The Instinct to Gloat

After Ron's reminder, Hermione realized what had happened.

"What should we do then?" she puffed out her cheeks. "I actually think that Inferi is a really good idea--"

"That's really good." Harry nodded in agreement with Hermione's suggestion. "Just because we learned something in class before doesn't mean we remember it now. We need to review past knowledge regularly so we can identify our weaknesses."

"So you think this is a good idea too, right?" Hermione asked with a beaming smile.

"Of course," Harry shrugged. "Not everyone has seen one of these things. Actually, I'd love to see their expressions when they find out they're about to face Inferi. What do you think?"

Ron and Ginny exchanged a glance, thought for a moment, and then both burst out laughing.

However, as soon as they laughed out loud, they realized that what they were doing seemed a bit inappropriate, so they both tried their best to hold it in, using all their strength, and finally managed not to appear particularly gloating.

"Laugh if you want," Harry said with a shrug. "After all, schadenfreude is one of everyone's hobbies, isn't it?"

With next week's events still a long way off, Harry took advantage of the time to venture into some caves deep within the Forbidden Forest and capture dozens of Inferi.

These Inferi are the sins left behind by the Ashwinder Party. Because there are so many caves in the North Scottish Highlands, and Harry and his friends were too lazy to search them one by one, these Inferi have been left here.

Indeed, these are creations of Dark Arts; even after a hundred years, Inferi bodies have not decayed and they look almost as if they had just died.

But they were truly dead; their deathly pale skin would have been terrifying if they had appeared before someone in the middle of the night.

Harry put all the Inferi into his wallet, intending to use them for the next event.

He was actually quite eager to see the scene of everyone suddenly encountering the Inferi.

Tuesday morning, the high-latitude sunlight was extremely gentle, not harsh at all. The sixth-year Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students had already gathered at the entrance of the Third Greenhouse, the air filled with the damp scent of soil and the pungent aroma of some kind of plant.

Professor Sprout wore a robe stained with mud, his round face bearing his usual gentle expression, but his eyes were unusually serious.

"Today, children," she clapped her hands to quiet them, "We will learn how to safely collect the venom and seeds of the Venomous Tentacula —and I must emphasize, 'safety' is the only key word."

Deep inside the Greenhouse, in an area separated by specially made glass, several Venomous Tentacula were slowly wriggling.

Their thick, thorny vines looked extremely frightening, and some of the thin, weak branches secreted an unknown liquid that was clearly highly poisonous.

"Venomous Tentacula," Professor Sprout said. "Its tendrils are mobile and will try to grab nearby live prey—at the same time, its tender branches secrete venom, and its thorns are also highly poisonous. So I need to remind you that a bite from a Venomous Tentacula is fatal."

Its seeds spring out violently when it senses a threat; if they hit the eye—

Professor Sprout stopped there.

But needless to say, everyone shuddered after hearing those words.

The operating procedures were strictly prescribed by Professor Sprout: everyone had to wear thick, long Dragonhide Gloves and special goggles to protect their faces; movements had to be extremely slow and steady, and absolutely no actions had to provoke the plants' hostility.

Collecting venom requires a special pipette; simply insert it gently into the flower bud to extract a small amount. To collect seeds, sprinkle a special powder around the base of the plant, which will induce a drowsy state in the Venomous Tentacula, allowing you to carefully pick them up with silver tongs.

It sounds complicated, and it's actually quite difficult to do.

Neville stood beside Harry, his eyes Winky; he clearly possessed an extraordinary love and talent for this dangerous yet fascinating plant.

His movements were even gentler than Professor Sprout had demonstrated; the largest Venomous Tentacula seemed unusually docile under his touch.

"You really have a talent for these plants, Neville," Ron exclaimed, genuinely impressed by Neville's expertise in Herbology.

Harry didn't learn how to deal with Venomous Tentacula in class a hundred years ago, but fortunately Pabbie had some knowledge of magical plants and they had come into contact with them privately.

