Lesson 2:1 Asphodel

[Robert Shaw]

He'd lasted a full year, and for some reason, unlike alot of other professors, had remained at Hogwarts. Perhaps the murder of their colleague had installed panic in them, Merlin only knew. But he was back, the greenhouse was open and the former first years would be arriving shortly, a group that had been rather well behaved last year.

He only asked for the same of them this year, and the chances of getting such were actually pretty good. Standing at the door to greet the second years, a pleasure he hadn't given the first years, mostly for intimidation purposes, Robert was grateful the weather was decent. First days needed good first impressions as there would probably be new faces in each year group.

[abigailbennett]

The young brunette could be seen practically sprinting out of the castle doors. She ran across the grounds desperately trying to reach the greenhouses, her face strained and black bag flying with her robes behind her. Finally reaching the greenhouse designated for the classroom, Abby slowed down and came to a stop. She bent over, her hands on her knees, and tried to catch her breath while a pink flush arose in her cheeks.

"I. Hate. Them," she grunted as she cast a glare at the castle walls. They were everywhere: in every corridor, in the classrooms, the Great Hall during meal times. When would they leave? The drama was already high enough what with Raynor's new baby; Hogwarts didn't need a plague of Ministry officials as well. She knew Professor Shaw was standing right in front of her, but she wanted the man to hear her and ask who she meant. She needed to complain to an adult; Lianna had heard enough of her groans as it was.

Still panting for breath, the second year stood straight and readjusted her bag. "Hi professor," she grumbled, glare still intact.

[Robert Shaw]

He watched as the girl half raced, half stormed out of the castle. By the time the Hufflepuff girl had reached the greenhouses she was out of breath but not out of temper, a problem Robert figured he should remedy now rather than later lest he have one long lesson on his hand. Angered students were not the easiest to control.

I. Hate. Them. Hate who? This had his attention, if there were problems between students he would inform the House Heads. "Miss Bennett, what seems to be the plaguing trouble?" The botanist questioned, as his eyes remained focused on the castle doors up the ways. His voice tone alone was enough for the girl to tell he was listening. If her problems were Ministry related depending on the incident(s) Robert would go to the Ministry himself. He honestly felt they were overstepping their bounds by sitting in on classes, but, to each his own.

[abigailbennett]

She paused for a second and watched the Herbology professor as if trying to decide whether to tell him or not. He was an intelligent man, or so he appeared in class, and would be a good choice in adults to reveal her frustrations. That's what Abigail figured, at least. The twelve-year-old brushed her bangs away from her eyes before she sighed and answered.

"Them. The Ministry gits--er, I mean, officials swamping the castle." Abigail didn't know how Shaw felt on the matter and believed it best to try and act at least somewhat respectful towards the Ministry morons. "I can't walk fifty feet without bumping into an auror or being questioned by some Wizengamot person. It's like they're purposefully trying to intimidate us and make us slip-up or something!" Her voice was increasing in pitch and slowly becoming louder.

It was true: the constant surveillance of these guys must have had some effect on the professors. It was inevitable and evident by their facial expressions. They were having the same effect on the student body as well. It was understandable to have them last term when Thorne was murdered, but that was last term. It was a new year, and Abby couldn't reason why these baffoons still needed to take up posts in the castle.

"When are they going to leave?" Her question was almost a whine, though not quite.

[Lianna Maylorn]

Finally, a class that had two things she had been looking forward to all day. Sunshine and no wand work. The girl practically bounced out of the castle in good spirits at the thought of being outside. While, like Abi the increased Ministry presence had unnerved her, unlike her friend; Lianna took her time in getting to the greenhouses, savoring the temperatured ans small breeze that occasionally blew. She knew she had time to spare.

Upon arrival however the girl found Abi in conversation with Professor Shaw and after giving a brief nod to each went inside and took a seat. She made a note to ask Abi what was bugging at her heels, as she had in Transfiguration.

[Robert Shaw]

Robert frowned. It was as he assumed, the Ministry was pressuring students for answers that they couldn't obtain. the students would know nothing more. Unles of course they wanted an indepth discussion as to how each house's lockdown went. The man sighed and held his gaze where it had been.

"Miss Bennett there's nothing I can do about them, they're under pressure to solve the case before their trail goes cold, even though I fear it already has. I'd suggest taking your complaint to your House Head or to Deputy Raynor, but for now just take a breath, calm down and have a seat, if you'd like we can talk more about the...gits...after class." Robert replied, allowing a smile to come onto his face. It was good to know the staff were not the only one's wanting the Ministry gone.

[abigailbennett]

At least he understood, Abby resolved (the 'gits' part had tipped her off). Nodding her head reluctantly, the second year trudged into the greenhouse classroom. She pulled up a chair beside Lianna and allowed her bag to drop from her shoulder and hit the soft ground. She placed her head on her arms which lay on the table and closed her eyes with another sigh. It was only the beginning of the school year and she was already beginning to get worn out.

"I might go talk to Professor Ashford tonight," Abby said quietly. She was mostly talking to herself but at the same time hoped Lianna would offer her input. "Or maybe I'll just feel better if I get it all out after class by talking to Shaw..." she trailed off, her eyes still closed and the pink fading from her cheeks. A yawn soon followed these murmurs.

[Lianna Maylorn]

Lianna could only raise an eyebrow at her friends musings. She hadn't bothered to try and eavesdrop on the conversation as it would do her no good except probably get her yelled at. The Ministry officials were scaring her too, mainly because some of them fit what her exact thought of the killer was supposed to look like. Other than that she understood why they were there and she was pretty sure it was because of all the extra security her father had let her return this year.

"Why? I erm...wasn't listening to you and Shaw...really...." She replied meekly, but managing a small smile. Abby should've figured Lianna wouldn't eavesdrop, but then again the stress effected everyone differently...

[Robert Shaw]

Two. Two out of six. A third was better than none he supposed. They were also the two most behaved that he recalled from the last term so really, he didn't mind it a bit. The door remained open, if only to allow some air flow through the building. "Well, Miss Bennett, Miss Maylorn, since it seems the rest of your class doesn't care, or has no courtesy to at least pretend to do so, it looks as though today shall be a most quick and harmless lesson."

[abigailbennett]

Abby didn't respond to Lianna's comment or Shaw's introduction to the class. Her focus was slipping, and more yawns were emitting from her mouth. Only two of us? Just like Potions...I wonder where all the second years have gone to. These were her last thoughts, for the girl couldn't pull herself up off her arms and wake herself up. She was tired though she had no clue why; she had gotten a full night's sleep. Perhaps the emotional outburst only three minutes prior had caused this overwhelming fatigue. And so, eyes closed and lips slightly parted, Abigail drifted off to sleep.

[Robert Shaw]

(Locked due to my absense, I apologize for being unable to finish the lesson. Points will be awarded accordingly. -- RS )