The morning of the Herbology examination dawned warm and still. Edmund had slept better than he expected, his body finally adjusting to the relentless rhythm of the N.E.W.T.s. He dressed in his oldest robes—the ones already stained with soil and plant sap—and walked to the Great Hall. Today, he would need to be comfortable getting dirty.
Herbology was not his strongest subject, but he had worked hard. Professor Foley had drilled them on dangerous plants, on the properties of rare fungi, on the art of harvesting without being killed. He had faced the Venomous Tentacula in the trial, had spoken to the First Bloom. He was ready.
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The theory paper was held in the Great Hall, like all the others. Edmund sat at his assigned desk, number 147, and waited. The lead examiner, a witch with dirt under her fingernails and sharp brown eyes, rose from her desk precisely at nine o'clock.
"Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests," she said. "Subject: Herbology. Theory paper. You have two hours. Begin."
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The parchment was warm as Edmund touched it. He read the first question, then the second, then the third. They were demanding, but he had prepared.
*Question 1: Describe the life cycle of the Venomous Tentacula, including its reproductive methods, growth stages, and the conditions that trigger its aggressive behavior.*
Edmund wrote about the Venomous Tentacula's three-stage life cycle: sprout, vine, and flowering. He described its method of reproduction—airborne spores released only during blood moons—and the conditions that made it aggressive: lack of sunlight, overcrowding, and the presence of human blood. He noted that the plant's venom was most potent in the flowering stage and that harvesting leaves required a calming charm applied directly to the roots.
*Question 2: Explain the difference between a Mandrake and a Mandrake relative, including the properties of their cries and the uses of their various parts.*
He wrote about the Common Mandrake, whose cry could kill, and the lesser-known Dwarf Mandrake, whose cry only caused unconsciousness. He described the properties of Mandrake root as a restorative, the leaves as a base for certain poisons, and the berries as a mild sedative. He discussed the legal restrictions on Mandrake cultivation, noting that only licensed growers could cultivate the Common variety.
*Question 3: A wizard has been poisoned by the sap of a Spiky Bush. Discuss the treatment options available, including the antidote and the limitations of magical healing.*
Edmund wrote about the Spiky Bush, a plant native to Australia that had been introduced to British greenhouses in the 18th century. Its sap caused severe burns and, if ingested, paralysis of the magical core. He described the standard treatment—a poultice of crushed Dittany leaves and a potion of powdered Bezoar—and the limitations: if the sap had been in the bloodstream for more than an hour, the damage was irreversible.
*Question 4: Describe the process of cultivating Fanged Geraniums, including the required soil conditions, watering schedule, and protective measures.*
This was a N.E.W.T.-level question. Edmund wrote about the Fanged Geranium's preference for acidic soil, its need for direct sunlight, and its aggressive feeding habits. He described the watering schedule—daily, but only in the morning, as evening watering triggered nocturnal hunting behavior. He discussed protective measures: reinforced pots, enchanted gloves, and the use of a Repelling Charm to keep the plant from attacking its caretaker.
*Question 5: A witch wishes to harvest the sap of the Wailing Willow for a rare potion. Discuss the challenges involved, including the tree's defenses and the legal restrictions on harvesting.*
This was the hardest question. Edmund wrote about the Wailing Willow, a cousin of the Whomping Willow that grew in the Forbidden Forest. Its sap was a key ingredient in the Elixir of Memory, but the tree was protected by Ministry decree because overharvesting had nearly driven it extinct. He described the tree's defenses: branches that lashed out at anyone who approached, roots that could trip the unwary, and a psychic wail that caused disorientation. He concluded that only licensed harvesters could legally collect the sap, and that they did so only during the tree's dormant season.
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The two hours passed. Edmund wrote until his hand cramped, filling every page, leaving nothing blank. When the proctor called "Time," he set down his quill and stretched his fingers.
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The practical examination for Herbology was in the afternoon. Edmund ate a quick lunch, his stomach tight, his mind already racing. He walked to Greenhouse Four, where Professor Foley had taught them for seven years. The greenhouse was humid, filled with the scent of earth and chlorophyll and something sharper—the tang of danger.
A panel of three examiners sat at a table near the entrance: two witches and one wizard, all strangers, all wearing dragon-hide gloves and protective goggles. The lead examiner, the witch with dirt under her fingernails, rose.
