenhouse One, where the air was cooler, and the smell of damp soil filled the air.
As you enter the greenhouse the first thing you notice are the stools arranged to the side of the greenhouse by the door, and directly opposite these are stools of a different variety. That’s right, toadstools! While they may look harmless from a distance it’s not wise to get too close to them just yet, after all you wouldn’t want to be sent to the Hospital Wing before the lesson has even started.
Waiting patiently for the students to arrive, Professor Bentley stood by the door to welcome them as they entered; Though she was careful to position herself near the seating area so that she can keep an eye on any mischief making. Standing slightly to the side of the toadstools, was Professor Bentley’s old blackboard, neat and tidy cursive writing slowly appearing on its surface- as if by magic!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackboard
Herbology Lesson One
A warm welcome back to the familiar, and a warm welcome to the new!
The lesson will begin shortly, take a seat and please keep the chatter to a bare minimum – you wouldn’t want to disturb our subjects.
OOC: The lesson has OFFICIALLY started, DO NOT post your character arriving late- or else... also please DO NOT chat- that would be rude. If you haven't done so already then please read through the Herbology Rules and Expectations and the SS Site Rules. All SS Board Rules apply. IC rule breaking will result in IC punishment, OOC rule breaking will result in OOC punishment. Please behave appropriately and most importantly... have fun. If you have any questions don't hesitate to send me a PM.
Now that the Toadstool was all numb and helpless, Charner could proceed.
Given she was already on her back, she figured the best way would be to complete the process from there. So, she shuffled over using her elbows as a brace, and shimmied right up to the stem of the plant. See? She didn't fear it. Big ol' hairy toadstool had nothing up on her.
Tucking her wand between her teeth, Charner reached up and wrapped her fingers around one of the fangs. All too easy.
Tug.
Nothing.
Tug tug.
Nothing again.
.....
Frowning, Charner shifted her body position and tried again. And again. And again. The poor numb creature was probably rolling its biologically-unpresent eyes at her willing her just to get it over with. Or for the numbing spell to wear off so it could eat her arm.
Frankly, she liked her arm. She was just starting to develop some muscles on it, so she was planning on keeping it. So she tugged with more vigor. With more force. She was determined to get this tooth.
And then. It happened.
The plant...drooled on her! It started on her hands, which she didn't notice as a result of the gloves and slowly worked down until it touched her bare arms. It was cold. Slimy. And absolutely disgusting. Her eyes popped open wide and she stared at the saliva, watching with horror as it continued to creep down both arms. Of course, watching the drool on her arms kept her completely unawares of the large glob that was forming on the point of the fang which her hands were wrapped about. And that the point of that tooth was right above her mouth, which was in turn open partway to accommodate holding the wand between her teeth.
She didn't know, until it dripped and landed RIGHT in her mouth.
She froze. Choked. Gagged. And SHRIEKED. Very loudly.
Rolling out from under the THING she spat and gagged and tried all methods of vomitting the bile back up. She even wiped her hand across her lips and was about to stick her fingers in her mouth to try and get the rest of it out when she realized they TOO were covered in the saliva.
O.O!!!!
"That's it! You are going DOWN!" With a war-like cry, Charner nearly jumped on the back of the toadstool, her hands slipping and sliding until she got one on its mushroom of a head and the other around the tooth. It was all twisting, yanking and pulling beside silent curses in her mind.
And then, with a pop, the tooth came out. The sudden release had her tipping forward over the toadstool and falling on her back again. But she had IT! Her hand shot up into the air victoriously.
One down, one to go!
Orchid couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the situation. "Are you okay?" She asked as she walked over to the girl. "Want some help cleaning up? Or getting the second one?" She asked trying to be helpful.
Orchid couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the situation. "Are you okay?" She asked as she walked over to the girl. "Want some help cleaning up? Or getting the second one?" She asked trying to be helpful.
Charner was a little too wrapped up in her victory to notice the other girl right away. It was only when she finally started getting back to her feet that she realized there was a pair of feet in front of her.
Blinking up at the other student, a slow grin spread across Charner's lips. It was one of determination and went unfazed by the drool that was all over her hands, arms and now face. "Oh, I appreciate the offer. But this one is mine." Revenge was going to be oh so sweet.
....But the girl was offering to help. Pausing, Charner glanced between the girl and the toadstool, debating for a moment. Then, without much thought on politeness, she pressed the first tooth into the Slyterhin's hand. "Hold that....please." And then she wiggled both of her as she started back to the toadstool. Oh she was going to enjoy taking the next too out. Yes, yes she was.
__________________
I've got a fire for a heart._________________________________________________
I'm not scared of the dark._________________________________________ _______________________________________You've never seen it look so easy.
Charner was a little too wrapped up in her victory to notice the other girl right away. It was only when she finally started getting back to her feet that she realized there was a pair of feet in front of her.
Blinking up at the other student, a slow grin spread across Charner's lips. It was one of determination and went unfazed by the drool that was all over her hands, arms and now face. "Oh, I appreciate the offer. But this one is mine." Revenge was going to be oh so sweet.
....But the girl was offering to help. Pausing, Charner glanced between the girl and the toadstool, debating for a moment. Then, without much thought on politeness, she pressed the first tooth into the Slyterhin's hand. "Hold that....please." And then she wiggled both of her as she started back to the toadstool. Oh she was going to enjoy taking the next too out. Yes, yes she was.
Orchid chuckled again at the Gryffindor's behavior. So strange. She thought as she shook her head and smiled slightly. "Okay then." She said and stepped back a little to give the girl space, she definetly knew how someone could get when seeking revenge, especially Orchid herself.
As soon as she was given the space, Charner used it. For dramatic effect only of course, because not much space was needed to take a tooth out of a toadstool. But then, Charner liked dramatics, when they suited her. And now was that time. Now was her glorious victory over the drooling pit of a pod.
Pushing her sleeves up her elbows and further spreading the saliva on her arms, Charner marched right up to the toadstool and ... poked it with her toe. Another glob of drool dropped down from the cap, onto her foot, making her stare in disbelief at her foot. The Professor should have warned them about the drool. Or what Charner considered drool. What it actually was seemed rather debatable.
