CoMC: The Reptile Room
 

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A short distance from Professor Paton's office/cabin there is a building that wasn't there before. From the outside it looks like an ordinary building if you paid no mind to the large sign above the door that said The Reptile Room. Or perhaps your eyes have already fallen upon one of the very large statues that sit on either side of the entrance to the building, a python and a lizard.

Once inside you will notice that the building is much larger than it appears from the outside. Every single creature has an tank/exhibit/area that is designed specifically for them and their needs and is larger enough for their comfort even if it may not look like. Remember children, magic is a beautiful thing. There are little cards on the glass of each tank with the species name, what abilities it has and whether or not the students are allowed to handle it.

If you would like to handle one of the creatures/or your own should you have one being housed here all you have to do is tap your wand against the glass and say "Alohomora". An area of glass large enough for you to get the creature in and out safely will open up for you. You may also help feed them, give them water or clean out their homes. All supplies are kept at the back area of the building and labeled neatly. There's also gloves handy in case if you would like to use those as well.

Open Post!
 

While the reptile room had quickly become one of her favorites, there was even more enjoyment to be found in it now that Vera knew all she had to do to see Sass was skip down past the python and lizard statues and spend time with her own boa. Not that visiting Amie and the rest of the crew hadn't also been lovely the year before, but... there was not a snake that was better than Sass.

Skipping her way into the room, she went straight to her Desert Rosy Boa and tapped her wand against the glass. "Alohomora!" Once the glass was out of the way, she reached her hand in for the reptile to slither it's way up and around her arm. "Hi, Sassafrass. Enjoying spending time with the other reptiles?" She used her finger to carefully run it over the snakes skin before her attention turned towards the inside of the habitat. "Any clean up we need to do?"

There wasn’t any real reason why Sable Ileana would be visiting the reptile room. In fact, it was more the fact she had neglected once again to ask Professor Paton, or whomever actually made the decision as to whether or not students could bring non-feline/owl/toad pets to Hogwarts, if she could bring Mo to school with her that had brought her down to the CoMC complex in the first place. Obviously, the crup had been left at home with mum and dad yet again, but she still hoped that someday he could join her at the castle in some capacity. Maybe one day. There were still a few terms left before graduation.

Even so, she knew of at least one reptile who was in the building this term, and that was why she’d turned her steps toward the python and lizard statues. Not surprised in the least to see Bestie inside with the snake in question. “How’s Sass doing in her new environment?”, she asked, sidling up to Vera and Sass herself. Plus Dot.

"Hey Dot!"

Sass's enclosure was looking clean, which was unsurprising given how much attention she was sure Professor Paton gave the reptile room on top of the fact they had not yet been at school very long. But... still, it was better to be safer than sorry wasn't it? She really wanted to make sure everyone knew (faculty wise) how important her companion was to her and how she could actually be responsible and care for something else. She might pretend to be dense at times, but she knew enough to know this was a privilege to have Sass here - not a right. And she would not be the reason she lost that opportunity after break or next term.

Feeling her snake slither up her arm more and drape herself around Ve's neck, she gave up on staring at the enclosure and again gave her head a gentle pet with her finger as the Rosy Desert boa flicked it's tongue out at her. It was then Vera heard the familiar voices join her, and her grin grew all the more at seeing a few of her favorite people. How lucky was she to have some of the best dorm mates?! "She feels warm and cozy too. I think she really likes it here so far! What brings you to the reptile room, Polka Dot?" She moved towards the other Gryffindor, scooping up Sass and offering her towards the other Gryffindor in case she wanted to hold her. Ve had spent a lot of time handling Sass and made sure the snake was very comfortable around all people.

Sia's arrival was not long after either and she also got a beaming grin from the brunette as she waggled her fingers at her. "She's happy as a clam. Or... whatever you'd say about a snake being happy." She wasn't good with words majority of the time, okay? "I wasn't expecting a Gryffindor reunion down here in the Reptile Room! Not that I'm complaining about it." It was ALWAYS nice to run into them.

Yukie Rasting - Job Fair Meeting with Hady
 

If she were to be honest, Yukie Rasting didn't frequent the reptile room. Aside from her fifth year schedule being incredibly packed with doing homework, attending classes, baking, and squeezing whatever time she had left to hang out with her friends and boyfriend, she much preferred the barn and pastures, and the creatures there anyway. Suppose this gives her a chance to really venture. The reptiles in the London aquarium over the summer had been interesting to watch, among other things. Anyway.

