When Brian arrived at the Great Hall, Professor Sprout was looking up and speaking to Professor Flitwick, who stood on the other side, decorating the Christmas tree with his wand raised:
"Filius, that enormous candy star at the very top seems to be-missing a little piece, as though someone took a bite out of it!"
"You're seeing things!"
After saying that, Professor Flitwick sidled over furtively and explained in a whisper,
"You're not seeing things, but it wasn't bitten. Peeves broke it-I did my best to repair it, but it didn't turn out very well. Buying a new one wasn't an option either. Honeydukes is out of stock!"
Brian pointed at the lush fir tree and said, "Why not tuck the ugly corner down into the foliage? Plants can't talk, can they? The perfect Secret Keeper."
"Ah, good idea." Professor Flitwick waved his wand.
Sure enough, nobody could tell anything was wrong, except the leaves at the top of the tree-the students would never know they were about to have a four-pointed Christmas.
Professor Sprout also surveyed the star with satisfaction, but still pointed out the problem with what Brian had just said:
"Very nice, but actually-some plants can talk. There are a few in the Second Greenhouse, where we're heading shortly. The plants there all have quite distinctive personalities.
"Chet, if you run into a few disobedient children later, please humor them a little. Or-you could chat with them, too. It's a good way to pass the time."
"Are you serious, Pomona? I will," Brian said, pleasantly surprised. "I've wanted to try having a proper conversation with a plant for ages."
As a child, with nothing to do after school, he would occasionally complain to the big tree outside his home. That tree had a sturdy trunk, a thin