But nonetheless, they should have been told. ....And given wetnaps.
Placing one hand on the top of the toadstool, she leaned in close, as if whispering in the ear that didn't exist. "If I was allowed, I'd uproot you and use your fungi hide to keep my feet warm." This was the only time fungus and feet were acceptable in the same sentence.
With that declaration so that the toadstool knew she was showing mercy, forced by the hand of the Professor as it was, she reached down and under the cap once again. Wincing, she padded around the disgusting underbelly, occasionally giving a tug at one tooth or another that after a few pulls, she realized were too small to be the fang. Now, the logical point in this circumstance would be to duck, have a look under the cap, and locate the fang. Logical, given one had a normal toadstool.
Hers however, was a far cry from normal and there was no way she was chancing it.
So, by the time her little fingers wrapped around the fang and a small squeal of victory was made, the dragon hide gloves were slippery and worse for wear in that small scratches and scrapes kept them a far cry from being new. It made it extremely difficult to pull the tooth out, an action that required her on her knees to get the extra leverage.
But it finally came out with a pop. And as soon as it did, Charner was backing away from the toadstool. Sure she may have waved the fang tauntingly at the toadstool and she may have taken the first back from the girl that had been holding it and waved that one too. But the main point and focus should have been that both fangs were free. Free and in the depository jar. Completely covered in toadstool saliva, but there they were, all glistening and gross.
If the teacher thought she was going to clean those, there was another thing coming.
With a wide grin, Charner turned back to the girl that had helped her out and put her hands on her hips. She needed a shower terribly.
__________________
I've got a fire for a heart._________________________________________________
I'm not scared of the dark._________________________________________ _______________________________________You've never seen it look so easy.
Okay! Numbing the toadstool. Freya put on her dragon hide gloves first before she moved towards the toadstool. Okay toadstool it just you and me and my wand now. She took a deep breath "Viro Torpeo!" she said very clearly and calmly like Professor Bentley said while jabbing her wand. Was it numb yet? She poked the ugly toadstool a couple times and it seems the stool didn't feel anything. Hmm..I think its numb enough.
½ EagleBrain ♥ Creeperdoodle ♥ Raven Dor ♥ Berry ♥ ½ Team House Elf
SPOILER!!: Student Responses
Quote:
Originally Posted by luna-p
That wasn't nearly as hard as he'd thought it would be. Ashley watched the toadstool to make sure it was completely under the effects of his spell. Now for the next part.
He inched up close again, giving the toadstool a look, as if trying to make an agreement with it that he was going to go ahead and harvest those fangs, and the toadstool would be perfectly fine with that. All friends, at least in his mind, Ashley braced himself and got a good hold of the cap, making sure not to hold on too tightly. Now for the fangs.
He wasn't afraid of this, you know. It was just a plant. An incapacitated plant. Before he could think about it too much, he gripped the fang tightly, and pulled quickly. Bright green eyes stared widely as his hand came away with the fang, amazed and a little proud. That was easy! And the toadstool didn't seem to be all that bothered. Looking around for the professor, he raised his hand, having come up with a question. "Excuse me, professor. But how long before the charm wears off? Or do we have to reverse it when we're done?" He figured one or the other had to happen.
Seren looked up as Ashely asked her a question. She smiled. "Depending on the size of the plant your numbing it can wear off anywhere between fifteen minutes to an hour and a half. I suspect it'll take about an hour for this lot to regain any feeling."
Quote:
Originally Posted by giant_squid_fan
MJ placed her gloved hand flat on the top of the toadstool. She was gentle but firm - she didn't want to damage the poor thing. She winced as she tugged the first fang out. She couldn't help thinking of how she felt having a tooth taken out at the dentist, and feeling sorry for her toadstool. The fang came out much easier than she had expected it to.
MJ raised her hand. "Professor Bentley? What kinds of Potions are the fangs used for, other than healing - strong ones or mild ones? And what would happen if you got bitten by a Biting Toadstool? Oh, and, how many times do the fangs grow back in a toadstool's lifetime; and how long does it take? Is it difficult for them in between fangs - you know to defend themselves, or, err.. eat?" MJ wasn't actually sure if they "ate" as such, but she was wondering. Then she realised that she'd bombarded the Professor with questions without coming up for air. She flushed. Ooops!!
Merlin... so many questions! But an eager learner -- so that was good to see. "They're used in many things, anything from poison antidotes to burn healing balms, they're a very ingredient to have in stock."
Ahh right so... fangs. "They will usually grow back within a day or two, though they wont be fully developed for up to a week. Theres no limit as to how many times they may be harvested, but studies have shown that regular harvesting reduces their longevity." Which wasn't all that good. She was rather fond of them. "In the wild they ahve been known to shed their fangs, sort of like baby teeth, that way they can grow newer sharper ones which are far more effective for feeding than blunt ones. So it doesn't really harm them at all."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jezabel Black
Jez jabbed her wand in the direction of a nearby Biting Toadstool, making sure not to actually come into contact with the thing. "Vero Torpeo." The toadstool seemed to become a little drunk - its attempts at amputating her hand became a whole lot less focused, anyway. Jez gently but firmly took hold of the toadstool's cap with one hand, and grasped one of its fangs with the other. It came out quite easily. Jez quickly dropped it next to her, and pulled out the other fang. She left the toadstool to put the fangs into the jar.
As she did so, Jez suddenly had a disconcerting thought. She turned to Professor Bentley, a frown creasing her forehead. "Professor, will this hurt the toadstools? I mean, will they be able to survive without their fangs?"
"Of course they will, they'll be fine." She nodded reassuringly. "They'll grow back in a day or two."
Quote:
Originally Posted by giant_squid_fan
MJ looked up from her toadstool. A Hufflepuff student seemed to be enjoying pulling the poor things' teeth out - she was smirking. Eurgh, how awful! MJ and her friends had been concerned about the poor things. How about we start pulling students' canines out and see if they like it? She thought crossly. And that charm doesn't look comfortable at all either. MJ sighed and placed a hand on the toadstool again - it moved a bit, but the charm still held sway, so she pulled the other fang out as quickly as possible. She (pathetically) patted her toadstool, as if to say "There, there dear,".
