'Kinda' cool and fun to talk to.'

Paul had never been described this way before! He beamed at her. "Well, thank you for the compliment, and you're welcome...I'm glad I could help." He hoped her parents weren't TOO worried now. "You're writing them a lot, I hope? To set their worries to rest?" He wished there were a quicker way to communicate with outside family and friends.

Ahhh.

Plants.

He had to laugh. "I find plants..so interesting because...they involve so much process, so much...life so much STUFF happens in each plant..that we don't see or realize unless we take a closer look. Plants also have purposes...some are pretty...others EAT each other--" he laaaaaughed. "I just...love plants."




"Tea parties and sleepovers. That all sounds like so much fun..you know, being at Hogwarts is kind of like a forever sleepover, you know. Surrounded by your friends and whatnot..." he grinned. He remembered that feeling from being here...when he was young.

He sipped his tea and seemed so calm and happy. "Oh? To be a Healer...you have to be good at Herbology and Potions...so I bet she was good at Herbology. So...you already know a bit about plants, then?" he asked, taking another sip of his tea. He couldn't wait to have her in class.



"NOOO Dante! I insist! SIT DOWN!" he said, his tone wild, as he hurried washed his hands in the sink in the corner. "Sorry--Merlin--I got held up by a nasty Venomous Tentacula!" he wiped the sweat from his brow.

Charles looked up as they entered, and soon he was standing, stretching his back legs, and wagging his tail as he approached Dante, nudging the boy's hand with his wet nose. "Ahh..he likes you.." he smiled.

Continue....
 

Henric smiled as he entered his head of house office for the first time. "Thank you Professor Myers, lovely office you have here. Wow...that's a massive collection of books, and oh... what song is it playing in the background?"he asked as he looked around the room in awe. Was that his dog, Charles Fluffington? "Hello, Sir Fluffington," he waved to Professor's Myers dog. Awwww....look at that little tail wagging! Adorable! Could he pet him? COULD HE? "Professor...umm...may I?"Henric indicated towards the dog.

AH now that would explain it.

Dante heard those things were one of the most dangerous plants they were allowed to handle. It was a rumor since Dante was only a 5th year but he heard you were allowed to swear if those things grabbed you. Cool but not cool at the same time. Dante sat down.

"Those things are for sixth and seventh years to handle right? Being dangerous and all"

Now this was unexpected Charles wanted to be pet by him and Dante himself more of a cat person. He smiled and started petting Charles' head.

"Though the real reason i'm hear is i heard a rumor and wanted to see if it was true"

Still Venomous Tentacula were much more interesting.

Uhhh... Hadley bite her lip and nodded. She had been writing to them, and working on her penmanship too, but well... she probably couldn't claim she'd been easing their worry... well it was mostly Dad that had been worried. It was just... there was so much incredible things here, she needed to share it all with someone. That someone was usually her twin sister but Natalie was still mad at her for being a witch without her, so.... Haddie had kinda been putting everything in her regular letters home instead. The food fight at the feast... the food fight in the library the next morning... the explosion of fuzzy animals in the Ravenclaw house raffle... the ugly Divination Professor that wanted to eat her, or turn her into a toad, or both... getting caught trying to explore the forbidden forest...

Man, she wished Natalie would get over it soon so she could write to her directly about those things...

"Um, sure..." Haddie finished another biscuit and dusted off her hands before turning slightly and holding out an arm to lure the Professor's dog over so she could pet him.

"But... they're plants. They just sit there, not moving or doing anything. How is that interesting?" It seemed conclusive to her, so she really didn't get it. Climbing a tree is fun, sure, but the tree by itself? Nope.

Paul smiled. "Thank you. And...I'm not sure right now. Milton gave it to me...the music player...I'm not sure how it works. The music plays at random, too. I can't control it." He winked at Henric. It was all very mysterious.

Charles' tongue hung out of his mouth as he panted, sitting right in front of Henric, now. "Yes yes--go ahead. He loves the petting." He smiled. "Have a seat when you're ready. I need to talk to you about something serious. Would you like any tea? Any snacks? I have some crisps..."

Paul nodded, wiping his wet hands on his pants. "Yes...I think fifth years could handle them, but it's more NEWT work than anything." He took a glass and filled it with water, taking a deeeeeeeep sip before sitting at his desk.

