So a wizard walks into a high school...

[infourbooks]

[Action: Mayfield High]

[Neville is going about his regular school routine. It mostly consists of looking at his textbooks in puzzlement, even after a month. And occasionally mumbling to himself.]

No, that's not it... how did that...

[Phone, evening]

I was wondering if anyone could help me with a problem I'm having. I was never exactly awful at Muggle Studies. But here everything is Muggle Studies. I think I'm in a bit over my head. I'm supposed to have been learning this all my life but there's nothing about Merlin in these history books.

And then science. Some of it looks like herbology and potions, but not really. So basically, what I'm trying to say is...

Could someone help me revise?

Comments

[ooeeooahah]

Good! So you are getting the basics. Now, some of the plants you run across in botany might have the same properties you expect from your magical studies, but that's going to be pretty much ignored at the school. You won't be handling the dangerous stuff like active mandrakes, either. But if they aren't teaching you about poison ivy or poison oak, we can get one of the scouts to help with that.

[infourbooks]

Poison ivy and poison oak? That... sounds like something I want to know about.

[lecture mode engaged]

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa chuckles. ] Right - I figure you would be tramping through the park and woods as soon as you get your bearings. Now, other than not going alone, because you need backup, I figure your accent for not being American. Poison ivy is all over the US, and I know I've seen someone with the rash, so there's likely some around.

Basically, the plant protects itself with a poisonous oil, and it causes a very itchy and uncomfortable skin rash. It can be treated with calamine lotion, but it's better to not get into it at all.

"Leaves of three, let them be" is the basic warning, but I'll see if I can find some good illustrations for you. I mention poison oak and the other member of the family, poison sumac, because we don't know exactly where in America that Mayfield is supposed to be. So I'll also be looking for good illustrations of those.

Re: [lecture mode engaged]

[infourbooks]

I'm British. That does sound like something I would just blunder into by accident. I'd appreciate a good illustration.

[ooeeooahah]

The scout handbook should have something, but the gardening books in the library might do better.

By the way, you probably won't be allowed to check out the gardening books, but I can check some out for you. Anything in particular I can keep an eye out for you?

[infourbooks]

That doesn't seem very fair. But I'd love anything about the plants I might be able to put in the garden. It's almost spring, after all. So knowing the local plants would definitely help.

[ooeeooahah]

I put in an order for some plants at the flower shop this week, so the next step is going to the hardware store. Back home, last danger of frost was usually April 15, but I'm not sure what it is here. I haven't done a weather casting to check.

[ She goes quiet a moment. ] I missed doing an Imbolc bonfire with the aftermath of my surgery. Has anyone warned you about holidays, here?

[infourbooks]

I got here right around Christmas, so that was one of the first things I heard about.

[ooeeooahah]

Good, good... [ She draws a shaky breath, then continues. ] I'll get a gardening guide or two for you to start off with, where are you assigned? I can drop them off for you.

[infourbooks]

I'm at 1486 Kramden, the Pond family.

[ooeeooahah]

[ There's a surprised chuckle. ] I'm just down the street at 1490. I'll be going to the library tomorrow afternoon, and drop the books by then.

[infourbooks]

Thank you! That is convenient!

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa laughs. ] Convenient enough I may draft you to help break ground on the garden! Not to worry, though. I can help you with starting a composting bin, if your housemates are okay with that.

[infourbooks]

I've been drafted for worse things before.

[ooeeooahah]

I'll catch you tomorrow, then!