Ravenclaw's first Herbology class of the term fell on Thursday, paired with Slytherin for a double period.
Inside Greenhouse Three, the long workbenches were already lined with rows of Mandrakes, each nestled in a pot. Below the benches sat even larger, brand-new flowerpots, ready and waiting.
Professor Sprout clapped her hands together, her face beaming with warmth. "Thank you for waiting, everyone! I'm sure you've all heard whispers about today's lesson from the other students."
"Still, I must ask…" She hefted a pot in both hands, surveying the class. "Who can tell me about the properties of Mandrakes?"
Mandy Brocklehurst of Ravenclaw shot her hand into the air.
"Yes, Miss Brocklehurst!"
Brocklehurst stood. "The root of the Mandrake is a powerful restorative. It's the key ingredient in potions that cure even the most stubborn enchantments and petrifications."
"However, its healing power is matched by its danger. When pulled from the soil, a Mandrake's cry is fatal. Extreme caution is needed!"
"Mandrakes are widespread in the wild and can even move around a bit, so Muggles know of them too—not just wizards."
Professor Sprout applauded. "A wonderfully thorough answer—ten points to Ravenclaw—"
But Pansy cut her off from her seat, "They're also used in ancient ritual magic. Mandrakes are key to all sorts of rituals—even Dark Ma—"
"How unexpected!" Professor Sprout interrupted smoothly, her smile unwavering. "Excellent addition! Fifteen points each to Ravenclaw and Slytherin!"
"That's right—Mandrakes are important in ritual magic. But these days, their main use is in potion-making… jot down these extra details for your notes."
Wyzett glanced at Pansy. Pure-blood families really did have their own unique magical knowledge. So Mandrakes could be used in ritual magic—especially those tied to the Dark Arts. That was news to him.
"Now, pay close attention to the next points." Professor Sprout unfurled a huge roll of parchment, covered in diagrams and notes, including a detailed drawing of a Mandrake.
"Young Mandrakes cry too, but their cries aren't deadly—just enough to knock you out cold. So be careful, and don't forget this!"
She waved her wand, highlighting key notes on the parchment as she explained the finer points of Mandrake care and the repotting process.
Depending on when a Mandrake was planted, its repotting time would vary. For this double period, one class would be spent repotting, and the next caring for the newly potted plants.
Professor Sprout was nothing if not cautious. As she handed out earmuffs, she reminded everyone, "Make sure your earmuffs are snug! They're your best protection!"
"These Mandrakes may only be seedlings, but you're still young witches and wizards. If you hear their cry, you'll be out for hours…"
She tucked her wand into her pocket and picked up the only truly hideous, fluffy pink earmuffs to demonstrate the proper way to wear them.
Once the pink monstrosity was claimed, the rest of the class breathed a collective sigh of relief and donned their own earmuffs in turn.
Professor Sprout gripped the greenish-purple leaves, gave them a shake in all four directions, and then—with a sudden pull—yanked the Mandrake free.
The root was bizarre, like a wrinkled, newborn baby, its pale green skin mottled and dappled. Its mouth gaped open and closed, as if it were wailing.
But with everyone's earmuffs on, they could only see its mouth moving—no sound reached their ears.
Sprout held the Mandrake aloft for all to see, then grabbed a large pot from under the bench. She scooped soil, dug a hole, and stuffed the wriggling root inside. Only after she finished fertilizing did the Mandrake's leaves finally stop trembling and return to a sullen calm.
After the demonstration, it was the students' turn.
Compared to Professor Sprout's practiced ease, most students struggled with the very first step.
Mandrakes weren't just humanoid in shape—they squirmed and fought like real babies. Pulling them from the soil took real effort, and once in the warm, bright greenhouse, they wanted nothing more than to stay out of the pot, twisting and wriggling in protest.
They didn't just open their mouths to cry—they flailed their root-like arms and legs, swatting at anyone who dared grab their leafy heads. They were uncannily lively.
Draco learned this the hard way. He tried to grip his Mandrake by the root to control its flailing, but the plant seized the chance to bite his finger.
After years of teaching, Professor Sprout barely blinked. With a flick of her wand, she freed Draco from the Mandrake's grip.
…
Faced with such a lively magical plant, Wyzett ran into trouble as well when he tried to pull his Mandrake from the pot.
When the Mandrake began thrashing wildly, he immediately cast Basic Herbology Cultivation.
Bathed in the ancient magic's soothing aura, the Mandrake instantly quieted. It stopped struggling and didn't even try to scream.
Instead, it let out a huge yawn, curled its root-tendrils beneath its "head" like a pillow, and started snoring—complete with a dust-speckled snot bubble.
Michael nearly got bitten by his own Mandrake as well. Glancing over, he saw the "peaceful" plant in Wyzett's hands and began to question reality itself.
Still, he knew how precious Mandrakes were—such magical plants had to be repotted by hand.
And with everyone wearing earmuffs, no one could hear a thing; all they could do was keep wrestling with their own Mandrakes.
With Basic Herbology Cultivation to help, Wyzett's repotting went off without a hitch. He dug, potted, and tucked the Mandrake in, all in one smooth motion.
But once in the new pot, the Mandrake grew restless again, desperately trying to wriggle back into Wyzett's hands, eager for more ancient magic.
Thinking quickly, Wyzett cast Basic Composting Spell on the fertilizer, infusing it with ancient magic. Only then did the Mandrake's leaves finally settle down.
With the repotting finished, Wyzett could finally focus on the Mandrake itself.
Plants with ritual magic properties were always fascinating—and he was determined to study this one in depth.
He fixed his gaze on the Mandrake and activated his Oculus Magicae. Instantly, a whole new world unfolded before his eyes…
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