Everything, it all connected.
Sean checked his class schedule again.
【Ravenclaw First Year
Monday Morning
Potions, Potions;
Monday Afternoon
History of Magic.
Note: The class hours for first-year young wizards are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM—12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM—3:30 PM.】
The first-year curriculum at Hogwarts was undoubtedly relaxed, with no classes after 3:30 PM.
This also meant that the young wizards needed a greater capacity for self-directed study.
After finishing half a roast chicken at the long table in the Great Hall, Sean’s cheeks were puffed out. Herbology was not like Potions; although there were still some dangerous plants, Sean could avoid the dangerous ones and use the safe magical plants to grind his proficiency, such as herbs like dittany or daisies.
As long as...
He could find Professor Sprout and convince her to let him enter the greenhouses.
Doing odd jobs would be perfect.
Just then, several older Hufflepuff students walked past Sean, their conversation catching his attention.
"Walk faster, Professor Sprout is preparing for the first lesson for the new students today, and we’re going to be busy for a while."
"It’s like this every year. I’m actually quite happy to help the Professor process herbs, I just hope we don't run into those jagged-leaf plants this year. Do you guys know what those are?"
"Ha?! You mean you’ve been sneezing for three weeks and you didn't even bother to find out what that herb was?"
"I thought you guys were badmouthing me behind my back."
"We *were* indeed badmouthing you, but no one can badmouth you for three weeks straight, just like you can't be in a relationship for three weeks straight."
"Hey! Can you stop mocking me like that all the time..."
"If you didn't put itching powder in our hats and un..."
"Hey, hey, stop, I was wrong."
Seeing the three Hufflepuff wizards about to pass by, Sean quickly stood up, his head popping up from the long table.
"The jagged-leaf plant should be Sneezewort. It’s a toxic plant, often used in Confusing Concoctions and Befuddlement Draughts. The dried leaves can also be used to make sneezing powder. If you don't want to get hit, it's best to stay more than two meters away from it, because its pollen drifts with the wind."
Sean’s voice was youthful yet firm, causing the three wizards to stop in their tracks.
"Knowledgeable little wizard, you must be a Ravenclaw freshman, right? But you really shouldn't have told that guy Bruce the truth; he deserves to sneeze his head off."
The wizard with fluffy brown hair looked at him with a teasing glint in his eyes.
"Hey, hey, hey, at least don't do it in front of others..." the short-haired wizard beside him said helplessly.
"If you didn't put itching powder in our hats and un..." a slightly chubby wizard interjected.
"Can we please move past that? I’m begging you two..."
He said this, but there wasn't a hint of regret on his face; instead, there was something... if Sean wasn't mistaken, it looked like he was reminiscing?
"Oh, thanks for telling me that. Sneezing for three weeks straight is no fun. But we have to go now. Next time we meet, I’ll treat you to some Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans."
Just as they were about to leave, they heard Sean’s voice
"I’ve always wanted to learn about those magical herbs. Can I go with you to help Professor Sprout? I can remember every plant in the first-year textbook; perhaps I can be of some help."
Sean quickly finished listing his merits and waited for the result.
In truth, even if these older Hufflepuff students didn't take him, he would have gone himself after hearing the news.
"Huh?" The brown-haired wizard looked troubled.
"Really? You memorized that book that’s as thick as a brick?!" Bruce’s eyes widened.
"Bruce! Professor Sprout never said we could bring people along!" The wizard with the fluffy brown hair immediately realized what his companion was planning.
"Don't worry, Leon. Greenhouse One doesn't have any dangerous plants, remember? Besides, with one more person, we’ll be much faster. We have Divination this afternoon, and I don't want to miss the Tarot-style afternoon tea party."
The short-haired wizard, Bruce, looked at Sean with great interest. "Sorry, but I have to ask a few questions to make sure you won't be like those other young wizards who make a mess of the greenhouse."
He looked apologetic. "What is the nickname for the Aliotsy tree?"
His words were fast and urgent.
"Hyena tree," Sean answered immediately.
"The leaf shape of dittany?"
"Elliptic, oblong, or oblong-lanceolate."
"What does mistletoe produce?"
"Mistletoe berries. They are white berries and are excellent materials for making common antidotes and Forgetfulness Potions."
"You must come with us."
Bruce grabbed Sean’s hand, his expression incredibly serious. The two beside him also looked surprised.
"My name is Bruce, and they are Leon and Pester."
"Sean Green."
...
Just like that, Sean got the opportunity to go to Greenhouse One. They were there to help Professor Sprout process herbs, including weeding, collecting mature herbs, and repelling the tentacles extending from Greenhouse Three.
"Those dangerous plants always have a soft spot for Greenhouse One," Bruce said, spreading his hands, then earnestly cautioned Sean, "Although it’s rare, if you spot them, remember to notify the Professor."
Sean silently committed his words to memory.
Then, under the warm sunshine of the Scottish Highlands, Sean followed the three familiar-looking students out of the castle and arrived in front of three domed buildings of varying sizes.
They had curved roofs, with large sections of glass forming skylights.
"One more thing, Greenhouse One is the one at the very front. If you go to the wrong one, you can only pray Professor Sprout is there. Just kidding, just remember to run fast."
Bruce explained many details to Sean along the way. Although he seemed a bit unreliable, he didn't cut corners on important matters. As he spoke, Leon and Pester nodded, clearly in agreement.
Pushing open the creaking wooden door, a wave of suffocating, humid heat rushed toward them, and Pester’s glasses instantly fogged up.
As far as the eye could see, there were layers upon layers of dazzling green plants.
Huge, knobby, pumpkin-like plants;
Sneezewort planted in pots, with only a cluster of noisy leaves visible at the top;
And wooden racks intertwined with vines around the perimeter of the greenhouse.
The shelves were filled with all sorts of strange-looking flowerpots. Some of the plants inside were puffing out smoke, some had leaves that pulsed like hearts, and others bore glowing, gem-like fruits.
Only a small path was left for passage, and in the middle of the path stood a short witch with flowing gray hair.
(End of chapter)