Siriusly, Voldy? *Sequel to Why? Because of Them.*

Chapter 4: A Howler?

Herbology Lesson

        I sat in the greenhouse, playing with the necklace Sirius once gave me, waiting for Professor Sprout, the Herbology teacher, to arrive. I have personally always hated Herbology, but Dumbledore told me that this job was not only a job, but to protect Harry and his friends, including my daughter. I just wish Herbology wouldn't be part of the agreement, but sadly, these kids also take it. Sigh.

"Morning, everyone!" Came in Professor Sprout.

"Good morning, Professor Sprout." The class replied.

"Welcome to Greenhouse 3, second years. Now gather around everyone." She announced. I smiled as the kids stepped up to the table.

"Today we will learn how to re-pot Mandrakes. Who here can tell me the properties of a Mandrake root?" Sprout asked, and momentarily, Hermione's hand shot up. "Yes, Ms. Granger." Hermione got a satisfied look on her face when called on. Everyone turned to listen to her, yet I knew that there would be people like me who would listen to her, and not have any idea what she is talking about.

"Mandrake, or Mandragora, is used to return those who have been petrified to their original state." Sprout nodded as she talked. "It's also quite dangerous, the Mandrake's cry is fatal to anyone who hears it."

"Excellent!" Screamed out Professor Sprout, scaring me just a bit. "Ten points to Gryffindor!"

Needless to say, the Gryffindors looked pretty satisfied, and I caught a glimpse of Autumn and Hermione doing a handshake.

"Now, Sapphire, would you like to explain what we will do today?" Sprout asked me, turning to the pots to get ready for the lesson. I nodded.

"Because our Mandrakes are still only seedlings, they're cries won't kill you...yet. Although, they can knock you out for several hours. Everyone of you has a pair of earmuffs for auditory protection." I explained, happy with my guidance.

"Pretty and smart." I heard someone say, a smirk definite in their voice. I'm betting all my Galleons it was Malfoy.

"So please put them on right away." Sprout continued for me. Everyone scrambled to put them on, and I did, too. "Quickly. Flaps tight down. Now, watch me closely." She walked over to the plant, the Mandrake, and grabbed it.

"You grasp the Mandrake firmly, you pull it sharp out of the pot," As soon as she said that and pulled it out, the damn thing cried like a baby with a disorder. It was a piercing cry that hurt everyone's ears and a lot of children held onto their earmuffs. "Grip and now you drop it into the other pot. Now, sprinkle it with soil." Speaking, she did the action.

As the Mandrake cried, a boy who looked like a mix of Alice and Frank Longbottom, I think their son, looked dizzy and fell down.

"Oooh. Longbottom's down, neglecting his earmuffs." Said Sprout disappointed. Malfoy smirked and Autumn glared at him. I'm so proud. Tear.

"No ma'am, he's just fainted." Seamus Finnigan said.

"Should I take him to the Hospital Wing?" I offered.

"It's alright, just leave him there." She waved a hand dismissively. "Yes, well, on we go! Plenty of pots to go around! Grasp your Mandrake and pull it out!" She yelled. I saw Harry and Ron's faces, struggling, afraid of the cries. I saw Autumn and Hermione pull them out with more ease, but still some fear. Everyone pulled out the Mandrakes and their cries filled the greenhouse. I clasped my hands over my earmuffs, swearing under my breath.

I saw Malfoy stick his finger in the Mandrake's crying mouth, which bit his finger. I started laughing this time, watching as he struggled, but finally managed, to take his finger out of the plant. The lesson went on like that, with Mandrake cries scattering around the greenhouse.

Great Hall

        Instead of sitting at the staff table, I walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat with the children, more specifically the Weasleys, Harry, Autumn, and Hermione.

Ron was taping his wand back together. It was broken ever since their incident with the car.

"Say it....I'm doomed." Ron looked at everyone. Harry nodded with a sigh.

"You're doomed." Harry and Autumn said in unison. I let out a small laugh. 

"Sapphire, you sure you don't know how to fix it?" Ron asked, hopefully. I shrugged.

"Sorry, Ron, no luck here." I said.        

"Hi, Harry!" A kid came up, and he took a photo of Harry with his camera, a flash lighting the room and practically blinding Harry, I could see. "I'm Colin Creevey. I'm in Gryffindor, too!" He said, quickly.

"Hi, Colin." Harry, said unsure. "Nice to meet you."

"Ron, is that your owl?" Another kid, Dean Thomas, asked. Before I could ask, I saw the owl flying in, a red letter in hand. The owl, however, did not make a smooth landing. It landed in the crisps.

"Bloody bird's a menace." Said Ron, grabbing the letter. Once he looked at it closer, his eyes widened. "Oh no! It's a Howler!"

"Look, everyone. Weasleys' got himself a Howler!" Seamus smirked, saying this.

"Go on, open it." Someone said, but I don't know who because people were laughing. Neville said something about his grandmother, which caused Ron to look even more frightened. I shushed the students, and they were silenced. Ron's hands were shaking as he opened the letter from his mother. 'Oh no,' I thought, 'brace yourselves. Molly can scream.'