...Gossip.

Paul Myers lived for gossip. Among other things.

"Please, Dante, have a seat. Which rumor?" he asked squinting.

Ahh. The typical response to why Paul thought plants were interesting. He smiled, though, and stood up to grab a book from his shelf.

"Have you heard of flesh-eating firs?" of course she hadn't, unless she had perused her Herbology text extensively, which was very possible. He pushed the book towards her. "Flesh eating firs...look like Christmas trees...but they have teeth. And they eat other plants. Very cannibalistic trees they are." He summoned another book. "What about Snargaluffs?" he smirked. "Have you heard of those? They look like normal stumps." He opened the book to the picture. "But...they're very dangerous. They have vines..covered in sharp little thorns..that will attack anyone who approaches."

Did he need to go on?

"I taught a lesson on Gravity-Resistent Trees last term...they float...and that's only the plants that I can think of right now." He grinned. "I suggest you keep your mind open, m'dear. Plants surround us every day. The Earth was given to us to take care of...to love and to live with. It's why Herbology is so important to me."

Using phone x3
 

"Really? Its not made by muggle technology, is it? I can help take a look at it if you like, professor. I'm pretty handy with mechanical devices and tools." Henric offered with a smile. Living with his muggle adoptive dad who was obsessed in fixing all sorts of stuff, had its perks apparently. Nice! His professor let him pet Sir Fluffington! Aww... what a good doggy! Henric bend low and stroke the back of Charles head. ."Good boy...yes you are," he cooed.

Henric paused and glanced up at professor Myers when he had something serious to discuss with him. He gulped and nodded. "Of course, sir..." he replied as he took a seat in front of Professor Myer's desk. "I'll have the tea. Thank you..." He didn't think he could eat the snacks, now that he felt a little nervous of what was about to come. Was he in trouble?

Ugh, sorry!
 

She was pleased that the professor didn't really dislike kneazles, but she should have seen it coming. No one who adored plants could dislike any living thing. He probably let spiders sleep in his hair and cradled stink bugs until they called him papa. It was endearing, although not at all Dot's way of working. She preferred keeping her hands clean and keeping her cuddles to animals that were adorable.

The professor was obviously taken with the seeds, and she bounced a little in her seat, enjoying his reaction. Even if it means she'd have to do some actual dirty work, it was nice to make someone SO happy.

And then he was actually crying. Not about the seeds, but about her OWL grade, and Dot quickly pulled a pressed and embroidered handkerchief from her pocket and offered it to him. "Please, sir, I'm not bright. I just had a good professor. And I studied like the dickens. But thank you. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you."

Sorry for the wait
 

Hugo LOVED dogs. Can't you tell? He smiled at Myer's comment. "I like him too. I want to get a dog" but he needed to convince his mom first. "Not that long and also I was reading a magazine"

Chicken butt? Hugo laughed "That's weird, last answer was very deep" yeah he still remembered that conversation with Myers. Very...philosophical. He didn't mind though. Hugo kept petting Charles as it seemed the dog was asking for it and he couldn't say no. He nodded. Okay. "So, how was your summer, Professor?" and..."Why were you wearing a poncho at the feast?" and..."Have you noticed something new on my robes?" Hehehe.

shhhh you all are lovely <3
 

Paul shook his head. "Oh no...that's all right. Milton said it...hmm. I just know that Milton has it working the way he said it should." He smiled. Maybe he should ASK Milton about the bloody thing, though. it was inconvenient at times, when it randomly turned on.

The professor moved to grab a teacup and pour the boy some tea. He pushed the cup towards him as he plopped back down in the wicker chair. "All right. You're not in trouble--" he smiled, seeing the look on Henric's face. The deer in headlights look? Yeah, that. "I...just wanted to say, I know you got into a spot of trouble last term," he leaned back, his chair making a creeeeEAAAAAAK sound when he did. "But I still wanted you as prefect because I believe in you, and I know you have so much potential." He paused. "And I expect that you will let me down......correct?"



That was it.

Paul lost it.

Sobbing, literally, on his desk. "O-Oh D-DOT!" he sniffled, wiping under his eyes with his thumbs. "Y-you d-d-don't have to c-c-compliment me--" he was so touched.

