Following Sander's accurate directions, Cris found himself in the middle of the Student Gardens. Sander had drawn him a map of where Spike was and Cris was on the look out of the topiary dog, Sander had grown here last term.

Okay Spike...where are you? Hmm...elephant...mermaid...oh that's one cute mermaid....frog. Ahhh...there he was. Cris walked up to the dog and barked at it.

"Woof....woof! Can you bark back, Spike?" Cris leaned down and carefully examined the dog. Scrunched nose to leafy one, Cris sniffed at the topiary and then began laughing to himself. The way Sander had told it to him, this topiary could actually run and even chase him around the place. Cris raised an eyebrow. Spike wasn't moving right now, which could only mean one thing. Sander had been playing a joke on him.

Shaking his head in disbelief, Cris quickly straightened up and turned to walk away....and it was then he heard a rustling sound. Wait!...what? Cris quickly turned around and the next thing he knew he saw something leafy and green coming at him. Instinct told him to run, but Cris was not always one to listen to his instinct, so he stood where he was.

....and then next thing he knew he was down on the ground with a topiary dog on top of him!!

"Get off me...get off me....before...before I trim off your legs," Cris threatened the topiary. The topiary didn't need to know that it was a false threat.

"Help!! I'm being to licked to death by a plant," Cris called out even as he started to laugh hysterically.

There was a commotion in the gardens! ... She could hear it.

Abandoning the bucket of dragon dung out side the greenhouse door, Seren raced over and passed through the archway to the garden. She's heard something about death, and that was never a good thing. It was only as she neared the student laying on the ground with a topiary on him that she realised what he had meant.

Phew.

No dying.

"I think you'll find an immobulus will do the trick." Or was the boy not apt with spell work? Seren stood, watching, grinning in amusement as the topiary continued to love the boy.

Cris paused mid laugh long enough to realize that a woman...most likely a Professor had coming running to his aid. He would have laughed at how frazzled she looked if not for the fact that he knew if he did, she would most likely sic all the other plants on him too. Struggling to keep the dog's head away from his face, Cris turned to address the Professor.

"That is a very good idea. I could use Immobulus or Petrificus Totalus or even Incendio the heck out of him....once I get this lummox off me long enough to get my wand. Or I could also kick him off me, but I promised Sander I wouldn't hurt a single leaf on his precious topiary," Cris grinned up at the Professor.

"So that just leaves me one last option. SPIKE GET OFF ME, RIGHT NOW!!" Cris yelled sternly at the topiary dog. Heck that always worked on their dogs, hopefully it would work on Spike.

....and believe it or not. It did. Either that or the spell wore off, because Spike just trotted off back to where he originally came from and then stood still.

"See that worked really well," Cris grinned at the Professor as he got back on his feet and brushed himself off.

"I'm Cris Strand. Thank you for coming to my rescue," he smiled at the older woman.

Seren found herself nodding along to the boys ideas, but froze upon mention of incendio as an option to subdue the topiary ... was the boy crazy? The kicking thing too... Seren's eyes were wide with mild shock and disapproval - at least until he mentioned Sander. "Well I would think so, here at Hogwarts we don't teach people to harm flora, we teach them to nurture it." See the difference? Kicking and burning didn't little to offer plants care and longevity -- for the most part at least.

Bouncing blueberries.

The yelling. Seren watched the scene before her, it was the last thing she expected to have to deal with today. No, she had other things in mind, fertilising, feeding, watering, turning the compost, checking the supplies cupboard... but not this. "It did, lucky for you... because I don't much feel like watching flora abuse, nor do I feel like spending this lovely day indoors supervising detention." Because had he kicked or burned the topiary, that's exactly where he would find himself.

"Aaahh, a Strand, Sander's brother? cousin?" she asked, curious. "Professor Bentley at your service, though I'm usually here to rescue the plants, not the students," she chuckled.

Cris couldn't stop grinning. He had really fooled the Professor. He had told Sander he would. High Five older brother. "Professor, I was only kidding. I would never hurt a leaf or branch of any of the flora or fauna. We were raised to protect and respect them like we would any living creature." Cris explained.

"It was just a bet I had with Sander, who is my older brother. He said you were cool as a cucumber, so cool, that I wouldn't be able to phase you at all. I have to admit though you still remained cool as a cucumber, despite knowing that your babies might have been in danger," he reluctantly admitted.

"But thanks for coming to the rescue, Professor Bentley. I don't really know whether Spike recognized me or not, but I would like to believe that he knew I was Sander's brother," Cris looked fondly at the topiary.

.... ..... Was the Badger messing with her? Is that what he was doing? Messing with her and her nerves and her babies?! "Uh huh," she replied uncertainly, putting the pieces together as he spoke. Learning that Sander was his older brother made her feel moderately better, that Badger had at least been exceptionally polite and most certainly green-thumbed.

"A bet?" she repeated, not sure if she ought to be flattered at the fact that they'd spoken about her, or upset that there was betting on her character involved. In the end she supposed there was no real harm done, so the Badger could live to see another day... it was a good thing the flesh eaters had already been fed - not that she was one for violence, ahem, she was good with jokes too, see?

