Herbs? They're All Food

Chapter 16: Herbs? They're All Food

Brook walked calmly up to the podium.

"Professor McGonagall."

"Your Transfiguration talent is impressive."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"Can you tell me why you snapped off the match head?"

Brook paused slightly, not expecting Professor McGonagall to notice that detail.

But it wasn't something he couldn't explain.

So he began to elaborate.

"Turning a match into a needle involves not just a change in form, but also a conversion of material properties. A match is made of wood and a phosphorus head; changing both materials' properties at once is very difficult. So I took a shortcut, converting only the wood into metal, then gradually adjusting the size and structure of the metal's ends to finally form the needle."

"What a brilliant idea."

"I just broke the steps down to lower the difficulty."

A smile of approval appeared on Professor McGonagall's face.

"Your method, though not suitable for advanced Transfiguration, is indeed an effective practice technique for beginners. The hardest part of learning is the angle of thinking. It seems I need to consider how to better teach you beginners as well."

"Professor McGonagall, your teaching is excellent. The reason I had that insight is also thanks to your guidance."

Professor McGonagall's smile widened.

"Gryffindor, ten points. Alright, hurry to your next class. Don't be late."

"Yes, Professor."

Brook, along with Hermione who had already packed his bag for him, left the Transfiguration classroom together.

Hermione let out a sigh of relief. "Phew, I was terrified. I thought Professor McGonagall would punish you for what happened earlier."

Brook ruffled Hermione's head.

"Since Professor McGonagall didn't punish me publicly at the time, she won't bring it up later."

"By the way, can you tell me more about that method you mentioned?"

"Of course, but not now."

Hermione looked puzzled.

"Check the time. Charms Class is about to start."

"Ah!" Hermione snapped to attention and grabbed Brook's hand, running toward the Charms classroom.

The Charms professor was Filius Flitwick.

He was shorter than Hermione and looked a bit like a goblin.

But goblins aren't allowed to hold wands.

So Flitwick likely had goblin blood.

Professor Flitwick's lectures were very interesting.

Still, the entire class was theoretical, not yet the time for them to wave their wands freely.

In the afternoon was Professor Pomona Sprout's Herbology Class.

It was held in the greenhouse outside the castle.

She was plump and had a very warm smile when she laughed.

Over the course of the lesson, she detailed the cultivation methods and uses of various fungal plants.

Brook stared at these fungi, lost in thought.

He only had one idea right now.

Could these be eaten?

He was afraid he'd end up lying flat after eating them.

Sprout mentioned that all these fungi could be used for healing.

So if he boiled them for over thirty minutes, it should be fine, right?

As Sprout announced the end of class, Brook walked straight up to her.

"Professor."

"Mr. Lott, is there something you need?"

"Professor, I'm very interested in growing plants. Could I have some of each type of plant in your greenhouse? I want to try cultivating them myself."

"That's possible, but you should know these plants have very strict requirements for temperature and humidity. I'm worried you'll have trouble keeping them alive in your dormitory."

"I can set up a small greenhouse in the dormitory—I'm really good at that."

"You know how to build a greenhouse?"

Brook nodded seriously.

"Well then, since you're so interested, go ahead and give it a try."

"Thank you, Professor." Brook was delighted.

Finally, he'd have something to eat.

Under Professor Sprout's guidance, Brook carefully transplanted each type of fungus into several small pots.

At the same time, Sprout gave him more detailed instructions on cultivation, along with temperature and humidity control requirements.

Brook committed all these points to memory.

Though Hermione had no idea what Brook was up to, she still came over to help.

"Professor, um... can these fungi be eaten directly?"

"Eaten?" Sprout looked a bit puzzled.

"It's like this—to better understand the medicinal properties of the plants I grow, I usually try tasting a little bit to experience their effects firsthand."

Sprout's eyes lit up with surprise.

Every good herbalist tested remedies on themselves.

Brook was exactly her kind of student.

"Their properties are all mild and non-toxic. You can try a little if you like."

"Great, thank you so much, Professor."

Brook was thrilled.

"But Mr. Lott, you must remember—not all plants are suitable for self-testing. If you're ever unsure, feel free to come ask me." Sprout warned seriously.

"I will, Professor. As for the other... plants, could you give me some too?" Brook asked tentatively.

"If you succeed in cultivating these fungi, I'll consider it." Sprout said with a smile.

"Thank you, Professor. In a little while, I'll show you the results."

Then he and Hermione each carried a few flowerpots and left the greenhouse.

Watching Brook's careful manner, Sprout felt even more satisfied.

At the same time, she cast a somewhat resentful glance toward the eighth floor of the tower.

The Sorting Hat had clearly said Brook was suited for Hufflepuff.

Yet in the end, he was sorted into Gryffindor.

Without Dumbledore's influence, the Sorting Hat wouldn't have changed its mind on the spot.

What a promising student!

Hermione carried her flowerpots beside Brook.

"Since when did you get into growing plants?"

"These aren't plants in my eyes."

Brook said with a grin.

He was in a fantastic mood now.

Especially after getting Sprout's promise to give him more ingredients later—that made him even happier.

Hermione looked at the plants in her arms, a face full of question marks.

"These are all food."

"You're really going to eat them?"

"Absolutely."

"Alright."

Hermione knew Brook had a peculiar obsession with food.

And the Chinese food Brook made was genuinely delicious.

It was just that Brook was too lazy—she'd only had it a few times.

"Hey! Brook, where are you going?"

Hermione suddenly realized Brook wasn't leading her back to the castle, but toward the Forbidden Forest.

"Taking you to explore the woods."

"School rules say students aren't allowed into the Forbidden Forest." Hermione said quickly.

"Don't worry, we'll just stay at the edge, not go in."

Hermione watched Brook heading toward the Forbidden Forest, stamped her foot, and reluctantly followed.

Brook really didn't plan to go deep into the Forbidden Forest—he just needed to handle some things there where it was more convenient.

"Right here is fine."

(Anti-Quibbler: Filius Flitwick: height 1.05 meters, has goblin ancestry.)

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