MJ picked up the fangs and made her way towards the jar. Her sisters had said she was pathetic over plants. They always laughed at her for her obsession with plants and her owl. Her older sister would certainly corner her in the common room that evening to ask about her first Herbology lesson. Ah, but here was the jar. She popped the two fangs into it and gave the Professor a smile, before going back to her toadstool. It still seemed a little sluggish. She had been quite forceful with her second attempt at the charm. She raised her hand; "Um, Professor Bentley? Err... How long is the charm supposed to last - I think I may have over-done it a bit? It didn't work the first time, so I tried again a bit more, um, enthusiastically, and err..." Please tell me my toadstool's alright and my charm wasn't awful!! Please tell me my toadstool's alright and my charm wasn't awful!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yourenodaisy
Right, so the other fang. Yet again, she held the plant still by holding onto his cap. Placing her hand carefully up to its mouth, she made sure she really did have a good grasp on the fang before yanking it this time. After it came out, she picked up the other fang she had placed on the table, and headed to the jar with all the fangs in it. After placing them inside, she made her way back to her seat. Watching the numbed toadstool she frowned at it and raised her hand. "Professor, How long does the numbing charm last? Will we have to take it off ourselves, or will it wear off in time?"
She couldn't help but giggle. "Depending on the size of the plant the charm can last anywhere between fifteen minutes to an hour and a half. I suspect it will take this lot about an hour to regain any feeling."
Giving MJ a wink, she added, "I'm sure your toadstool will be fine."
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhoenixAuror169
SPOILER!!: Instruction on the Board
Harvesting Biting Toadstool fangs:
1) Ensure the toadstool is numb, and cannot feel pain. (You will know it is numb when it doesn’t appear to be in control of its movements.)
2) Get a firm hold of the cap – but not too firm.
3) With your other hand grasp hold of one of the fangs, and yank!
4) Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the next fang.
Then place the fangs in the jar.
Thank you.
Amethyst was ready for the second and last fang. "Just one more, alright?" She smiled to the toadstool. With her hair pulled back, she, once again, firmly, but gently gripped the cap of the toadstool. Very careful not to get too close to the teeth, she reach under the cap, again, feeling the fangs.
"Okay, hang in there with me, I'm sure it hurts..." She whispered to to the Biting Toadstool. "1...2..." She gripped the fang just as she did before. "3!" She yanked straight down on the fangs and realized it was still in. "Oh my...let's try this again.."One....Two....THREE! She heard the slight pop She had heard before. She smiled again, taking a good look at the fang she'd, once again, successfully pulled out.
Amethyst walked over to the jar smiling to the Professor. It was then that it registered in her head that she hadn't greeted the Professor. After placing the fangs into the jar she walked to the Professor. "Oh, Professor...please for give my rudeness! I was just so fascinated by the plants, I hadn't even thought of my manners.." She blushed lightly. "I'm sorry..Hoping you are enjoying this first lesson just as I am, Good Morning!"
"That's alright dear, I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the lesson."
And the brilliant thing was that there was more to come!
Quote:
Originally Posted by AuroraQuinn
Aurora sat, watching her class mates getting on with the task, then she looked back at the now fang-less Toad Stool in front of her. Poor little thing, it wasn't fair that they had to take out it's fangs. "It's alright, you'll grow them back... and you've contributed to a good healing potion in the mean time. Or a poison... but probably a healing potion." She stroked the cap of the mushroom affectionately as it swayed sleepily. They were wonderful things. She waved her gloved finger and it half-heartedly nipped at it. Awww, still numbed...
"Professor Bentley..." yes, back to talking to humans. "How old are these 'stools?" You know, because if they were young their fangs would grow back quicker...
Seren wasn't surprised to see that Aurora was enjoying the task, and that she had finished. She was a bright girl after all. "They're a couple of months now."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anna Banana
Sierra deposited the first fang into the jar then checked to make sure her gloves were still securely on her hands. They were, so she turned back to the toadstool and got ready to harvest the second fang. The poor toadstool was trying to move again, but Sierra could tell the effects of the Numbing Charm hadn't worn off. The toadstool's movements were still slowed to nearly nothing at all, and it's movements were all over the place.
Again, she got a firm grip on the top of the toadstool. She held the fungus in place as she reached for the second fang. Gripping it firmly, she yanked downward in a swift movement and out the fang came. She placed it, too, in the jar alongside the first fang. So what now? Did she just leave the fungus there...in the state it was in? She could care less about an idiotic toadstool, but what she did care about was losing more house points. "Erm, Professor Bentley?" Sierra asked, her hand in the air. "Should we end the charm? ...and where do we put the toadstool when we're done?" Had Bentley said what to do? Sierra couldn't remember...
Hmm...
Sierra glanced in the direction of the Ravenclaw who'd asked for help. "I can help," Sierra spoke up, her wand in her hand and ready to cast on the girl's toadstool. She had her reasons for asking. Which, of course, she'd keep to herself.
"The numbing charm will wear off on it's own... it should take about an hour."
She noticed that the Slytherin opted to help a classmate. That was rather nice of her.
"Two points... for helping a peer." Yep it deserved some recognition. "Thank you."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubbles
Baha!
The curly haired teen was ready to pull out the second and last fang....Well, not really because his stomach was still doing somersaults, but he wanted to get this done already. Kennedy poked the toadstool and saw it slowly move, it still looked pretty down. Good.
He pulled up his sleeves and made sure his dragon hide gloves wounldn't accidentally slip of or anything and went in. He now placed a steady hand on the toadstool's top and took hold of another big fang and secured his fingers around it before pulling.
YANK!
Ah, yes! He had two. So far, assignment complete AND he did not get injured. That was strange, but he thanked his lucky star. Taking both fangs into his hands, Kennedy examined them at eye level. They were COOL, but he wouldn't admit that, yet. He placed the fangs into the jar and was about to go to his seat when he remembered something.
"What do I do with the toadstool?" This almost reminded him of his Biology class back home. His class had to dissect a frog...but, where did they go afterward? Hmm....