"I've actually become somewhat accustomed to my babies being in danger, I've been living in a state of constant stress and trauma since starting at this school," she informed, waving it all off. As for the plant recognising him as a Strand... mmm, not likely, but he could beleive what he wanted. "It's my pleasure, I'm usually in the area, so if you find yourself under attack again, don't hesitate to call out."

Yes Cris had noticed Professor Bentley repeating the word "A bet?" back at him. He was very familiar with that 'repeat that word because they can't believe you actually said it' tone of voice. That meant only one thing. He was in big trouble. He now wished he hadn't allowed Sander to dare him.

Cris, one of these days, accepting those dares are going to get you into trouble.

"I apologize for playing that prank on you, Professor. I now know that it was ill-timed at best. I guess it's one thing to play a prank on someone and another to play a prank on someone with the things they love best. Not a good idea, right?," Cris looked sheepishly at the Professor.

The mention of her living in a state of constant stress and trauma only made him feel more guilty. "Awww, Professor, you just made me feel more guilty. My mother always drinks Chamomile tea. She says as a stress reliever, it really works. Would you like me to brew a teapot for you? I can bring it over to your office later on this evening," Cris whole heartedly offered his services.

He chuckled at the Professor's words. "I think I'll be fine, Professor. I know better than to get too close to the Flesh eating ones. Actually, I was hoping to continue taking care of Spike while I'm here at Hogwarts. In fact, I don't mind taking care of the others as well. Would that be alright with you? I know I have to use a mixture of dragon dung fertilizer and water, plus that spell. I learned how to do it back home.

I don't mind helping out....whenever I have some spare time," Cris quickly explained just in case the Professor thought he was going to skip lessons and homework to help out with the chores.

Yes he loved helping out but not at the expense of his studies and social life. In fact, he had decided he was going to ask Jasmine whether she would like to help out too. There, social life and chores all figured out.

And now it was a prank?............. ........... "A prank?" she repeated this time, tapping her heel instinctively - but soundlessly - against the grass. At least he understood that pranks were not a welcome thing, especially where her babies were concerned, though she was beginning to think the boy had a strange definition of prank.. what was the prank again? Him yelling out he was being attacked? Or threatening to maim a plant? ... Either way, he might need to take some pointers from her Lions. She knew a few of them would be up to the task. "It's fine, think nothing of it," she concluded eventually, if only to stop Cris from apologising any more than he already had. It wasn't necessary.

And... was it just her? Or was the Hufflepuff telling her about tea? Seren blinked, once, twice, thrice. If there was anything she was capable of doing blindly, it was making tea. "Thank you for the offer, though I'm rather apt with brewing my own," she mused with a polite smile. It had been nice of him to offer, though bringing her a pot was a little excessive. "I actually rather like a blend of rose, white tea and vanilla to calm the nerves, but that's a personal preference." Each to their own, no?

Taking a few paces to inspect the garden while she was here, Seren made a mental note to do a thorough check later in the day, give it all a once over. Knowing he was Sander's brother, it came as no surprise to her that Cris was also helpful in the garden. "You're always welcome to tinker around as you please, so long as you don't mess with someone elses plants... some people can get rather touchy about that," she informed, loudly whispering the last part. "The stores cupboard is always open and a helping hand is always apreciated," she nodded for good measure, pausing in front of a rose bush. It would need pruning soon.

O_o there was that repeat the same word turned into a question again. Cris decided that it was time for him to stop talking cause it seemed the more he did, the bigger the hole he was digging for himself. He was about to apologize again but the way she brushed off his last apology signaled that he had exceeded the amount of apologies I can handle limit too.

Feeling deflated, he silently admonished himself, 'Great way to make a first impression, Cris. You totally blew it.'

With downcast eyes, he stared at his feet knowing that he had just lost some major points with his Herbology Professor. Sander, he was never going to be and Cris knew that he had to step out from under his brother's shadow. If he had to make it here in Hogwarts, he had to stop trying to be his older brother.

"A blend of rose, white tea and vanilla does sound very soothing, Professor. I think I'm going to back to my Common Room and brew myself one right now," he looked up at the Professor with sad puppy dog eyes.

"I'll remember that, Professor. No tinkering around with other people's plants unless permission is given. I'll start tomorrow here and then down in the Greenhouses. I guess I should let you get back to what you were doing. It was nice chatting with you, Professor," Cris smiled his thanks before slowly making his way back to the Hufflepuff Common Room.

Yes, today wasn't a day he had anything to crow about. However, Cris believed in learning from his mistakes and he hoped tomorrow would be a better one for him.

The silence that followed didn't faze her, in the same way his betting and pranking hadn't fazed her, all minor details in the grand scheme of things. She broke off a few exposed receptacles, letting them fall to the ground to decompose.

"It is! I highly recommend it," she replied brightly, delighted that it seemed to have taken his fancy. "Of course it's hard to go past a lovely peppermint too," she continued to muse, suddenly thinking a cuppa might be nice. But no, the greenhouses were expecting her. It was rounds time. Turning her attention away from the bush and to Cris, Seren couldn't help but notice the wounded dog expression... had she said something wrong? Whoops.

