First Years: Lesson One

[Jodi Peterson]

It was Jodi's first class. She sat on the Professor's chair out the front of the class, taping a pen on the desk. She stopped tapping, and picked the pen up to examine it. The silver pen was engraved with the words JP. We're proud. It was a present from her father. He wasn't fully aware that witches and wizards didn't use pens, but instead using quills. Jodi smiled, her father didn't know a lot of things.

Neither did Jodi it seemed. She was about to teach a group of young teenagers about Herbology. She knew a lot about this subject, being present in every Herbology class since her first year at Hogwarts. She'd read countless books and parchments, each one about plants. But what if the students asked a question that she didn't know the answer to? What then?

Jodi took a deep breath and stood up from the chair. Instead of using her wand, she walked over the the door and opened it by hand. She slowly walked back to the desk, and sat herself upon the desk. Today she would be getting to know her students and finding out how much they already knew about Herbology. Then she would be teaching them about Devil's Snare. A great first plant.

She remembered her first day at school. A scared girl who knew little of magic in a large school with people. Not only had it been her first real introduction in magic, but also her first school experience (as Jodi was home schooled). Jodi knew that each first year that would walk through her door would be just as scared she was. Because of this, Jodi would be extra nice. She would make it as easy as possible for the new comers to feel welcome.

The board in the classroom read:

Please come in and sit down.
My name is Jodi Peterson.
Please introduce yourself to me
along with an interesting fact about yourself.

(48 hours to turn up.
If you're late please just come in and sit down)

[yanni]

Yanni walked into the Herbology classroom and found a seat at the back of the class. He looked up to see the teacher at the front of the class, sitting on top of the desk. Readin to the board he introduced himself. "I'm Yanni Papas. Something interesting about me, is that I'm greek born and breed," he said with a smile.

[gerardturner]

<sup>"The name's Turner. Gerard Turner."

A crossed-arm boy stood looking to the young woman standing in front of him. Jodi Peterson seemed to be her name. The new Herbology Teacher Assistant, how cute. "As for an interesting fact - all I can think of is, I should really be in Fifth Year."</sup> Hardly fun. Hardly interesting, but that was all that came to mind that fateful day. He moved away from her, towards the back of the classroom. Beside a Ravenclaw Boy. There seemed no harm in saying Hello, but he didn't. Waiting for the boy to speak, or another to enter the classroom.

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[Mimi Suicide]

Mimi actually had little time to eat breakfast today so that was a good thing. =] But what did she have? A muffin! Mimi loves muffin but she loves cookies the best. Cookies are awesome and yummy but she knew that it was not something that someone should eat first thing in the morning. Mimi doesn't care though because cookies are just awesome like that that you can't just leave them.

The class today that Mimi has is Herbology. What was the class about? Mimi doesn't know. There wasn't any thing that told her what the class is. Mimi suppose that she could have asked Sabra what it was but then she would have forgotten it by the time she would reach her because Mimi would have probably get distracted by things around her. He he he...Mimi could get easily distracted by things. Only when she's actually in some weird focusness would she not be distracted.

The board always tell them what they would do so that was cool with Mimi. Erm...she's suppose to introduce herself? Alrighty then! "Hi..." Mimi said to the class, which was at the time not filled with a lot of people. "Erm...my name is Mimi Suicide and one interesting thing about me is that..." Mimi said and thought about it. What is one thing interesting about her? she does not know. What should she say then? she thought. "I like cookies and...and i was vegetarian once!" Mimi finally exclaimed. Yep. Once she was a vegetarian. That is...until she went all Dracula [meaning she became a vampire].

[emmawinters]

Emma walked into the class, books testing her arm strength. She quickly placed them on a desk close by and then read the board.

Please come in and sit down.
My name is Jodi Peterson.
Please introduce yourself to me
along with an interesting fact about yourself.

Emma headed up to the front of the room. She waved to Gerard and then went over to the teacher. "Hi! I'm Emma Winters," she said smiling. "Interesting fact," her eyes shined. "I wear mismatched socks every single day." She pulled up her dress robes slightly to reveal a green turtle sock, ankle size, and a red Christmas sock, which went up to her knees.