What do you do with the toadstool? What do you do with the toadstool?! Wasn't that obvious.
"You leave it in the soil to continue growing dear," she said offering hima a small smile.
Checking to make sure the students were done, Serent hen turned her attention to her pendant watch. Time to move on.
"Right everyone, I hope you enjoyed that mini-activity, we're about to move on now. So feel free to leave your things here and follow me."
She was about to lead them further in toward the back of the greenhouse when she suddenly remembered something. "Make sure you have your gloves and wand with you." Becasue of course if she didn't tell them everything they would likely forget. Children were amazing in that sense.
Leading the students down the central corridor of the greenhouse, she took them to a slightly darker, slightly damper and slightly cooller section of the greenhouse. But everything was still visible. Esecially the stunning and fragrent toadstools.
The scent of peppermint hung thick in the air here, and it had a very soothing effect.
Rallying the students around the beds of toadstools, she gave the little red and white striped caps a smile, though their black stems weren't as easy to see.
"These little toadstools are known as Peppermint Striped Parasol's, they are fairly rare and very valluable, can anyone tell me why?"
OOC: If you missed the first activity, unlucky... but do not fret, there will be another mini-activity coming up shortly. You know the rules. No chatting, no double posting. Depending on activity I may post the next bit tonight or some time tomorrow. Please note I am a person, and I have a job I sometimes need to get to in RL, so if I do post tomorrow it might not be first thing. Thanks! Have fun!
Super Slytherin Buddy | | ⅓ She-Snake Trio | | a normal girl with normal knees
She didn't know about anyone else, but that mini-activity was slightly less enjoyable in her opinion. Then again, it couldn't been worse. Those teeth the biting toadstools had could have actually pierced their dragonhide gloves somehow.
Pushing those thoughts away, Evelyn followed the professor and everyone else to the more damp and dark section of the greenhouse. At least they were just looking at more toadstools and not devil's snare. Peppermint Striped Parasol's. Long name, wasn't it? Though she rather liked the peppermint scent they gave off. "They're used in a certain mint candy aren't they?" she piped up, crossing her arms slightly as she eyed the toadstools. "A popular candy at that. There aren't many of them left since they're being used twice as much, causing their prices to go up."
If there was one candy she knew about, it was mint candy.
Vanessa the Snot Girl l Rachels Rule | rock,tumble,&roll ❆ adorable coffee bean
ooh. They were moving on now. That was good, because Indiana really wanted to learn more about Toadstools. It seemed that there was much more to them then what she ahd learnt from her book about the smurfs. She eagerly followed the professor over to the next toadstools. Ooh. They looked pretty too. She'd read about them in her text book too, she thought anyway. But it was good, because she thought she might know the answer to the professors question. Indiana thought for a moment, to make sure that she did have the right answer. It would be pretty bad if she mixed up the mushrooms, but then she was only a little first year so she was sure that would be okay. When she was sure of the answer she raised her hand. "They are over-harvested aren't they? So like...there isn't many left. Which is like really bad."
__________________
It's the end of the show. Of the historemix. We switched up the flow. And we changed the prefix
But we want to say. Before we drop the curtain. Nothing is for sure. Nothing is for certain
She didn't know about anyone else, but that mini-activity was slightly less enjoyable in her opinion. Then again, it couldn't been worse. Those teeth the biting toadstools had could have actually pierced their dragonhide gloves somehow.
Pushing those thoughts away, Evelyn followed the professor and everyone else to the more damp and dark section of the greenhouse. At least they were just looking at more toadstools and not devil's snare. Peppermint Striped Parasol's. Long name, wasn't it? Though she rather liked the peppermint scent they gave off. "They're used in a certain mint candy aren't they?" she piped up, crossing her arms slightly as she eyed the toadstools. "A popular candy at that. There aren't many of them left since they're being used twice as much, causing their prices to go up."
If there was one candy she knew about, it was mint candy.
Valeria grabbed her things and followed Professor Bentley to another part of the greenhouse. She glanced at the plants in wonder. She was sure she had seen this plant somewhere in a book before......
Peppermint Striped Parasols...aha that's the one. Nodding to herself she listened to Professor Bentley carefully. Now if she could only remember what they are used for...
Valeria heard someone answered the Professor and said that they were used for mint candies. Huh? Is that right....
Valeria shrugged, knowing that she could not remember. She might as well wait and make sure she'll remember its uses this time...
don't blink | you will be upgraded | silence will fall | exterminate
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hera
Checking to make sure the students were done, Serent hen turned her attention to her pendant watch. Time to move on.
"Right everyone, I hope you enjoyed that mini-activity, we're about to move on now. So feel free to leave your things here and follow me."
She was about to lead them further in toward the back of the greenhouse when she suddenly remembered something. "Make sure you have your gloves and wand with you." Becasue of course if she didn't tell them everything they would likely forget. Children were amazing in that sense.
Leading the students down the central corridor of the greenhouse, she took them to a slightly darker, slightly damper and slightly cooller section of the greenhouse. But everything was still visible. Esecially the stunning and fragrent toadstools.
The scent of peppermint hung thick in the air here, and it had a very soothing effect.
Rallying the students around the beds of toadstools, she gave the little red and white striped caps a smile, though their black stems weren't as easy to see.
"These little toadstools are known as Peppermint Striped Parasol's, they are fairly rare and very valluable, can anyone tell me why?"
OOC: If you missed the first activity, unlucky... but do not fret, there will be another mini-activity coming up shortly. You know the rules. No chatting, no double posting. Depending on activity I may post the next bit tonight or some time tomorrow. Please note I am a person, and I have a job I sometimes need to get to in RL, so if I do post tomorrow it might not be first thing. Thanks! Have fun!
Everett grabbed his gloves and wand before following the teacher over to the other part of the greenhouse, where he was gretted with the scent of peppermint. Grinning at the pleasant smell, he stared at the toadstools they were being shown. Being honest, he wasn't really positive of the answer.
Might as well give it a guess. What was minty... "Because they are harvested often, used in lots of things such as potions, so now they are running out." Everett guessed, trying to make it not sound like a question.
