[img align=left]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/Morgan%202.png[/img]"Excellent work, Mr. O'Conner! Take 15 points for Slytherin!" Professor Morgan waves her wand and a case of glass vials appears on the ground in front of her. "Those if you with cuts and scrapes should follow Mr. O'Conner's lead. However, if you do not, feel free to collect some sap samples to try at a later time."

She turns her attention towards Emryse. "Medications, my dear? Other than Skelegrow, some of the more top of the line potions use the sap as well. It's very expensive stuff. As for animals, I wouldn't recommend using more than a drop or two of the sap. Some animals are a bit more sensitive and it may leave them with a bit of a skin irritation. Take 15 points for Ravenclaw!"

[img align=left]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/Morgan%202.png[/img]Professor Morgan smiles at Rox. "Excellent questions! I usually use the Impedimenta spell on it, which will slow it down, however it is only a temporary spell and only affects a few arms at a time. So while it helps, it is not helpful enough to keep the willow from inflicting any damage entirely. As for these twigs, think of them as toenail clippings. They are no longer part of the tree, and the tree isn't harmed. More of the damage we need to worry about is ones to the larger parts of the limbs and to the trunk. Especially, we need to tend to the roots. Take 15 points for Gryffindor, my dear."

"Miss Berry, take 15 points for Ravenclaw as well! Fine work. 15 points for Miss Romanov as well."

"Hmmm..." She turned her attention towards Emma. Scratching her head, she shrugged slightly, "I've never heard of a Whomping Willow being used for wand wood before. Perhaps when Professor Sparks teaches about bowtruckles, you should pose the question to her. Bowtruckles are very handy in finding wand woods, after all. 15 points for Hufflepuff, Miss McMonigle. 15 points will be awarded to Hufflepuff as well for Camille."

Professor Morgan flicked her wand behind her, setting up another shield charm so the students could not venture too close to the willow. She walked over to Sar. Putting a hand into her robe, she almost whispered to the girl, "Very nicely done. Take an extra 5 points in addition to your 15." She slipped an extra vial of the sap into Sar's hand and then turned to walk around the group and observe.

"Miss Sprout, 15 points for Gryffindor, though don't let me ever catch you breaking another branch off the tree itself! Only the ones off the ground are fair game." She watched warily as the tree swayed and decided to put up another shielding charm over the area.

"As most of you have noticed, the bark from the tree is quite rough. Even if the tree wasn't inclined to knock you off your feet before you had a chance to near it, climbing the tree would prove quite difficult without the proper equipement. Boots and gloves are needed to start. As for the leaves, I have yet to see a practical use for them. It appears that the healing properties are confined to the sap alone. The leaves are quite coarse as well, however, so it is quite fortunate that we have not quite reached fall where they would be scattered everywhere." She takes her place up at the spot just in front of the shield charm. "Miss Lee, take 15 points for Hufflepuff. Good work. Fine work to all of you, in fact. I expect this will be a great group to work with in the coming lessons."

[img align=left]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/Morgan%202.png[/img]Miss Penderghast and Mr. Walker, excellent work. Take 15 points a piece for Hufflepuff and Gryffindor."

She smiles to herself as she watches Beth's attentiveness. "Typical Ravenclaw, Miss Hale? Take 15 points for Ravenclaw."

"Excellent question, Setsu. I would not recommend using the sap in or near your eyes. It tends to sting quite a bit. It will still heal, of course, but it might not be worth it. 15 points for Ravenclaw for you, dear."

"Ah, yes, Elune. Sometimes the broken twigs will still have a bit of a kick to them. It's similar to if you squish a bug, the legs may twitch a bit after. However, most of the time they will be quite still. Excellent question, I assume you came upon one that happened to snap at you! Take 15 points for Ravenclaw."

Professor Morgan scratches her head. "It appears we have two Tates in the class! That'll make things a bit more difficult. Hopefully I'll be able to keep you two apart." She pauses, trying to remember the girl's last name. "Remind me, dear, what is your surname? Anyway, take 15 points for Slytherin."

She turns to Amanda. "The healing properties are still there for animals, however, some animals can be sensitive toward the potency and may develop a skin irritation. It's not something I'd recommend using on animals, especially rabbits or rats. 15 points to Ravenclaw for you."

[img align=left]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/Morgan%202.png[/img]"Excellent question, Mr. Ackle. Unfortunately, it's not very effective on poisons. There's something about how they react together that just doesn't nullify the toxin. As for your question on Murtlap essence, I've never tried using it on boils before. If I ever have the need to try it, I'll let you know. 15 points to Ravenclaw."

She walked around the students, observing their experimenting. She passed by Rose just as she had asked her question. "Yes, they do flower and produce seeds, however it is not every year like most trees. It may be three or four years before a Whomping Willow flowers again, and even then it is difficult for the tree to reproduce. That's why the trees are so rare. 15 points to Hufflepuff, Miss Thorn."