[alexandra]

Elenor was glad to be on time to her first Herbology lesson, she walked in and read the writing on the board


Please come in and sit down.
My name is Jodi Peterson.
Please introduce yourself to me
along with an interesting fact about yourself.


She looked at the T.A "hello im Elenor Way" an interesting fact about me she thought " I like to paint my finger nails different colours". Not interesting she thought but hey, and she held out her hands to show ten finger nails each a different colour. Then walked away.

[siren]

Brenda was just a little confused at the blatant statement on the board. It almost ordered her around. What a bossy little board. She debated ignoring it and just doing nothing... but that would be rude, right? Plus, like, the whole rest of the school was doing it, so why shouldn't she?

"Well... my name's Brenda..." She took a moment to think about her "interesting fact." "And I typically don't randomly introduce myself to strangers and try to find friends." She nodded, smirking, and turned to sit near the front row. That was an acceptable answer, right?

She looked around in an attempt to see people she knew... But the only people she'd actually met were upperclassman. Ugh. How terrifically boring in an all-firstie class. She made a face, but it disappeared as she pulled out her textbook, along with a composition book and pen. (Her color of the day was purple.)

[jazziojazzio]

AnnaSophia wandered across the grounds and then finally wandered back up to the greenhouses. She saw her teacher and a few people she knew inside and waved merrily to her best friend, Emma Winters. "Hey Emma!" then she turned to Ms. Peterson aka. Jodi who she guessed was the girl Joe was telling her about. "Hullo Ms. Peterson. I'm AnnaSophia Thomas. Nice to finally meet you." she smiled warmly, of course, it was always a pleasure to meet teachers.

She glanced at the board. Well, she got the name part over and done with. And hopefully she did that part properly. She wasn't too keen on Herbology as she was terrible at taking care of living plants and animals, but hopefully she'd succeed in some way at one point in time. She bit her lip as she read the last line on the board. She could tell her about the Gallactobourians... but no... she wouldn't believe her. Maybe the Litherians and the Shadorians? The Traveler's? No... it didn't seen as though she could tell a teacher. Or a teacher assistant. Either way, she kept her mouth shut and debated whether or not to tell her anything and see if she could just away with walking over to a seat and waiting patiently for class to begin.

Those words on the board seemed to taunt AnnaSophia to pieces. There was nothing to tell. She wasn't interesting. Not in her opinion. She was just another girl you passed in the halls and didn't notice. Just another figure on the streets walking by with their own life on their shoulders. She honestly wasn't... well, that girl you knew and cared about, with her perfect hair and eyes... Anna was the opposite. The girl with the short cut split-ends... the girl with the wacky imagination that creeps the crap out of you.

"Umm... Ms. Peterson?" she asked warily, "I don't have anything interesting to say about myself. I mean, I'm not interesting, and there's nothing to tell." she shrugged, "... really. I'm telling the truth." she thought about this a little more and before Jodi could say anything she quickly added, "Nevermind! I know someone. I know your boyfriend Joe!" she said merrily, "He's funny." she added before taking a seat in the very middle of the table.

[sophieann]

Sophie-Ann had, surprisingly enough, found her way to the greenhouses with relatively little difficulty, and was unusually proud of herself for this mediocre achievement. Casting an eye into the classroom through the window, she saw a handful of students always present, and, twisting the door handle firmly, made her way inside to join her.

Sophie's eyes were drawn to the dark-haired lady at the front of the class, who was presumably the teacher, and the welcoming message she had inscribed upon the board behind her. Sophie read it quickly, and followed the simple instructions it gave.

"Good day Miss Peterson, my name is Sophie-Ann Foxworthy... an interesting fact about me?" Soph debated what to say for a brief moment. "I'm really sporty, I was regional champion at Tennis... er, that's a muggle sport." Sophie felt a bit sheepish. She wasn't sure whether she ought to explain what tennis was or not.