Eino grabbed his gloves and his wand and followed the Professor to... wherever she was taking them. As they continued down the corridor the greenhouse grew a little more humid and Eino could faintly smell a familiar peppermint aroma. When they had reached their destination, Eino paused alongside his classmates and listened as the professor introduced another plant. She revealed it was the famous Peppermint Striped Parasol and when she asked why they were rare and valuable, Eino's hand shot into the air and he jumped up and down in a oh-oh-pick-me-pick-me way. When she called on him he spoke, "They have become rare due to over-harvesting, ever since they became one of the main ingredients for the popular candy, Magic Minty Melts, and since they have become rare they have also grown more valuable." The Ravenclaw in him was satisfied with that answer, and hopefully so was the professor.
Seren looked up as Ashely asked her a question. She smiled. "Depending on the size of the plant your numbing it can wear off anywhere between fifteen minutes to an hour and a half. I suspect it'll take about an hour for this lot to regain any feeling."
Merlin... so many questions! But an eager learner -- so that was good to see. "They're used in many things, anything from poison antidotes to burn healing balms, they're a very ingredient to have in stock."
Ahh right so... fangs. "They will usually grow back within a day or two, though they wont be fully developed for up to a week. Theres no limit as to how many times they may be harvested, but studies have shown that regular harvesting reduces their longevity." Which wasn't all that good. She was rather fond of them. "In the wild they ahve been known to shed their fangs, sort of like baby teeth, that way they can grow newer sharper ones which are far more effective for feeding than blunt ones. So it doesn't really harm them at all."
"Of course they will, they'll be fine." She nodded reassuringly. "They'll grow back in a day or two."
She couldn't help but giggle. "Depending on the size of the plant the charm can last anywhere between fifteen minutes to an hour and a half. I suspect it will take this lot about an hour to regain any feeling."
Giving MJ a wink, she added, "I'm sure your toadstool will be fine."
"That's alright dear, I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the lesson."
And the brilliant thing was that there was more to come!
Seren wasn't surprised to see that Aurora was enjoying the task, and that she had finished. She was a bright girl after all. "They're a couple of months now."
"The numbing charm will wear off on it's own... it should take about an hour."
She noticed that the Slytherin opted to help a classmate. That was rather nice of her.
"Two points... for helping a peer." Yep it deserved some recognition. "Thank you."
What do you do with the toadstool? What do you do with the toadstool?! Wasn't that obvious.
"You leave it in the soil to continue growing dear," she said offering hima a small smile.
Checking to make sure the students were done, Serent hen turned her attention to her pendant watch. Time to move on.
"Right everyone, I hope you enjoyed that mini-activity, we're about to move on now. So feel free to leave your things here and follow me."
She was about to lead them further in toward the back of the greenhouse when she suddenly remembered something. "Make sure you have your gloves and wand with you." Becasue of course if she didn't tell them everything they would likely forget. Children were amazing in that sense.
Leading the students down the central corridor of the greenhouse, she took them to a slightly darker, slightly damper and slightly cooller section of the greenhouse. But everything was still visible. Esecially the stunning and fragrent toadstools.
The scent of peppermint hung thick in the air here, and it had a very soothing effect.
Rallying the students around the beds of toadstools, she gave the little red and white striped caps a smile, though their black stems weren't as easy to see.
"These little toadstools are known as Peppermint Striped Parasol's, they are fairly rare and very valluable, can anyone tell me why?"
OOC: If you missed the first activity, unlucky... but do not fret, there will be another mini-activity coming up shortly. You know the rules. No chatting, no double posting. Depending on activity I may post the next bit tonight or some time tomorrow. Please note I am a person, and I have a job I sometimes need to get to in RL, so if I do post tomorrow it might not be first thing. Thanks! Have fun!
Desiree had been staring at her now fangless toadstool, a bit distracted.. when she looked up and saw everyone leaving. She quickly followed Professor Bentley and the class into a new room of the greenhouse (wand in hand, and gloves still on) She sniffed the air was that, Peppermint?
Ahh so they were Peppermint striped Parasol's. That explained it. Wait a Parasol, wasn't that like an umbrella? Well the toadstools did kind of look like minnie umbrellas.. Professor Bentley asked a question, why were they valuable, ooh Desiree actually thought she knew this one raising her hand rather quickly she said, "Because they taste so good, so everyone's eating them." She said smiling confidently. Yep that sounded about right. In her mind anyways.
Ashley got back up when they were told they would be moving. Making sure he had all of the items requested, he followed to the next area, already drawn to the minty scent as soon as he was able to smell it. Upon finding out where it was coming from, he peered at the toadstools, thinking about the question.
Deciding to give this one a shot too, he raised his hand a little before saying, "There aren't a lot left because people have used so many? They're used in candy, so they're probably very popular, so that's why they're rare, which makes them valuable." Yep, that sounded good. "Are they endangered?" That didn't sound so good. Maybe it was a stupid question. But rare didn't necessarily mean the same as endangered, he was sure.
Hugo followed Bentley around with his gloves and wand in his hand. As he walked along the corridor he smelled... Peppermint. Ew. He didn't really like peppermint. Why were those rare? Weren't they over-harvested or something? Why would anyone make anything out of these things? Bleh. He raised his hand. "Because they are over-harvested, because they are used in some sort of candy. And when something becomes more rare, the value generally goes up," he told the professor. Or something like that.
Super Slytherin Buddy || ⅓ She-Snake Trio || 'I taste like chocolate and potatoes'
Yes, yes.
Destiny DID enjoy that mini-activity. Not only did she learn a new spell, a spell that, even though the Professor said wouldn't really work on anything big.. like Carter's head, she was still wanting to try it. And, she had successfully pulled a tooth and still had all her fingers to prove it. Yes, an enjoyable activity.
Standing from her seat, she put her gloves on once more, and making sure she had her wand, she followed behind the Professor as she lead the class to another part of the Greenhouse. Maybe now they were going to tend the leaping toadstools!?
No. Peppermint Striped Parasol's.
It smelled like Professor Hadley's classrooms. She always had mints around.. which were boring. In Destiny's opinion, of course.
