"It seems Miss Granger has thoroughly studied the book!" Professor Sprout said with a broad smile.
As she spoke, she bent down and gently patted a plant with plump Dittany leaves, her movements as gentle as if she were stroking the back of a docile little animal.
"Just like Miss Granger said, our 'little doctor in the green coat' is best at dealing with all sorts of tiny wounds that make you wince in pain."
She straightened up, her gaze sweeping over the young and curious faces.
"Imagine being hit on the head by our overly energetic Peeves. Mischievous with a moldy sandwich, only to get a minor scrape..."
Several students couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Even Ron, whose face had been tense, couldn't help but twitch his lips.
They were clearly amused by the professor's vivid analogy.
"At this moment, if you have a small leaf like this on hand, look, like this one--"
She put on her Dragonhide Gloves, carefully picked up a tender Dittany, held it up to the sunlight, and said.
"Squeeze out the clear sap inside and apply it to the wound..." Professor Sprout said, gently squeezing the leaf.
"The squeezed juice dripped onto my skin, "Professor Sprout continued.
"At this point, you'll find that the bleeding stops quickly, the wound feels cool and refreshing, and the burning pain subsides. The wound will also heal very smoothly and is less likely to leave an unsightly scar."
She paused, deliberately giving the students time to process the vivid image.
Sprout then gave another example, saying, "In the wild, experienced wizards even use it as a walking first-aid kit."
"For example, getting tangled in Devil's Snare and scraping your skin? Accidentally being scratched by Bowtruckle? Or even accidentally touching the edge of Venomous Tentacula..."
"Of course, the latter situation is much more serious. We should hurry and find Madam Pomfrey for treatment."
In the last scenario, Professor Sprout spoke with a humorous tone and a smile.
The students were momentarily stunned, their tension subtly broken by the professor's vivid and engaging description.
The Hufflepuff and some of the Gryffindor, who were already somewhat nervous, now wore knowing smiles.
The gaze directed at the Dittany plant held a newfound warmth and curiosity.
Professor Sprout then changed the subject, saying solemnly, "In short, finding and treating Dittany as soon as possible can often help you weather the storm and hold out until a more thorough solution is found."
"So, kids," she concluded.
"Today we're not just getting to know it."
"We need to learn how to politely ask this 'little doctor' for a favor, to get a little bit of juice from it to examine, while being extremely careful not to hurt it."
Her expression turned serious for a moment, her gaze lingering particularly on a few boys who looked rather clumsy.
Ron was the first to be affected; he subconsciously withdrew his hand when the professor stared at him.
"Remember," she concluded, giving her students one last piece of advice.
"They are not just medicinal herbs, but living partners who deserve our sincere gratitude."
"If you treat it roughly, it's like throwing a punch at a friend who's trying to help you."
"Not only is it dishonorable, but you might also end up with nothing."
"If the Dittany senses fear or pain, it will automatically stop secreting sap. At that time, even if you take the leaves, you will only get a withered, empty shell."
After these words, the atmosphere in the greenhouse became even more solemn.
The students looked at the Dittany plant in front of them with a newfound sense of awe and caution.
Professor Sprout said no more, turned and walked to the workbench where seedlings were piled up, and began distributing the plants to everyone.
"Alright, now let's put the theory into practice. Has everyone received their plants?"
The students nodded.
"Put on your gloves! Remember, the Dragonhide Gloves are not only for your protection, but also to prevent sweat or impurities from your hands from irritating Dittany."
After Professor Sprout finished speaking, he strode to the front of the demonstration table, picked up a pot of thriving Dittany and a pair of small silver tweezers.
She then looked up again, gesturing for everyone to look over. "Watch my demonstration carefully; I'll only do it once."
The students focused their attention on Professor Sprout and the Dittany plant.
"First, use your magnifying glass to carefully observe and find a healthy, mature leaf located in the middle of the plant. Like this..."
She bent down, and the tips of the tweezers in her hands touched the base of a leaf with extreme gentleness.
"Avoid the main vein and choose a position slightly above the confluence of the lateral veins."
Professor Sprout explained as he demonstrated.
