Requirements for Joining the Club

After arriving at Hogwarts, Luan realized that magic had no limit to how wondrous it could be.

Professor Sprout gently poured a single drop of potion from the bottle in her hand into the holly tree's pot. The previously bare sapling instantly brimmed with vitality and sprouted tender buds.

Under Luan's astonished gaze, the tiny buds slowly grew larger, sending out shoots as the branches steadily lengthened.

"This is Plant Growth Potion, a very difficult intermediate potion to brew."

After speaking, Professor Sprout replaced the cap and handed the potion bottle over.

At that moment, Luan finally understood how Harry had felt when he received the Nimbus 2000.

No wonder that refined-looking boy had spent the entire day going on about his flying broom, not even caring about his punishment in Potions Class.

But compared with the Nimbus 2000, Luan felt that potions were more practical.

"To ensure these saplings fully absorb the potion's energy, each plant can only receive one drop per day at most."

After saying that, Professor Sprout gestured for Luan to treat the remaining two plants.

He gently tilted the bottle until a drop of thick, emerald-green potion reluctantly left its mouth, then immediately drew the small bottle back.

Watching new branches grow from the willow in the pot, Professor Sprout nodded approvingly.

"Not bad. There may only be fifteen drops of potion in here, but it is enough to support them until they become Great Trees with five growth rings."

"Wait, Professor, are you saying that one drop can turn a sapling into a one-year-old tree?"

Luan stared incredulously at the potion bottle in his hand, then turned to Professor Sprout for confirmation.

"That's right. We have our school's exceptionally talented Potions Master to thank for that. Otherwise, the Plant Growth Potion could never have achieved such excellent results."

"You mean Professor Snape?"

"Of course. His talent for potions was already remarkable when he was a student. I simply never expected his skills to become even greater now."

Luan could not understand Professor Sprout's praise for Snape. He only felt that the Potions Class professor was extremely difficult to communicate with.

Especially for Gryffindor students.

Once Luan had treated all the saplings, Sprout nodded in satisfaction.

"Mr. Scarlett, I believe Cedric has already told you about the Daffodil Club."

"Yes, Professor."

"Actually, I founded this club so that Young Wizards talented in Herbology and Plant Magic could exchange ideas with one another." As Sprout spoke, she suddenly turned to look at him.

"Oh, I haven't asked yet. Are you interested in joining this club?"

"Of course, Professor!"

Luan had absolutely no reason to refuse now.

It was not only because Professor Sprout had rewarded him with a potion far beyond his expectations. More importantly, Luan knew that joining would allow him to learn even more magical knowledge.

"Good. Since you are willing, I'll continue. Joining the Daffodil Club does have requirements."

As Hogwarts's most authoritative small group in Herbology and Plant Magic, the Daffodil Club required prospective members to master the characteristics of a herbological plant and make reasonable use of them.

Normally, the youngest students able to meet this requirement were Third Years. Young Wizards like Luan, who displayed such talent in First Year, were rare, which was why Sprout was willing to offer him additional support.

In truth, after Luan's three saplings had held on for three days, Sprout had already determined that all of them would survive.

Her plant potion had merely shortened their growth cycle.

As for how to use the plants' characteristics to provide convenience for magic, that was something Luan needed to accomplish himself.

This would also be the proof of whether Luan could join the Daffodil Club.

"All right, Mr. Scarlett. The rest is up to you."

After saying that, Sprout put on her Dragon Hide Gloves. She still needed to transplant some herbological plants in the herb field for the Young Wizards' classes next week.

Before leaving, she glanced once more at the saplings that were still growing without pause.

"Remember, you must not give them potion too frequently. They have already reached their limit. Also, move them outside the Greenhouse, or the ceiling here will suffer."

"Understood, Professor."

After agreeing, Luan immediately began carrying the flowerpots outside.

The three saplings had already shot up considerably. The Little Willow Tree was growing best of all, and it had already risen above Luan's head.

Once he had moved all the pots out, Luan fetched a shovel and began digging holes.

He knew that one-year-old saplings would certainly not stay obediently in flowerpots. They needed more spacious dormitories.

Outside the Greenhouse stood two rows of sturdy, attractive trees that had likely been planted long ago. The most common variety was the small-leaved linden, whose leaves and flowers were both beautiful.

Luan chose a spot beside the small-leaved lindens for the saplings' dormitory.

While he dug, the saplings in their pots continued growing as though urging him to hurry.

Luan had no choice but to speed up. Just then, someone suddenly walked over from the Quidditch pitch.

"I was training just now and saw you digging holes, so I thought you might need some help."

It was Cedric. Today was the Hufflepuff team's training day, and he had spotted Luan from the air.

As he spoke, Cedric fetched another shovel and joined the hole-digging crew.

"Thank you very much."

"No need to thank me. I think you'll become a member of our club sooner or later anyway."

With Cedric's help, the three holes, each less than two feet deep, were quickly dug.

After placing the saplings inside and filling the holes with soil, Cedric left. Luan, meanwhile, planned to visit Hagrid before the sun set.

When he had gathered the saplings last time, Hagrid had helped him prepare many things. Luan had always remembered it. Now that he had obtained such a miraculous potion, he felt it necessary to share his joy.

He returned to his dormitory to bring Bouncing, then picked up the small wooden carving he had made during spare moments that week before heading once again to the hut.

"Is this a wooden Fang you carved?"

The palm-sized carving in Luan's hands was only as large as three of Hagrid's fingers once it was in his hand.

"That's right. It's my thanks."

As Luan spoke, he placed Bouncing atop Fang's head. The two had already become good friends the last time they met.

"Wow, I never knew you had this skill! Look, Fang! It looks exactly like you did when you were little."

Fang clearly had little interest in the carving. He merely glanced at it before resuming his play with Bouncing.

"Hmm, looks like friends matter more to him." Hagrid placed the little carving on the chest of drawers beside his bed and gave the wooden dog's head a pat.

"Luan, would you like some Hagrid's Rock Cakes? I improved the recipe. You'll definitely like it."

It had to be said that Hagrid's creativity in the culinary arts was incredibly bold.

After adding Rock cakes to the tea broth, he had actually tossed in a handful of shredded salted dried fish.

"What do you think? I caught these fish in the Black Lake last year, then salted and dried them for a whole year."

Luan took only one sip, then set down his spoon with a deeply furrowed brow.