He needed to calm down ASAP.

The handkerchief looked perfect. He took it and BLEW his nose into it, dabbed at his eyes, and chuckled through his tears. "I'm s-sorry. Pretend I'm not c-crying--" Oh dear. He cried so easily. "I just g-get emotional so easily a-and--" klgfhrgheighu. He took a few deep breaths. He was always so anxious about teaching. Back and forth, in his head, if this was right for him. He'd done it when he was younger, but for University level, and of course this was a different ball game. To hear young Dot talk about how much he had helped her...it touched him a great deal.

Once he was settled, he continued speaking. "Teaching is a two-way thing. We work together...so as much as it may be credited to me, if you put in the effort...and studied...it should be credited as much to you, m'dear." He nodded very seriously. "You'll be continuing Herbology at NEWT level, then?"



"Well, Hugo, dogs are a lot of work, but definitely worth it. Lovable little guys, they are." For the MOST part, anyways. It was all about nurture, Paul was sure. As long as you gave a dog love and affection, they turned out all right.

Kind of like people.

OH! He got a laugh out of the boy. GOOD GOOD. "Have to keep you students on your toes," he smirked. "I'm not quite in the mood to be as philosophical today." He was missing home, as he usually did at the beginning of term, and he was trying his best to stay positive!

His summer. Hugo wanted to know about his summer. "It was grand! Just grand. Relaxing. We took a holiday to Paris..." it was lovely. He and Milton had thoroughly enjoyed themselves. "Why, Hugo, I always wear ponchos!" He acted shocked. "I have...many many in my wardrobe! Milton--" he began to laugh a little, "Milton HATES them." But Paul still wore them because HIS BODY HIS CLOTHES.

The badge, of course, was what Hugo wanted Paul to notice, and notice he did. He smirked proudly. "I saw! At the feast! I am so sorry I couldn't congratulate you, m'boy!" he said. "I got so caught up in the happenings! But look at you! I'm so proud."

Kaycee beamed and nodded. "Yeah. Most magical plant ever, huh?" Which might have been an exaggeration. She didn't really know. She wasn't the herbology expert in the room.

"Cool. I'll do that." Maybe for Christmas. That would be okay.

ALSO! They should talk about the elephant DOG in the room. "How long have you had an adorable fluffballlllll?"

Well Dante would love if his year could have a chance to he guessed the word would be fight those things. It would be awesome or interesting. Probably not both. Dante took a seat and a breath.

"Ah, that is what i thought. Are those things really that dangerous?"

Now time for gossip. He stayed quiet thinking about the right way to say this. He did not want to indicate Aslan as the one giving him this piece of gossip. Oh okay, he got it.

"I heard a rumor from anonymous sources, of course, that you sing and dance when no ones around. That is the small one and another is that romantic gatherings happen in your garden"

When you are observant you pick up things and information is valuable.

It is true.

Robin walked in nervously to the professors office. Where she really wanted to be was the greenhouse but A.) She didn't know if she was allowed and B.) She wouldn't know what to once she was there. Of course she would love observing them but she wanted to grow things or, or she didn't know. Seeing the professor she bowed a bit,an old habit.

"H-Hello Professor! My name is Robin Liu, um I'm a first year and..I was wondering if you could help me with Herbology?" She smiled at her shoes.

"I don't know about magical plants Sir, I mean I want to! but I mean well, my grandmother runs a tea shop and uses herbs to help people and I love helping her so I knew I would love Herbology but I don't, um, know really anything about it"Wow Robin, eloquent.

Wow Robin, eloquent.

"Oh." That was it, just 'oh.' She gave up on trying to lure the dog over to her, and took the book that Professor Myers was offering her and began to furiously flip through them. She studied the image of the Snargaluff that Myers opened to with an excited fascination.

She was going to have some serious words with Rachel about this. How could she not tell her of those plants.

"Those aren't boring at all," she admitted. "How do muggles not know about those?"

Henric nodded and chuckled a little. "Sure, Professor Myers." He guessed the music box would remain playing music randomly at times for now. He wondered who Milton was? Anyway, Henric continued to silently watch until his professor finished pouring tea into his teacup. He was suddenly feeling quite thirsty, perhaps the warm tea could help calm his nerves. Henric gave a small smile, "Thank you, professor." He then reached for the teacup and placed it in his hands before taking a sip.

