Zander let some quiet chuckling escape his lips, when all things considered... He was actually very relieved. Would've been beyond embarrassing if he had walked all the way over just to get turned down, y'know?

Ahem. Okay. Task. All about that.

"Alright, yeah, reckon that'd make the most sense," considering her hands were smaller, though, smaller hands would probably be helpful for reaching in and grabbing an egg too. Well, one things for sure. This activity was not made for giants. Luckily, Zander wasn't one of those heh. "You won't let go of them, will yah? I don't fancy my hands being chopped off." Though he was beaming at her while saying all of this because pft. As if he'd ever think she'd let go of the vines.

...

She wouldn't right? 'Cause even if he was joking, the statement still rang true. He quite liked having hands thankyouverymuch.

Okay, good, he was on board with her holding back the vines and he would extract the pods. Because he probably knew what they looked like, yea? If she was doing the extracting, she probably be digging around for Merlin only knew what. Or well, actually, she had no idea if he knew what he was looking for, but either way, she wanted to hold back the vines.

"I doubt they'd chop your hand off, but if you did, I reckon Healer Murdoch has a potion to grow it back just in case." She grinned, and although she was being somewhat silly, she was serious too. "You don't think the plant will give me trouble in being tied back, do you?" I mean, it wasn't like they had minds, did they?

... Because small hands meant little if it required strength too, though she could take a snargaluff plant. How hard could it be? Millard wouldn't give them this task if it couldn't be done.

Pushing up her sleeves past her elbows, the fourth inhaled as she worked to tie back the vines with both hands and hold them aside so Zander could get in there.

Haha, wow. Toby was just so excited to partner with her and of course she was excited too. They would do an awesome job together on this activity. "Sounds good to me, partner!"

Time to get started.

If Lux understood the instructions correctly, one of them needed to hold back the vines while the other retrieved the pod. Probably a good idea to sort out who did what and she would go along with whatever her partner wanted to do. "So do you want to do the collecting? Or the restraining?"

This was going to be fuuuuun!

Just as AJ was starting to think she was going to have to force someone to partner up with her, she had a taker. Sure, the activity had only been announced moments ago, but she wanted to be the first to be done. Did anybody really expect any less from her?

Oh, it was that older snake boy. What was his name again? "Caleb, right?" That had to be it. He wasn't someone she had really spoken to, but he seemed nice enough. The third year returned his smile. "You're not wimpy are you?" Boys could be wimps, and she didn't have time for that. Her tone wasn't sarcastic or rude. She asked the question as if she was merely curious. She seriously doubted it though. Wimpy snakes... was that even a thing?

Deciding he would be manly enough to help her with the activity she moved the conversation along. "You wanna be the pod puller or the vine wrestler first?" It all sounded like fun to AJ and as long as she got a turn to try both it didn't matter who went first.

Hmm, so it wasn't venemous tentacula. The third year had half a mind to go read up on this new plant Professor Millard had mentioned--with a name as cool as Snargaluff it had to be cool--when an activity was being announced. COOLCOOL activities were COOL. Especially ones with plants, for all the obvious reasons.

Ooooh they got to tie a plant up in knots? That wasn't gonna hurt the thing, right? Norah looked around at the other students pairing up and fell back on her usual partner-finding routine. "Does anybody want a partner?" She could be one, she could! A good one, too. Probably. Did loving plants enough make her automatically a good partner? She couldn't find that out for sure unless somebody took her up on her offer. The Puffer grinned hopefully all around the greenhouse. Anybody?

The mention of Healer Murdoch had him scrunching his nose and making faces. Sure she was a lovely woman and all... But she was incredibly biased and would totally take any opportunity to chop his head off for what had happened a few months back. He didn't doubt it even a bit. "Yeah, see that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid." Merlin. Even the Healer's name was enough to get him all wound up. No, he did not need to go to the hospital wing, thanks.

"No, at least I hope they don't. But I reckon if anyone could get 'em to stop being so active, it'd be a Ravenclaw," he gave her a small smile at that too. Zander Adair held Ravenclaws in very high esteem. Was she aware?

