SNAKE

21 | first week back

Herbology. What a nightmare. Cora wasn't at all excited about this class. She knew the importance of some plants because they were used for potions, medicine and other things, but having to take care of them didn't interest her at all.

Daphne, Pansy and Cora walked together to class as Daphne complained.

"Honestly, these robes are so unfashionable. The color is ugly and don't even get me started on the texture", said Daphne.

Cora and Pansy exchanged glances and chuckled.

"Plus, it's dirty work. I don't like dirt. I will look like the Weasel with his dirty uniform covered in food stains", continued Daphne.

Pansy and Cora laughed at her complaining as they entered the Greenhouse, followed by Blaise, Draco and Theo.

~

"Morning, everyone!", greeted Professor Sprout. All students already stood around the table of the room with their special clothes for Herbology on, which were quite unflattering according to Daphne.

"Good morning, everyone!", repeated Professor Sprout as she clicked a pot to gain the attention of the class.

"Good morning, Professor Sprout", everyone said together. Each student stood before two pots, an empty one and the other filled with dirt and a plant.

"Welcome to Greenhouse 3, second years. Now gather around, everyone. Today, we are going to repot Mandrakes. Who here can tell me the properties of the Mandrake root?"

Cora and Hermione raised their hands at the same time, but Professor Sprout chose Hermione, to which Cora rolled her eyes. "Yes, miss Granger?"

"Mandrake, or Mandragora, is used to return those who've been petrified to their original state", answered Hermione proudly, articulating every single word.

"It's also quite dangerous", said Cora without being called. "The Mandrake's cry is fatal to anyone who hears it."

"Excellent! Ten points to Gryffindor!", said Professor Sprout. Harry and some other Gryffindors smiled. "Miss Potter", continued Professor Sprout. "You must wait to be called to speak in class. Five points to Slytherin, though."

Ron smiled smugly towards Cora and her friends, but stopped when they all shot him a hard glare.

"Now", continued Professor Sprout. "As our Mandrakes are still only seedlings, their cries won't kill you yet."

"Yet. That's comforting", whispered Blaise to his friends. They all silently laughed.

"But they could knock you out for several hours, which is why I've given each of you a pair of earmuffs for protection", the Professor continued. "Will you please put them on right away? Quickly."

As they put their earmuffs on, they all could barely hear a thing. They watched Professor Sprout but could barely hear what she was saying.

"You grasp your Mandrake firmly", she said as she demonstrated. "You shot them straight up out of the pot", she pulled out the Mandrake to reveal a human-looking plant that immediately started to cry. The sound was horrific and everyone cringed at it.

"Got it? And now you dunk it down into the other pot and pour a little soil to keep it warm." Just as Professor Sprout finished talking, a loud thump was heard. Neville had dropped to the ground, knocked out.

Professor Sprout sighed. "Longbottom's been neglecting his earmuffs." Cora and her friends, especially Draco, giggled at the sight.

Harry shot her sister a look for her to stop, but she ignored him. Even if she didn't have anything against Neville, it was funny.