He completed the task assigned by Professor Sprout with ease, and together with Neville, scored ten points for Gryffindor.

After the class, most students successfully collected the necessary materials, but some had small holes burned in their robes by the splattering pus (luckily, it didn't touch their skin). One Hufflepuff student, because he hadn't sprinkled enough powder, was hit in the goggles by a shot-out seed, making a crisp "clang" sound, which startled him and made him turn pale.

When Ron sat in the Great Hall after class, he was still somewhat reluctant to leave. He had only been assisting with the tasks in Herbology Class today, with Hermione doing most of the work.

This guy is being a bit inhuman.

"I'm actually quite curious," Ron asked Harry during dinner. "You said you used to make throwing weapons with Venomous Tentacula. How did you do that? Oh, pigeons, I didn't mean anything by it. I was just saying, these things look so grumpy, how do you even throw them?"

"Can't you wear Dragonhide Gloves?" Harry looked at Ron with the same look he'd seen a fool. "You can put the Venomous Tentacula in the Untraceable Extension Charm pouch. When you need them, just put on the Dragonhide Gloves, take them out, and throw them at your target—as for your target, well, good luck to him."

"I don't think anyone would wear Dragonhide Gloves all the time," Ginny said with a smile.

"But I really do have Dragonhide jacket," Ron said proudly, patting his jacket to show everyone.

"Alright, alright, we all know you have that Dragonhide jacket," Ginny rolled her eyes. "I'm really curious, why are Fred and George so willing to spend money on you—is it compensation for how they always bullied you when you were little?"

"It's hard to say." Ron nodded in agreement. "You know, because of those two, I've been quite traumatized."

Ginny didn't refute it, after all, everyone knew that Ron's arachnophobia stemmed from Fred scaring him with spiders when he was a child.

"Poor child." Hermione suddenly felt a surge of maternal instinct, opened her arms and hugged Ron, rubbing his head.

Ron seemed to be enjoying himself, and he even gave Ginny a smug smile, which made Ginny roll her eyes several times.

My lovestruck brother...

It's hopeless.

"But isn't it a bit inappropriate to only deal with Magical Creatures?" Seamus suddenly interjected. "You know, the threats in the Magical World aren't just Magical Creatures, but also those Dark Wizard —besides learning how to deal with Magical Creatures, shouldn't they also actually fight a few Dark Wizard in real combat?"

"Dark Wizard?" Harry raised an eyebrow. "Oh yes, Dark Wizard aren't so easy to deal with—but you're right, after all, you guys tried it in your second year, it's time to give these guys a little something to work with."

Upon hearing Harry's words, they all became excited.

However, Harry still didn't intend to send them to deal with wild Dark Wizard, as those people were far too dangerous.

If the first move is an Avada Kedavra, the intensity would be too great for younger students or those who haven't experienced real wizarding combat.

We still need to do it the same way as before: use the Imperius Curse to control the situation and keep it under control.

At least you can't start with Avada Kedavra, but Cruciatus Curse should be... okay?

If you want to fight Dark Wizard in actual combat, then you must be prepared to suffer an Unforgivable Curse.

"But Dark Wizard aren't easy to find these days, are they?" Hermione suddenly said. "At least not in Britain— "

"You're mistaken, Hermione," Harry suddenly laughed. "Dark Wizard are easy to find; there are plenty in Knockturn Alley, aren't there?"

Oh, Knockturn Alley.

That's alright then.

Hermione had heard of Knockturn Alley, but as a good student, she never thought of Knockturn Alley.

It's not because of the regulations, but because I feel that place is too dangerous. If I had enough money, I could go and buy some good stuff.

"I need to write this down first." Harry put it on the agenda. "Let me find a suitable candidate first—"

After the meal, it was Professor Flitwick's Charms Class.

As usual, Professor Flitwick stood on a stack of books, emphasizing the key points of the Aguamenti in his distinctively high-pitched voice.