Henric breathed a sigh of relief when Professor Myers told him that he wasn't in trouble. Oh great! He felt like his heart was about the leapt out of his chest, listening to his professor talked about his past deeds. However, his face remained stoic. Huh?...wait-..what? Henric gave Professor Myers a befuddled look. "So you want me to disappoint you more..or-?"he queried, blinking 'innocently'.

Paul squinted at the plant again. "Not sure it's entirely magical, actually...but I do enjoy it." He grinned because...well Herbology was the study of magical AND mundane plants both. Most people forgot that a LOT, and Paul was well aware that muggle plants were just as awesome and cool as the magical ones.

Hehe. His DOG.

Paul could talk about his dogs all day. "Milton and I have four dogs in total, Miss Richards. That right there is Charles Fluffington..." at his name, the dog lifted his head curiously. And on seeing Kaycee, Charles stood up, stretched, and made his way over, soon licking at her hand affectionately. "Ooooh Charles! No one likes licking!" He chided gently, which did nothing to berate the dog, really.

"Charles is....2 years old, now?"



Paul nodded. "Yes. very much so. Besides being..well, venomous, they attack you." He smirked a little. "If you continue taking Herbology at NEWT level...you'll get to er, handle them." Honestly, it was more like FIGHTING than handling, but anyways.

....

......

THAT WAS THE RUMOR? Paul felt his cheeks blush, and he chuckled to himself. "Well...I do indeed sing when I'm by myself..but as for the dancing...I would pull a HIP if I tried, m'boy. My bones are too creaky...and not to mention I have no rhythm, as Milton likes to remind me daily." If Paul could dance well he'd do it all the time! Alas, he could not.

As for the next rumor....Paul SMIIIIIRKED.

"Well. I may have interrupted a date recently. But I won't say whom. I suppose a garden IS a nice place to have a date in..."



Ooooooh. Another first year come to see him about...learning. Honestly, he was impressed with so many of his students seeming interested in learning for the sake of learning. It warmed his heart!

"Hello, miss...oh goodness, I can't remember your name! But please have a seat, let me make you a cup of tea, m'dear?"

She was a talker! It made Paul smile because it meant he didn't have to carry the conversation as much, as with most students. "Why, hello Robin." He smiled. "I, Professor Myers, will most CERTAINLY help you with Herbology, as it's my job!" hehe. "A tea shop, you say?" That was interesting. Lots of little muggleborns this term around...he liked it. "Hogwarts must be so..exciting for you."



Hehehehehe. "I know they're not boring." He said, SMUG. "There are some..less interesting plants, but of course, Herbology can be just as exciting as your other subjects, I promise you."

As for her next question, Paul shrugged. "They just...don't? They aren't really grown in muggle residential areas...and if they are, muggles refuse to see magic...even if a dancing coconut does the mamba in a bikini in front of them..." Maybe that was dramatic, but he at least found it to be true in his years of experience.



OH NOOO!

Paul spit out his tea. Right on his desk. "NO NO I DID NOT MEAN THAT!" Ravenclaws could be SOOOO dramatic, hence why Paul made a scene. "I MEANT, Henric, PLEASE DON'T DISAPPOINT ME." He took lots of deep breaths. "DON'T disappoint me.."

Please.

"You're a GOOD leader, clearly, Henric, Merlin." He began to clean the...spit out tea off his desk using his wand. His grey eyes flickered up to Henric's face. "You handle Brady quite well..."

Robin smiled at the Professors warm atmosphere- It was so much easier to talk to adults than other students but she was getting better at it.
"Oh I'm Robin, Robin Liu"
She gratefully took the cup of tea, it relaxed her.
"Yea my grandmother runs it and when I visit in the summer she lets me help her, I really like it- She has tons and tons of dried herbs hanging or in jars, It's really cool" she reminisced for a moment
"Hogwarts is exciting! It's really different but I'm trying to keep up"

Well he did not even want to think about OWLs yet. So talk of NEWTs was not something he even wanted to think about. Plus he had no idea what he wanted to do in the future. Still the opportunity to handle venomous plants was something to look forward to if he continued Herbo.

