You'll never guess what I've just done!

[anwesu]

Well it might not sound very special to lots of people but I've just fed a Hydera! Master Wington said that I could be responsible for it since I fed it so nicely which is of course a really big responsibility for me since they're such rare plants! But it seemed to take to me after the initial hissing and lunging so I've been given the key to that

Comments

[val_visconti]

One day I must show to you the poison garden in Castello in Pavia. It is very old, e bambinone, and I do not have the time to put it back to how it used to be. So for now it is out of bounds, because very poisonous plants. But, I think you would like to see.

[a_lycoctonum]

A poison garden sounds very interesting. At least people know up front that they have to be careful when they spend any time there. Is it very extensive?

[val_visconti]

It is a reasonable size, the same size as the herb garden, and my ancestors had a very bad sense of humour as it is next to it. It has a high wall and the gates are locked. Many of the plants are contact poisons, so yes, a dangerous place.
You must come and see it some time.
That sounds very wrong, but you are welcome.

[a_lycoctonum]

I'd like to see it, and I promise to keep my hands in my pockets.

[a_lycoctonum]

I know I'm showing my ignorance here, but I've never heard of a Hydera. What sort of plant is it? It sounds like it has a lot of...personality. Don't lose any fingers.

Congratulations to Ernie! It sounds as if he's found himself the perfect job.

[anwesu]

It's a multi-headed plant, and got its name from the beast Hydra, and they're really a lot friendlier than they look really, but the only problem is when you feed them, because each head wants to be fed first, so you've got to be feeding one head with one hand and distracting the others without them actually thinking you're their actual dinner!

This one has only four heads at the moment but they can have up to nine when they're fully grown. I think by then I'll have had loads of practice though, so it should be fine!

[a_lycoctonum]

Hmmm...I know an odd spell that will temporarily give you a third hand. The effect only lasts about an hour, but that should be plenty of time for what you'd need. I think it takes a bit of practice to be able to use it effectively, but once you do, it could be a great time saver.

When I was a boy, a friend of my parents had triplets, and she used to use that spell a lot, particularly at feeding time. I remember being fascinated by it and not being satisfied until I learned how to do it, too. After all, how often do you see a woman with three arms? If you're interested, I'd be happy to teach it to you.

[anwesu]

Never! I bet my mum wishes she'd known that spell - one of her favourite sayings when Dewi and I were asking when's dinner was "I've only got one pair of hands!"

Professor Lupin, I'd be really thrilled if you could teach it to me. I reckon you're right, it'd save me loads of time. Thanks SO much! How long does it last, and do you get a warning for when the hand's about to disappear or does it just vanish and whatever you were holding falls on the floor? I'm guessing you do get a warning because you can't be dropping babies on the floor can you!