Chapter 47. On the Contract of Names
As a required course, Herbology at Hogwarts meets three times a week.
That meant Professor Sprout had a heavy teaching load almost every day.
Adrian Wesson couldn't help wondering how she arranged her timetable—judging by the number of lessons, Professor Sprout hardly seemed to have any time to rest.
"Ah, right," Professor Sprout seemed to recall something and turned to Adrian. "About Harry Potter…"
Hearing Harry's name from Sprout's mouth, Adrian tensed at once, like a parent at a school meeting whose child's name has just been called.
"What is it?" he asked. "Did something happen in your class? Did he get into trouble?"
"Oh, don't be nervous, Professor Wesson." Professor Sprout waved a hand, entirely at ease. "In fact, Harry performed very well in class—one could even say a bit too well."
"Too well?"
"Yes." Professor Sprout nodded, tidying the tools in the greenhouse as she spoke. "I'm guessing you've taught him. When it comes to cultivating dittany, he already works like an old hand."
"Really?" Adrian narrowed his eyes and allowed himself a satisfied smile. "What else?"
Being told that his student was doing well naturally pleased Adrian.
Professor Sprout adjusted her hat with a half-amused, half-helpless look. "Also, he complained that my dittany doesn't grow as well as yours."
"…"
Adrian remembered: his dittany carried a "gigantification" trait. By comparison, ordinary dittany did look a little less impressive.
That said, what Professor Sprout grew was already among the best one could find on the market.
"In truth, Harry was clumsy at first as well. He's just… had more practice," Adrian said, shaking his head as he recalled. "He drops by occasionally to help me tend the herbs—dittany included."
Professor Sprout raised an eyebrow. So that was it—she had thought Harry exceptionally gifted.
If Adrian had taught him these things, then everything made perfect sense.
At that, she couldn't help feeling a touch of disappointment.
"All right, I should get going," Adrian rose to his feet. "I need to prepare for my afternoon lesson with the third-years."
"Best of luck with your first class, Professor Wesson," Professor Sprout said with a smile, clapping the soil from her hands.
"Thank you." Adrian nodded, straightened his cuffs, and left the greenhouse.
…
The first class that afternoon was Care of Magical Creatures with the third-years—Adrian's first lesson.
Nearly all of the third-years had chosen Care of Magical Creatures.
Adrian understood why.
It was one of the most relaxed courses, and the end-of-term exam wasn't difficult.
Most people chose Care of Magical Creatures for the outdoor activities—to stretch their legs and escape those bothersome test papers and essays.
In the past, Professor Kettleburn would bring in all sorts of magical creatures for students to handle.
Of course, some were dangerous or rare, but so long as things were done properly, students wouldn't end up hurt.
With that in mind, Adrian decided that for his very first lesson he would take the young thunderbird to… show off—show it to the class.
After all, thunderbirds were uncommon. Even at a young age, a thunderbird already possessed the ability to summon storms and lightning.
That looked rather impressive.
…
When Adrian returned to his office, he didn't see the young thunderbird anywhere and guessed it must be in the plantation.
The little thunderbird preferred perching in that lightning-struck elm rather than lingering in a cramped office.
Adrian flicked his wand, and the suitcase in the corner sprang open.
Then he gave a whistle beside the case.
Before long, the young thunderbird poked its head out of the suitcase, eyes glinting with a faint wariness.
Upon seeing Adrian, it ruffled its feathers and the wariness vanished at once.
"Come out, little one."
Smiling, Adrian held out his hand. The thunderbird hesitated, then sprang lightly onto the desk, claws gently catching his sleeve as it nuzzled his wrist with a touch of coquettishness.
Though still juvenile, the thunderbird had grown to about the height of a first-year child, and it cut quite a figure.
After several rounds of feeding, the thunderbird had grown familiar with Adrian.
"A name, a name…"
Adrian looked at the young thunderbird, fingers tapping the desktop as he fell into thought.
To be honest, he wasn't good at naming things. In the past, when he named his pets…
Forget it—better left unsaid. It wasn't funny.
After a moment's consideration—
"All right, then…"
Adrian muttered, lifting his wand solemnly and giving it a wave.
The air warped slightly. A thread of golden light flew from the wand and slowly condensed into the outline of a single letter.
"Rai!"
Adrian called out the name he had prepared.
The instant the word left his lips, the thunderbird's feathers shivered. It snapped its head up smartly to stare straight at Adrian, then gave a clear, ringing cry.
In that instant, Adrian felt as though something new had settled upon him—linking him to the thunderbird before his eyes.
It was a very peculiar feeling.
"This is…"
"Eldra?"
Adrian had the Tree of Wisdom analyse the young thunderbird's current state.
[Name: Rai]
[Species: Thunderbird]
[Status: Contracted (Adrian Wesson)]
…
A contract?
Adrian hadn't expected that.
Could a mere name involve a contract?
And what effect did this contract have?
While Adrian was still wondering, Rai spread its wings and shot round the office in a swift circuit, chirping twice in delight and, in passing, knocking over a water jug on the desk.
When it settled back beside Adrian—
"So that's it."
Before naming, Adrian had only been able to judge Rai's mood by its movements and cries.
Now, he could clearly feel Rai's excitement and elation.
"Looks like you approve of this name."
Watching Rai hop about the office, he couldn't help a faint, inexplicable joy.
"Very well," Adrian looked down at it. "I'll take you out this afternoon for a bit of a stroll."
…
The second period that afternoon was Care of Magical Creatures.
The lesson would take place on the lawns by the Black Lake.
When Adrian arrived, the students were already chattering noisily across the grass.
It was the third-years' first time attending Care of Magical Creatures.
In the distance, one of the Weasley twins looked up, noticed Adrian, and called out eagerly, "Professor, what are we learning today?"
Seeing all the curious faces turned his way, Adrian smiled. "You'll know once class begins. Today's content is a little special."
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