September 2017 - A few starting classes, and drama in Herbology!

In and around Hogwarts

Second years (11): James Potter, Louis Weasley, Fred Weasley (all Gryffindor), Isabella Mortane (Slytherin), Damien Orchid (Ravenclaw), Ruth Ackerley (Hufflepuff), Fourth years (14): Edgar Ackerley (Hufflepuff), Joshua Addler (Ravenclaw), Fifth year (15): Dominique Weasley (Hufflepuff), Sixth years (16): Becca Ridge (Gryffindor), Jimmy Addler (Slytherin), Seventh years (17): Amelia Ackerley (Gryffindor), Victoire Weasley (Hufflepuff)

Professors: Orion Orchid (Runes/Music/Art), Minerva McGonagall (Headmistress, Transfiguration), Neville Longbottom (Herbology)


Art isn't strictly a part of the curriculum, but Professor Orchid, who teaches Runes, is keen to expand the creative minds of the younger students, so the second years start their week with a laid back art class. Isabella is over the moon, although her friend Damien seems to think it's a waste of time. Sometimes she wonders what the two of them have in common besides the fact that they're both related to professors. In fact, maybe it's the fact that his uncle is taking the class that means Damien isn't so sure. This is the first time that Uncle Orion is actively teaching him.

Meanwhile, older Gryffindors Becca and Amelia have a NEWT study session with Headmistress McGonagall.

With the threat of exams looming already in even the first week back at school, both girls aren't looking forward to the stresses of the year ahead. No lazy art classes here!

Herbology

The next day though, the second years are into the 'proper' lessons, starting with double Herbology in the greenhouses.

Herbology isn't Damien's strong point, but of course he'll sit at the front anyway - saving the seat next to him for his best friend Isabella.

Ruth Ackerley sits behind with housemate Robbie [who is actually a first year, but somehow sneaked into this class x.x], and boys Fred, James and Louis are at the back of the class [Louis just out of shot] where they seem to think they can get away with chatting more.

Prof. Longbottom doesn't actually mind chatting as long as they're getting on with their work. As the new term is just starting up, the first job is to make sure that all of the beds are properly fertilised, ready for the new plants.

The second years scatter around the greenhouses, working on various beds. Hufflepuff Ruth Ackerley is so happy to be back at the greenhouses. She missed this over the summer - Herbology is her best subject.

Soon the second years head off to have their lunch and the older students start turning up for their afternoon class.

The class starts with more talks about how serious they should be taking everything. Becca and Amelia can't help but exchange glances and roll their eyes - as if they don't already know that they have to work hard.

Victoire, however, is anxiously taking notes. She hopes to train as a healer after graduating, and needs a good Herbology grade to get into the academy.

But something seems wrong. Does this class look a little emptier than the lower years to you? Mmmh. It looks emptier to Neville too...

And that's because two of his students are skipping class and chatting behind the greenhouse instead. Strange, because Dominique really loves Herbology, but where Jimmy is concerned, she's easily led astray...

And although these guys are just best friends, Jimmy can't stop thinking about Dominique.

Meanwhile, the rest of the class get on with the practical work in pairs - Becca and Amelia working together on one patch, Victoire working with housemate Edgar, and Joshua is left working by himself as Prof. Longbottom catches sight of something in the glass of the greenhouse and wanders off to investigate.

It's Dominique. Neville can't understand how she thinks she'd get away with skipping class and then loitering just around the corner - does she think he's stupid? She protests that she lost her timetable, although that doesn't explain her lack of uniform, and Neville doesn't believe her story for one minute. Honestly, he's disappointed. She's usually a good student - hard working and talented. Nosy Edgar watches through the glass! hehe.

 ...and if you were wondering where Jimmy had gotten to - he's in the greenhouse. With the professor out of the way, Jimmy takes the opportunity to pick on his younger brother.

Neville returns in time to split the pair up and give Jimmy the full extent of his rage. Why isn't he in class? It's bad enough him skipping, but also encouraging Dominique into bad behaviour...

First Herbology class and first detention for the pair of them - having to sit at separate tables while Neville gives them the lesson they missed. Not really the start to the term that Neville was hoping for! He prefers teaching the younger ones ;)

Gameplay Notes:

First year Robbie snuck in because I wasn't sure which year I'd placed him in! I decided on first year in the end to even the numbers out a bit. 

I had a few students turn up out of uniform because I'd last played them at the weekend. This teleporting-in trick is new to me, so a bit of a learning curve.

When Dominique and Jimmy turned up, not only were they both out of uniform, but they also both wandered off together and started playing punch-me autonomously. I decided to roll with that, sending all the other students into class and leaving those two to see what happened. I was half expecting some flirting action behind the greenhouses, but alas, it didn't happen, and I don't want to force it, so I'll wait until one of them rolls a want, or it happens autonomously.