*Jessica smiled mischeiviously* or mabye its just been discovered and no one knows much about it *she thought evilly*

"Just because the plant has no apparent use does not mean it is not worth studying," Professor Phoenix said softly. "And we'll get back to the water problem in a second when we have talked about the leaves. Take a moment to look at their colour: Indeed, they are not green but look dry and dead. This is due to the time of the year—like all, or let's say most plants, Dransuls start producing young shoots in spring, carry them through the summer and then stop photosynthesis in autumn. They do not lose their leaves until the spring, however. I suspect it is for reasons of camouflage.


"Now, back to our first observation: How does the Dransul collect water and minerals then if it is not constantly in contact with soil? Any ideas?"

*raises hand* Uh through their leaves?

"From its prey, or it could get water from the atmosphere."

*Julia ponders the question. She chews on the end of her quill trying to think of a possible answer. Julia raises her hand.* "The Dransuls can possibly get some water from mist, and from the mist they can they can get minerals. You know, mist that can be traveling through the air at the time when the Dransuls need it." *Julia puts her hand down and looks at the professor.*

The use of studying it, she mentally responded the bored Slytherin, smirking, is probably so that we know what those are and they won't eat our fingers.

Turning back at the professor, Nadia considerd the answer for a minute.

"I supposse they have many ways to take water. It could be simple drinking, seeing it does has a mouth. It could be by absorbtion of the humidity around them and on/though their leaves. The idea of taking it from its pray sounds possible too. Or it could use the smaller, hidding roots they have and which would use by plugging them to the earth when they need it. They are stuck to the floor only in those occassions, I believe."

She was pretty sure that was what the professor had said last term class - but, for some reason... why couldn't she remember? She was commonly very good remembering. Once again, her distracted mind was put back on the class without many minutes of difference.

"So they loose their leaves, uhm..." *raise hand* "Sorry, professor, but what does the Dransul looks like without the leave-camuflage?"

Serena raised her hand.

"Because they have a mouth to eat, they could drink as well out of puddles or streams, or even a lake or pond. They could also absorb moisture through their leaves like other plants. The other option would be the moisture they get from their prey."

Lee notes down all possibilites and waits for the professor to continue

"Could it possibly be through the mist in the air?" Xavier asks.

*Jessica thought back to science classes she had before hogwarts* well, i guess, since it has leaves, it goes through photosynthesis, right? so maybe if plants collect carbon dioxide thru the stomata under the leaves, maybe it also collects water from the stomata. *she said, raising her hand*

"Well, for one, of course, a part of these needs are met by suffocation and devouring of smaller animals. But, keep in mind that Venomous Tentaculas or Devil's Snares do the same, yet they are both bound to earth to survive. Dransuls cannot survive solely on their prey. Therefore they have developed a way of accumulating water and minerals from the ground with roots they can use when they feel like it. When their need is satisfied, these roots retreat back into the Dransuls' bodies and they regain their mobility.



"I know this is all very theoretic," Professor Phoenix excused herself, "but do you understand it all? If all is clear, we will move on to feeding the Dransuls."

"Wow, I thought they didn't have roots. I guess the only way you would see them is if you pulled them out of the ground while they were feeding or drinking." said Serena.

Anelreas blinked. "Feed them? As in go near them?" She asked stupidly, though obviously afraid.

Feeding the Dransul? Nadia's face how indeed turned purplish. She was so wishing that was not the activity in that particular lesson, but not such luck. If only her stomach was proving more strong...

"Yes, Professor," Nadia said regarding if they have understood. Yes, she did, but that was still not helping that she didn't want to, she was considering playing stupid only not to reach the stage when they would have to feed them. Mind, no, maybe only pushing back that time the furthest away in the future. She sighed and waited for the lesson to continue.

Jaren nodded, whilst jotting down a few more notes about the plant. He had no reservations about feeding a plant, even though he considered that slightly awkward.

Birdy raised her eyebrows skeptically. She wasn't the only one in the class anxious about going near the plants, telling by the faces around her. She hadn't really considered going near any plant that could devour another living creature. The more she thought about it though, the more it intrigued her to poke around with such a facinating plant.

"Alright, Professor," she said, smiling now as she waited for the other students with questions.

Noel looked a little nervous about feeding a plant with a mind of its own that had to be caged but she kept an open mind, "Yeah Professor I think we're ready."

Francis raised her hand, "How are we going to feed the dransul?... It doesnt appear to have a mouth...". Francis looked at the dransuls with a certain apprehension/

*Julia looks at the professor.* "Ok..." *Julia had a tone of nervousness in her voice. She didn't really think they would get to feed them... but it would be a great experience so she starts to feel confident about feeding them.*

"I knew, I KNEW I shouldn't have taken this class," Nat murmured under her breath as she stared at dransuls.

"feed the dransuls.Oh,it's going to be great!"Ivana said happily

*Jessica looked all around and smiled at the faces of her classmates, many of them weren't too happy about feeding the dransul. she looked back up at the professor and smiled. she thought feeding it would be interesting* okie dokie then.

Rosa looked interested at the dransuls she was going to feed. She wondered if there was any danger of her fingers being eaten, but wasn't frightened at all. it seemed rather interesting.

"I hope you all have your dragon hide gloves, unless, of course, you enjoy touching mice that are about to be killed," Professor Phoenix announced, opening the cages and handing out one Dransul to each student.



"By the way, they don't bite humans or anything bigger than them, basically. They might try and suck your fingers, but that's all. Now, if I haven't forgotten to give you each a Dransul, we can start. You will find a cage on your tables which might appear to be empty. There are very young white mice in there, too young to really move much yet. For those who want, you can either take one mouse and feed it to your Dransul or set it into the cage and watch it search for its prey. Those who are a little faint-hearted, you can also collect food pellets for the Dransuls here at my desk."

Selena looks at the mouse and the Dransul and can't figure out which one is more repulsive *Selena begins to put her gloves on when the Dransul grabs hold of her finger and start suckin on it* "AHHHHHHH GET OFF! GET OFF! I DON'T EVEN SUCK ON MY FINGERS" frees her finger and decides to hold off feeding the Dransul just yet "Now you can wait, I've decided to listen to the pardon to stop this mouse's execution" glares at the Dransul "Well the jury's out and you're getting PELLETS" Selena walks to the desk and retrieves pellets for the Dransul "Enjoy!"