I'm bringing up Mandrakes again..

We hear about Mandrakes throwing parties and trying to move into each other's pots. I was wondering if that means that they are able to depot themselves then. How would they throw parties if they are buried in soil in individual pots? Unless they are able to get free of those pots.. but then wouldn't it be chaos having Mandrakes running around the greenhouse freely screeching and either knocking people out or killing them?

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“It was, he thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle to the death and walking into the arena with your head held high."

Maybe they can only move through soil? So they reach out of their pots for one that's possibly situated next to them and just dive in to the dirt? I can't imagine them having a little stroll around the grounds!

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"Ron grinned guiltily at Harry.
'I know I shouldn't have enjoyed that or anything, but-'" - CoS, Chapter 5 (The Whomping Willow.)

Pottermore: WizardShield118
Rowan, 14 inches, Unicorn Hair, Slightly Springy

Do they have to be planted in pots? Maybe they just stay in pots until they are big enough to survive on their own in the ground. Then parties would be easier.

Or maybe they are nocturnal and only party at night when no one is in the greenhouse?

I think this is funny that plants can have parties. They also sprout acne when they are teenagers. Then they are cut up and stewed before being added to a potion to unpetrify people. maybe as a "punishment for being unruly Plants?"

They look like people, but their not...they are just roots, after all. They just take on some personifications

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"You said to us once before," said Hermione quietly, "that there was time to turn back if we wanted to. We've had time, haven't we?"
Pottermore: SeekerSpell89, DawnDream24997
Wand: Cedar/Cypress, Pheonix, 10 3/4 in, Slightly Springy

I agree with Ali, it's sort of just to show them growing up in a funny way, by comparing it to humans. I actually really liked how Jo did that But if Sprout wasn't kidding, and they really do have parties, I would imagine they would kind of be awkwardly hopping around with their pots and conversing in their strange screamy language with other mandrakes at night.

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Wit Beyond Measure Is Man's Greatest Treasure

Wand: Elm, Unicorn Core, 10 3/4 inches, Unyielding

Or maybe they can move through the dirt. Maybe their "moving into each other's pots" is just leaves and roots coming out of the pot and trying to attach themselves to others...I don't know, haha

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"You said to us once before," said Hermione quietly, "that there was time to turn back if we wanted to. We've had time, haven't we?"
Pottermore: SeekerSpell89, DawnDream24997
Wand: Cedar/Cypress, Pheonix, 10 3/4 in, Slightly Springy

Well when we hear about the Mandrakes throwing a party in CoS, they are potted, aren't they? That's where my confusion came in.

I suppose they could be nocturnal, but the very fact that they can exit their pots should mean that you don't enter that greenhouse without earmuffs on. We see the second years in there without them in their lesson.. but maybe the Mandrakes are too young at that point for them to climb out of the soil.

Hahaha, Hippogriff.. I very much like the mental picture that gave me and I think I will adopt it as my head-canon unless something better comes up.

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“It was, he thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle to the death and walking into the arena with your head held high."

Perhaps when they got older they were moved to another greenhouse that only advanced students or Sprout are allowed in, and they were protective gear when they go in that one. It would make sense...

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"You said to us once before," said Hermione quietly, "that there was time to turn back if we wanted to. We've had time, haven't we?"
Pottermore: SeekerSpell89, DawnDream24997
Wand: Cedar/Cypress, Pheonix, 10 3/4 in, Slightly Springy

Well I'm still not entirely sure they can move into each others' pots. Because Sprout does say "The moment they start TRYING to move into each other’s pots, we’ll know they’re fully mature". So, this could mean that they can, but need to attempt it a few times first. But I always took it to mean that they can't actually move pots by themselves, they just want to. And thanks ZeoRegrediens, I actually had a dream about a Mandrake party one time, when I was in the middle of CoS

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Wit Beyond Measure Is Man's Greatest Treasure

Wand: Elm, Unicorn Core, 10 3/4 inches, Unyielding