Right-oh. He watched carefully as the fourth year began working at the vines, and then let on a satisfied smile as she managed to tame them creating an opening. Perfect. Probably should hurry though incase they start moving and giving her some trouble or anything. So before they could do anything of the sort, the Gryffindor adjusted his gloves and reached into the vine-free opening. After a few seconds, he took a few steps back from the plant, and pulled his hand out with one extracted egg. "One down, two to go... Right?"

It’s either he’d been doing a lot of studying because of OWL reasons, or he’s improving in the Herbology department. Ethan gave Professor Millard a snappy salute to say ‘thanks’ for the point. So indeed, they are working on a Snargaluff, and they are to retrieve its pods. The Slytherin looked back at Zander and gave his friend a pat on the back. No biggie, Zanderpanda! He’d probably also choose somebody that he never worked with before. Like...that kid over there!

Ethan gathered his things and moved towards the Hufflepuff girl’s table. “Me!” he said as he dropped his things on her table and sat across her. “I’m Ethan.” Hi. Hello. Salute! “I can tie up the Snargaluff, and you can get the first pod...” Sounds like a plan, yes?

Oh. THAT was what that was. A snargaluff. Adi eyed the plant again. Yesh! Very similar to the one the majority of the class had volunteered an answer for. Anyyywayyy... ACTIVITY TIME! And one that involved partners. Of course. The persons he usually worked with seemed to already be paired up but Adi didn't mind. Here was his opportunity to work with someone else.

"Hufflepuff in need of a partner!'' Hehe. General announcement there. Whooooo was going to take him up on that offer? Come on, folks! Over friendly, energetic Badger here!

Oooh look! A person! Norah grinned at the boy as she stuck out a hand to shake his, 'cause manners duh. "Hi! I'm Norah. I'm FOURTEEN now, could you tell?" Fourteen was OLD. She was a real live mature person, probably. She began to giggle at the thought, but straightened her face out immediately because giggling was NOT mature. Even if it was fun.

"Sounds awesome!" The third year grinned NOT giggled at Ethan before stooping down to pull her gloves from her bag. She slid them over her finger and gave them a good wiggle, then positioned herself in front of a snargaluff. "Ya ready?" This was gonna be great, she could FEEEL it. Feel it in her BONES. It's on, plant dude.

Ethan chuckled. Ethan remembered introducing himself to Mo when he was FOURTEEN two terms ago. ‘HelloMyNameIsEthanTylerMordauntHogwartsResidentMi nstrel’. He didn’t say how old he was because they won’t believe him to be that old. He acted like a nine year old back then. It’s a good thing that he’s starting to mature now. NOT. “Naaaaah you don’t look like one.” BEAM. Norah looked like a kid to him still! It should be a good thing, no? Youthful and all...

“Pleased to meet you MISS Norah.” Ethan added as he got his dragon hide gloves from his bag and donned them. “This is serious stuff. I’m ready!” Ethan breathed in and out and shook his hands...and probably did a bit of stretching for good measure. “Here...we...GO!” The Slytherin grabbed two thorn covered vines and tied it into a knot. “Stop...WRIGGLING...BOB!” Yep. He named the Snargaluff ‘Bob’. They’re just like animals, you see. Giving them names would somehow help tame the plant...hopefully.

“Quickly! Do you see the pod??? You should see the hole now!” He said as he held on to the knot behind. Let’s goooooo Norah!

JUST when Norah was sure she kind of liked this dude he said she didn't LOOK fourteen? EXCUUUUSE HIM. Okay, fine. She didn't look fourteen at all. But STILL. The FOURTEEN year old stood up straight to show off her entire four feet and eleven inches of height and put on her most teenager-est glare. "Well I AM fourteen. For over an entire week, so it's the real deal." BUT THEN he called her miss. And naturally, she dissolved into giggles. Ahem. Straight face, right.

