Gryffindor, What Have You All Been Doing?!

Hearing Professor Sprout's explanation of Herbology, Rhine wore a thoughtful expression.

Each of the four Houses had its own flagship subject.

Gryffindor undoubtedly excelled at Transfiguration. The last two Transfiguration professors had both come from Gryffindor.

This highly dangerous subject naturally suited Gryffindor's adventurous nature.

Ravenclaw, meanwhile, took Charms as its specialty. This subject, which studied Ancient Runes and delved deeply into the principles of spells, matched the temperament of the little eagles who thirsted for knowledge.

As for Slytherin, its Potions was unmatched. Both Slughorn and Snape, the two Heads of House, were Potions masters.

Clearly, the prestige, reputation, and wealth surrounding Potions masters—and even the magical liquid of potions themselves, infused with magic like blood—perfectly suited the little snakes' tastes.

And Hufflepuff's flagship subject was undoubtedly Herbology.

Soil and herbs never betrayed hard work. The little badgers might not have been as brave, learned, or ambitious, but their diligence had allowed Hufflepuff to bear abundant fruit in Herbology.

Meanwhile, Neville was not thinking about any of that.

When he heard Professor Sprout award him points, his mind went completely blank, and he simply stood there in a daze.

Neville had never imagined that he could earn points for the House Cup, much less that Professor Sprout would specifically tell the other young wizards to learn from him.

This was truly unprecedented!

"I have to write and tell Gran about this. She's always worried I'll get expelled, but I earned points for Gryffindor!"

"Merlin's beard, she might even cry!"

Even after class, Neville kept excitedly chattering to Rhine about how happy he was.

Rhine merely smiled and clapped his hands.

"Of course. I told you long ago that you're a Herbology genius. Professor Sprout said so too. You believe it now, right?"

"But before you write to your gran, Neville, look over there."

Rhine pointed at a notice posted near the greenhouse entrance.

Neville turned to look.

The notice said that students were being recruited to help care for the greenhouse. Applicants had to be third-years or above and meet certain Herbology grade requirements.

"This is the finest greenhouse in the entire wizarding world, Neville. If you can work here, it'll be an incredibly honorable credential."

"I'm sure neither your gran nor your uncle will ever think you'll be expelled from Hogwarts again. You'll be their pride."

Neville froze for a moment, uncertainty and lack of confidence appearing on his face.

"But it says third-years or above, and there are requirements for Herbology grades too."

"Rhine, I've only had one lesson. What if it was just a coincidence? Maybe Professor Sprout will get angry at me in the next class..."

Before he could finish, Rhine dragged him back into the greenhouse.

"How will you know if you don't try?"

Dragging Neville along, Rhine strode toward Professor Sprout, who was silently cleaning up the mess left behind by the careless young wizards.

"Professor Sprout, I'd like to ask you for something."

Rhine spoke to Professor Sprout.

Professor Sprout gave a start and answered firmly.

"No!"

Rhine paused, and the faint hope in Neville's eyes dimmed as well.

The next second, however, Professor Sprout pulled out a little booklet passed down through generations of Herbology professors—One Hundred Herbology Pranks by Gryffindor Students: Never Lend Plants to Gryffindors!

"Devil's Snare seeds? No! And don't even think about growing Devil's Snare in the lavatory!"

"Mandrakes? No! Whoever tries to hide a Mandrake in the Sorting Hat and make it sing during the Sorting Ceremony, I'll shove their head into the fertilizer!"

"Whomping Willow? Absolutely not! Not even young Whomping Willow, and you are forbidden from throwing one at the backs of your classmates' heads!"

"And methods for grafting a Whomping Willow in the dormitory? Don't even think about it!"

Rhine stood there in a daze.

?

??

The Gryffindor upperclassmen...

What had you all been doing?!

Rhine really had been considering asking Professor Sprout whether she could give him some Whomping Willow seeds.

The mature version of the plant had been incredibly powerful in the Hogwarts game from his previous life. It could even chew through trolls.

Yet before he could even ask, the matter had been dismissed outright.

The Gryffindor upperclassmen had completely blocked this path for him!

Then Rhine said sheepishly,

"Professor, we aren't here to borrow plant seeds."

"We saw the notice recruiting part-time workers at the greenhouse entrance. I thought Neville might be able to give it a try? He really wants to make his gran proud."

Professor Sprout's gaze softened, and a trace of heartache appeared in her eyes.

Naturally, all the professors knew about the Lombarton family.

Neville's parents had been driven mad by the Cruciatus Curse, and young Neville had witnessed everything.

To make Neville forget that cruel and unforgettable sight, he had been given an Obliviate.

The reason Neville was now so forgetful and clumsy was inseparable from what had happened back then.

Professor Sprout, who had always been exceptionally gentle with her students, naturally regarded Neville with even greater care.

Hearing Rhine's request, she hesitated for a moment.

"Caring for the greenhouse is very hard work. It requires patience, as well as extensive Herbology knowledge."

"Even upper-year students find it difficult. There has never been a first-year working here part-time before."

But the next moment, a brilliant smile curled across her lips.

"Still, I think many old conventions should be broken starting this year. Making an exception is no problem."

"So, Neville, if you're willing, you can give it a try."

"But I must tell you in advance that caring for these herbs is very demanding. You'll have to start by washing the upper-year students' tools and learn gradually. At the same time, you must earn an O in every Herbology exam each school year."

"And don't forget the schedule."

Excitement suddenly blazed in Neville's eyes, and he nodded eagerly.

"Professor, I'm not afraid of hard work."

"I definitely won't forget!"

Professor Sprout smiled with pursed lips, waved goodbye to Rhine and Neville, and left.

A line of information appeared on Rhine's system screen.

You and Tu Xingsun arrived at the medicinal field tended by True Person Yu Ding. You helped Tu Xingsun earn True Person Yu Ding's approval.

You have formed a slight connection with True Person Yu Ding. Continue deepening your connection; the benefits will be boundless.

Professor Sprout had been judged as True Person Yu Ding, the Golden Immortal who had twice used medicine to save the army marching against King Zhou in the original tale. It was quite fitting.

The only regret was that Rhine still had not formed even a Casual Acquaintance with Professor Sprout this time.

Still, it was not unexpected. Forming connections with professors was not so easy.

The fact that he had managed to take a shortcut and establish a Casual Acquaintance with Professor McGonagall before had already been an unexpected delight.

He would take it slowly. The more they interacted, the deeper their relationship would eventually become.

But what he lost in the east, he gained in the west. After this incident, Rhine's relationship with Neville had clearly advanced another step.

Your relationship with the young Tu Xingsun has reached Close Friendship. You have obtained the talent—Earth Spirit Primordial Essence.

Claim reward now?

At that moment, Neville was still chattering away as he thanked Rhine.

Rhine, however, smiled faintly.

"What's there to thank me for? We're dorm mates."

"Besides, I've already received the best thank-you gift."

While Neville looked utterly confused, Rhine used a stomachache as an excuse and headed for the lavatory.

Inside one of the lavatory stalls, Rhine looked at the rewards that had been waiting for him to claim since last night, and his heart stirred slightly.

"System, Sharp Ears and Clear Eyes, Body Like a Crane, All Things Manifest, Farming Dexterity, Earth Spirit Primordial Essence..."

"Claim them all!"