Turning her attention back to the other students, she noticed that the broken and sapless twigs are starting to pile up. Professor Morgan flicked her wand and the broken ones floated off to the side, leaving only the ones left untouched. Once done, she watched the students once more.

"Miss Smythe, 15 points to Slytherin. Miss Hale... the other Miss Hale, 15 points to Gryffindor."

She then turned to Chrystle. "15 points to Hufflepuff, dear. And I'm unsure what your question was... do you mean would it cure someone of being a werewolf? Or do you mean just curing the injuries sustained as a werewolf?" After a pause, she decided not to wait for an answer. "The willow's sap will not cure one of being a werewolf. There is no cure to being a werewolf that we've yet discovered. As for if the sap will work on a werewolf, most definitely! If it works on humans and works on animals, then it should still work find on a hybrid, of course."

She tapped on Fade's shoulder and smiled. "15 points to Ravenclaw, dear. 15 points to Hufflepuff as well, Megan. 15 points to Thana too!"

"As for you Miss Blackwood and for Ethel as well, 15 points each for Slytherin and Ravenclaw. As for your question, Ethel, I am actually not sure about what should not be mixed with the sap. Unfortunately, I'm not an expert at brewing the potions the sap uses. Perhaps you should hold onto that question for Professor Mathers. Miss Beth Hale, when you say eyesight, do you mean as in blindness or as in needing corrective lenses, or something different? As I believe I've said previously, it's not generally used in eyes, as it stings something awful. As far as I'm aware, it doesn't cure either of those things. It is something I will need to research. Your questions, with Miss Blackwood's, are both ones I will have to research further into."

Professor Morgan rubbed her temples and closed her eyes. "I hope I answered everyone's questions. It's hard to keep up with all of them and keep watch at the same time."

[img align=left]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/Morgan%202.png[/img]"Miss Murkiore, 15 points to Ravenclaw! Take 15 points for Hufflepuff as well, Miss Jung. Chook, you've earned 15 points for Gryffindor in addition."

She sighed a bit and walked over to Miss Beth Hale. "Take an extra 5 points for your inquisitive nature, Miss Hale. Whomping Willows can handle themselves in the wild, however they flourish better if they are tended to by witches and wizards. They are sometimes found in clusters, however it is very unfortunate if they grow to be too close to one another--they'll beat each other to a pulp, so to speak." She bent down and picked up a twig. "And if they grow to close together as seedlings, the stronger of the two will more likely snap the weaker one before it has a chance to grow."

She snapped the twig in half as she spoke as if to emphasize how easily a seedling could break.

"As for your question on harmony, dear, if they are not too close they can. It's not that they 'dislike' each other--they are not magical creatures, after all. They are still plants. They are just ingrained with enough sentience to know when to protect themselves." She paused for a moment. "Did I miss anything? Oh, yes, are they more common in other places... They are not seen very much in the southern hemisphere, moreso in the northern... However, the northern hemisphere is where there is a wider population of people, so it's really thinned out how many there are in the world."

[img align=left]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/Morgan%202.png[/img]"Roast beef, dear? That is odd... I suppose, like most scents, it may be slightly different from person to person. I've always associated the scent with pine and cranberries. Take 15 points for Gryffindor, Miss Swiftpaw."

She turned to watch the students again and notice Ravenna finish her task. "15 points for Hufflepuff, dear!"

[img align=left]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/Morgan%202.png[/img]Professor Morgan turned to Ceil when she heard her call and listened to the questions as they came one after another. Looking to avoid answering all of the questions, she zeroed in on the one that she decided would have the most interesting answer.

"I can't think of a better place for a Whomping Willow to grow than in an area with a condensed with witches and wizards. The grounds themselves may not be all that magical, but being in the presence of so many magical beings and the enchantments on the castle, it does give a bit of a magical thrum through the air. I suppose that's why our willow thrives as well as it does. As for your other questions, I would suggest flipping through your copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi with particular attention to chapter 9. It has a bit more explanation on the Whomping Willow's properties, as well as a few other trees that have aspects that are particularly good for potions. If I remember correctly, there should be an explanation on why tree bark usually holds no medicinal properties. 15 points to Hufflepuff, Miss Clutterbuck."

[img align=left]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/Morgan%202.png[/img]"I suppose if there's no other major injuries or cuts or scraps, the sap may try to find something to work its magic on. Let me stress, however, that it will not generally work on sicknesses such as the common cold. 15 points to Ravenclaw, dear."

[img align=left]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/Morgan%202.png[/img]Professor Morgan addressed Emelia, "Of course it will, dear. 15 points to Hufflepuff."

She looked around, then heard the ringing of the bell signaling the end of class.

"Great work today, chaps! Now back up to the castle!"