At least one could always count on a Hufflepuff to help out, they were very active darlings were they not? "Excellent, well I look forward to seeing more of you, Cris," she replied brightly, bowing her head by way of goodbye as he made his retreat.

And that reminded her .... she still had lovely warm dung to distribute. So with that in mind, Seren too exited the student gardens.

...This wasn't a bad idea.

No, Vesper had absolutely no idea who'd she be meeting up with today, but that didn't bother her one bit. She'd been meaning to make a trip down to the gardens, anyway...hoping to get some sketching in. Should she have been concerned? The fanged geranium would be harmless as long as she kept the proper distance away...and surely whoever the stranger was wouldn't hurt her. It seemed lame to go to these extremes only to hurt someone.

Since it had been getting a bit colder, Ves dressed accordingly. Jeans, thermals, coat, boots,...and her mitts. NOT to be confused with her piano mitt. Two different things entirely. She also had her bag, containing various things she might need throughout this particular outing.

After finding a space just off said geraniums, she casually pulled a blanket from her bag and laid it out. The ground would be cold, right? Ves was avoiding anything that would make her unnecessarily uncomfortable. Then she sat, notebook and quill in hand.

So, yep. Just going to sketch until the anonymous person pops up...

Benjamin was grinning. He had been a bit cheeky doing it like this, really, and he was more than a little excited and surprised she'd agreed. Of course, he couldn't be 100% sure that she hadn't already guessed it was him, but either way he was hoping they could have a good time.

He was dressed comfortably, as usual. Jeans, layered tee and open buttoned shirt, and puffer jacket. A slouched beanie kept his head warm, and he wore fingerless gloves on his hands..one of which held a tin of freshly baked cookies picked up from the kitchen on route.

"The fanged geraniums are looking good," Benjy said matter-of-factly, as he approached Vesper. "See you're making yourself right at home." He shouldn't really expect her to be doing something than sketching whilst she waited really, should he?

She shouldn't have been that surprised...but the point was, yes...Vesper was surprised.

Was the secrecy really necessary?

Though......................Gosh, she was blushing, Ves knew. Her face felt like a match had been tossed on it...and her notebook and quill had both fallen to the ground. Good thing she'd laid that blanket down...Doubly so.

"Benjy...." Stare. Her gaze shifted down to the hand carrying cookies. Well, that was okay, then. He hadn't come empty handed. Vesper was about to be concerned. Reaching over into her bag a moment later, she produced two butterbeers....Stolen from the kitchens. "...I should pinch you."

Pinching...because the Ravenclaw didn't believe in violence like punching and kicking. That was a bit much for her sensibility. No, she wasn't going to comment on his comments ether. Nope.

Having announced his arrival, Benjy watched her a moment, trying to gauge her reaction. Two things stood out: she was no longer sketching, and she was blushing...

The latter was a good thing, right?

Benjy never was good at reading faces. All that between the lines stuff was lost on him.

"Vesper..." he replied softly, the tinge of a blush coming to his own cheeks. Had asking her like this been silly? Almost apologetically, he held out the tin of cookies. "Lots of types, as requested..." Oh, and she'd brought butterbeer, awesome!

...blinkblink. "Pinch me? ...what'd I do?"

Maybe she didn't like it after all. GULP.

Yes it was freezing cold and one would be crazy to be caught outdoors right now, but Cris decided that he couldn't wait any longer. He had promised Sander that he would take care of Spike and so far he hadn't done so. So today was the day. Well at least it was warmer than it had been the last few days.

Even though he knew that by the time he was done with Spike, he would most likely be sweaty, grimy and hot, Cris still made sure that he dressed warmly. Wearing a fleece lined pair of jeans, a thermal top under his thick flannel shirt and fleeced lined leather jacket, Cris matched that with a woolen scarf which he wrapped around his neck and a woolen beanie on his head.

With his dragon hide boots keeping his feet warm and snug and his matching dragon hide gloves protecting his ten digits, Cris first made his way to the Greenhouse supply shed, to pick up supplies before returning to the Student Garden.

Having come here at the beginning of the term, Cris now knew where Spike grew. Standing in front of the topiary, Cris couldn't help but smile. The last time he was here, he had an encounter with Professor Bentley and to this day, he still counted his lucky stars that she hadn't given him detention for making her think that he was being attacked by his brother's plant on the day of their meeting.

But the reason for him his presence here today was legit. Cris examined Spike and decided that the topiary needed a little trimming besides fertilizing and casting the animation spell on it again.

Okay it was time for Operation Take Care of Spike to begin.

It was so cold. Even wearing all of her warmest clothes, Penelope still felt cold. She wanted to be inside where it was warmer, but she had a job to do. Cris had invited her to come help him and some of his friends take care of a bush or something. Not only would they trim the bush or whatever they were doing, but she could learn the spells that were used to do it. Walking into the garden, Penelope looked around for Cris. After walking around the garden for a few minutes, Penelope spotted Cris. Walking over to Cris, she said, "Hi Cris. What are we doing with the bush thing today?" Bush thing, close enough, right?