"Mr. Prince," she said. "You will face a series of challenges involving dangerous plants. You have one hour. Begin."
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**Challenge One: *Venomous Tentacula* – Leaf Harvesting**
A large Venomous Tentacula sat in a reinforced pot at the center of the greenhouse. Its vines writhed, its thorns dripped with poison, its flowers gaped like hungry mouths. The examiner pointed to it.
"You must harvest three leaves without being stung."
Edmund approached slowly, his wand raised. He had done this before, in the trial, in Professor Foley's classes. He cast a calming charm, directing it at the plant's roots. The vines slowed. The flowers closed slightly. He reached in with his gloved hand, plucked three leaves, and stepped back.
The examiner examined the leaves. "Acceptable."
**Challenge Two: *Fanged Geranium* – Repotting**
A Fanged Geranium sat in a cracked pot, its roots visible, its fangs snapping at the air. The task was to transfer it to a new pot without being bitten. The fangs could pierce dragon-hide gloves.
Edmund approached carefully. The plant lunged. He sidestepped, cast a binding charm around its stem, and lifted it from the old pot. The roots dangled, writhing. He placed it in the new pot, filled the soil, and released the binding charm before the plant could recover.
The examiner inspected the repotting. "Sufficient."
**Challenge Three: *Mandrake* – Extraction**
A young Mandrake sat in a pot, its leaves trembling. The examiner pointed to it. "You must extract the Mandrake and harvest a sample of its root without being exposed to its cry."
Edmund put in his earplugs, checked them twice, and approached. The Mandrake's leaves quivered. He grasped the leaves firmly and pulled. The plant emerged, its roots twisting, its tiny face contorted in a silent scream. He quickly severed a small root section with a sterilized knife and plunged the Mandrake back into the soil.
The examiner examined the root sample. "Correct."
**Challenge Four: *Spiky Bush* – Sap Collection**
A Spiky Bush sat in a corner, its needles glistening with pale green sap. The examiner handed him a glass vial. "Collect five milliliters of sap without touching the needles."
Edmund knew that the sap was corrosive and the needles were venomous. He cast a levitation charm on a glass rod, guided it between the needles, and pressed it against the bush's stem. Sap welled up. He collected it in the vial, drop by drop, until the vial was full.
The examiner held the vial to the light. "Acceptable."
**Challenge Five: *Devil's Snare* – Rescue**
A conjured dummy lay trapped in a mass of Devil's Snare, its tendrils tightening around the dummy's limbs. The examiner pointed. "You must free the dummy without harming the plant."
Devil's Snare hated sunlight and heat. Edmund raised his wand and cast a bluebell flame—not at the plant, but above it, creating a warm, bright glow. The tendrils recoiled, releasing the dummy. Edmund levitated the dummy to safety and extinguished the flame.
The examiner nodded. "Proceed."
**Challenge Six: *Unknown Specimen* – Identification and Handling**
The final challenge. A plant that Edmund had never seen before sat in a sealed glass case. It had purple leaves, silver thorns, and a flower that pulsed with a faint, red light. The examiner opened the case.
"Identify this plant, describe its properties, and harvest a sample of its leaf without triggering its defense mechanism."
Edmund studied the plant. He had read about it in an old text, in the Prince family vault. It was a Silverthorn Bloom, a rare plant that had been thought extinct. Its thorns caused temporary paralysis, and its flower emitted a pollen that induced hallucinations.
He put on his dragon-hide gloves and approached. The plant's flower pulsed faster. He knew that the defense mechanism was triggered by sudden movement. He moved slowly, deliberately, and reached for a leaf. The plant trembled but did not strike. He plucked the leaf and stepped back.
"Silverthorn Bloom," he said. "Paralytic thorns, hallucinogenic pollen. The leaf is used in memory potions."
The examiner smiled—the first smile Edmund had seen from her. "Correct. Extraordinary."
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The hour passed. Edmund set down his tools and stepped back from the workbench. His gloves were stained with sap. His hands smelled of earth and crushed leaves. But he had done everything they had asked.
"That will do, Mr. Prince," the lead examiner said. "You may go."
Edmund bowed and walked out of the greenhouse.
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