"Remember, magic doesn't come from nothing—" Professor Flitwick waved his short arms, "You are guiding the moisture in your environment, shaping it with your will! Watch my gesture—your wrists must be flexible, the movement a smooth S-shape, imagine the natural trajectory of flowing water—"

As he spoke, Professor Flitwick waved his wand, drawing a hissing line of fire in mid-air.

"Did you see that? The incantation is Aguamenti (Water-Making Spell)."

After drawing the trajectory of the Charms, Professor Flitwick demonstrated it to everyone several more times.

Hermione stared intently at Professor Flitwick, her body leaning slightly forward as her Quill flew across the Parchment, filling more than half a page with notes, silently chanting incantations. Ron beside her tried to mimic the wand movements, but it looked more like he was shooing away an invisible fly.

Harry watched Ron's actions and suddenly remembered what Professor Flitwick had made Seamus copy.

"I am a wizard, not a baboon who just randomly waves his wand."

He felt that Ron was starting to have that feeling now.

"Now, pair up, aim at the empty cups in front of you, and begin practicing!" Professor Flitwick commanded.

Immediately, a cacophony of chanting filled the classroom.

"Aguamenti (Water-Making Spell)!"

A stream of clear water instantly flowed from the tip of Hermione's wand and poured precisely into the glass, filling it just enough to barely fill it.

Then, a satisfied look appeared on her face.

"Your turn, Ron." She turned to look at Ron.

Ron cleared his throat and, mimicking Ron, raised his wand.

But before he could cast the spell, a sudden exclamation came from the other end of the classroom.

Immediately afterwards, he was blasted away by a waterspout and crashed heavily to the ground.

It's Seamus.

His wand, as if it had been holding back for a long time, suddenly erupted with a force that was less like a stream of water and more like a waterspout, instantly overturning his cup and slamming Ron to the ground.

"Mr. Finnegan!" Professor Flitwick screamed, frantically waving his wand to clean up the mess. "Control! I told you to control your will! Your willpower is too violent!"

Seamus apologized to Ron with a long face.

Ron spat out a mouthful of water and glared fiercely at Seamus.

You bastard!

A small puddle had formed around him, and everyone burst into laughter at the sight of the disheveled Ron and the embarrassed Seamus.

This brief interlude passed quickly, and the students continued to practice the Charms.

The vast majority of students successfully summoned the Water Spirit, including Crabbe and Goyle.

It seems the special training did have some effect; the Troll brothers have all improved.

This is a good thing.

When the bell rang to signal the end of get out of class, everyone was still somewhat reluctant to leave.

But Seamus was impatient. He felt as if he had a flash of inspiration. Thinking about the water tornado he had just experienced and the ice-type skills in the game, he was eager to try and see if he could develop a practical water-type attack Charms.

"Homework!" Professor Flitwick shouted from the doorway, "Read Chapter Five of * Advanced Charms * and submit a twelve-inch essay discussing the influence of will imagery on the effects of the Aguamenti!"

Ron let out a wail.

"You, Mr. Weasley," Professor Flitwick noticed Ron, "You need to submit two chapters!"

Ron immediately stopped complaining.

After class, Ron grabbed Seamus.

"Tell me!" he demanded fiercely, "Did you do this on purpose or not?!"

"I'm so sorry, so sorry." Seamus clasped his hands together, apologizing repeatedly. "I really didn't mean it— Ron, you know me, my Charms often undergo explosive mutations, and I can't control them—"

"Hmph." Ron snorted. "I suppose you didn't do it on purpose—but could I ask you a favor? Next time you try out a Charms, could you please not point your wand at me?"

"I tried," Seamus said, scratching his head. "I really didn't mean to. I don't know why that waterspout went straight for you, but thankfully you weren't hurt—"

"I wasn't actually hurt, but I'm traumatized," Ron said, somewhat sadly. "Have you ever imagined yourself happily in class one day, and suddenly being swept away by a waterspout—"