The Light

Chapter 13~ Mandrakes, Pixies, and Slytherins

After not being at school for a few months, I was actually excited to be back. Professor Sprout was a kind woman, so having Herbology first was a nice way to be welcomed back.

"Today we're going to re-pot Mandrakes. Now who here can tell me the properties of the Mandrake root?" Hermione's hand shot up, "Yes, Miss. Granger."

Hermione was beaming, "Mandrake, or Mandragora, is used to return those who have been petrified to their original state."

"However a fully-grown Mandrake is dangerous because their cry can kill you," I added, with a little squeak of a scream for emphasis, earning a few laughs around the table. It even looked like Malfoy was holding in some laughter.

Professor Sprout smiled at us, "Perfect girls, five points each to Gryffindor!" We smiled and Ron and Harry sent us a thumbs up, "Now, as our Mandrakes are still 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 auditory protection. So could you please put them on right away?" She asked and I immediately put mine on.

"Professor you may need another pair for Malfoy, I don't think they'll fit his abnormally large head," I said getting more laughter, Crabbe and Goyle looked ready to pummel me but with a teacher in the room they knew better.

Sprout sent me a warning look, "Careful Miss. Weasley I wouldn't want to take those five points away from you," she put her own earmuffs on and began her demonstration. She grabbed the end of the sprout tightly and pulled it right out of the soil, immediately an earsplitting scream erupted through the greenhouse and we all put our hands over our earmuffs to block out the sound.

Baby Mandrakes looked like fat, wrinkly babies with leaves coming out of their heads. Professor Sprout put it in a new pot and added some new soil to keep it warm. From across the table we saw Neville sway before falling to the ground, all our attention turned to the boy passed out on the floor.

"Longbottom's been neglecting his earmuffs," Sprout sighed.

Seamus, who was standing right next to him shook his head, "No ma'am, he's just feinted."

"Well...just leave him there," she waved, "Here we go, plenty of pots to go around! Grasp your Mandrake!" The moment the first Mandrake was unearthed it was pandemonium. My Mandrake was small and skinny while I noticed Ron's was rather thick. Looking around I laughed when I saw Malfoy basically put his finger in his Mandrake's mouth then struggle to get it out when the Mandrake snapped its mouth shut on his finger. Without waiting, I put my Mandrake in its new pot and put the soil in, better to get it done quickly to minimize the amount of screaming.

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When it was time for lunch Ron took it upon himself to use some Spello tape to put his wand back together. While not having two separate pieces was a start, it was still bent in an awkward angle, "Say it. I'm doomed," he muttered.

"You're doomed," Harry and I agreed.

Suddenly there was a flash of light, "Hi Harry!" I struggled to get rid of the spots that now invaded my vision but I knew who it was, "I'm Colin Creevey, I'm in Gryffindor too!" I remembered him, when he'd found out I was friends with Harry at the welcome feast he all but asked me for my autograph.

Harry greeted him politely but I looked up at the cough of a familiar owl's voice, "Ron is that your owl?" Dean asked only confirming my suspicions.

Errol was wheezing, and he was only carrying a single red letter in his beak. He collided with the chips and landed on his back.

"Bloody bird's a menace!" Ron muttered taking the letter from his mouth. I softly pet Errol until he got to his feet.

"Thank you Mira," He told me before flying off back to the owlry.