https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-170-Qilo-Why-Aren-t-You-Here-Yet-/13006837/
Chapter 169: Armored Pumpkin
Chapter 169: Armored Pumpkin
This busy life continued right up until the eve of Halloween.
Kyle woke up early in the morning to the sweet, tempting aroma of roasted pumpkins wafting through the corridor. Even more amazing, Harris announced in the Common Room that the Quidditch training for the following week was canceled.
He believed that the previous training had been a bit too intense, and since Kyle and the other new player's performances were perfect, he decided to give everyone a break before the official match.
Kyle was naturally delighted with Harris' decision, meaning he could finally relax a little next week.
And whether it was to cater to Halloween or not, even the classrooms had many more pumpkins.
During the morning Transfiguration class, Professor McGonagall used pumpkins as props, letting the young wizards try to transfigure them.
Her request today was very simple; they could transform them into anything as long as it wasn't a pumpkin in the end.
Kyle was once again the first to finish, transforming his pumpkin into the likeness of a stone statue at the castle entrance.
Of course, it was a miniature version.
The statue slowly walked two steps on the table, then waved the giant sword in its hand, smashing the prop pumpkin on Conna's table into two pieces, with pumpkin seeds scattering everywhere.
Conna was furious. She wiped the pumpkin seeds off her face, glaring at Kyle with gritted teeth, her small white teeth grinding audibly as if she might pounce and bite him at any moment.
"Accident, accident, it was unintentional!" Kyle quickly apologized.
He had intended to cut open the pumpkin but had forgotten that the sword was just a form he had transfigured.
Professor McGonagall rarely showed a smile, but she teased, "Due to your ungentlemanly behavior, Hufflepuff loses a point. Be more careful next time; such actions are also very dangerous."
"I understand," Kyle whispered.
Professor McGonagall nodded. She glanced at the lifelike statue and continued, "Excellent Transfiguration, Hufflepuff gains eleven points."
Without a fixed transfiguration requirement, it was much simpler than usual, so many people completed the task.
By the time class ended, the Transfiguration classroom resembled a junk room, with wooden stakes, buckets, pillows... everything imaginable.
Among those who hadn't finished, some had only partially met the requirement, and their transformations still retained pumpkin features.
For example, Ryan had transformed his pumpkin into the shape of a Snitch, but the surface was still yellow, looking as if a pumpkin skin had been fitted over the Snitch.
However, Professor McGonagall still passed him.
As for those who had merely poked a few holes in their pumpkins and insisted they had transformed them into jack-o'-lanterns, Professor McGonagall was not so lenient. She increased their homework length from one foot to three feet.
Even a free point question could result in a zero if left blank.
...
In the afternoon, it was Herbology class.
Before the class, Professor Sprout placed a new and unusual plant that hadn't been in the greenhouse on a table at the front.
"Armored Pumpkin!"
Professor Sprout smiled and asked, "Does anyone know what this is?"
Perhaps knowing that the young wizards couldn't answer, Professor Sprout looked directly at Kyle.
"Armored Pumpkin, also known as Iron Pumpkin, has a tough texture and is often used as an alchemical material. Its vines can be combined with Gillyweed to create a potion that allows people to breathe underwater."
"Very good, Hufflepuff gains ten points," Professor Sprout said happily.
"Armored Pumpkins are a rare magical plant, and due to their inherent hardness, they have a unique way of growing.
With each growth ring, they must shed their shells."
She pointed to the flower pot in front of her.
Everyone then noticed a yellow pumpkin shell in the shape of an armguard.
"Does anyone know what these shells are used for?"
Kyle raised his hand and said, "People usually put these shells on precious plants to protect them from goblins or other creatures.
This is also where the name 'Armored Pumpkin' comes from."
"Absolutely correct, Hufflepuff gets ten points."
Professor Sprout said, "The shells of Armored Pumpkins are the best guardians for fragile plants, and even adult dragons find it hard to bite through them."
The greenhouse fell silent, and the young wizards looked at the unassuming pumpkin shell with a sense of wonder.
In their minds, dragons were among the most terrifying and powerful magical creatures.
The fact that even dragons couldn't bite through the shell was a testament to its hardness.
The name 'Armored' truly lived up to its name.
Read the error-free version at 69+Book Bar! 6=9+Book_Bar is the first to publish this novel.
"Now, let's continue with the lesson."
Professor Sprout clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention, "Additionally, I've decided to make this pumpkin shell a prize for the student who performs the best in this class."
Everyone instinctively looked at Kyle.
Given Kyle's performance earlier, it seemed almost impossible for anyone to surpass him.
Professor Sprout seemed to guess everyone's thoughts, and she smiled, saying, "I must remind you that this class hasn't even started yet. What I said earlier was just an introduction to Armored Pumpkins and doesn't count as part of the lesson."
As she spoke, she walked past the stools and approached a row of wooden stakes nearby.
"Last week, we learned how to fertilize Jittery Toadstools. Today, we'll learn how to collect their spore powder...
You shouldn't have forgotten that Jittery Toadstools are very afraid of noise. You must remain quiet enough to approach them."
Everyone nodded silently.
Everyone wanted the prize, and they crouched by the wooden stakes, carefully extending their brushes towards the Jittery Toadstools, not daring to breathe loudly.
By the end of the class, Professor Sprout was extremely satisfied. She had never taught such an easy class before.
No one poked the plants randomly, and no one tried to touch the poisonous tentacles. Everyone was focused, and the most common issues from previous classes were nowhere to be found.
"This is the best Halloween ever."
The delighted Professor Sprout awarded two points to each house and, as promised before the class, gave the Armored Pumpkin shell to Kyle.
Kyle used a Whirlwind Sweep spell, weakened many times over, and finished the collection task half a class early.
After the Herbology class ended, everyone began to leave the greenhouse in an orderly manner.
Kyle, who had reached the door, turned back for one last look at the Armored Pumpkin in the corner, reluctant to leave.
He felt that this plant would make a good companion for the Man-Eating Kale. If possible, bringing some back for them would be a nice idea.
But unfortunately, there was only one pot here, and Professor Sprout was keeping a close eye on it. He couldn't find a suitable opportunity to take one during the entire class.
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