SO he did sing. Well that was not really surprising since you know he did bring a banjo to the Feast. But no dancing. Well it would be Professor Paul to overdue the dancing and hurt himself. "Well i bet you sound better with a banjo on hand" Oh well they were rumors for a reason. But looked like he was onto something with the next one with that smirk on his face.

"Oh you did. Well now that is romantic and is it okay to have date's there?"

Dante was asking for a friend and you know future reference.

Cough.

Hugo had everything it take to take care of a dog. He just needed to prove that to his mom. When the professor said he wasn't in the mood to be philosophical, Hugo felt...disappointed (kind of) because it was cool to have those kind of conversations with Myers. Maybe next time.

"You went to Paris? That's cool! I went to Spain to visit my sister" he nodded "Though it was hard 'cause of the language" but whatever it was FUN. He chuckled "And what about the banjo? You know how to play it?" asked "Why don't you buy him a poncho? A customized poncho with his name on it" yeah.

He felt so flattered. Hehe. He grinned, "Thank you, professor" and looked down at the badge "I never thought I would get it to be honest" but was happy he did.

Oh my Merlin. This also gave Kat an idea. If the professor liked sleepovers too. Could they have a sleepover? Like all of the Hufflepuffs. In the common room. "A house sleepover in the common room with everyone would be fun. Like a real one." Since he was talking about how Hogwarts was like a sleepover with friends that would be cool! She beamed even more.

Oh, no! "I'm not sure if I'd want to be a healer like my mum but I'd maybe like to study Herbology and plants." Katerina knew that she didn't want to be a healer. Or at least that's not what she wanted to do now. She thought. That could change. What she did know is she loves plants, and flowers and Herbology and was ready for her first lesson.

Oh, Merlin. There were actual tears and snot and blubbering. Dot shifted uncomfortably in her seat and tried not to watch him have his breakdown. The handkerchief was a lost cause, and if the chance arose, Dot might even slip out the door and hope the professor just cried himself to sleep and forgot about her. Her baby brother did that all the time... the crying to sleep... so why not a professor?

"Please... don't cry, sir. You've made the handkerchief all soggy and it's just smearing the tears around now. Don't you know how puffy crying makes your eyes? You'll have to put cucumbers on them and lay down for a while." And she'd go get the cucumber, yeah? Dot glanced at the door hopefully.

"Of course I'm continuing. If you want me. I still don't like poop."

Paul smiled. "I have never been to a proper muggle tea shop. I would love to go to one, one day. I hear they are so relaxing." He sipped his tea. "Oooh...I bet that looks really cool. I wouldn't mind doing that here--Though that seems more a potions thing than a Herbology thing."

Hogwarts was a very fast paced place, indeed. He certainly knew it. "I can hardly keep up--but that might be more of an age thing than anything else--" he chortled and finished off his tea. "It is nice to meet you, m'dear. You're welcome to visit ANY time you please!"



Paul glanced over at the banjo in its case, resting against the wall in the corner of his office. "I can't sing, Dante. I'm terrible, actually. I'm only a banjo player...the lead singer is a man named Calamity.." he grinned because the nickname was absolutely ridiculous, the man was hardly a wild card, and he loved it all. "I...will have to show you a picture of Bleu Grasse." Hehehe. Talking about his band made the man VERY happy. "Wait--DANTE--isn't your BROTHER in a very popular band?" he asked, his hand over his mouth. "Do YOU have any musical talent?!"

The Dead Kneazles, right?

Paul...blinked at Dante's question. "Well..I suppose so as long as the date is...you know, kept at a certain level." he met Dante's gaze. "Are you planning on having a date there, Mr. Barrington?" he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.



"Ahh, Spain. I've been twice in my lifetime. It's very pretty over there. Does your sister live there, then?" he asked curiously. Making the conversations here. "You don't look very tan...did you not go to the beach---and my word, Hugo--" he squinted at the boy's hair. "You look different."

Paul nodded at his banjo, in the corner of his office. "Yes, I play." Merlin, he was in a BAND, people, a REAL ONE. "I play in a band called Bleu Grasse." It was FUN.