She watched in awe as he wrestled the vines, her mouth making a small O. And gaping at something cool wasn't even as bad as giggling so she was riiight back on the teenager track, YEP. "Ooooh, Bob! Nice name." It WAS a nice one, and he--a real live teenager--had called HER 'Miss,' so it was only fair that she praised him too. Norah saw the opening just as Ethan pointed it out, and she stuck a gloved hand in quickly and snatched a pod before holding it above her head and waving it around. Yeeeeahhh!" With her other hand, she stuck it in and grabbed a second pod while the older boy still had a grip on the vines. "Double Yeah!" She looked around proudly to see if anybody had noticed her triumphs, before grinning up at Ethan. "Ya wanna give it a go?" She placed the pods she'd acquired into the bowl and flexed her skinny noodle arms menacingly. She had this in the BAG. Look out, Bob.

Agatha's been quiet all this time because... she did not know anything about that plant. She wasn't even sure she liked the plant... it looked weird. Agatha did not like weird. And it slapped them, apparently. Evil plant.

When she heard they had to pair up and actually do stuff to the Snargaluff, the Slytherin immediately looked for a silly enough available partner and saw no other than the Hufflepuff prefect. She marched up to him. "I'll be your partner. You'll take the pods from within the plant." The fifth year informed him. There was NO WAY she would put her hands into that man-eating plant (was it man-eating? She didn't really know, but it LOOKED like it was).

Putting her gloves on, Agatha didn't wait for any more instructions - as if she'd take instructions from the Hufflepuff, pffft - and reached out to grab the vines.

Which slapped her arm as soon as she stepped close enough. "OW, you IDIOT!!" Agatha slapped the vine back and huffed before firmly grabbing the stupid THING. "Stop moving. NOW!" THING. URGH. She tried to grab as many vines as possible, dodging some VIOLENT vines then whiped her head towards Adi. "HURRY, HUFFLEPUFF." MORGANA, she didn't have all DAY.

So... he had a taker. Agatha. Now, Adi had no problem with Agatha now, nor had he ever had before nor would he ever have any with her in the future. It was just that their last encounter... well, fairies tugging on the girl's hair and her slapping him wasn't something he was keen on revisiting. So, instead the over friendly Puffer smiled brightly at the girl.

"Heeeeey, Agatha!" See? No 'wife'. Not for now anyway. Hehe. "Sure, we can be partners.'' It was actually kind of surprising that she wanted to even work with him. He still felt bad about what had happened to her at the creature housing. "Okaaaaay. If you wanna hold the mean, nasty vines,'' he said cheerfully and totally undaunted by the girl's attitude. He was quite used to it actually. "We'll still have to switch roles after I get a pod.'' Groundskeeper man had said so. Mhmmm.

"I'm hurrying, Slytherin!'' Oh, gosh. Hehe. Agatha was a handful, wasn't she? But the main thing was she had gotten the plant to open up. Adi reach in. "Don't let the vines go,'' he warned his partner, his eyes narrowing. He wouldn't put it past the girl to do that which would make his hand remain stuck in the plant. But YESH! He had a pod! Woot!

Adi removed his hand hurriedly from the plant. "Good job, Agatha.''

Agatha, obviously, completely ignored the constant yapping of the Hufflepuff. However, when he said they were switching roles anyway she whipped her head to shoot him a glare. How DARE he even say that? "No, we don't. Professor Millard said we MAY take turns, not that we SHOULD." So she wouldn't put her hand in that plant, thank you very much. "You're taking both pods." She informed her partner, already turning away from him because her job was VERY difficult, mind you.

Morgana, what was wrong with this boy? Agatha rolled her eyes as she struggled to keep the vines from freeing themselves from her grasp. You're WELCOME, Aditya.

'Don't let the vines g-' >_____>

REALLY? Did he REALLY just SAY that as if she would do that and risk not getting those stupid house point their Head of House bothered them so much about? Muttering something about him not telling her what to do, the girl kept a firm grip on the plant anyway, because she was getting those stupid points, alright.

Literally as soon as he had his hand out of the plant, holding the pod, the Slytherin let go of the vines and stepped back immediately. She miiight or might not have pushed the vines slightly towards the boy, but JUST so they wouldn't hit HER, okay?

Safety first.

Self-safety, obviously.