The babiest Rasting was never ever late to an agreed meeting, so she was already on her way. It also helped that she liked Professor Paton, which made her pretty eager for this when she found out. Given this wasn't in the professor's office, Yukie wasn't sure if she should knock, debating on it for a moment, before she eventually did to at least announce her arrival. Then, she poked her head inside the room, quickly spotting the Creatures professor by one of the enclosures. "Hi, professor! May I help with that?" Yukie asked, big bright smile on her face, as she shut the door behind her and approached Professor Paton.

She can help out with the reptiles here while having the job fair meeting, you know! Seemed like the kind of multitasking she'd be into.

On any other day, Hady would've continued right on to the next enclosure. Only there was no time for that today. It would have to wait a little while longer. Good thing she stopped in frequently and cleaned up around here often.

Hearing the doors to the reptile room open, Hady turned around so that she wouldn't have her back to whomever was coming in. A warm smile formed on her lips when she saw it was the young lady she had been expecting. "Ah, Miss Rasting, good day to you. You want to help with tending to the reptiles?" Well this was unexpected but very much welcomed.

"Is there a particular reptile in here you would like to help with today?"

As she was moving forward to join the professor, Yukie's eyes were already bouncing around and taking in the different creatures she encountered. Some of them, she recognised the breeds and types. The others, she would likely remember along the way when they're pointed out to her. "I would love to, professor, if you're not done making your rounds," the Hufflepuff offered. She liked helping out, and she also liked talking. This was also a learning opportunity and Professor Paton was certainly competent, so Yukie was pretty eager. But if they were all already tended to, she also wouldn't mind just sitting back and watching them while she and Professor Paton discussed the upcoming job fair. The reptiles might appreciate some alone time, anyway.

Oh, decisions! Yukie bit her lip and hummed a little as she looked around at each enclosure again. "Maybe the pythons, professor?" The littlest Rasting asked. She'd have gone for the tortoises and turtles by default, but she was feeling a bit more brave at the moment. It was definitely because Professor Paton was around, so if anything happened, she would be assured she'll be fine.

She was in luck indeed. Yukie grinned brightly at that. Not at the fact the professor had started her rounds later, which might have required her to make adjustments to her schedule today, but at the opportunity and the timing of it all. "I make a great assistant, Professor, I promise, " the Hufflepuff said, nodding along to make her statement super convincing. But it was true! You should ask her parents at home! "Do you follow a specific routine when doing rounds?" It seemed like the kind of question to ask when doing something like this, but Yukie was also curious.

The babiest Rasting was certainly familiar with Amie, who she'd seen during her Creatures lessons, but Yukie had never really had the chance to be so up and close with the python. "I'm not nervous, Professor," Yukie offered a smile, and she was also nodding and taking her wand out of her holster. She can certainly grant their entrance. "Alohomora!" The Hufflepuff said as she tapped the tip of her wand against the glass. A moment later, some sort of entryway opened for Yukie and the professor, so they may reach Amie.

Yukie followed beside Professor Paton, her hands folded behind her. "They're alright, professor. Felines and canines are my favourites, but I like pythons too." And most creatures, really. Her least favourites have been rodents and toads, but that's not something Yukie would voluntarily mention unless she was asked. Also, she wasn't apologetic about it either. Sorry, not sorry, Eiji and Infri.

Seeing the smile on her young students face, made Hady forget that she had started her day later than planned. Now that she had a helper working alongside her, they might just get back on schedule anyhow and if they didn't that was alright. "I'm not at all worried, I'm sure that you are, Yukie." She knew how some teens were always hard-workers and others, not so much. "There are times where I do but not always. It tends to depend on what I need to do each day and how much time I have to get it all completed." Today she wasn't so much worried about following her usual routine she just wanted to get each reptile cared for while also talking with Yukie about some careers.

"That's good. Not everyone is comfortable with stepping into an enclosure that houses a snake nearly as big as they are." Amie was a large snake but very calm. The woman smiled as she watched Yukie go ahead and allow them entrance through the glass. Stepping through the entryway, she made sure they were both inside and that Amie was nowhere near the door before she closed it sealed closed once more.

Amie was resting quite comfortably on a large branch that was in the area, watching them both not seeming to be bothered at all by their presence. "That's the answer I typically hear when I ask this question. Pythons generally aren't ones first answer and that's perfectly alright. We're not here to pick and choose between them unless you specifically wanted to go into a career that dealt with only one of them." Otherwise there was nothing at all to be sorry about for liking the creature she liked and not liking the ones she didn't.