Chapter 24: Herbalism Class

“Ghosts are truly strange,

There are kind, plump monks, headless Sir Nicholas, and even the Professor...”

Justin opened his assignment, which contained a rough outline.

“Oh, if only he wouldn't suddenly become so muddled.

Cedric said there has never been such a long assignment for first years.

He tried to find Professor Binns but couldn't find him anywhere.

I suspect even if he did find him, it wouldn't necessarily make the Professor change his mind.

A foot of parchment, Merlin's beard... this is still too difficult. Sheen, are you finished?”

Justin closed his assignment sheepishly, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.

“Yeah.”

Sheen nodded, then took a piece of parchment and a light blue notebook from his bag.

The parchment contained the essay outlines written by Michael and the others, while the light blue notebook was Sheen's summarized and organized version of *A History of Magic*.

He had another identical notebook used for organizing his thoughts and inspirations.

“My god! Sheen, you actually finished?!”

Justin covered his mouth immediately after speaking.

“Even though I knew this wouldn't defeat you, I still find it hard to believe every time it happens...

Are we really in the same year of wizards...”

His voice trailed off into a whisper, almost inaudible.

“I'll only look at a tiny bit of the outline; I definitely won't copy your work.

If I ever did such a thing, may I never be allowed into the kitchens again.”

Justin made the promise with sudden seriousness, his grayish-blue eyes conveying sincerity and a subtle, imperceptible nervousness.

“Mm.”

Sheen placed the notebook in Justin's hands and left the Great Hall for the library.

The early morning was when he was most energetic, so Sheen would tackle more difficult tasks.

For instance, completely restructuring *A History of Magic*,

Combining it with *Modern Magical History*, *Important Magical Events of the Twentieth Century*, *The Directory of Contemporary Famous Magicians*, and other books to create a framework uniquely his own.

Sheen felt that this would surely help him achieve excellence in magical history.

The oak tables in the library were reddish-brown, accompanied by magical lanterns, crystal balls, and some floral arrangements.

Sheen was immersed in the wonders of magical history. It had to be said, wizards certainly knew how to live.

For example, this

【During the Middle Ages, Muggles were particularly terrified of magic, but they were not skilled at identifying it.

Occasionally, they did actually catch wizards or witches, but in such instances, burning them yielded no real effect.

When being burned, wizards or witches would cast a basic magic to freeze the flames,

While enjoying the gentle, tingling pleasure produced by the fire, they would feign agony and scream.

The Seer Windlin loved being burned so much that she allowed herself to be caught in various disguises,

Doing so no fewer than forty-seven times.】

This was far from the tragic massacres of wizards by burning that Sheen had imagined,

And it was also far from the wizards Sheen had imagined.

After finishing his reorganization of the Middle Ages, Sheen had to face that question once again

Where was he going to find potion ingredients?

Perhaps Professor Sprout would have some unwanted materials?

Perhaps he could find a way to buy some in Hogsmeade? As long as he found the castle's secret passages.

Perhaps he could ask Professor Sprout—whether a young wizard could use Hogwarts' potion ingredients after class to brew potions? And then practice in secret?

But that method was extremely risky and would require great caution.

However, there were always more solutions than difficulties. Sheen took out his notebook, preparing to organize his complex thoughts.

But as he flipped to the first page, he froze

【Emmerich was a short-lived but extremely vicious Dark Wizard...】

Sheen continued flipping

【Because he heard the cry of the Augurey, Ulric firmly believed he had died and become a ghost...】

That's not right!

In the Great Hall.

Justin was staring at the parchment, mesmerized. His gaze was focused, and he occasionally let out low gasps

“Oh, you can write it like that? Truly a genius...”

With a sense of realization, he flipped open the light blue notebook, but the content within made his hand hover in mid-air.

【Searching for ingredients to brew potions】

“Sheen wants to practice potion brewing on his own?”

That was his first thought.

“Sheen is troubled by a lack of ingredients?”

That was his second thought.

“I have some.”

That was his final thought.

He carefully put away the parchment and the notebook. Before Herbology class began, he sprinted back to the Hufflepuff Common Room.

The room was surrounded by green vines, and the tables were always laden with steaming milk, pumpkin juice, and various sweets and pies.

He followed a small path lined with candles into his dormitory and opened his luxurious large trunk.

Beside scattered letters and postcards were various jars and crystal bottles.

If one looked closely, they would find that every potion ingredient a first-year wizard needed could be found here in duplicate.

He remembered the conversation in Slug & Jiggers Apothecary that day

“Are you certain you want the entire set packed twice?”

“Yes, please, sir.”

“Oh, my generous lady, I truly do not wish to deceive such a beautiful woman...

In fact, these potion ingredients are not on the Hogwarts procurement list.

Even so, do you still require them?”

“That is precisely why I want two sets, sir.”

At this moment, Justin vaguely sensed his mother's foresight.

“My dear Fenley, if everyone has something, you must have something better;

If no one has something, you should possess it even more.

Those small expenses are necessary investments.

As for the best investment, you always know, darling—it is sincerity and love.”

“I think I might understand now...”

Justin gazed at the overflowing trunk for a long time. The collar of his perpetually white and crisp shirt seemed to still hold the warmth of his mother's iron.

Hogwarts Library.

Sheen walked out of the archway, waiting for the stairs to rotate into place.

He didn't intend to go back to Justin to retrieve the notebook, because the second period, Herbology, was about to start.

Besides, there wasn't much confidential content in the notebook, just some methods for processing herbs and his thoughts on finding potion ingredients.

After class, he could exchange truly useful notes with Justin,

And at the same time, get his notebook back.

Eight o'clock.

Soft sunlight danced upon the armor,

And the scent of fresh grass from the greenhouses still lingered in the outer corridors.

Sheen pushed open the large oak doors.

A few scattered young wizards had already arrived at the greenhouses.

Sheen saw Professor Sprout set down her hoe and nod at him with a smile.

“Over here! Sheen!”

Michael grabbed Sheen's arm,

Pulling him over to Anthony and Terry.

“Why do I feel like the Professor is looking at you?”

Michael said, craning his neck.

(End of Chapter)