Hermione watched Ron chewing his steak while mumbling through his words, and couldn't help but sigh.
She picked up the class schedule that had just been distributed this morning and handed it to Sherlock, explaining as she did so:
"This year's courses are Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic, and Astronomy."
"What about Flying lessons?"
"They've been replaced by Potions," Hermione sighed. "The teachers probably think we're all skilled enough at flying by now."
When she said this, Hermione couldn't help but glance at Sherlock, her face turning slightly red.
Her thoughts drifted back to this past summer, when their group had traveled to Godric's Hollow in Ron's flying car. Due to the car's altitude exceeding Hermione's tolerance limit, her fear of heights had kicked in mid-flight. Since everyone was under the Invisibility Cloak at the time, and in her urgency to stop Sherlock from speaking out, she had covered his mouth with her hand.
Looking back on it now, that had been rather impulsive of her.
Sherlock naturally had no idea that Hermione's thoughts had wandered back to over a month ago. His attention was now focused on the new class schedule.
[Gryffindor Second Year Schedule]
Monday: Morning - Herbology, Transfiguration; Afternoon - Defense Against the Dark Arts; Evening - Astronomy
Tuesday: Morning - Herbology; Afternoon - Transfiguration, Charms
Wednesday: Morning - Charms, Potions; Afternoon - History of Magic
Thursday: Morning - Transfiguration; Afternoon - Double Potions
Friday: Morning - Charms; Afternoon - Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts
Sherlock took just one glance and understood the situation.
It seemed that not only was he putting Harry through intensive training, but Hogwarts was also intensifying the workload for all students. Not only had they eliminated the Friday afternoon breaks from first year, but each class had also been extended from 30 minutes to 45 minutes.
This was reasonable enough. Even for someone who had never encountered magic before, a full year of adjustment should have been sufficient. It was time to increase the input for the young wizards.
The first day's Herbology class was at nine in the morning, shared with the Hufflepuff students. Like last year, the lesson would take place in the greenhouse outside the castle, where Professor Sprout cultivated many plants.
"Today we're going to Greenhouse Three!" Professor Sprout announced cheerfully when she saw that all the second-year students from both houses had arrived, leading them to explore new territory.
The students were quite interested in this development. Last year, all their classes had been held in Greenhouse One. They had long heard from older students that the plants in Greenhouse Three were more interesting than those in Greenhouse One.
Of course, they were also more dangerous.
For instance, Mandrakes, Devil's Snare, and Chomping Cabbages. Just from their names alone, they sounded far more formidable than the plants they had encountered last year.
When Professor Sprout opened the door, a damp smell of earth and fertilizer hit them immediately. This reminded Sherlock of a case from the end of last term, when Professor Flitwick had Apparated with him to the crime scene—he had smelled something similar there.
However, the scent there had been far less intense than here, and this place also carried the distinctive smell of grass mixed with rich floral fragrances.
The various exotic magical plants dazzled the young wizards, overwhelming their senses.
In the corner of the greenhouse was Devil's Snare, which preferred shadowy, humid environments. Sherlock's group of four had briefly encountered it at the end of last term when they prevented Quirrell from obtaining the Philosopher's Stone.
Not far from the Devil's Snare were blue Night-Blooming Nightshade flowers, whose pollen had hallucinogenic effects. When they bloomed, the entire greenhouse had to be sealed off.
There was also the Iron Thorn Fern, covered in spikes with leaves that gleamed with an eerie metallic sheen. It had a violent temperament, and when provoked, could shoot out its spikes with considerable force.
Professor Sprout led the wide-eyed young wizards to a bench in the middle of the greenhouse, where about twenty pairs of differently colored earmuffs had been placed in advance.
At her signal, all the students sat down.
Sherlock, Hermione, Harry, Ron, Neville, Dean, and Seamus from Gryffindor sat alongside the Hufflepuff students. Hannah Abbott took a seat in the second row, right behind Sherlock.
Ever since Sherlock had helped solve Mr. Abbott's case before Christmas last year, her favorability toward him had remained consistently high. As soon as she sat down, she greeted both Sherlock and Hermione beside him.
Once everyone was seated, Hermione couldn't help but whisper to Sherlock: "Those are Umbrella Flowers." She pointed to the giant umbrella-shaped plants hanging from the ceiling, saying excitedly, "I've always wanted to see them in person. I didn't expect to get my wish so soon! The books say—"
Just as Hermione was speaking, Professor Sprout suddenly called her name: "Miss Granger."
