Chapter 13: 13: Herbalism

“Professor Sprout.”

Upon reaching the professor, Bruce, who had been boisterous all along the way, actually became quite reserved.

“Oh, Mr. Bruce Dickinson, Leon Howard, and Mr. Pistis Jefferson, I am so glad you could come to help,”

Professor Sprout wore a hat with thick patches, and her smile was like a high-hanging warm sun.

“A new seedling? Child, it is lovely to meet you. What is your name?”

She set down the large shears she was using to process Mandrake tubers and leaned down to look at Sean.

She didn't ask why he was there; instead, she pulled off her mud-stained dragonhide gloves, her warmth reminiscent of the old lady from the orphanage who frequently came to donate.

Even though not a single penny of her money ever reached the orphans, it didn't stop Sean from admiring her.

“Sean Green.”

Sean also acted quite shy.

“Mr. Green, I am so glad you are here to help as well. Mr. Dickinson, would you mind taking him with you to process the mature plants?”

Professor Sprout gave Sean’s cheek a gentle pinch, then enthusiastically assigned the tasks.

“Mr. Howard, I shall leave those weeds to you. As for Mr. Jefferson, I would like you to sort the Dittany by its different growth stages; that will be the first plant the seedlings need to get to know.”

“Yes, Professor.”

Sean saw Bruce roll up his sleeves and respond in a low voice, while Leon replied that it was no problem.

As for Pistis Howard, he seemed even more constrained than Bruce, merely nodding vigorously with a flushed face.

*Professor Sprout seems to hold a very high status in the hearts of the Hufflepuff seniors,* Sean thought.

“I dare say, it’s hard to find a more caring professor than Professor Sprout. Every Hogwarts student is like her own child,”

Bruce mentioned Professor Sprout with a smile, his eyes sparkling.

“She has been voted the most popular professor for many consecutive years... Now, let’s get to the mature plants first. Looks like a big job!”

Sean nodded, and the two began weaving through the pumpkin-shaped plants, among which were scattered pots of purple-red Dittany.

“First, we collect the mature Dittany from in here. Hmm, do you know which Dittany is mature?”

As Bruce handed Sean a small pair of scissors, he began trimming the Dittany.

Sean shook his head; it wasn't written in the books.

“That’s the kind of thing you can’t learn from books. I’ll teach you.”

Saying this, Bruce leaned close to a pot of Dittany and sniffed it, then with a *snip*, cut it away.

“Dittany has a faint, sheep-like smell. When it is mature, this scent becomes stronger. Come, try to smell it.”

Sean leaned in to sniff and found that the Dittany indeed had different scents at different stages, and the Dittany picked by Senior Bruce carried a slightly stronger, sheep-like odor.

Senior Bruce smiled

“Mature Dittany increases the success rate of Revitalizing Potions; conversely, immature Dittany is very likely to cause the potion to fail. This is—the charm of Herbology.”

His words opened the door that Sean had been searching for.

Sean nodded and quickly joined the ranks of those harvesting mature Dittany.

The two of them were like Nifflers searching for treasure, sniffing and looking around among the pumpkin-shaped plants.

During the process, Sean's proficiency in identifying mature Dittany gradually increased.

The difference was that, due to his tall stature and darker skin, Bruce looked more like a marmot.

Whereas due to his outstanding looks and agile movements, Sean looked more like a cat darting through the grass.

“That’s about enough. Let’s process the Dittany.”

Senior Bruce waved to Sean, carrying a bag of Dittany.

“Mhm.”

Sean stopped and watched as Bruce took two silver knives and something resembling a strainer from the area near the greenhouse perimeter where the hoes were piled.

“There are many difficulties in cutting Dittany. Generally speaking, it’s the three-stage method. Watch closely.”

As Senior Bruce spoke, he cut the Dittany into three sections, using different cutting techniques for each.

The cuts became finer toward the end, and eventually, he even used the strainer-like tool to press it.

“This is because the distribution of Dittany essence is uneven, so different methods must be used during processing. Want to try?”

Sean nodded and took the tools.

【You have fully processed a plant of Dittany to the standard of an apprentice, Proficiency +1】

The corners of Sean's mouth curled up involuntarily, and he worked even harder.

【You have fully processed a plant of Dittany to the standard of an apprentice, Proficiency +1】

【You have fully processed a plant of Dittany to the standard of an apprentice, Proficiency +1】

【You have fully processed a plant of Dittany to the standard of an apprentice, Proficiency +1】

...

The sounds of the panel increasing rang out continuously, and Sean's hands moved so fast they became a blur.

“He seems to like Herbology a little too much.”

Senior Bruce scratched his head, somewhat caught between laughter and helplessness.

“Sean, Sean, listen to me. It’s time to process the dried Nettle.”

Senior Bruce interrupted Sean's great cutting project and, with a hint of admiration, led him to a patch of nettles.

He would no longer question the boy's passion for Herbology.

“Dried Nettle is an ordinary plant, but after processing, it can become a material for making magical potions. As for the processing...”

...

Sean was like a sponge, absorbing knowledge to the maximum extent.

【You have fully processed a Nettle to the standard of an apprentice, Proficiency +1】

【You have fully processed a Nettle to the standard of an apprentice, Proficiency +1】

Time passed like fine sand.

“Gentlemen, listen to me. You have done very well. Thank you for your help with the new seedlings.”

Professor Sprout's voice interrupted Sean's movements. In his hands, the last Nettle had just been processed, dripping with light blue juice, clearly having undergone a special soaking.

Sean listened silently to the professor, then opened his panel.

【Herbology Cognition: Unlocked (27/90)】 【Note: Herbology Cognition proficiency includes the proficiency of a series of complete processes, such as herb identification and herb processing.】

A proficiency requirement of 90 points—this was the first time Sean had seen this. It was as if it combined the proficiency of three apprentice-level skills.

“Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Green, you successfully helped the seedlings pick away the misleading mature herbs; Mr. Howard, you successfully helped the seedlings remove the weeds; Mr. Jefferson, oh, how should I praise you? Your classification of the Dittany was very meticulous and accurate.”

Professor Sprout's smile was like the light from a fireplace, illuminating everyone.

“Come, children, come to me for some hazelnut chocolate.”

Sean heard Senior Bruce let out an "Aha!" and then immediately cover his mouth tightly.

Leon shook his head, while Senior Pistis smiled candidly, seemingly still immersed in the professor's praise.

Walking in a small line along the path, the greenhouse looked much cleaner and tidier.

Most of the plants that needed harvesting had been handled by Senior Bruce, and a small portion had been processed by Sean.

The weeds had also vanished, and even the Dittany pots in the very center were neatly arranged according to their different stages.

When Sean walked up to the professor, he forced his gaze to move away from that delicious-looking hazelnut chocolate.

“Professor Sprout, may I come to help at other times?”

He asked somewhat nervously.

(End of Chapter)