Professor Sprout had received many messages in her life that left a deep impression on her. She remembered the thrill of her O-level evaluation in Herbology during her OWLS, which allowed her to pursue her beloved field further. She recalled the pride of seeing her first academic paper accepted by a reputable herbal journal, and the day she received her offer letter from Hogwarts, inviting her to become the Professor of Herbology. Of course, there were also moments of deep sorrow, like the day she learned of her brother's family's tragic fate.
But now, as she listened to Char, she swore that the news he brought was the most shocking she'd received in years.
"You've finished?" she repeated, her voice rising in disbelief. "You completed the cultivation of a new magical herb mutation all by yourself?!"
Even though she knew Char would never lie to her, it was almost too much to believe. After all, inducing a magical herb to mutate was almost the stepping stone to becoming a master of herbology. It required not only advanced knowledge but also the courage to experiment and the intuition to notice the smallest changes. Char nodded, looking a little embarrassed.
"That's not really my doing," he said modestly. "It was just pure luck."
He then explained the entire process of discovering the mutation in the piranha algae. As Professor Sprout listened, her mind cleared, and she could see how it had all come together. But that didn't stop her from feeling overwhelming joy, relief, and admiration.
"No, Char," she said firmly. "This is absolutely not just luck. To dare to break with common sense, to use the frequency light spell on piranha algae, and to discover its extreme phototropism—no master of herbology would ever call that luck. You're a genuine genius, Char!"
Char felt a warm glow at the praise from Professor Sprout, but he was still concerned about one thing. "Then, Auntie… will the experimental field cause you any trouble?"
Professor Sprout's eyes flashed with determination. "You managed to complete the seed processing of the guardian tree within just over a month of starting at Hogwarts, and now you've made such a groundbreaking academic discovery. Who else should I give the vacant experimental field in the greenhouse to, if not you? If anyone dares to object, I'll put a biting kale on their head. There's no point in keeping the brain of someone who'd say such a thing."
She smiled, her tone softening. "Wait for my news. I should be able to finish the thesis by the Christmas holiday at the latest. By then, arranging the test fields for you will be a natural thing."
Char let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Christmas wasn't far away. If he could get one or even two more experimental fields, his progress would increase dramatically.
Professor Sprout, having calmed down from her excitement, turned her attention to the guardian tree seeds. She took out an icy blue potion and gently soaked the sprouting seeds in it. Then, with a practiced flick of her wand, she recited a complex spell: "Vigorsemina—Immotus!"
Char immediately sensed the magic of the guardian tree seeds being frozen in place. Professor Sprout explained, "Now, as long as the seeds aren't reactivated, they'll remain intact for a whole year. This won't affect their chances of successful cultivation."
She sighed, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "This is all thanks to this potion, which was specifically developed for the guardian tree. Two hundred years ago, before this potion existed, cultivating a guardian tree was several times more difficult. Herbology and Potions have always gone hand in hand."
Then, as if struck by a thought, she glanced at Char. "I've heard you've been spending time with Professor Snape lately. Helping him process potion materials?"
Char nodded.
Professor Sprout's eyes sparkled with a mixture of surprise and satisfaction. "That's good. Many herbs require the assistance of potions for their cultivation, especially the more powerful ones. The guardian tree is a perfect example. In the next stage, you'll need a lot of something called the Sacred Tree Potion. While it's possible to succeed without it, using the potion will shorten the guardian tree's maturation time and improve its condition. Since you're the one who inspired the guardian tree's magic, it's best if you make the potion yourself. As Professor Snape's assistant, any advice he gives will be invaluable."
She paused, her tone turning wry. "Snape has a bad temper, is cold, and doesn't wash his hair, but his potion skills are second to none."
Char grinned. "That's true."
A strange expression flickered across his face. He had originally planned to stop working as Snape's assistant after finding the Half-Blood Prince textbook, but now it seemed he'd have to keep the job for much longer.
"I'll go to Professor Snape as soon as Quidditch practice is over tonight," Char promised.
He then led Professor Sprout to the greenhouse, where she wanted to see the state of the mutated piranha algae for herself.
After dinner that day, in front of the Slytherin Head of House's office, Malfoy and the first-year Slytherins hesitated for a long time before finally mustering the courage to knock.
A moment later, Snape's voice drifted out, sounding uncharacteristically brisk. "Char Sprout? I told you long ago that Quidditch is only for muscular, simple-minded idiots. Especially the Seeker position. Fortunately, you're not one of them, or I'd never let you handle potion materials… It seems you finally listened and decided not to go to Quidditch training?"
The door opened, but instead of Char, Snape saw Malfoy and the other young Slytherins. His expression darkened instantly.
"Malfoy? What are you all doing here?"
Malfoy and the others felt a chill. The contrast in Snape's attitude was obvious. Why was he so much warmer to Char than to his own house?
Malfoy clenched his fists, trying to keep his composure. "Headmaster, are you asking Char Sprout to help with potion materials?"
Snape stared at him, his gaze icy. "Why? Should I report this to Mr. Malfoy?"
Malfoy wilted under the glare. "No, of course not…" He waved his hands, then, under pressure, added, "But Headmaster, we're Slytherins. It's the House Cup competition. If you need help, we're fully capable of doing it without Char!"
Snape sneered. "You?"
Malfoy lifted his chin. "If a Hufflepuff can do it, why can't we? Give us a chance. What Char can do, we can do better—with so many of us, we'll double or triple the amount of material he gives you!"
Snape's expression shifted, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Are you sure?"
Malfoy and the others nodded in unison. "Sure!"
Snape regarded them for a long moment, then nodded. "Very well. Consider this a lesson. Next time, do your homework before making a challenge. At least then you'll know your opponent's strength."
With a wave of his wand, baskets of Flobberworms—enough to form a small mountain—fell into the arms of Malfoy and his friends.
"You must process all of this before dawn tomorrow."
Malfoy and the others stared at the squirming Flobberworms in horror. For a moment, they wondered if Snape had made a mistake.
"Headmaster… there's so many. Can we really finish before morning? Did you mean the day after tomorrow, or next week?"
Snape arched an eyebrow. "Stay up all night? Did you misunderstand? If you can't do it in one night, why should you compete with Char?"
The Slytherins looked at each other, realizing just how much they had underestimated Char's quiet diligence and skill. The real competition had only just begun.
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