Chapter 176: Throwing Mandrake
Chapter 176: Throwing Mandrake
Ever since school started at Hogwarts, Albert's school life had returned to a regular routine.
He no longer stayed up late, going to bed on time and waking up promptly at seven in the morning.
On rainy days, he would occasionally indulge in a little laziness and linger in bed.
The weather had finally cleared up yesterday, but this morning, it started to drizzle again. Well, he absolutely wasn't making excuses for his reluctance to get up.
At eight in the morning, Albert went downstairs for breakfast with his dorm mates. The long Gryffindor table was already laid out with ample porridge, kippers, sliced bread, golden fried eggs, and bacon.
The kippers hadn't been fermented and had a harder texture after being pan-fried. They were also a bit salty and went well with porridge.
Of course, this was on the premise that you didn't add sugar and milk to your porridge.
"Good morning. Have you heard about the news regarding the Defense Against the Dark Arts class?" Angelina asked as she picked up a bowl of porridge with milk and sat down across from Albert.
This topic immediately piqued the interest of the students around them, as Defense Against the Dark Arts was always a popular subject at Hogwarts.
"What happened?" Albert asked.
"According to students from Ravenclaw, our first lesson is about dealing with Boggarts," Angelina said as she added sugar to her porridge.
"You mean Roger? I just heard him bragging about how he deals with Boggarts," George scoffed. "As we all know, Boggarts are basically harmless. The worst that can happen is getting startled."
"Boggarts transform into whatever the person fears. With a large group, it supposedly gets confused about what form to take," Albert recalled. It seemed that Lupin had taught about Boggarts during Potter's third year. However, considering Lockhart's incompetence, it wasn't surprising that they were behind in the curriculum.
"I'm suddenly curious about what I fear," Albert said, taking a bite of his homemade salted fish sandwich while pondering what he would be afraid of.
"Failing exams?" Shan Na suggested, raising an eyebrow.
"I think he's never worried about that," Lee Jordan said through a mouthful of bread. "I think it's more like being penniless, becoming a pauper, yeah, that's it."
"I do like money, but I'm not afraid of becoming poor," Albert said irritably. After all, as a wizard with the system, it wasn't difficult for him to make some money if he wanted to.
"I think it's the fear of having no books to read or becoming an ordinary person," Fred said without hesitation. "I bet a Knut on it."
"Then you've definitely lost that bet," Albert said with a laugh as he spread his hands toward Fred. "Anyone else want to bet a Knut?"
Fred slapped Albert's hand away and complained, "I haven't lost yet."
"No, you've already lost," Albert said with a smile. "After all, how could I not know what I'm afraid of?"
"You're cheating?" Fred feigned shock, eliciting laughter from everyone.
"I think it's the fear of a busy workload," George said. "After all, Albert lives a more comfortable life than anyone else, so he definitely wouldn't want a busy job in the future."
"That..." Albert stroked his chin and shook his head in denial. "If I had a lot of money, I wouldn't need to work, so I wouldn't have to worry about a busy job. Most people work for money, and those who work out of interest are few and far between in reality."
"So... George, hand over the Knut," Fred said with a smile.
"Ahem, speaking of which, when do we have Defense Against the Dark Arts class?" George coughed slightly, changing the subject.
"Don't change the topic," Fred said, annoyed.
"I didn't say I wanted to bet," George protested. "You misunderstood."
"How could I misunderstand? We're twins. How could I not know what you're thinking?"
"The first class this afternoon is Defense Against the Dark Arts," Angelina said as she took out her timetable from her bag. "But I'm a little worried that this professor might not last long either."
"That's for sure. Smarter professors resign before teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, knowing full well that the position is cursed and will bring them nothing but bad luck," Albert said matter-of-factly.
"Speaking of the curse, what's the story behind it anyway?" Shan Na asked curiously. "Do you know?"
"You want to know?" Albert replied with a mischievous smile. "I've heard some rumors."
"Go on, don't keep us in suspense," Angelina urged.
"I heard it's related to the mysterious person," Albert whispered.
"The mysterious person cursed that position?" Everyone widened their eyes in shock. "You shouldn't spread such rumors."
"How do you know?" Lee Jordan asked, intrigued.
"They're just rumors," Albert said mysteriously. "There are many other rumors about this mysterious person. Do you want to hear more?"
"Tell us," Fred said, equally curious. He knew that Albert had a wide social circle, so it wasn't surprising that he would come across all sorts of gossip.
"Okay, but you mustn't tell anyone else," Albert said, feigning secrecy. "Rumor has it that the mysterious person stole the diadem of Ravenclaw."
"Rumor has it that the mysterious person can communicate with snakes and is the great-great-great... grandson of Slytherin."
"Rumor has it that the mysterious person is immortal."
"Rumor has it that the mysterious person once opened the Chamber of Secrets."
"Rumor has it that the mysterious person was once the president of the Slytherin student council."
"Rumor has it that the mysterious person was once a potential candidate for the position of Minister of Magic."
"Rumor has it that..."
"I feel like your rumors are getting more and more outrageous," Shan Na interrupted. "Let's go, we don't want to be late. We have Herbology class with the Hufflepuffs this morning."
"Leaving in fifteen minutes is enough," Fred said without hesitation. "We still have time for a game of Wizarding Chess."
As Albert watched the two of them play, Charlie approached and specifically reminded them, "Don't forget about the Quidditch tryouts this afternoon."
