Hogwarts, the greenhouse.
Professor Sprout, wearing a pair of pink furry earmuffs, looked like a chubby seal wearing pink headphones.
She silently gestured to Neville and Silan.
This indicates that they can begin transplanting Mandrake.
Silan and Neville, both wearing furry earmuffs, nodded and reached out to grab a clump of grass from the large flowerpot in front of them.
The grass leaves are green with a hint of purple, and so thick they resemble human hair.
With a forceful pull, Silan pulled the Mandrake out.
The base of this herb is not a grass root, but an ugly-looking child.
Compared to the infant-like appearance of a seedling, the nearly mature Mandrake has grown into the appearance of a teenager.
Its skin is light green with Scabbers.
Mandrake
The little guy clearly didn't want to leave his homeland; as soon as he was pulled out, he started yelling and screaming at the top of his lungs.
These Mandrake are about to enter puberty, and they are much stronger than when they were babies.
After being pulled up, they shook their bodies wildly, sending mud and compost flying everywhere.
However, Silan was wearing a protective suit, Dragonhide Gloves, and furry earmuffs. No matter how unwilling Mandrake, he still stuffed it into another, larger flowerpot.
Just like fate, it never cares whether you like it or not, it will always kick you from one deep pit into another.
Silan stuffed the Mandrake into a large flowerpot and buried it with damp, dark compost, leaving only the leaves at the top exposed.
After working for a while, the two finished transplanting all the remaining pots of Mandrake.
Professor Sprout watched from the sidelines, nodding silently in approval.
In order to cultivate these students' interest in Herbology, she has recently been asking them to transplant Mandrake.
Silan and Neville were the youngest in this group, but their methods and experience were the most refined.
This shows that they are also working hard to learn about Herbology in their spare time, and even trying to grow herbs themselves.
This pleased Professor Sprout.
After they finished, Professor Sprout patted the mud off his hands, gave them two thumbs up, and took off his pink earmuffs.
"You guys did a great job. Getting your help has really saved me a lot of trouble."
Professor Sprout walked over with a smile, stroking the exposed leaves of the Mandrake, and continued, "These Mandrake are almost ripe, and they're struggling much harder now, but you've done a good job."
"In a little while, they will be fully mature and ready to be used to brew Potions."
"Those poor students will finally be freed from petrification."
At this point, Professor Sprout's round face broke into a half-circle smile, "Gryffindor and Slytherin, each get 10 points."
Neville opened his mouth excitedly, his hands waving back and forth somewhat awkwardly.
He felt both proud and honored to have earned extra points for the college through his own efforts.
This is also an affirmation of his hard work in studying herbs.
A person becomes more confident when they receive the rewards and recognition they expect for their hard work.
Of course, Neville didn't forget who recognized his talent and had been providing him with a place to grow herbs.
"This is all thanks to Silan's help," Neville thought. "I can never repay Silan's kindness in this lifetime!"
"Thank you for your help."
Professor Sprout politely thanked him again.
"Professor, you're too kind. We should be thanking you," Silan said modestly. "After all, you've given us this valuable learning opportunity."
"It is truly an honor for us to be personally instructed by a herbal master like yourself, and to be exposed to such a rare herb as Mandrake."
Silan's praise hit Professor Sprout right where it hurt, making her unconsciously happy.
Who wouldn't love a polite, talented little wizard who also loves herbs?
Seeing that Professor Sprout was in a good mood, Silan seized the opportunity and took out a herbal remedy she had prepared the day before.
"Professor, these are herbs we grew ourselves. They recently ripened and were harvested, and we wanted to give you some." Silan gave a shy yet expectant smile. "We hope you can also give us some advice."
To be honest, Professor Sprout hadn't received any herbs from the young wizards in a long time.
As a herbalist, the young wizards subconsciously assumed that her greenhouse had everything, or felt that their own herbs were not good enough and were embarrassed to give them to her.
In fact, Professor Sprout was delighted to see the young wizards cultivating herbs themselves and was very happy to receive herbs from them.
Professor Sprout was both surprised and moved by Silan's sudden action, and for a moment he was at a loss for words.