[emmawinters]

Emma grinned broadly and gave a silent wave to AnnaSophia, who was at the moment, speaking with their Herbology teacher.

She tuned in to listen to the other students interesting facts, and was surprised when she heard the word 'tennis' slip into the conversation.

"Tennis?" she sat straight up in her seat. "You play tennis Sophie? Oh my word I did too! Well, back at my Muggle school that is," she motioned for Sophie-Ann to come sit next to her.

[chelsea]

She had entered class, not late. Thank heavens, she had no wish to repeat what had happened in History of Magic. As she brushed the ends of her ponytail to sling over her shoulder, she entered the classroom. Her eyes went wide for a moment, as she realised the number of people here. But not only because of that. Because of what they were doing. Introducing themselves? Chelsea was never one to do that. A hint of embarrassment appeared in her eyes, before quickly disappearing. As simply as she could, she merely said, 'Chelsea Young. There's nothing special about me, I suppose. I've never done anything worth noticing.' A quick nod of her head, as she moved to a seat as fast as possible. She hated these type of introductions; it always made her feel rather like home, something she did not want. Her head resting in her hand, she watched the board blankly, waiting for the TA to say something, start the class, anything really.

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[wolfeh]

Faye rushed to her Herbology class and hoped she wasn't late. She was on time for all of her other classes so far, and wanted to keep it that way. Reading the board, she put on her best confident smile and walked up to the T.A. "I'm Faye Divine." she began. Biting her lip, Faye tried to think of something interesting about herself. "Something interesting about me...I'm half muggle, and tend to act more muggle than witch." she said with a shrug. Faye hand't really thought of anything interesting about herself, so she listed off a random fact. After her little introduction speech, she went to find a seat.

[Jodi Peterson]

Jodi waited for each of her students to arrive. To the first she nobbed as he sat down. "I myself am an english women. Nothing else in me. Although I would like to visit Greece one day," she said with a smile.

The second boy introduced himself as Gerald. "Well I myself would have graduted 3 terms ago, so it seems we are both a little bit behind."

Her third student was a girl, stunning white hair, by the name of Mimi. Strange last name though. "I to like cookies," she replied. "Although I love my meat too much to give it up."

A girl by the name of Emma entered her classroom. She seemed like a very bubbly kind of person. "Hello Emma and Elenor. I myself am not a big fan of odd socks or odd fingers. Makes me feel weird. But that you for sharing," she said, with a nice tone in hre voice. Jodi was becoming excited. Her students where just all so cool.

Her next student went by the name of Brenda. She talked a little rude to Jodi, but she kept on her smiling face. "Hello Brenda," she said toward the girl.

"Hello Sophie-Ann. Please call me Jodi. Ms Peterson makes me sound like a mother of 5." Jodi had never heard of tennis. Seemed weird. Not weird, just different, Jodi reassured herself. "Everyone knows Joe," she said with a smile on her face. He was head boy after all.

A student introduced herself as Chelsea. She also didn't seem like a happy chappy. Maybe Jodi could do somethingto fix this one. "Hello," she said.

Another student entered. Faye. She was half muggle. "I too am half muggle," Jodi said. "But i was brought up in the wizarding world. Thanks for sharing."

"Hello and welcome to you all," Jodi said to the whole class. Thank you, to most of you, who introdued yourself to me. I am Jodi. This is my first class, so please don't make it a nightmare. "Today we are learning about Devils Snare. Does anyone know anything about this plant?" she asked with a smile.

[jarodlacroux]

Jarod had quite the eventful week already, but hopefully today would be settling when he would come to Herbology. This is one class he could also enjoy along with Defense Against the Dark Arts and History of Magic. Last term he only attended two classes since he arrived and liked it very much. However, he was going to be taught by a TA instead of the Professor, so hopefully she was just as good as the Professor himself.

His Gryffindor robes billowed behind his long strides on the soft pringy grass on the school grounds. Entering the classroom, already the place was full of students he could recognize from his other classes he attended so far. Taking a seat in a table to himself, he looks forward to the TA as she asked a question on Devil's Snare. Briefly reading upon it before, he raises his hand up before answering, "Devil's Snare is a dangerous viney plant, very big, and automatically grips a person or anything that touches it."