Obviously, she had noticed Hermione's whispering during class. However, out of indulgence toward the class genius, she decided to give Hermione a chance:
"Please tell me, what are the characteristics of Mandrakes?"
If Hermione could answer this question accurately, she would pretend nothing had happened. If not, she would have to deduct points!
However, in this regard, Hermione would never disappoint.
"Mandrakes are magical plants with extremely high medicinal value, also known as Mandragora. They are essential components in most antidotes and can restore people in abnormal states back to their original condition."
"A textbook answer. Ten points to Gryffindor."
Upon reaching second year, the professors seemed much more generous with their point-giving, no longer adding points one by one as they had in first year. After correctly answering the question, Professor Sprout generously awarded Gryffindor ten points.
Neither the little lions nor the little badgers seemed surprised by Hermione's double-digit score on the first lesson of the new term. It was, after all, routine. Barring any surprises, Miss Hermione Granger would undoubtedly retain her title as top scorer this season.
"Today, we're going to repot the Mandrakes. Miss Granger was quite right—Mandrakes are essential components in most antidotes, but—" Professor Sprout's gaze swept over the students, "—they are also extremely dangerous magical plants. Can anyone tell me why?"
Hermione predictably raised her hand once again. Her swift movement nearly knocked off Harry's glasses, but fortunately, Harry's time training with Sherlock hadn't been wasted—he nimbly ducked his head, avoiding the critical blow.
Professor Sprout frowned at this sight. She felt she shouldn't let Hermione score points so easily again. Unfortunately, today's class was shared with the uncompetitive Hufflepuffs. Even when their own Head of House looked at them one by one, not a single Hufflepuff student raised their hand, despite many of them knowing the answer.
As for the Gryffindor students, they were even less likely to raise their hands. Since someone knew the answer and was willing to respond, they were quite happy to let that person have the opportunity.
Professor Sprout wasn't Professor Snape, after all—she couldn't simply ignore Hermione's persistently raised hand. Seeing that no one else would answer, she finally nodded.
Hermione immediately stood up eagerly and said, "Because hearing a Mandrake's cry will kill you."
"Completely correct. Another ten points to Gryffindor."
Seeing these ten points ultimately go to Gryffindor, Professor Sprout sighed quietly. As Head of Hufflepuff, she had always maintained one principle when teaching: fairness, fairness, and more fairness!
Unfortunately, whenever such point-scoring opportunities arose, most young wizards' performance was invariably... You're given a chance, but you don't take it!
In the end, it only benefited Hermione.
After awarding points to Hermione, Professor Sprout explained further: "However, the Mandrakes here are still very young, and their cries haven't yet reached the level of being fatal. Even so, everyone must not let their guard down and must protect themselves properly."
She didn't ask another question this time—otherwise, it would seem like she was deliberately giving points to Gryffindor. After providing the explanation directly, she began organizing. "Now, everyone come and get a pair of earmuffs."
At the professor's command, the students rushed forward in a scramble. This time, even the Hufflepuff students weren't willing to fall behind, since no one wanted to end up with a pair of pink fluffy earmuffs.
Ironically, it was Sherlock, the Gryffindor, who remained unhurried. Under the amazed gazes of his classmates, he slowly walked to the bench and picked up the only remaining pair—the pink fluffy earmuffs.
The young wizards looked at each other in bewilderment. Who was the real Hufflepuff here?
The few Gryffindor students sitting near him exchanged knowing glances, showing full respect for their little lion king's choice.
However, neither the little lions nor the little badgers had time to dwell on this matter. Under Professor Sprout's guidance, everyone put on their earmuffs and witnessed this magical plant firsthand.
Though called Mandrakes, when pulled from the soil, their roots resembled ugly human babies. Most students let out cries of shock—though of course, no one could hear them through the earmuffs.
Professor Sprout held firmly to the leaves growing from the creature's head. Its skin was pale green and spotted. From its appearance, you could tell it was screaming at the top of its lungs. Again, no one could hear it.
Next, Professor Sprout personally demonstrated how to repot the Mandrake babies.
Step one: Pull the Mandrake from the small pot.
Step two: Stuff the Mandrake into the large pot.
Step three: Bury its baby-like root body in soil, leaving only the green leaves exposed.
Hey, it was just that simple!
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