The First Year

Albus stepped into Greenhouse Five searching for his Herbology professor. He found her amid the Venomous Tentaculas, a smudge of dirt on her cheek and muttering under her breath.

"Good afternoon, Pomona," Albus said cheerily. Pomona startled.

"Oh, Headmaster, you gave me a fright."

"I do apologize. I wonder if I might have a moment of your time."

"Of course, Albus," Pomona replied as she stepped away from the plants. "What can I do for you?"

"We are to receive a very rare tree on Sunday and I would like to speak to you about it."

"A rare tree?" Pomona repeated, intrigued.

"Yes, a Whomping Willow."

Professor Sprout's eyes widened and her mouth fell open in shock. The last she had heard there were only three such trees in existence.

"Really?" she finally managed. Albus' eyes twinkled merrily.

"Indeed."

"But, what, that is to say, how, I," she trailed off and shook her head as if to clear it. She looked up at the older wizard. "Not that I don't wish to have such a prize, but why?" Truth be told, Whomping Willows were very aggressive and could be extremely dangerous. It didn't seem the thing to have at a school full of impulsive children.

"For protection on both sides. To keep someone in and the curious out."

"I'm afraid you've lost me."

"I don't doubt that I have." He gave her a wry smile. "But I promise that all will be clear in due time, my dear. Now, however, I would like to show you the spot where the tree is to be planted and I would like you to inform me if it is satisfactory." He gestured for Pomona to precede him and she left the greenhouse, falling in step beside the Headmaster as they walked toward the Forbidden Forest.

"Right here, I should think," Albus said after a few minutes of walking. Pomona looked around. There was ample open space for the tree to grow, plenty of sunlight and it was close to the forest's edge. Whomping Willows were solitary trees for obvious reasons, but they did like to be near to their cousins.

"Yes, this should do nicely," she agreed.

"Excellent. I shall have Filius,Minerva,and Kieran start on the tunnel right away."

"Tunnel?" Pomona questioned, quite confused.

"Ah yes, I've lost you again." Albus chuckled. "At the staff meeting on Friday, all shall be revealed." He tipped his hat to her and then walked back towards the castle. Pomona watched him for a few moments, shaking her head before her thoughts returned to the newest addition to the grounds.

"A Whomping Willow. Merlin's beard."