[Jodi Peterson]

Jodi watched her students sitting down, unsure of what to do, or perhaps if they should put there hand up or not. To make it a little easier she said to the class. "Just speak up if you know something. Don't be afraid. No answer, wrong or right will be frowned upon."

Jodi watched as a boy turned up late to her class. Taking a look at her watch, he was just about on time.
"Thank you for that... sorry I know not your name. You are correct. 5 points, although you are a little late. Now can anyone tell me how the Devil's Snare can be stopped? How does a person escape the grip of the Devil's Snare?" Jodi asked the class, hoping there would be an answer.

5 points for correct answer.

[chelsea]

The TA had started lesson, and the first question had been presented. Chelsea, unfortunately, had been unable to answer that question due to the lack of ability to raise her hand in time, before the other boy. A shake of head, she was determined to answer the next one. She wasn't shy, if anything. Hell, she loved answering questions. She was smart, a fact she was actually proud of.

The TA's next question came, and Chelsea answered it almost automatically, a textbook answer of sorts. 'Magical fire is always an options, as it recoils from heat. Bright light stops its movement too.' She nodded curtly upon finishing her answer, as she went back to staring at the board blankly.

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[Jodi Peterson]

"You are correct Chelsea. Five points for Ravenclaw," she said, still continued with a wide grin.

"Could you please all get out whatever it is that you write on, and you write with. I believe the best way for you to learn, is to write. So, with the heading of Devil's Snare could you please copy down notes as I talk to you about our subject."

Jodi looked around at her class to see they where ready to take notes. She opened her mouth and gave them 'the speech'.

"Devil's Snare is a vine-like plant that kills its victims by constriction and reacts poorly to light or fire. We already know this, but write it down anyway. Devil's Snare is composed of a mass of soft, springy tendrils and vines that seem to possess some sensitivity to pressure. The plant uses its creepers and tendrils to wrap around those who touch it, binding their arms, legs, stomach, chest and neck. It then tightens its grip on them, squeezing them and eventually strangling them. The harder victims struggle against Devil's Snare, the faster and tighter it coils around them; if they relax, it will not kill them as quickly," Jodi stopped. She looked around hoping the class would be ok with hearing about death on their first lesson with her.

"Devil's Snare thrives in a dark, damp environment, therefore light, particularly fire, can be used to protect oneself from the Devil's Snare," Jodi said. "Any questions so far?"

5 points for correct answer

[pikablu]

Chris walked in just in time to hear all this. He hadn't realized that class would started. He quickly found a place to sit and listened to the teacher. He looked at the board, but, being late, was afraid of speaking out and being noticed for being late. He sat his stuff down, got out a piece of parchment paper and a quill, and started writing all of this information down on it.

[emmawinters]

Emma swiftly brought out a fresh piece of parchement and her quill as soon as the teacher had mentioned notes. Listening to Ms. Peterson she quickly jotted down some important points:

Devil's Snare

• Vine-like plant that kills its victims by constriction
  
• It is composed of a mass of soft, springy tendrils and vines
  
• Creepers and tendrils wrap around victims
  
• The harder you struggle against Devil's Snare, the faster and tighter it'll coils around you; if you relax, it will not kill you as quickly
  
• It thrives in a dark, damp environments(light and fire can protect you from Devil's Snare)
  

Emma raised her hand as soon as she had finished writing. "You know how you said if you struggle it will kill you quicker, but if you relax it won't kill you as quickly? Well, if you were to relax completely would you be able to escape the plant?"

[alexander2007]

Having arrived late to the lesson, he wasn't all that sure whether or not he needed to introduce himself. He decided not, after all Alex might get in trouble for interupting her. So instead he found his seat (beside gerard) Their teacher assistant was new, so perhaps she wouldn't be all angry at him, as someone whom had been in the job quite a while. Ah, he guess he'd find out soon enough.