Disney Hogwarts

Chapter 10: Tuesday, November 7, Greenhouse Five Eric Barnes

For me, Herbology was just the worst part of my week. For one thing, Professor Tanana was the Head of Gryffindor, so she expected more from us. And I honestly wasn't interested in anything on land. The best lessons were about the underwater plants, like Gillyweed, but most days we focused on boring stuff like Bubotubers and Shrivelfigs. Philip Edinburgh, my best friend and Herbology partner, loved it though. He loved to explore and learn new things, so he got this spark in his chocolate-brown eyes whenever Professor Tanana introduced a new plant or when Professor Kronk, the Care of Magical Creatures professor, brought a new monster to class. As for me, I'd rather learn new charms than try to remember the Latin name of every plant in the greenhouses.

Today, for example, we were repotting and caring for the Mimbulus mimbletonia plants. Apparently, they were super hard to get enough plants for class because they're so rare. But who could want an ugly, gray cactus with boils instead of spines? Aladdin and Flynn prodded the boils and were squirted in the face with Stinksap. Nice. Maybe I didn't mind this plant so much. Except then Philip almost prodded it absentmindedly before I pushed his finger away from the plant at the last second. "Dude! Did you not see what happened to Aladdin and Flynn when they touched the boils? Stay away from those."

Philip looked a little embarrassed. "Sorry, dude. I was just distracted," he said sheepishly.

"Is it that Ravenclaw chick again? What's her name?"

"Aurora. First date went well, by the way. She was super sweet, and she loved the picnic by the lake, so thanks for the help with that. We were talking about you, actually. Not in a weird way, though," he added when I looked up at him incredulously. "Just talking about how both our best friends are single and would look good together. You know Ella, the Hufflepuff partnered with her? Look, she's the one with the strawberry blonde hair. Aurora wants to set her up with someone. And who better than you, my dashing, single friend who has yet to go on a date this year."

I had yet to go on a date with someone this year because I was not interested in anyone that way, and Philip knew that. Last year I'd gone out with a few girls, and they were all nice enough. But Elena Avalor was too boisterous for me, Charlotte La Bouff was too clingy, and Megara Egan was too sarcastic. So I decided that unless I really liked a girl, I wouldn't go out with them. I'm looking for the real deal, you know? Philip knew that, and I think he knew deep down that if I did go out with this Ella chick, it would be one date and then we'd ignore each other. Nice of him to try, though.

I glanced at Ella, who was immersed in working with her plant. Aurora chatted next to her (probably about her date with Philip and about setting her up with me), but she seemed to be in her own world, not bothering to listen to her friend. I doubted that she'd pay more attention to me. Besides, blondes weren't really my type. Still, I answered, "Sure. Just let me know when so I don't plan to tutor that night."

Philip wrote down notes about the plant and then looked at me curiously. "So...how's that going? Are you just working with Andrina's little sister? Or is there another girl you haven't told me about?"

I shrugged. "Yeah, just Ariel for right now."

"Do you get much studying done during these sessions?" Philip asked innocently, but he nudged me and winked.

Professor Tanana shot us a look when I started chuckling. Still, I couldn't help but laugh. "Between me and Ariel? She hardly talks when we're together! I can barely hear her say the spells she tries to cast. Nah. There's nothing between us. If anything? We're just friends."

Philip looked like he didn't really believe me, but whatever. I decided to change the subject. "So Merlin is announcing the Triwizard Tournament champions tonight, right?"