Well...he didn’t mean to offend her or anything. Why the glaring? WHY IS IT THAT SLYTHERINS GET ALL THE GLARES??! Ethan did straighten up from his seat too and glanced over at the tiny fourteen year old in front of him. “Good for you then!...I mean...fourteen and all.” The Slytherin will never figure out why this age thing should be a big deal. He’s sixteen did she know? “I’ll be turning seventeen this coming October. I’ll be of age and will be able to do magic outside of school.” Ethan gave a cool shrug and released the Snargaluff’s thorny vines.

Hehehehe.

“I believe it is your turn, Miss Norah! Let’s see what you’ve got.” He said as he stood up and switched places with the Hufflepuff. “Grab Bob's vines with steady hands, tie it together, and give it a firm hold...” Since he’s the older student in the team, he ought to give her a good advice, yeah? “Whenever you’re ready partner!”

Cue the grabby hands...eyes on the spot where the hole should be...

Alrightey. She had a point. Groundskeeper man DID say they may switch. Adi was actually fine with grabbing both pods. "If you're sure you don't want to grab any.'' Then again, the Snake was doing the more dangerous aspect of the job. Adi ignored the looks he may be receiving. He was used to those too. But he was grinning to himself when Agatha started muttering after what he said. Hehe. She was so easy to set off.

"Watch where you're letting those vines go!'' The Puffer quickly jumped out of the way. A second more and his face would have been all thorny O__O He just KNEW Agatha was trying to injure him someway or the other -__-

Shaking his head, he briefly examined the pod before dropping it into the bowl. "One down, one to go.'' Adi readied himself as he waited for his partner to grasp the vines again so he could grab another pod.

"No, I don't want to grab any." She said irritably. Morgana, what was so exciting about those silly pods anyway? There was no way Agatha was risking her hand to get one of those useless things.

Although... now a tiny little smirk was creeping from the corner of her lips as he sort of complained about the way she had let go of the vines. "Mind where you stand." She was doing her job. Hair flip.

Ahh, good Hufflepuff. Waiting for HER to hold the vines, like she had told him. Without praising him or anything, the fifteen year-old got ready to go and hold those things again. This time she wasn't slapped and actually glared at the vines as she held them firmly, almost too harshly. No, they were NOT hurting her this time.

It was more likely she would hurt them instead, hm.

Though not exactly, because she knew professor Millard was probably watching them. So she didn't really hurt the plant, just... almost.

"GO."

Brooklyn hadn’t particularly cared if the plant was a snargaluff or a venomous tentacula. Except for the fact they probably wouldn’t have been expected to actually wrestle with the tentacula. For that reason, she wished that had been what the plant was. There was no way she wanted to be sticking her hand inside that thing, even if she had gloves. Of course, they were expected to work in pairs, too. That just made it even better, especially as Ethan had gone off to work with Norah. The tiny redhead figured having an older student probably would be more useful. Maybe she’d be able to get them to do most of the work.

But then she needed to find a partner, and until then, she was staying as far away from the creepy vines as possible. She wasn’t going to be like the others and yell out that she needed a partner either. Royalty didn’t ask. They just expected, and usually they got what they wanted. She just had to wait. Maybe she’d get lucky and class would be over soon. And she could avoid losing a hand to a plant.

Quote:

Brooklyn hadn’t particularly cared if the plant was a snargaluff or a venomous tentacula. Except for the fact they probably wouldn’t have been expected to actually wrestle with the tentacula. For that reason, she wished that had been what the plant was. There was no way she wanted to be sticking her hand inside that thing, even if she had gloves. Of course, they were expected to work in pairs, too. That just made it even better, especially as Ethan had gone off to work with Norah. The tiny redhead figured having an older student probably would be more useful. Maybe she’d be able to get them to do most of the work.

But then she needed to find a partner, and until then, she was staying as far away from the creepy vines as possible. She wasn’t going to be like the others and yell out that she needed a partner either. Royalty didn’t ask. They just expected, and usually they got what they wanted. She just had to wait. Maybe she’d get lucky and class would be over soon. And she could avoid losing a hand to a plant.

Hady listened silently as the name of the plant was spoken along with some of it's habits. She also watched carefully as the deminstration was given as well. There was noway she'd be getting herself harmed by a plant cause that would just seriously stink big time.