"The sap here is plentiful and causes minimal damage to the plant. After the leaves are harvested, the plant heals quickly and it won't affect its subsequent growth."
Her demonstration was very careful and precise, and every movement was full of care for the plants.
She no longer made a point of looking at Hermione or Draco, but instead scanned all the students evenly to make sure everyone could see her movements.
"Then, use a steady wrist, move quickly, but make light contact, like this--"
With a gentle flick of her wrist, she applied just the right amount of force, and a complete oval leaf was removed, the cut clean and smooth, while the entire Dittany barely moved.
"Look, the sap has already begun to coagulate at the break."
"Now, immediately place this leaf on the prepared clean glass slide and gently press it with tweezers... Remember, do not use too much force, so as not to destroy the effective components in the sap."
As she spoke, she smoothly completed the subsequent steps, her movements fluid and effortless, without the slightest hesitation.
Soon, a drop of clear liquid with a faint milky white tinge spread out on the glass slide.
"This is the unprocessed raw extract of Dittany, and it's the core outcome of our practical lesson today."
"Alright, kids, have you all clearly seen the key movements and points?"
Professor Sprout straightened up, put down the tweezers in his hand, and scanned the entire room with his gaze.
Hermione raised her hand almost as soon as the professor finished speaking, and replied without hesitation, "I saw it clearly, Professor!"
Several students who were listening attentively, just like Hermione, nodded in agreement.
But most students merely nodded mechanically, their lips moving, yet their words carried a hint of uncertainty.
"Hmm... maybe..."
"I think... I understand?"
"I understand it mentally, but my hands don't seem to know how to do it yet..."
Ron stood next to Harry, muttering under his breath, "It's just picking up a leaf, what's so hard about that? Making it all so complicated."
As he spoke, he reached out to touch the Dittany plant in front of him, but Harry grabbed his arm in time.
Harry shook his head at him, signaling him not to make any rash moves.
Just then, Neville timidly and very slightly raised one hand.
His face flushed red, and he asked in a barely audible voice, "Professor... um... the direction of wrist rotation, is it... like this?"
As he spoke, he awkwardly mimicked the professor's earlier movements, stiffly turning his wrist half a circle, which looked somewhat comical.
Most of the students looked at him simultaneously, their eyes filled with a sense of relief.
Finally, someone broke the awkward silence and asked the question they wanted to ask.
Professor Sprout cast a gentle glance at Neville, his face filled with undisguised approval and encouragement.
Her favorite and best-taught students were often like Neville, who might not be the most clever, but were serious and had an instinctive kindness towards plants.
" Mr. Longbottom! That's an excellent question!" she replied immediately.
"You noticed the wrist movement and bravely asked questions, which shows you are very observant! This is the key to success and the most valuable quality in learning Herbology!"
She then slowed down her speech, patiently explaining as she picked up the tweezers and a spare Dittany, demonstrating the process in slow motion.
After demonstrating it in more detail, Professor Sprout put down his tools.
She asked again, "Is there anyone who still doesn't understand? Ask away, just like Mr. Longbottom."
" Herbology emphasizes rigor and meticulousness. Having questions is not terrible; what is terrible is pretending to know what you don't and operating blindly."
Most students were still engrossed in digesting the professor's explanation, their faces showing a degree of caution.
Someone quietly leaned close to the classmate next to them and whispered, "Do you understand?"
"I think I understand now."
"We'll see when we try it."
Many people were already eager to try, their fingers moving inside the Dragonhide Gloves, wanting to get started immediately.
Professor Sprout observed this and realized that most of the students were still in a state of confusion.
Finally, Professor Sprout's gaze settled clearly on Draco, and an encouraging smile appeared on his face.
" Mr. Malfoy, I see you observe very carefully and your demeanor is very composed. Why don't you come to the front and demonstrate the entire process of extracting the leaves and juice for everyone, just like I just did? Would that be alright?"
Draco was stunned upon hearing this, his mind filled with astonishment and confusion: No way, I didn't do anything, I didn't say anything, I just stood there quietly.
Is this what the professor meant by "very composed demeanor"?