After wiping his hands on his apron, Professor Sprout hurriedly accepted the herbs that Silan offered.
"Dittany, Belladonna, Sneezewort ..." Professor Sprout knew these herbs like the back of his hand. "And even Chomping Cabbage? You actually managed to grow it?"
Professor Sprout was pleasantly surprised to see the Chomping Cabbage tied up.
These exotic magical plants are not so easy to cultivate.
But now it seems that they not only succeeded, but the quality of the children they raised was also very good.
Most importantly, they're only in second grade!
That's truly remarkable.
Professor Sprout looked at Silan and Neville with a beaming smile, his expression becoming increasingly kind and gentle.
"I must say, the herbs you grow are excellent."
"Whether it's common varieties or rare herbs, they're all cultivated very well. This shows that you have a solid foundation and are very dedicated to the herbs."
At this point, Professor Sprout, usually easygoing and portly, shook his head and sighed, "If only you were in Hufflepuff..."
Silan and Neville were speechless at that.
After all, Hogwarts doesn't seem to have a system for transferring between houses.
Silan changed the subject, saying, "Most of the herbs were cultivated by the Neville; I only helped with a small part."
"Mr. Longbottom?"
Professor Sprout turned to Neville, but instead of praising him, he sighed and said with some concern, "You must have had a very hard time."
As a herbalist who has worked tirelessly for many years, Professor Sprout knows better than anyone how much time, effort, and hardship it takes to cultivate such herbs.
Neville is only a second-year wizard; he must have endured a lot of hardship to cultivate so many herbs.
"It's not hard, Professor." Neville smiled honestly, "I like growing herbs."
"The thought of cultivating different kinds of herbs by hand makes me not feel tired at all."
"Good boy." Professor Sprout nodded approvingly, his eyes even glistening with tears.
After waiting a while, seeing that the mood was right, Silan made her request.
"Professor Sprout, it may be presumptuous of us, but we would like to ask you for some new seeds or herb seedlings to continue exploring the mysteries of herbs."
When she said these words, Silan did not hesitate and made her request frankly.
Professor Sprout was perfectly happy that the young wizard wanted to cultivate herbs himself.
Therefore, there's absolutely no need to try to outsmart us on this.
Professor Sprout was clearly pleased to hear Silan say that, and murmured excitedly to himself, "Oh, let me think of what kind of seeds I should give you..."
"The Devil's Snare... Oh no, you haven't learned it yet."
Professor Sprout spoke as he moved around his greenhouse.
"Hmm... Venomous Tentacula?"
"That won't do either, it's too dangerous. Professor McGonagall would be furious if she knew I gave you this."
"You already have the Chomping Cabbage."
Professor Sprout's nimble, stout figure moved through the greenhouse, Silan and Neville could only catch glimpses of her every now and then.
"Professor...how about we get some Mandrake seedlings?" Silan suggested.
"Mandrake?" Professor Sprout suddenly stopped in front of them, frowning as he pondered.
"You should know that Mandrake is a rather dangerous herb, right? Its cry can be fatal."
Silan nodded. "But we've already learned how to cultivate Mandrake this semester, haven't we?"
"That's true," Professor Sprout said thoughtfully. "You have a good grasp of this topic..."
"Don't worry, Professor, we'll wear earmuffs." Silan said, nudging Neville after indicating that she would be careful.
"Me too." Neville nodded repeatedly, realizing what was happening.
"Alright, then it seems I have no reason to refuse." Professor Sprout smiled. "I'll give you two pots of Mandrake seedlings. They're actually quite afraid of being alone."
"Thank you, Professor."
With that, the last ingredient was gathered.
"I can start mixing the potion now," Silan thought to herself.
Having achieved their goal, Silan and Neville returned to the Room of Requirement together.
Neville went to plant Mandrake.
Silan gathered some Mandrake leaves, along with the Basilisk's venom and scales, and began crafting a potion to reveal the Spells on the Slytherin Statue.
... Divider Line...
Author's note: I modified the ingredients for the Statue-Revealing Potion by adding Mandrake leaf juice.
New readers are unlikely to be affected, but long-time readers may find some discrepancies. This is to inform you.