It was partner time and as Hady looked around she noticed nearly everyone was already paired off. Being small wasn't helping her right now to see who needed a partner still but as she looked around she spotted someone her age and in her house. Brooklyn was alone as well...and they worked well together. Grabbing her gloves and her wand she walked over to the other girl. "Partners?" Sure they were both smaller and girls but they could do everything anyone else could.

NICE. PUFF CREW.

Toby pulled on his gloves as he replied, and eyed the Snargaluff plant that had been levitated over. "I'll WRESTLE-... uh, I mean... RESTRAIN it first, yeah! Tie it up and you can do the other thing. Then we can do the same again or SWITCH." Toby was feeling real good about his restraining abilities today. YEAH. STE A DEVILS SNARE ON HIM. HE'D RESTRAIN THAT TOO.

"Ready?" Okay. Okayokayokay. Toby took a moment then, waiting for Lux to get all prepared and stuff, and stretching his arms out ready. LIMBERING UP, y'know? When he was sure they were BOTH ready to GO, he sprang into action. RARRRRR.

Grabbing the vines was easy, but then they didn't seem to like that. Toby wasn't as strong as he used to be, not having worked out properly in a while, but he was running on ADRENALINE AND HYPER ENERGY, so he held his own. After a little struggling, he managed to tug the vines into something that at least resembled a knot, and it didn't seem to be tugging itself free at least. The whole process would have been a lot easier and quicker if he was maybe more FOCUSED, but he'd DONE it nonetheless. Now he pulled back the vines and held them out of the way so Lux could grab the pod thingy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixStar

SPOILER!!: Caleb

The venomous tentacula was TOO dangerous for this class, but the Snargaluff pod wasn't? Caleb felt that was a bit contradictory, but whatever. He knew all about Venomous Tentacula and absolutely nothing about Snargaluff pods, so this was perfect studying for OWLs!

Except he needed a partner. UGH. Why were they ALWAYS partnering up?

He spotted a young Gryffindor girl - one of those twins, or triplets, who could keep up really? - and figured she was as good a partner as any. "I'll partner with you," he told her with a smile. Yes, partner up so he could get this done with as quickly as possible...

Just as AJ was starting to think she was going to have to force someone to partner up with her, she had a taker. Sure, the activity had only been announced moments ago, but she wanted to be the first to be done. Did anybody really expect any less from her?

Oh, it was that older snake boy. What was his name again? "Caleb, right?" That had to be it. He wasn't someone she had really spoken to, but he seemed nice enough. The third year returned his smile. "You're not wimpy are you?" Boys could be wimps, and she didn't have time for that. Her tone wasn't sarcastic or rude. She asked the question as if she was merely curious. She seriously doubted it though. Wimpy snakes... was that even a thing?

Deciding he would be manly enough to help her with the activity she moved the conversation along. "You wanna be the pod puller or the vine wrestler first?" It all sounded like fun to AJ and as long as she got a turn to try both it didn't matter who went first.

"Yeah, and you're...um...sorry, I know you're a twin and everything and I don't want to call you the wrong name," Caleb told her sheepishly. Hehe. Oops. He could barely keep track of his own snakes, how was he supposed to know all the names of the kids in the other houses?

"No way," he told her confidently with a grin. Whimpy. Please. He wasn't a HUFFLEPUFF. "I can, um...do the vine wrestling first?" he suggested. He wanted to get all that prickly business out of the way first. Plus, he kind of wanted to see how hard it was to pull one of those pods out. If SHE could do it, he could totally do it right?

Slipping on his protective gear, he walked over to their Snargaluff, which didn't seem to be moving all that much. Maybe this would be easier than he thought...but of course, as soon as he reached out to grab a vine, it tried to smack him with another one. Thankfully he dodged it - thanks Quidditch skills!

Grabbing the one vine that had tried to attack him and taking a few more in his other hand, he pulled them back and tied them into a secure knot. At least, he HOPED it was secure...

"Alright, go!" he called. Before the vines accidentally snap and give him a face full of thorns...