Charles, as if on cue, trotted to his bed and curled up. Heh. "He HATES clothes....he would not wear a poncho...though some of my other dogs might..." he grinned. Maybe Bugsy would..

"You were surprised? I was not. You show great leadership skills, Hugo."

This was a quiet student. He didn't mind quiet, he just didn't really know what to say. He was fine with sitting in silence..but most normal people were not.

"You will, I'm sure. Which subjects do you think you'll be best suited for, m'dear?" he asked, smiling away. "I was always good at Herbology, obviously, and Potions...and Creatures a bit, too."

He could be chatty for the both of them.

..And he took another biscuit. Yum yum.

Hmmm. Paul thought..."Maybe, at the end of term, I can arrange something, all right?" he grinned. "We can maybe roast marshmallows...or something. I'll tell the Friar to come, and he can tell us scary stories..." how funny would that be? Any scary story from the Friar...would probably not be so scary.

"Being a healer is a lot of work..but you have time to decide all of that. You're young, m'dear. So young." He grinned. "I hope you like what I have planned this term for you all! FUN TIMES."

..Especially LATER in the term.

He would stop crying in.......3.............2.........................1 . Paul sniffled his last sniffle and took out his wand to dry the handkerchief. "I'm fine now--I promise--" SIGH. He didn't really LIKE crying in front of students.

"A cucumber eye mask actually sounds delightful. Hmm. I wonder if there are any in the kitchens..." his eyes glanced towards his door...HMMM.

Dot, pls. Paul even snorted and rolled his eyes slightly. "OF COURSE I want you! You're one of my faaaa-best students!" AHEM. "And no more poop...well...not TOO much more poop, I promise."

Wait, so he was actually in a band. Well this was news. Dante did not know that and the main singer guy's name was interesting. Who names their kid Calamity unless it was a stage name. Lets go with that.

"Bleu Grasses is the name of the band?"

Ah well that was something he did not expect Professor's to know. Or maybe he should since this is Professor Paul and all. Yeah his brother was in The Dead Kneazles and well he did not ever really see if he had any musical talent. Well he can play the drums not terribly. So there is that.

"Well i can play the drums but that is about it"

Well considering who he was thinking about bring there on a date in the future or at least he had to gather the courage to ask. The date would be certainly kept to a certain level. He just hoped she would like it.

"I am thinking about it and would not want to get the two of us in trouble if we were not allowed."

Now that would be embarrassing.

Katerina took a sip of her tea. It was getting cooled off enough that she didn't have to blow on it anymore. Sending the professor a big smile. "Yes the end of term. That sounds like a great idea." She nodded in agreement, that was what she loved most about sleepovers. That and drawing on peoples faces who fell asleep before she did. Hehe. She was always the last to fall asleep.

Oh, Kat remembered something else that she wanted to ask him. "How's your banjo?" She wasn't sure if he would want to talk about it yet of not.

She nodded again. "Being a healer is more of my mamas thing. I'll just have to wait and see what I actually end up liking and being good at." Oh, she beamed. She really liked the sound of that. "Cool! I can't wait." She really couldn't wait now. She was bouncing in her seat in excitement.

Henric tried his best to stifle his laughter. Professor Myers certainly did it this time! His eyes widened at his professor abrupt reactions. Nope! He couldn't hold it in any longer. IT WAS JUST TOO FUNNY, ALRIGHT! He held both his hands up in a show of surrender,"Okay professor, okay! I won't disappoint you," he chuckled. Yes..professor...don't forget to breathe...breathe easy now...breathee~! "Are you alright, professor?" he asked, suppressing his laughter now as he held out a napkin for his head of house professor kindly.

Him, a good leader?....Oh...he didn't know what to say. Henric felt he was still lacking in so many areas, his studies was one of them. He gave a small smile back at the professor,"Thank you professor...for believing in me... I'll do my best to set an example for my fellow schoolmates." Urgh...he felt suddenly pressured. And...oh no why did his professor mentioned that brat, Brady? The kid need a personality adjustment. Odd, little Brady kind of reminded him of a certain Gryffindor prefect. Candice Messer for instance.... <___< ......

"Umm...yes...Brady, it can be quite taxing to handle him, Sir...but I know he's a good kid...just not very trusting in character."