Clara hummed as she unlocked the doors to Greenhouse 7. The second years were in for a real treat today. She smiled and glanced around at the gloomy atmosphere, standing in front of the entrance until her class arrived.
"Devil's Snare, Devil's Snare,
It's deadly fun,
But will sulk in the sun!" Clara recited as the students gathered in front of her. She hoped it would give them a big, unmistakable clue as to what the first lesson back would entail.
"Good Afternoon, class," she welcomed them. "Today we'll be working in the infamous Greenhouse Number 7." Clara smiled devilishly.
"Alright! Let's get started then. Now that you're all here, I would like to introduce you to George, the school's very own Devil's Snare! Before you ask, no, this isn't the same one that Hermione Granger defeated in her first year - that one shrivelled up long before any of you were born." Clara paused for a second and beckoned the students into the room.
"Devil's Snares are easiest recognised by their long, thick green tendrils and their love of damp, shady environments. They are very defensive plants and when provoked will not hesitate to strangle the provoker without warning. Now, Devil's Snare hates sunlight. So the only way to get yourself out of a pickle with this giant creature is to use a light spell, like Lumos Maximus, or a fire charm, some of which you might learn in your third year with me. You'll need a very powerful light charm as Devil's Snares don't give in that easily, and takes a lot of light to hurt it. For example..."
Clara drew a deep breath and pulled out her wand. She extended her left hand near the plant and waited. She hated hearing the poor thing shriek, but it had to be used to it by now, and she always gave it a treat after classes with it. A creeping tendril wrapped around her hand and she pointed her wand at it. "Lumos Maximus," she exclaimed, and then a terrible wailing noise filled the green house. Immediately, the plant dropped from her hand and receded into the darkness of the dim house, and Clara whispered "Knox," putting the light out.
"I don't want anyone of you hurting this plant, so all you're going to do today is make notes: You are observing this plant, and I think it would be useful if you jot down most of what I just said. Also, you do have a bit of homework tonight; go to the library and write me one page of notes on How to Care for a Devil's Snare. Here's a hint: There is a book in the library called exactly that." She grinned and winked, knowing the librarian was going to have quite a few second years badgering her for a copy tonight.
"Thank you, class! Now off to work!"