The fact that he didn't know her name wasn't that surprising to her because did boys even pay attention to things like names? AJ was pretty much a boy and the only reason why she knew was because some girls talked about how cute he was. "I'm a triplet actually." Just to set the record straight. "But I only share a face with one of my sisters." And even though Angel and AJ looked the same, that was were their similarities stopped. "I'm AJ." The cool one. The best one. Anyways...

"Good," She was liking her partner more and more. Aw man. He wanted to try out the very thing that she was ready to give a go first. That was okay though. This way she could learn from his mistakes. Pfft. Who was she kidding? AJ would be reckless. she was glad that he was proving to not be wimpy by going in for the harder of the two jobs. "Okay. I'll have that pod out in record time." So he didn't have to worry about be a vine punching bag. She was such a team player.

Caleb was putting on protective gear, and she should probably follow suit. There! She was all ready. Look at him further proving himself. "Nice work, man." It was AJ's turn to show off her skills. Okay. How did she go about getting the pod out again? There didn't seem to be a hole. "Hold it tighter. Show it who's boss." AJ could just punch the plant until it opened up. That was always an option. It would be a fine time to wise up, plant.

Wait a minute. "I see it." AJ bent down and went in for the kill. Both of her hands grabbed a hold of the pod and she tugged and manhandled until the pod was free. "Can I try that part now?" She was practically jumping up and down in anticipation.

Maybe because she hadn't had any incidents with the healer, but the face Zander had made when she mentioned the Healer ... and then his comment, well Tia knew the fifth year didn't want to have to see her. "Fine then, I'll do my best to ensure you don't need to see her." Maybe it was just doctors in general. Or Gryffindors being all tough.

She laughed. "But that's the thing, Ravenclaws are good with the theory behind making them stop being active. If you wanted someone really good with plants, you should've partnered with a Hufflepuff." At least supposedly they were the real skilled ones with Herbology. Never mind the fact that Millard's predecessor two terms before was a Ravenclaw; not that Tia would have known that.

Right. Hold the vines. Must not get distracted by the warm feeling of Zander's forearms rubbing against her own. But it did feel nice .... closing her eyes as she focused on restraining the vines, it took only a few seconds before he'd extracted their first pod. She opened her eyes at the same moment she released the vines. "Well that was fast. Two more? I thought we had only two total to get ... oh wait, yes, three total."

Hands back to the vines, the fourth year found it slightly easier to restrain them this time as they'd already been forced away once before and waited....

"Okaaaaay.'' This was totally Agatha's decision and who was Adi to try to change her mind? "I figure you must be terrified of sticking your hand in.'' LOL. Nah, he wasn't poking fun at her. Teasing as usual.

Hmph. "I can stand where I please. You just don't have any regard for others.'' FACT! That attitude of hers will get her no where, he knew very well.

Adi waited for Agatha to grab the vines once more. When she did, he noted how tightly she was doing so. He arched an eyebrow but didn't waste anytime. "I don't need you telling me to go,'' he cheerfully jibed. But he went anyway. In went his hand... and out it came clutching a pod. AWESOMEEE! Two pods down!

"We did it!'' Cue the second pod joining the first in the bowl!

Norah's mouth opened into an even bigger O shape because MAN, he really was old. "Wooooooow. Seventeen is awesome! You're practically be king of the world by now." She'd better be on her best behavior, then. She beamed at him before clapping her hands together and turning back to Bob. "You're going DOWN, vine things," she said, pointing dramatically. "But don't worry, I promise not to hurt you." That'd just be mean. Plants were people too--wait, what?

The third year shot Ethan one last grin before grabbing one vine in each hand. Or trying to, anyway, because as soon as her gloved made contact Bob started wiggling like a madman plant, and her hands slipped off. Heh, whoops. Norah pushed a curly strand of hair behind her ear and gave Ethan an apologetic smile before bouncing on her tippy toes and assuming the position once more. "Okay, now you're going down." The fourteen year old grabbed each vine again and gritted her teeth against their wiggling. She pushed her feet against the floor for leverage as she forced the vines backwards into a sloppy knot, revealing a hold. "Go go go!" And she meant it. 'Cause her noodle arms couldn't really hold these thingies back for much longer. But Ethan was nearly the king of the world, so he'd have no trouble. Duh.