In the 2014 additions to the UK Potter books, Rowling says part of the process to become an Animagus is to hold the leaf of a Mandrake in your mouth for a whole month.
Can you imagine. These boys in Minerva McGonagall’s classes for that month, hoping she doesn’t notice.
now that you pointed that out i’m 100% sure minerva knew about that
ok imagine all the marauders pretending to take a vow of silence for a month to keep that up.
Like wearing chalkboards around their necks and writing out anything they have to say around teachers and coming up with another ridiculous reason every time someone asks why they’re taking a vow of silence like. We’re protesting the traditional student/teacher constructs and the unreasonable verbal requirements of school. We’re raising awareness of how funny we are and how much your lives are worse without our beautiful voices telling jokes. We’re in a very intense round of the Silent Game and we’re all here to WIN.“So Remus, why aren’t you doing it?”
(gives very fond look to the boys) “I’m not a moron.”
“(deathglares)”Okay but
What about when McGonagall did it.
YES CAN WE ALSO TALK ABOUT THAT
Other student: Minnie, why aren’t you talking?
McGonagall: *scribbles on a piece of parchment* “someone bet me I couldn’t and mama ain’t raise no bitch”I love the idea of a month of silence, but in my head Nizar is on a fucking TEAR because there is absolutely nothing in a mandrake that would is even remotely related to a morphilogical process–it’s an anaelgesic! …unless you use too much, then you’re just dead. *g* The leaves reduce swelling for poultices.
Also…does JKR not consider that people have to EAT AND DRINK during that month so they don’t die?
Well, considering that I can eat while simultaneously have chewing gum in my mouth, that’s not going to be a problem. Drinking neither. Not unless you’re supposed hold the leaf in a certain place or keep it in a certain condition or it’s supposed to be big enough to fill the mouth. Even talking would be not much of a problem. Honestly, sleeping with it might be more difficult, because you could swallow it by accident.
1st difficulty: JKR says the leaf has to be on top of the tongue pressed against the roof of the mouth.
2nd difficulty: The leaf would dissolve in the spit of the mouth long before the month was up, magical plant or otherwise, since human salivia is the first part of the process that breaks down food for digesting.
1st solution: liquid diet. It is possible to hold something against the roof of your mouth and sip stuff through a straw at the same time.
2nd solution: I doubt saliva is that strong a solvent, but it does lead to…
3rd difficulty: That thing would be fuckin GROSS by the end of the month.
1st Rules Lawyering: They never said which month, did they? So pick February on a non-leap year.