Glancing around, listening to everyone else give their answers, she raised her gloved hand high. "Are they valuable because the place they are located is so dangerous to get to, that not many people can find it? And if they do find it, only a few can make it out alive with them?" She saw something like that on the muggle box.
__________________
____________ooh, ooh, she's the rough and the rowdiest kid________ ooh, ooh, and there's more where she lives_____
Scott followed the professor with his gloves and wand in hand.
Mmm peppermint...made him wish he was at Hogsmeade.
It seemed everyone had said what Scott was thinking, but he decided to proceed anyway. "Is it because they were so popular that they were over-harvested and now they are rare?"
Luna followed the proffeser to the other side of the green house carrying her golves with her
She was enjoying this lesson though it was interesting enough to keep her satisfied and she just loved plants and biting toadstools seemed interesting and magical
---
She raised her hand ''Perhaps it's because they are being harvest often!'' Luna replied
Aurora gazed at the new 'stools... these ones didn't bite - less cool - but they were still pretty! "They're rare because they're and ingredients in sweets so they've been over used. And it's incredibly difficult to grow them in greenhouses." she said, looking closely... was that a pixie..?
I'm just one of those pretty little liars... | | I'm held down in this starless city...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hera
"These little toadstools are known as Peppermint Striped Parasol's, they are fairly rare and very valluable, can anyone tell me why?"
Still with her gloves on and her wand in one pocket of her robes, Nora followed professor Bentley and the others to another part of the greenhouse, wondering what else they might see there.
Oh. More toadstools.
The girl smiled as she smelled the peppermint in the air, and then raised her hand. "They're used for the Magic Minty Melts." People should know that sweets were vital in Nora's life. Hehe. "And they are almost endangered, aren't they?" She even felt bad for the poor things, even though she still found them creepy.
Freya followed Professor Bentley with the rest of the students and making sure she brings her wand and her dragon hide gloves with her. When they already arrived, the first thing she noticed was the smell of peppermint all over the place. Then the herboloy Professor explained to them about another one and this one called Peppermint Striped Parasol and she asked them why they are fairly rare and very valluable. The fourth year Slytherin raised her hand before she spoke "They are rare due to over harvesting, professor. And they only only be found growing in enchanted forests. Not to mention that the Peppermint Striped Parasol have the pixies as their caretakers."
"Supply and demand, Professor," Spike stated simply, joining the back of the group. He'd spent a few moments longer to finish up pulling out those fangs and running to put them up on the top desk. "Though you have to wonder why they haven't managed to grow more of them. Surely common sense would tell you that trying to regrow them in a greenhouse is going to fail when they need the decaying debris in a forest to survive. A magical forest at that." Sometimes Spike did wonder where adults got their logic from. Surely the best way would be to recreate their natural environment. Or, just protect them in the short term. Those minty sweets surely couldn't be that desirable, could they? He'd never had one to know.
Don't Cross the Book | who turned out the | Lights Lennox
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hera
Checking to make sure the students were done, Serent hen turned her attention to her pendant watch. Time to move on.
"Right everyone, I hope you enjoyed that mini-activity, we're about to move on now. So feel free to leave your things here and follow me."
She was about to lead them further in toward the back of the greenhouse when she suddenly remembered something. "Make sure you have your gloves and wand with you." Becasue of course if she didn't tell them everything they would likely forget. Children were amazing in that sense.
Leading the students down the central corridor of the greenhouse, she took them to a slightly darker, slightly damper and slightly cooller section of the greenhouse. But everything was still visible. Esecially the stunning and fragrent toadstools.
The scent of peppermint hung thick in the air here, and it had a very soothing effect.
Rallying the students around the beds of toadstools, she gave the little red and white striped caps a smile, though their black stems weren't as easy to see.
"These little toadstools are known as Peppermint Striped Parasol's, they are fairly rare and very valluable, can anyone tell me why?"
OOC: If you missed the first activity, unlucky... but do not fret, there will be another mini-activity coming up shortly. You know the rules. No chatting, no double posting. Depending on activity I may post the next bit tonight or some time tomorrow. Please note I am a person, and I have a job I sometimes need to get to in RL, so if I do post tomorrow it might not be first thing. Thanks! Have fun!
Jez's hand shot up so fast it almost knocked the people next to her. "The Peppermint Striped Parasol, or pixies parasol, is the most iconic of toadstools, given its tendency to attract pixies, and its use in Muggle literature for that purpose. Their pleasant peppermint scent attracts pixies, which are thought to be the source of their magic - the toadstools' magic, I mean. They are in danger of becoming endangered because of over-harvesting for use in Magic Minty Melts, a range of magical love sweets." Jez wrinkled her nose disapprovingly. "The demand for the sweets have gone up recently, and so the Peppermint Striped Parasol has been harvested at a rate never seen before, because the manufacturers of Magic Minty Melts are paying a lot of money for them. If a stable source of toadstools cannot be found, then the Peppermint Striped Parasol may become endangered. Magic Minty Melts don't even work!" she added, thinking of her sister Eris' failed attempts at charming a young wizard with the sweets.
[Leading the students down the central corridor of the greenhouse, she took them to a slightly darker, slightly damper and slightly cooller section of the greenhouse. But everything was still visible. Esecially the stunning and fragrent toadstools.
The scent of peppermint hung thick in the air here, and it had a very soothing effect.
Rallying the students around the beds of toadstools, she gave the little red and white striped caps a smile, though their black stems weren't as easy to see.
"These little toadstools are known as Peppermint Striped Parasol's, they are fairly rare and very valluable, can anyone tell me why?"
Daphne followed the professor to the another section of the greenhouse, carrying her gloves and her wand along with her. Oh gosh, it was darker out there and..cooler. Eeek.
Oh, great. More toadstools.
Daphne raised her hand. "Well, these toadstools are also known as Pixie Parasols because..they attract Pixies.." Which was obvious. The girl cleared her throat and continued, "The pepperment striped parasol is one of the ingredients in.." Oh, no. She forgot the name of the candy. "..well, it's some kind of a love candy, isn't it?" Anyway.. "Since, the demand for the candies have gone up in the recent times, the demand for these toadstools have increased as well. Hence, they are rare." Daphne finished, feeling quite pleased with herself. The girl just hoped she was right.
