Harry and Ron, feeling utterly ashamed, had no idea when the laughter had stopped or when McGonagall had sent out the class schedule.
How embarrassing, so incredibly embarrassing.
In a sense, this "living crime" is far more terrifying than the "death penalty."
In Vincent's words, they were already dead at school, socially dead.
"Great!" James kissed his timetable. "The first period is Herbology with Hufflepuff!"
Vincent glanced at it quickly.
The second period is Transfiguration class, there is a Defense Against the Dark Arts in the afternoon, and an Astronomy in the evening.
The day with the fewest classes was Thursday, with Transfiguration class in the morning and Potions Class in the afternoon.
The leisurely days of first grade will likely be reduced next year, with fewer elective courses available.
After breakfast, the Little Lions all came out of the castle.
Beyond the vegetable garden lies a large greenhouse, which serves as the classroom for Herbology.
Sprout's arms were covered in bandages, and his clothes were covered in mud.
Lockhart, who strode across the lawn with her, was different.
His clothes were spotless, and not a single strand of his golden hair was disheveled.
Vincent looked toward the Whomping Willow in the distance.
Most of its branches were hanging with bandages, clearly indicating that it had received meticulous care from her.
Of the two social misfits, only Harry hung his head in shame.
Ron seemed rather self-destructive, as if the whole world owed him Gold Galleons.
"Hello everyone—" Lockhart approached the students with a beaming smile. "I just demonstrated to Professor Sprout how to treat the wounds on the Whomping Willow."
I don't want you to think I'm more knowledgeable about Herbology than she is; I just happened to see a few of these unusual plants while traveling—"
"Today, we're going to the Third Greenhouse!" Sprout said, unusually angrily.
Vincent was about to turn around, he suddenly saw Lockhart's large hand reaching for him.
He dodged to the side, and the other person almost tripped and fell.
"I'm sorry, Professor, this was just an unconscious physical reaction."
Lockhart suddenly realized and leaned closer. "So that's how it is. You truly deserve to be Hogwarts' most outstanding student in recent years..."
Sprout's smile faded.
"Professor Lockhart, we're about to start class."
"Oh—look at me—" Lockhart turned to look at her, "Can I say a few words to Vincent?"
"He's already inside." Sprout said with a faint smile. "Is there something important you need?"
Lockhart looked at the backs of the people standing in the front row, shook his head with great regret, and turned his gaze to Harry, who had his head hanging low.
"Can I talk to Harry for a bit? It won't take up too much time."
Sprout was about to refuse sharply, but he reached out and hugged Harry. "Great, I knew you wouldn't mind."
Before she could react, the greenhouse door was slammed shut.
Vincent glanced back.
You can't hide the look in someone's eyes when they dislike them.
He was convinced Lockhart had offended Sprout.
Merlin's big shorts!
What outrageous thing could a professor with such a good temper have done to make her so angry?
She must have been the one taking care of Whomping Willow all along, Lockhart's so-called treatment method...
If he dared to go to Snape's office...
The image of the enraged Old Bat holding Avada in his left hand Avada Kedavra in his right has appeared.
Sprout found about twenty pairs of earmuffs in different colors in the cabinet.
She placed them on a stool in the middle and stood behind them, waiting patiently.
Five minutes later, Harry pushed open the door and quietly walked in.
"We're repotting our Mandrakes today—can anyone tell me what the characteristics of Mandrakes are?"
Hermione was the first to raise her hand, but Sprout nodded toward Vincent was a step behind.
"Mandrakes has super regenerative properties. It can not only restore people who are under a spell or Transfiguration, but its leaves are also essential for learning Animagus."
"Mr. Wayne, I'm going to add 15 points to your score."
Sprout asked the next question, "Mandrakes is an important component of most antidotes, but it is also dangerous—can anyone tell me why?"
Hermione's little hand shot up.
Unfortunately, she still nodded to Vincent.
"Because hearing the cry of the Mandrakes can be so severe as to be fatal."
"Correct answer! Add 15 points!"
She is not a biased person.
But Lockhart really angered her.
Vincent, who completely ignored this guy, was like one of her own in her eyes.
No need to say anything more, just give me a 30-point tip as a token of my appreciation.
"Look, everyone, our Mandrakes here are still very young." Sprout pointed to a row of green-purple seedlings in the greenhouse.
"Everyone should take a pair of earmuffs and make sure they are worn tightly."
When the students scrambled to grab the last two, Vincent arrived last, picked up the pink one.
"When it's safe to remove the earmuffs, I'll give you two thumbs up."
After he put on the earmuffs, the extremely conspicuous pink began to deepen little by little.
Sprout looked slightly surprised, then nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
She put on another pair of khaki-colored clothes, rolled up her sleeves, and firmly grasped the grass leaves on a small pot.
The moment the Mandrakes was pulled out, almost all the students screamed in fright.
Because what it pulled out wasn't grass roots, but a very ugly baby.
The leaves grow on its head, and its skin is a Scabbers light green.
The little guy's mouth was open and closed, clearly shouting at the top of his lungs.
Sprout moved very gently, and in less than half a minute he had changed the large basin.
She gave two thumbs up, "Our Mandrakes are still just seedlings, and hearing their cries won't be fatal."
But they'll make you unconscious for several hours, and I don't think any of you want to miss the first day of school.
Her tone was very calm. "So everyone must wear earmuffs. When it's time to pack up, I'll find a way to get your attention."
"Four people per pot—" She slapped a deep red plant covered in thorns. "Watch out for its Venomous Tentacula, they're growing teeth right now."
The tentacles that had quietly reached her shoulders retracted, hanging down like children who had done something wrong.
Vincent was grouped with three roommates.
Neville was in charge of pulling the plants, James was in charge of repotting, and Alfred was in charge of dumping the Dragon Dung Compost.
Vincent was ultimately responsible for filling in the gaps.
With just a few complex gestures, the powerful compost was automatically compacted.
Their group was very fast; they replaced nearly half of the hundreds of Mandrakes in the row.
Sprout made no attempt to hide the admiration on his face.
She knew Vincent was very talented last year, but she didn't expect that he would start practicing basic Wandless Magic after just one summer.
When Harry and his friends finished the last pot, she suddenly felt like reaching out and gently patting the students' earmuffs.
Each time you tap it, one of the earmuffs will automatically fly back.
"Before get out of class ends, I have to add 20 points to the most efficient group."
The students, who were already in a daze, were even more stunned.
They didn't know that Vincent had just used Wandless Magic, let alone that it was a very advanced technique.