𝐕𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 - the wizarding world

VI. PROFESSOR GRUBBLY-PLANK

VI. PROFESSOR GRUBBLY-PLANK
__________

Classes didn't have any mercy for poor, old Ivy Evans's mind. Her sixth year offered a less stressful curriculum, with fewer classes and the ability to choose which ones you wanted to take. It didn't however, make up for the amount of time you had to put into each class.

Professor Moody had split the class into three groups and assigned each group their very own unforgivable to research, nobody was looking forward to his next lesson anymore.

It seemed that Iris had been right, as Snape had the students form pairs according to their neighbours and assigned each pair a half-meter long essay about the history of Amortentia and its long-term effects. Which in turn meant that Iris would be forced to spent at least a minimal amount of time with the remarkably spirited Ivy.

Even Professor McGonagall didn't take it easy on year sixers, they were given the task of being able to properly start and put out a magical fire by next lesson.

Sirius was the only exception to the excessive workload in the first week of classes; he offered time to finish the homework in his lessons, and only spent little time lecturing.

It was a relief for Ivy that on Tuesday her favourite class back at Beauxbatons, Care of Magical Creatures, came rolling around. It was a chilly morning, with the cold sun barely reaching over the horizon as Ivy, Fred and George trotted their way over the low hills and towards the Care of Magical Creatures classroom near the Forbidden Forest. The ends of Ivy's dark robes billowed over the damp grass, slowly soaking wet and staining the fabric a dirty green.

Ivy turned and began walking backwards, looking at the twins, "What d'you lot reckon we'll cover first?" She beamed gleefully, "Nifflers? Oh, I love those little furballs—oh! Maybe we'll do Fwoopers! Those darlings would be perfect, all pink and fuzzy!" She rambled, her hands miming an invisible little Fwooper in the air.
           
Fred shook his head, "We oughta do something easy—didn't pick this class to get my hand bitten off."
           
George pushed his shoulder, "Though it'd look wicked, wouldn't it? Could have a hook for a hand—" he gestured his pointy-finger as a hook, "Arghh!" He yelled at Fred.

Ivy giggled at them, "Complete knobheads, you two. The whole point of Magical Creatures is that it's dangerous! Did you know that they didn't offer this class in America until 1927! That's bonkers!" She tuned back in step with the twins and looped both her arms through Fred and George's as she pulled them forwards towards the Magical Creature Reserve.

The classroom wasn't much a regular classroom and resembled the Herbology greenhouses more. It was a glass building, covered for the most part with vines and moss. Inside, Ivy could already spot small creatures fluttering around, and when she stepped in it was like she was transported to her favourite place in the whole wide world.

From the ceiling hung lamps, and when you looked closer, tiny lightning bugs occupied the lanterns, yet they seemed absolutely delighted to be in there. At the front of the room stood a messy desk, covered with various cages and plants. Next to the desk on the grass floor, stood sacks and barrels filled with different foods for different creatures.

The small student desks were sprawled unevenly across the room, leaving space in the middle for a large circle of trampled, brownish grass where Ivy supposed they showcased and took care of creatures. The whole room smelled wonderful—she couldn't quite point it out, like a mix of the salty ocean but also the deep scent of a forest after a lightning storm.

"Merlin—" George exclaimed, waving his hand in front his nose, "I forgot how much it reeks in here."
           
Ivy slapped his shoulder, "It's wonderful!" She said.
           
A figure appeared from behind the chalkboard, "I feel the same, youngwan!" The witch said loudly, "Nothin' be'er than the smell o' magic and hard work in the air. Take a seat, you lot, yer early." They gestured to the front desks.