__________________
Last edited by Lady of Light; 09-11-2011 at 10:57 AM.
Reason: ;/
Corey was practically bursting with things to say, but he didn't answer the question, simply because his thoughts about Peppermint Striped Parasols actually didn't provide an answer to the question asked. He just watched the professor avidly, like he was waiting for her to say something in particular.
½ EagleBrain ♥ Creeperdoodle ♥ Raven Dor ♥ Berry ♥ ½ Team House Elf
SPOILER!!: Answers!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roselyn
She didn't know about anyone else, but that mini-activity was slightly less enjoyable in her opinion. Then again, it couldn't been worse. Those teeth the biting toadstools had could have actually pierced their dragonhide gloves somehow.
Pushing those thoughts away, Evelyn followed the professor and everyone else to the more damp and dark section of the greenhouse. At least they were just looking at more toadstools and not devil's snare. Peppermint Striped Parasol's. Long name, wasn't it? Though she rather liked the peppermint scent they gave off. "They're used in a certain mint candy aren't they?" she piped up, crossing her arms slightly as she eyed the toadstools. "A popular candy at that. There aren't many of them left since they're being used twice as much, causing their prices to go up."
If there was one candy she knew about, it was mint candy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RachieRu
ooh. They were moving on now. That was good, because Indiana really wanted to learn more about Toadstools. It seemed that there was much more to them then what she ahd learnt from her book about the smurfs. She eagerly followed the professor over to the next toadstools. Ooh. They looked pretty too. She'd read about them in her text book too, she thought anyway. But it was good, because she thought she might know the answer to the professors question. Indiana thought for a moment, to make sure that she did have the right answer. It would be pretty bad if she mixed up the mushrooms, but then she was only a little first year so she was sure that would be okay. When she was sure of the answer she raised her hand. "They are over-harvested aren't they? So like...there isn't many left. Which is like really bad."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flav_0510
Valeria grabbed her things and followed Professor Bentley to another part of the greenhouse. She glanced at the plants in wonder. She was sure she had seen this plant somewhere in a book before......
Peppermint Striped Parasols...aha that's the one. Nodding to herself she listened to Professor Bentley carefully. Now if she could only remember what they are used for...
Valeria heard someone answered the Professor and said that they were used for mint candies. Huh? Is that right....
Valeria shrugged, knowing that she could not remember. She might as well wait and make sure she'll remember its uses this time...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mordanyes
Everett grabbed his gloves and wand before following the teacher over to the other part of the greenhouse, where he was gretted with the scent of peppermint. Grinning at the pleasant smell, he stared at the toadstools they were being shown. Being honest, he wasn't really positive of the answer.
Might as well give it a guess. What was minty... "Because they are harvested often, used in lots of things such as potions, so now they are running out." Everett guessed, trying to make it not sound like a question.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RoseMalfoy
Desiree had been staring at her now fangless toadstool, a bit distracted.. when she looked up and saw everyone leaving. She quickly followed Professor Bentley and the class into a new room of the greenhouse (wand in hand, and gloves still on) She sniffed the air was that, Peppermint?
Ahh so they were Peppermint striped Parasol's. That explained it. Wait a Parasol, wasn't that like an umbrella? Well the toadstools did kind of look like minnie umbrellas.. Professor Bentley asked a question, why were they valuable, ooh Desiree actually thought she knew this one raising her hand rather quickly she said, "Because they taste so good, so everyone's eating them." She said smiling confidently. Yep that sounded about right. In her mind anyways.
Quote:
Originally Posted by luna-p
Ashley got back up when they were told they would be moving. Making sure he had all of the items requested, he followed to the next area, already drawn to the minty scent as soon as he was able to smell it. Upon finding out where it was coming from, he peered at the toadstools, thinking about the question.
Deciding to give this one a shot too, he raised his hand a little before saying, "There aren't a lot left because people have used so many? They're used in candy, so they're probably very popular, so that's why they're rare, which makes them valuable." Yep, that sounded good. "Are they endangered?" That didn't sound so good. Maybe it was a stupid question. But rare didn't necessarily mean the same as endangered, he was sure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by neaped
Hugo followed Bentley around with his gloves and wand in his hand. As he walked along the corridor he smelled... Peppermint. Ew. He didn't really like peppermint. Why were those rare? Weren't they over-harvested or something? Why would anyone make anything out of these things? Bleh. He raised his hand. "Because they are over-harvested, because they are used in some sort of candy. And when something becomes more rare, the value generally goes up," he told the professor. Or something like that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Destiny
Yes, yes.
Destiny DID enjoy that mini-activity. Not only did she learn a new spell, a spell that, even though the Professor said wouldn't really work on anything big.. like Carter's head, she was still wanting to try it. And, she had successfully pulled a tooth and still had all her fingers to prove it. Yes, an enjoyable activity.
Standing from her seat, she put her gloves on once more, and making sure she had her wand, she followed behind the Professor as she lead the class to another part of the Greenhouse. Maybe now they were going to tend the leaping toadstools!?
No. Peppermint Striped Parasol's.
It smelled like Professor Hadley's classrooms. She always had mints around.. which were boring. In Destiny's opinion, of course.
Glancing around, listening to everyone else give their answers, she raised her gloved hand high. "Are they valuable because the place they are located is so dangerous to get to, that not many people can find it? And if they do find it, only a few can make it out alive with them?" She saw something like that on the muggle box.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Divine Eagle
Scott followed the professor with his gloves and wand in hand.
Mmm peppermint...made him wish he was at Hogsmeade.
It seemed everyone had said what Scott was thinking, but he decided to proceed anyway. "Is it because they were so popular that they were over-harvested and now they are rare?"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Orla
Luna followed the proffeser to the other side of the green house carrying her golves with her
She was enjoying this lesson though it was interesting enough to keep her satisfied and she just loved plants and biting toadstools seemed interesting and magical
---
She raised her hand ''Perhaps it's because they are being harvest often!'' Luna replied
Quote:
Originally Posted by AuroraQuinn
Aurora gazed at the new 'stools... these ones didn't bite - less cool - but they were still pretty! "They're rare because they're and ingredients in sweets so they've been over used. And it's incredibly difficult to grow them in greenhouses." she said, looking closely... was that a pixie..?
