“5 points from Hufflepuff and Slytherin for being late, ladies. And, you both will have to stay after class to tend to the plants.” Valeria groans as she pulls herself up from the floor, rubbing her arm slightly. Seems her day only keeps getting worse.

First, Grace and Anne had accidentally woken her up arguing with each other over something stupid - one had misplaced a hairbrush? Or was it over a boy? Either way, they had been too loud and it had been too early. Then, as luck would have it, Professor Sharp had asked her to stay behind after class to practice some potions with Garreth. Garreth Weasley. Her temper flares thinking about that red-headed imp. He better be counting the minutes he had left on this earth because when she sees him next, she’d strangle him to death.

Garreth was the whole reason she was late to Herbology - he had convinced her to goof off with him and try creating a new concoction. One that ended up bubbling over and scorching the table a bit, something it definitely was not supposed to do. Luckily, Sharp had been in his office at the time so the two were able to cover it up and avoid detention. By the time they finished cleaning, she only had 5 minutes to get to the greenhouse. There was no way she would get there on time.

She had accepted her tardiness but perhaps she could sneak in. Or if she played her cards right, would be forgiven. Professor Garlick has a big heart after all. But all her plans were dashed as she reached the metal doors to the herbology classroom, when some Hufflepuff brute crashed into her and sent her sprawling across the floor. In front of the entire class.

She refocuses to the class around her as the professor begins her lecture. A few students stifle their snickers while others look at them with a bit more compassion. Valeria shakes off the creeping embarrassment and dusts herself off. Rubbing her arm again, she begins heading over to her usual spot next to Sebastian. Except, someone is already there - Poppy Sweeting. She cocks her eyebrow, slightly confused at the smaller girl’s placement. Poppy usually sits with the other Hufflepuffs in the front so this is a bit odd. But then again, it does look like there aren’t any seats up front so maybe that’s it. Either way, this sours her mood ever more.

Valeria frowns and sends her friend a dirty look for not saving her a spot. Sebastian offers an apologetic smile, glancing over to Poppy and mouthing a quick “sorry.” I’ll remember this, Sallow. Valeria scoffs silently before heading further into the classroom, spotting an open seat by her housemate, Imelda.

“Have fun repotting those mandrakes after class,” Imelda snickers quietly as Valeria settles in beside her. “And try not to get tossed around by that Hufflepuff. It was sad to watch.” Valeria’s frown deepens and she crosses her arms. “Shut it,” she hisses before glaring at the girl who sent her flying just a moment ago.

Maven Godfreid. Tanned, bright eyed, and a bit taller than the other second years. She doesn’t know much about her, outside of the fact that she’s a Hufflepuff and she was probably the top herbology student from their year. They share some classes and have mutual friends but they seldom speak to one another. They didn’t really run in the same circles or share similar interests. But the rumor circulating around the mill was that Godfreid was strong and may have sent Leander Prewett running for the hospital wing earlier this week.

It hasn’t been a rumor after all. Valeria rubs her arm again irritatedly, displeased by how the pain hadn’t subsided. Imelda had been nasty with her earlier comment but she wasn’t wrong. It was embarrassing.

Valeria’s attention shifts back to Professor Garlick as she starts to pass out cotton balls in preparation for the plants. She grabs two from the basket and jams it in her ears, praying the mandrake she’s assigned isn’t too terrible. She can’t imagine how Garlick hasn’t lost her hearing after dealing with them for years. Just get through class and then you can extort Garreth. I’ll make him sneak out an entire apple crumble from the kitchen. Thinking about the sweet, warm crumble gives her a nudge of motivation.

- - -

Class wraps up just about how one would expect. Lenora Everleigh accidentally drops her mandrake, which sends Arthur Plummy into a panic and diving under the table. This throws Ominis, who sat across them, off balance, and he crashes to the floor with a screaming mandrake on top of him. Anne and Sebastian manage to get it off of him and into the pot just in time to stop his ears from bleeding out. Imelda and Valeria wrestle with their own mandrakes on the other side of the classroom as Professor Garlick cleans up Lenora’s mess. By the end of it, everyone’s covered in dirt from head to toe and mildly traumatized.

“Class is dismissed,” the professor finally announces. “Remember, mandrakes are nothing to be scared of. Today, we learned that staying calm is key to handling these fauna effectively. Keep that in mind for next week’s lesson!” A soft sea of groans fill the room before papers rustle, books slam shut, and the students begin to file out.

Imelda gives Valeria a solemn pat on the shoulder before gathering her things, knowing her friend still has a half hour more of this nightmare. Valeria returns a somber nod before watching her friend hurry out, probably for quidditch practice. She wipes off some dirt from her cheeks and mentally prepares herself for her punishment to begin.

Footsteps shuffle towards her, stopping right beside her. “Sorry for not saving you a seat.” Valeria looks up, meeting an apologetic Sebastian. She simply shrugs and begins unraveling some dirt from her hair. “It’s fine.”

Sebastian pouts, his freckled nose scrunching up in annoyance.“In my defense, Poppy asked first and her seat was already taken. I couldn’t just say no.”

“Why not? Because you like her?” Valeria frowns, turning her attention back on her friend. “What, no!” He gasps, flustered, his ears reddening.

“Sure, Sallow,” Valeria begins, a small smirk slowly playing on her lips. “Suddenly, ‘Sweetings’ is now ‘Poppy’. What’s next, you start calling her ‘My darling little princess’?” Her smirk widens and she wiggles her eyebrows teasingly. His ears flare a deep shade of crimson. “No, of course not!” he huffs, shoving her shoulder in irritation. “Forget it, I’m not sorry anymore! Have fun getting attacked by the plants, I’m leaving!”

Sebastian runs off, huffing and puffing. “Tell Garreth he owes me apple crumble, a whole pie!” Valeria calls out behind him. “I will not!” He calls back, sticking his tongue out before disappearing past the metal doors and leaving Valeria rubbing her arm once more. Of course he had to hit her injured arm, that freckled goblin. With a heavy sigh, she finally gets up and trots over to Professor Garlick.

“Ah, Miss Davenport. There you are. Once Miss Godfreid joins us, we shall head to the secondary greenhouse together. I’ll need your help with the venomous tentacula today,” Garlick chirps in her usual sing-songy way. “Yes Professor,” Valeria nods, pausing before she continues. “I apologize for being late today. It won’t happen again, ma’am.” She wrings her hands in front of her, looking up at her teacher with her big, hazel eyes. She hopes this doesn’t put her in Garlick’s bad books. One, because she hates disappointing her professors and two - she’s not good enough at Herbology to get away with things like this.

Garlick’s expression softens almost immediately and she gently pats the girl’s head, “it’s alright, Miss Davenport. Apology accepted. I know it wasn’t your intention. Everyone has a late entrance at least once.” Valeria smiles back, happy to be forgiven. “Thank you, Professor Garlick,” she chimes, following behind her.

“Good, now come. Let’s get your little task completed,” Garlick smiles and claps her hands together. “Miss Godfreid, shall we?” She calls out, beckoning over the navy haired Hufflepuff.