"We know," everyone replied in unison.
Charlie greeted them and hurried off.
"You still haven't bought a broom, have you?" The Weasley twins looked at Albert expectantly.
"Even if you place an order, it won't arrive that quickly." Albert helplessly spread his hands.
After Fred and Lee Jordan played another round of Wizarding Cards, the group headed towards the greenhouse together. Their timing was perfect, as they arrived just as Professor Sprout was opening the greenhouse door. Some Hufflepuff students had arrived earlier and were standing outside in the rain.
Albert and his friends followed the crowd into the greenhouse.
"Today, we'll be repotting Mandrakes." Professor Sprout brought out a large cardboard box containing two dozen pairs of earmuffs in various colors. She surveyed the students and asked, "Who can tell me why we need these earmuffs?"
"Hearing the cry of a Mandrake can be fatal, and even a young Mandrake can cause one to faint for several hours," Albert answered when no one else responded.
"Very good, ten points to Gryffindor." Professor Sprout nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Now, who can tell me the characteristics of the Mandrake?"
She scanned the students in the greenhouse, her gaze finally settling on Albert.
"Mandrake, also known as Mandrake Root, is a powerful restorative," Albert recited from his textbook. "It is used to reverse transfigurations and to counter curses. It is also an essential component in the preparation of most antidotes. Of course, Mandrakes are dangerous. It is said that a wizard once used a mature Mandrake to defend against a Dark wizard who had broken into his home, and the Mandrake's cry killed the intruder instantly."
"Absolutely correct, another ten points. As Mr. Anderson mentioned, Mandrakes are dangerous, and their cries can be deadly," Professor Sprout acknowledged, noticing the students' unease. "However, the Mandrakes we have here are still young, and hearing their cries will only cause you to faint for a few hours at most."
"Have you been eating your textbooks?" Lee Jordan joked, feeling a twinge of envy towards Albert's intellect.
"How did you know?" Albert feigned surprise. "Want to give it a try? A little soy sauce would make it taste even better."
"No thanks, my appetite isn't as adventurous as yours," he retorted good-naturedly.
The Weasley twins snickered at the exchange.
"All right, now each of you come and take a pair of earmuffs." Professor Sprout addressed the group.
Everyone rushed towards Professor Sprout, with Lee Jordan even grabbing a gray pair of earmuffs for Albert.
Albert took the earmuffs and thanked him.
"Now, I suddenly understand why Professor Sprout's card effect involves throwing Mandrakes at enemies," Lee Jordan muttered under his breath. "But your effect should be changed. Maybe it should be instant death for all opponents as soon as you enter the game."
"That would be breaking the game balance," Albert couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Make sure to cover your ears securely when you put on the earmuffs," Professor Sprout said, holding up her thumbs. "When it's safe to remove them, I will give you the thumbs-up signal like this."
"The purple-green plants in front of you are Mandrake seedlings, and your task is to repot them," she pointed to a row of deep-bottomed pans. "All right, put on your earmuffs now."
With the earmuffs on, Albert could no longer hear any sounds from outside.
"I wonder if there's a recording device in the magical world," Albert mused as he looked at the Mandrake seedlings before him. "If we could record the Mandrakes' cries, it would be an incredibly effective weapon, even more useful than a Bombarda spell."
In the magical world, people might be wary of a wizard holding a wand, but no one would suspect a hand grenade, much less a recording device.
"Maybe I should ask about it sometime," Albert thought.
Professor Sprout had already put on her earmuffs and was rolling up her sleeves. She firmly grasped the leaves of a Mandrake and pulled it out of its pot.
The classroom filled with shrill screams.
Of course, due to the earmuffs, no one could hear anyone else's screams.
What was pulled out of the soil wasn't a root like a beet, but a pale green baby, its leaves still grasped by Professor Sprout.
The little creature wailed at the top of its lungs.
Now everyone understood what Albert had meant by the "cries" of the Mandrakes.
Professor Sprout took a larger pot and forcefully shoved the Mandrake into it, quickly covering it with damp compost and soil, leaving only the leaves exposed.
She dusted off her hands and gave the students a double thumbs-up before removing her earmuffs.
"Let me emphasize once again, make sure to wear your earmuffs properly," Professor Sprout reminded them loudly. "I'm sure you don't want to miss this class. Four to a group—there are plenty of large pots over there—and the compost bags are on the side."
Of course, Albert was grouped with the others, and only after everyone had their earmuffs on did Professor Sprout signal for them to begin.
Repotting Mandrakes required quite a bit of strength, and it wasn't as easy as Professor Sprout had made it look.
It was even more challenging than pulling carrots out of the ground, and the Mandrakes seemed to resist being removed from their pots.
Lee Jordan struggled and finally had to enlist Fred's help to pull one out. The worst part was that the Mandrake didn't want to go back into the pot, wriggling and kicking its feet and throwing tiny punches, as if it were a living person refusing to be placed in a coffin.
"It's so funny," Fred laughed, poking the Mandrake's cheek with his finger, only to be bitten.
Fortunately, he was wearing dragon-hide gloves.
George couldn't help but burst out laughing at the sight.
Lee Jordan, however, wasn't laughing. He was struggling with a Mandrake that was using its feet to block the pot, stubbornly refusing to be repotted.
As for Albert, he took a more forceful approach, shoving the Mandrake into the pot and quickly covering it with damp soil and compost, successfully completing his first repotting.
(End of Chapter)
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