Herbology Greenhouse

[Draco Malfoy]

The greehouse on the grounds where students grow plants and learn about Herbology. Sprouts area.

[Professor Sprout]

Entering the Greenhouse, Pomona hurried to prepare the pots for her first class of the term. She occupied her hand in order to shush her mind and her fears. The children needed someone strong, not an old witch ready to burst into tears at the disaster this was.

[Ginny Weasley]

The door pushed open to allow Ginny to enter, a smile breaking on her face at the sight of her old teacher.

"Professor Sprout," she greeted her, glad to see here at least normality still reigned.

[Professor Sprout]

"Ginny dear," Pomona smiled widely as she turned to see who entered the greenhouse.
"Come in, come in," she gestured to the young Gryffindor. "I'll make us some tea in a minute," she added, going over to the sink to wash her hands.

[Ginny Weasley]

"Thank you," the redhead girl replied, closing the door behind her and moving forwards to join the portly witch at the far end of the greenhouse. The humid tranquility of the room helped to relax her tense shoulders as the stresses of her day ebbed away. There was always something so serene about being in here.

"How are you Professor?" she enquired as she waited for the woman to finish up, her brown eyes running over Sprout's form, inwardly wondering if the new Death Eater staff was giving her any trouble or if they were content to ignore her as beneath them. Neither would surprise her, though she hoped for the latter.

[Professor Sprout]

"Well, you know, dear," Pomona shook her head. "Busy with preparing this term," she added while placing the pot to heat.
"How are you....erm, coping with all the changes?" she inquired the girl. She had talked to Molly about the latest events, but looking at Ginny she realized that the girl looked preoccupied and tired.

[Ginny Weasley]

Ginny hopped up onto a nearby desk, letting her legs swing as she gave a small shrug.

"I'm coping," she answered at last, mind drifting over the mockery that was Hogwarts this term. Letting out a breath she glanced back up to her teacher, mouth quirking up dryly. "You?"

[Professor Sprout]

Pomona gazed at Ginny in silence for a few seconds. She had grown up, she was almost an adult now.
"The Staff meetings aren't what they used to be," she admitted softly. "I fear for all of you children, Ginny dear. I know you have a lot of burdens on your shoulders and the last thing you need is an old witch blabbering, but you must be extremely careful this term, my dear," she whispered, patting Ginny's shoulder gently as she passed by the student to grab two cups and the sugar.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco headed to the greenhouse, he was a bit early but the Carrows were lurking. He'd rather spend a few extra minutes with Sprout than an extra second with them...

Salazar he never thought the day would come when he'd think that in any context.

The blond arrived to the greenhouse and pushed open the door to the room and was surprised to not only find Sprout, but the she weasel- and they were taking tea... just bloody lovley. The blond didn't say anything, instead he headed to one of the back tables, tossed his bag down and took a seat.

[Professor Sprout]

"Good morning, Mr Malfoy," Pomona smiled to the student.
"Would you care for a cup of tea before we begin?" she asked him.
The young Malfoy was not usually one for chit-chats, but still...

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco blinked, and looked up from removing his book before raising a perfect brow. "Tea? ... With the two of you?..."

[Professor Sprout]

"Precisely," the Professor couldn't help but smile at his reaction.

[Draco Malfoy]

He eyed her skeptically "Why..."

[Ginny Weasley]

"She's trying to poison you," Ginny deadpanned at him before rolling her eyes. "Stop being so paranoid. Because it's Professor Sprout and she's being nice. It's what she does."

[Draco Malfoy]

"It's what she does with you maybe," Draco said making a face. "I'm good... thanks..."

He remained in his seat, attempting to shrug off the oddness of this whole situation. All he knew was the last thing he needed was to be seen by other slytherins having tea time with Sprout and Weasley. He'd never hear the end of it.

[Ginny Weasley]

"Suit yourself," the redhead shrugged, unconcerned. She wasn't in any way surprised by his refusal, honestly for all her flip comment she wasn't really sure herself if she could cope with the surealness of taking tea with Draco Bloody Malfoy. Things were odd enough as it was with her recent realisation that he wasn't a total monster - she still wasn't even sure where she stood with him on that one.

She was slightly annoyed however at loosing her chance to talk frankly to Sprout and find out if she's heard anything of the order.

[Professor Sprout]

"You do realize you're very early, right?" Pomona said to the blonde, guessing that one of the reasons he didn't want to join them was because the rest of the students might show up.
"The offer standd if you want to join us after all," she added while pouring Ginny her tea.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco's gaze flicked to her, then went back to his text. He needed to figure out if there was a way around her to grow beetlebot root, it usually needed a certain type of soil. He had hoped he'd gotten here early enough that he could look around before she arrived, then again he supposed there wasn't anywhere else Sprout would be right now with the other teachers lurking about.

[Ginny Weasley]

"I wouldn't hold out much hope Professor," Ginny returned wryly as she accepted her cup, adding in a splash of milk but forgoing the sugar.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco glanced towards where Weasley was before shaking his head and going back to his text.

[Professor Sprout]

Pomona shook her head lightly and smiled at Ginny.
"I've been asked to teach you poisonous plants this year," she told Ginny but didn't bother to lower her voice.

[Ginny Weasley]

Ginny let out an unlady like snort - sounding in that moment very like her brothers.

"Can't say I'm surprised," she offered dryly, though she did seem to consider it. "I guess its not the worst thing to cover though. Poisonous plants are still pretty useful in potions right?"

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco glanced up from his location, looking at the two withes at that. Poisonous plants? That was good, he'd need those for some of the potions he'd come across...

[Professor Sprout]

"Oh, very useful indeed. Some can even be used in healing, if you know the right dosage," the Professor nodded.
"It will only be dangerous for you children, if you don't follow my instructions. This is not baby mandrakes we will deal with."

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco looked up at the two witches as they spoke.

[Professor Sprout]

Pomona noticed the Slytherin boy's curiosity but didn't try to get him in the conversation. She was aware he was hearing them clearly enough.
"It will also require trips in the Forbidden Forrest," she added to Ginny and took a sip of tea.

[Millicent Bulstrode]

Millicent walked into the greenhouse, head held high. She wasn't particularly fond of Professor Sprout and she resolved to look down on her like the pesky woman she was.

She noticed the lady herself having tea with the Weasley girl of all people. Great. That was such a ridiculous sight. But then her gaze shifted and she spotted Draco.

Making her way over, she took the seat beside his and grinned, "looks like you're having such a great time."

[Professor Sprout]

"Good morning, Miss Bulstrode," Professor Sprout greeted the Slytherin girl from her chair, shaking her head at how impolite some students could be.

[Millicent Bulstrode]

Glancing over, Millicent plastered a wide, fake grin across her face in response to the teacher. "Good morning!" She said with forced enthusiasm.

[Draco Malfoy]

"Always," the blond boy responded dryly, his gaze flicking over her. "And yourself?"