Chapter 112 - Mandrakes (2/2)

A Bend in Time EsliEsma 39010K 2022-07-25

Rowan and Bethanie glance at each other as Bethanie says, ”I'll take the girls, you take the boy's, Rowan.”

”What's that supposed to mean?!” The rest of them protested.

Bethanie merely raises her eyebrow and says, ”You four know exactly know what I'm talking about. I needn't remind you of the pumpkin head incident.”

The four of them grow quiet as they all innocently recalled how it had started with Tiffany throwing an enchanted frog at Terry, who had promptly thrown a transfigured spider right back, which unfortunately landed on Silvia. In which, Silvia then, in turn, responded by casting a Leek Jinx at Terry but missed and instead hit Severus. Furious at having leeks pouring out of his ears, Severus cast the Melfors Jinx at the panicking figure of Silvia for it only to miss and hit Narcissa Black, who was entering the common room area with Head Boy Lucius Malfoy. Needless to say, neither of them was pleased and Lucius assigned a weeks' worth of detention to the lot of them.

Feeling sheepish, the four of them look away as Rowan and Bethanie each grab their own pair and head over to a tray. Needing one more person, Rowan glances around to find the round-faced, Andrew Abbot approaches them. The flat-haired boy warmly smiled and said, ”Andrew Abbot. I think I got all your names, the Slytherin twins, Rowan and Severus Prince. And the fragile-looking Slytherin, Terry Greengrass.”

”Wait, why am I described as fragile?!” Terry protested as Rowan and Severus merely rolled their eyes.

”Well, needless to say, I remember you, Andrew Abbot,” Rowan confessed. ”You've got a natural green thumb.” Not to mention, he was an Abbot. And was somehow related to Hannah Abbot, either an uncle or possibly her father even.

”Why thank you,” Andrew's round face beamed with pleasure. But before Andrew had a chance to continue Professor Sprout signaled for them to put on their earmuffs.

Having worked and helped Tadbey in the garden the twins were much more experienced in the art of weeding. Severus and Rowan carefully wrap their hands around the tufts and pull. The mandrakes did not like coming out of the earth as they squirm, kick, flail their sharp little fists, and gash their teeth. However, Severus and Rowan were ruthless and slammed them into the pots, before carefully covering them up. Terry, on the other hand, did not fare very well as he struggled for more than ten minutes to pull one out and repot it. While Andrew fared much better and kept up a steady potting pace.

By the end of the class, Rowan like everyone else was tired, sweaty, and covered in dirt. As they left the greenhouse, Tiffany moaned, ”If I ever see another plant again, I'm going to cry.”

”Tough luck, it's a required course,” Silvia groaned as Bethanie feeling too tired herself didn't even bother to say anything in protest.

As they trotted groaning back to the castle for a quick wash, Rowan said, ”Terry, you're supposed to go and grab Regulus. He needs to head to History of Magic next.”

Terry almost cries as he says, ”That's not fair!”

”Severus's turn will come tomorrow,” Rowan firmly replied. Terry instantly perked up at the thought of shared misery as Severus grunted in anger and horror. Getting his second wind, Terry tiredly jogged away and began the long hike up the stairs to get to History of Magic.

”You know, I think Terry might actually be related to a Dementor,” Silvia said as they watched Terry jog away.

”Why?” Rowan said with some surprise.

”Because he seems to feed off the misery of others,” Silvia staunchly declared.

Severus chokes and says, ”But he's too pale and golden-haired for that.”

”I'm sure that's just a cover,” Silvia gravely said causing the rest of them to burst into her laughter at her somber expression. Still chuckling the five of them made their way back to the dorms for a quick wash.