Year 2: Mandrakes

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Felicity's POV

"You were seen!" Snape snarled, "By no less than seven Muggles! Do you have any idea how serious this is? You have risked the exposure of our world! Not to mention the damage you've inflicted upon the Whomping Willow, a tree that's been on these grounds since before you were born!"

The three of us were currently being chewed out by Snape while the rest of Hogwarts feasted in the Great Hall. "Honestly, Professor Snape, I think it did more damage to us," Ron said weakly. Harry nodded, and I, being in the middle, elbowed them both.

"Silence!" Snape snapped. "I assure you," he continued, "that were you in Slytherin, and your fate rested with me, the three of you would be on the train home! Tonight! As it is-"

"-they are not," a new voice interrupted. We turned to see Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall standing in the doorway of the Snape's office. "Headmaster," Snape greeted angrily, "The three have flouted the decree for the restriction of underage wizardry."

"I'm well aware of our bylaws, Severus, having written quite a few of them myself. However, as head of the Gryffindor house, it is Professor McGonagall's job to decide the appropriate action," Dumbledore replied coolly.

Ron sighed. "We'll go get our stuff, then," he said, ashamed. "What are you talking about, Mr. Weasley?" McGonagall asked, an eyebrow raised expectantly. "You're going to expel us, aren't you?" Ron replied, looking at the ground. "Not today, Mr. Weasley," she said with a hint of a smile.

Ron, Harry, and I exchanged surprised and relieved looks. "However," McGonagall continued, "I must impress upon the three of you the seriousness of what you have done. I will be writing to your families tonight, and you will all have detention."

We nodded quickly. "You are free to go," our Headmaster spoke. We walked out the door and to the Gryffindor Tower, seeing as the feast was now over. "Mum is going to kill me," Ron muttered fearfully. "That could have gone a lot worse," I said optimistically. He glared at me as we slipped into the Common Room.

"Okay, well, goodnight you guys," I said yawning, "See you tomorrow." "Goodnight, Felicity," they chorused. I trudged up the stairs and into the girls' dormitory, quickly finding my stuff near the bed right under the window, furthest from the door. Perfect. A few girls who were still awake looked at me in confusion, one being Hermione.

"Where were you?" she asked shrilly, "You weren't on the train, or at the feast for the Sorting!" I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly. "It's a long story," I eventually said, "I'll tell you tomorrow."

Although she didn't seem particularly satisfied with my answer, she nodded, perhaps seeing how bloody tired I was. I changed into my pajamas and hopped into bed, falling asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

***

"Today, we have Herbology first," Hermione informed me the next morning. I groaned. "That class really isn't my favorite," I said through a mouthful of food. Hermione gave me a look of distaste. "Come on, we're gonna be late," she replied, grabbing my arm and dragging me from my cereal. I pouted, but followed her down to the greenhouses.

We found the right one and walked inside, not surprised to see it mostly full. We were running a bit late. I grimaced in disgust as I saw the Slytherin second years, namely Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Parkinson. Herbology is going to be so fun this year! Note the sarcasm.

Hermione and I walk over to Harry and Ron, filling up the last two spots in the greenhouse. "Ginny got into Gryffindor!" Ron told us enthusiastically. I grinned, but before I could reply, I was interrupted by Professor Sprout.

"Good morning, class!" she announced happily. "Good morning, Professor Sprout!" we replied. "Welcome to Greenhouse 3, second years! Now gather round, everyone! Today, we will be re-potting Mandrakes. Who here knows the properties of the Mandrake root?" she asked.

Hermione's hand, predictably, shot up into the air. "Yes, Miss Granger?" Professor Sprout questioned enthusiastically. "Mandrake, or Mandragora, are used to return the petrified to their original state. They're also quite dangerous. The Mandrake's cry is fatal to anyone who hears it," Hermione responded, looking pleased. "Excellent," Professor Sprout marveled, "Ten points to Gryffindor!"

We cheered quietly while the Slytherins grumbled and glared at Hermione, who was satisfied with her knowledge. "Now," Professor Sprout continued, "As our Mandrakes are only seedlings, their cries won't kill you yet, but they can knock you out for several hours. Which is why I've given each of you a pair of earmuffs for protection. So if you could please put them on right away!"

We all pulled on the earmuffs obediently. "Now watch me closely. You grasp your Mandrake firmly, you pull it straight up out of the pot, and put him down in the other pot, then sprinkle a little soil on him to keep him warm," Professor Sprout said, yanking on the Mandrake. It came out of its pot, emitting a shrill crying sound that caused all of us to put our hands over our earmuffs. She quickly re-potted it and covered it with soil before brushing off her hands and turning to us expectantly.

Three people down, Neville's figure swayed before collapsing. I sighed, knowing that it would've happened eventually. I walk over to him and fixed his earmuffs, which had been on backwards. I returned to my spot and decided to ignore Malfoy and his minions, who were laughing at my twin.

"Longbottom's been neglecting his earmuffs?" Professor Sprout asked, though she said it more as a statement. "No," Seamus' Irish voice rang throughout the greenhouse, "I think he's just fainted." A few of the Gryffindor girls giggled obnoxiously and I rolled my eyes. "Eh, just leave him there. Well, on we go," Professor Sprout said, still cheerful.

"Now, class, grasp your Mandrakes-" We did as we were told "-and pull them up!" I yanked on the rough stems of the Mandrake until it was uprooted and began its shrill wailing. I tilted my head to the side and turned the strange creature around, admiring it. It had weird knobby legs, roots for feet and hands, and an evil baby's face. It glared at me and its screams became louder. I laughed at it before setting it in the new pot and dumping soil over it.

I looked across the table, my eyes landing on Malfoy, who was stupidly tickling his Mandrake and putting his finger in its mouth. Honestly, how stupid can you get? Harry and Ron, who were watching him, too, exploded into the laughter as the baby Mandrake bit him. I joined them and almost started rolling on the ground cracking up as Malfoy glared at us.

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this was such a boring chapter omg i'm so sorry 

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