Closed The Herbologist's Handbook PV Elisa Wagner

Strolling across the Hogwarts Grounds at a quick pace, the little first year hurried towards the greenhouses. It was more than halfway across September, meaning she had already spent about three weeks in the Hogwarts Castle, but the corridors and staircases and hidden doors were still as confusing as ever.

While taking big steps, Elisa rummaged her timetable from her backpack. 15:00-16:00 - Herbology. This was her last lesson of the day. Studious though she was, Elisa couldn't wait to get back to her dormitory. Each day at Hogwarts was so loaded with new discoveries that the little girl felt overwhelmed.

Striding into the open door of the first greenhouse, Elisa spotted about half of the class surrounding the blackboard. At a clearer glance, she saw a few what seemed like empty pots that weren't there before.

Squeezing into the now dispersing group of first years, Elisa read what was written on the board.

Head slightly tilted, Elisa raised her eyebrow halfway up her forehead. "Partner work, huh? she muttered under her breath. If one knew Elisa even a tiny bit, they'd know she was very shy, and finding a partner to work with on a complicated project was the last thing she'd want to do at the end of a tiresome day.

Heaving a sigh, Elisa found her way out of the tight group of students to sit behind a table. I guess I'll wait till someone who can't find a partner comes to me... she thought. She really didn't feel like going up to people and asking them to be her partner, especially since she still didn't know the majority of them.

She was taking her Herbology book out, preparing to wait for a few minutes at the very least, when a familiar voice talked towards the other side of the table. Elisa raised her head, to find Margaret, the girl she had rode the train with.

Margaret was wearing a friendly smile on her lips as she asked, "Have you found a partner yet?" A wave of surprise ran over Elisa. Someone was proposing to partner with her. Already. Lots of others were still partnerless, and the girl chose her. Well, Margaret wasn't asking her directly, but the way she was already sitting down at the table, Elisa was pretty sure what she meant.

Still under the shock of the pleasant surprise, Elisa answered, trying to hide her eagerness, "No, I haven't..."

When Margaret handed over her notebook, with-
'The Herbologist's Handbook
A study by Margaret Adamson and ...' written neatly on the cover in fresh ink, Elisa couldn't doubt what Margaret meant anymore.

Returning a little grin, Elisa took out her own quill, and said, "I will be honoured to be your partner!"

As Margaret watched Elisa sign her name next to hers, a surge of satisfaction washed over her. Finding a partner so quickly was a relief, and Elisa's quiet, studious demeanor made her seem like the perfect companion for the assignment ahead. They had shared a train compartment at the start of term, adding a comforting layer of familiarity to their partnership.

The assignment, while straightforward, held significance beyond its simplicity. It required them to observe and track the growth of a plant, a task designed to familiarize students with the care and nurturing of magical flora. Margaret recognized the importance of overcoming her discomfort with soil, insects, and dirt in this magical world where plants held such significance.

Taking the initiative, Margaret led the way towards the still untouched pots, ensuring they had the freedom to choose without being limited by the choices of others. Most students gravitated towards the central table, leaving the ones on the periphery unclaimed. Margaret opted for the rightmost table, where three distinct pots awaited their attention.

The first pot, crafted from terracotta, was small and adorned with intricate floral patterns etched along its rim. The soil within appeared fertile and dark, exuding a soothing fragrance reminiscent of fresh rain and earth. It promised a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.

In stark contrast, the second pot stood out with its glossy midnight-blue ceramic finish. It reflected light in subtle waves, adorned with tiny silver flecks that sparkled like stars against a night sky. Its allure was undeniable, hinting at a mysterious and enchanting allure.

Lastly, the third pot, crafted from weathered wood and polished to a gentle sheen, captured Margaret's attention. Embedded seashells created a mosaic at its base, evoking images of coastal towns and serene ocean breezes. It exuded a rustic charm and a sense of groundedness that appealed to her.

Though Margaret knew which pot she preferred, she didn't want to appear presumptuous or selfish in making the decision alone. She turned to Elisa with a warm smile, gesturing for her to join in the selection process. It was important to Margaret that they choose together, ensuring both their interests and preferences were respected as they embarked on their botanical study together.