Quote:
Originally Posted by nogoodforyou
Still with her gloves on and her wand in one pocket of her robes, Nora followed professor Bentley and the others to another part of the greenhouse, wondering what else they might see there.
Oh. More toadstools.
The girl smiled as she smelled the peppermint in the air, and then raised her hand. "They're used for the Magic Minty Melts." People should know that sweets were vital in Nora's life. Hehe. "And they are almost endangered, aren't they?" She even felt bad for the poor things, even though she still found them creepy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Canoir Greengrass
Freya followed Professor Bentley with the rest of the students and making sure she brings her wand and her dragon hide gloves with her. When they already arrived, the first thing she noticed was the smell of peppermint all over the place. Then the herboloy Professor explained to them about another one and this one called Peppermint Striped Parasol and she asked them why they are fairly rare and very valluable. The fourth year Slytherin raised her hand before she spoke "They are rare due to over harvesting, professor. And they only only be found growing in enchanted forests. Not to mention that the Peppermint Striped Parasol have the pixies as their caretakers."
Quote:
Originally Posted by hermygirl
"Supply and demand, Professor," Spike stated simply, joining the back of the group. He'd spent a few moments longer to finish up pulling out those fangs and running to put them up on the top desk. "Though you have to wonder why they haven't managed to grow more of them. Surely common sense would tell you that trying to regrow them in a greenhouse is going to fail when they need the decaying debris in a forest to survive. A magical forest at that." Sometimes Spike did wonder where adults got their logic from. Surely the best way would be to recreate their natural environment. Or, just protect them in the short term. Those minty sweets surely couldn't be that desirable, could they? He'd never had one to know.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jezabel Black
Jez's hand shot up so fast it almost knocked the people next to her. "The Peppermint Striped Parasol, or pixies parasol, is the most iconic of toadstools, given its tendency to attract pixies, and its use in Muggle literature for that purpose. Their pleasant peppermint scent attracts pixies, which are thought to be the source of their magic - the toadstools' magic, I mean. They are in danger of becoming endangered because of over-harvesting for use in Magic Minty Melts, a range of magical love sweets." Jez wrinkled her nose disapprovingly. "The demand for the sweets have gone up recently, and so the Peppermint Striped Parasol has been harvested at a rate never seen before, because the manufacturers of Magic Minty Melts are paying a lot of money for them. If a stable source of toadstools cannot be found, then the Peppermint Striped Parasol may become endangered. Magic Minty Melts don't even work!" she added, thinking of her sister Eris' failed attempts at charming a young wizard with the sweets.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HP_princess
Daphne followed the professor to the another section of the greenhouse, carrying her gloves and her wand along with her. Oh gosh, it was darker out there and..cooler. Eeek.
Oh, great. More toadstools.
Daphne raised her hand. "Well, these toadstools are also known as Pixie Parasols because..they attract Pixies.." Which was obvious. The girl cleared her throat and continued, "The pepperment striped parasol is one of the ingredients in.." Oh, no. She forgot the name of the candy. "..well, it's some kind of a love candy, isn't it?" Anyway.. "Since, the demand for the candies have gone up in the recent times, the demand for these toadstools have increased as well. Hence, they are rare." Daphne finished, feeling quite pleased with herself. The girl just hoped she was right.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Con_Stripes
Corey was practically bursting with things to say, but he didn't answer the question, simply because his thoughts about Peppermint Striped Parasols actually didn't provide an answer to the question asked. He just watched the professor avidly, like he was waiting for her to say something in particular.
What was Corey looking at? .... did he have something to add? Or did he just want to get on with the activity?...
Anyway...
"Correct!" Seren was soooo pleased that the students were so well informed of these charming little 'stools. "Unfortunately we have a tendency to over-harvest a number of our magical resources, this toadstool is no exception... though I reccommend you keep a distance from Magic Minty Moments..." they're just not worth it.
"Now a few of you have mentioned pixies, and in case you wondering, yes we have pixies in this greenhouse. Now... they're not going to be happy with what we're about to do, so I need you all on high alert, and I would greatly appreciate it if some of the more experienced students could help out the first and second years." Otherwise this would be just too chaotic.
"This is the last activity we'll be doing today, but its also the most dangerous. Pixies can be... a bit of a handful, so be careful and look out for one another." It would be fun, and certainly interesting to watch. "Herbology is not only about plants and how to care for them, it also involves identifying cautions and knowing how to deal with them in a safe and conscientious manner."
Instructions time. Seren turned her head briefly to glance at the 'stools and their protectors. This would be interesting.
"For this activity we will be harvesting the caps... this lot have already released their spores, so in time a new lot will grow to replace the ones we harvest today." Otherwise she wouldn't dare harvest them. No no no. "You wont need to numb these ones as they don't feel pain like the Biting Toadstool do, but you will need your wand to stun or freeze the pixies."
"When you're harvesting the caps, simply hold it by the top and twist it off, then you'll need to deposit them into this box." Seren indicated a cardboard box not far from where they were standing. "You need to harvest three caps each. And good luck."
"Remember to help each other out, and don't be afraid to ask for help."
OOC: INSTRUCTIONS
- You need to harvest 3 caps.
- You MUST do this is 3 posts.
- You can post more than 3 times, but ONLY harvest 3 caps.
- Do NOT double post.
- This DOES NOT mean you can just chat.
- Feel free to have the pixies pull your hair, trip you up, push you over, try to bite you, give you wedgies etc .
- and of course rescue each other! (STUN or FREEZE).
- And please number your posts when you do harvest a cap!
**** ALSO PLEASE BE REALISTIC FIRST YEARS AND SECOND YEARS ARE NOT LIEKLY TO KNOW HOW TO STUN/FREEZE*** So ask for help (;
If you have any questions feel free to send me a VM/ PM .. otherwise HAVE FUN!
The Greenhouses: Herbology Lesson One 
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Answering all questions, anytime, anyplace 