'Which one should we pick?' she asked, stepping back so the girl could take a look.

Gently putting her quill back in her school bag, Elisa stood up and followed Margaret towards the tables where a number of different pots were placed. As they approached, making their way through other pairs of students, Elisa noticed details on the pots she hadn't seen before. Glancing right and left, she saw that some were adorned with beads and shells, while other had delicate patterns carved into them.

Stopping for a little too long to admire a magnificent teal colour painted pot, Elisa hurried towards Margaret, who was already at the table on the right hand side, where only few other students were positioned. Elisa's partner was examining the three pots carefully placed upon this table, and Elisa approached as well.

The little Slytherin's eyes immediately met a clay pot that seemed to just come out of a wild Scottish garden, in a garnet colour with a tint of earthy brown. At a closer look, one would notice delicate engravings of flowers etched neatly on the sides of the pot. Elisa carefully ran her fingers along the line of blossoms. That was it. It was dittany alright. She could recognise the little flowers as dittany flowers, in the shape of a small trumpet, with a few long stamens sticking out from the end. Her mother had planted a few in their own little garden.

She drew back from the table, just as Margaret asked, "Which one should we pick?"

"I... I guess I'm fine with any. But- if you want my opinion, I like the first one, the one on the left. Though, of course, any will be fine..." Elisa answered, her voice trailing off. She'd really, really like the terracotta one, but of course she was too polite to say so. Her partner, meanwhile, seemed rather intrigued by the one on the right...

Her hands reached for the first pot, the one Elisa seemed to like the most.

'This one's perfect' she reassured the girl. She lifted it up towards her eyes to get a better look at it, following every little intricate detail. The unfamiliarity of its touch seemed to tie into the beauty of it all. Students gathered in larger numbers around the pot-covered tables, some negotiating with their partners, others getting ahold of the last ones left. Margaret walked back towards their tables, setting the clay pot between both of their seats.

She pulled the stool before her hands reached for the notebook, flipping the very first page. There had always been a certain thrill about blank pages, the infinite potential that could live across those pages, no mistakes had yet been scribbled out, no dots of ink. Just pure anticipation. Dipping her quill into the black liquid that would soon stain the page, she watched it trace the first letter.

Date: September 20^th

Unidentified Plant Project: Growth study

Researchers: Margaret Adamson & Elisa Wagner
____________________________________________
Day 1: Initial Setup

Objectives:
- Establish a controlled environnement for plant
- Document growth and observable characteristics

Observations:
- Plant is still buried in soil
- Height: N/A
- Aspect: N/A

Actions taken:
-
-

Next steps:
-
-

Scratching the last word, she turned the notebook to her partner.

'How does that look?' she asked, hoping the girl and her would have the same way of proceeding. She looked over what she had written before adding 'I think we should start by finding a place to set it. Luckily, we're both in Slytherin. Should we set it in the common room or find somewhere else?'. She was open to any proposition, and soon, they'd be able to set up some sort of schedule

Elisa almost protested when Margaret's hands went directly to the pot Elisa was looking at. The first pot, the one on the left, not the third one, the one Margaret seemed most interested in. However, she had barely formed her lips into the shape of a 'No' that her partner had already strolled back to their original table and set the terracotta pot on it.

Wow, she's such a generous person! Determined, too. Elisa thought admiringly. The group project would run very well, Margaret was a born leader and had tons of ideas! Elisa would just have to follow behind, which suited her very well.

Elisa's reassured feeling was deepened when Margaret swiftly traced words on the first page of her notebook. If Elisa was an excellent reader, she could not say so with writing. But Margaret, not even needing to think much, could write those well organised and tidy words.

And then, her partner was already moving on. Elisa figured Margaret wasn't those who would wait for others to take a step forward first, she'd do that herself and then ask the others' opinions. And- Elisa couldn't hide she kind of needed a partner like that. Decision making was also something Elisa was quite horrible at.

She grinned, and said, "I guess the Common Room would be fine. Although- depending on the plant it is, it might need more sunlight than our dim dungeon can offer."