https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-77-A-Busy-First-Day-of-School-Part-2-/13453366/
Chapter 76: A Busy First Day of School (Part 1)
Chapter 76: A Busy First Day of School (Part 1) (Please give recommendations!)
When Liam arrived at the Great Hall, he found that breakfast at Hogwarts was as lavish as ever. Due to their unusual arrival at the school yesterday, Ron and Harry were surrounded by a group of people asking for details about what had happened.
When Liam sat down at his usual spot, the Weasley Twins tapped him on the shoulder. Fred said, "Thanks a lot, Liam. Your idea saved our family quite a bit of money on textbooks."
"Don't mention it. If your family didn't have so many kids, I wouldn't have thought of it. By the way, can you tell me what you used the items you bought from me for?" Liam asked.
"Not right now, because it's a trade secret. But if the product is ready, we'll definitely show it to you."
With that, the twins went to the other end of the table to eat with Lee Jordan. Liam shrugged and started on his breakfast. Indeed, one's appetite increases after exercise. Even Hermione, who usually eats lightly, had a bigger breakfast today.
While everyone was eating, a large number of owls flew in from the sky. At the start of each school year, there were always more owls than usual, as students often needed to send forgotten potion ingredients or textbooks home.
Some students received particularly large packages, like Neville's, which was the biggest of all. Last year, the Memory Ball his grandmother sent him had been quite useful, even though it could only remind him of things he had forgotten.
At that moment, Liam saw a gray shadow falling. He quickly pulled the milk pitcher back with his left hand and caught the falling object with his right.
"This looks like one of the Weasleys' owls", Hermione said, having been startled by Liam's quick action. She then examined the object in Liam's hand more closely.
Liam took a closer look and indeed recognized it as the Weasleys' owl, Errol, who was carrying a letter in his beak. He carried the unconscious owl over to Ron, handed him the letter, and said, "Your family really should get a new owl. This one is too old."
"If it weren't for the Lockhart books, we might have been able to get a new one this year", Ron said as he opened the letter. After a quick glance, he told Harry and Liam, "The Ministry of Magic hopes we don't spread the news about the barrier incident. They've given each of us ten Galleons as compensation, and my father will pass it on to you. My mother will send the money when she goes to the post office in a couple of days. Errol is too old to carry 30 Galleons."
"That's fine, no rush. Whenever you have the chance is okay", Liam and Harry said in unison.
"At least the ten Galleons will be a nice bit of pocket money for me", Liam said.
"My money got confiscated by my mum", Ron said, looking dejected after hearing Liam's comment.
Poor guy. Liam and Harry exchanged glances, both reading the same thought in each other's eyes.
As they finished their breakfast, Professor Mcgonagall began distributing the class schedules along the table. Their first class was Herbology, which they would take with the Hufflepuffs in the greenhouse.
Professor Sprout, the Herbology teacher at Hogwarts, was a usually very good-tempered, plump middle-aged woman.
The emphasis on "usually" was because Liam noticed she now stood at the greenhouse door with a frown, her clothes drenched with dew, having just come out of the greenhouse.
It was clear that the one who had infuriated Professor Sprout was the man standing beside her—Lockhart. The peacock of the flower world was impeccably clean from head to toe, wearing a flowing green robe and a stylish green hat with a gold trim that sat perfectly on his gleaming blonde hair.
Upon seeing the students, he greeted them with a beaming smile and began boasting about his expertise in herbology. However, before he could finish, Professor Sprout, who rarely interrupted, cut him off and shouted at the students, "To the third greenhouse today!"
Last year, their classes were held in the first greenhouse, which, according to the upperclassmen, contained plants that were somewhere between ordinary and magical. The third greenhouse, on the other hand, housed true magical plants, which were naturally more dangerous. If mishandled, one might enter the greenhouse standing up and leave lying down.
The greenhouse door opened, and a strange smell wafted out—a mix of fresh manure and floral scents. Liam saw many plants moving around like animals and some blooming with enormous flowers.
As Liam and the others were about to enter, Lockhart called Harry over to discuss something about being a celebrity.
"He's a professor and shouldn't be engaging in such nonsense at school. This is a place for learning", Hermione said.
Hearing this, Liam chuckled, remembering Hermione's past as a devoted fan. Overzealous fandom could truly turn someone into a mindless devotee.
Noticing Hermione's disapproving glare, he quickly clarified, "I agree that behaving like a celebrity at school isn't appropriate, but perhaps Lockhart is just new and hasn't adjusted to the teaching life yet. I think he'll settle in after a while."
"Liam, you always see the good in people, just like how you defended Snape last year. But I think Snape is at least competent in potions, while Lockhart is just a complete, vain fraud. Didn't you hear him bragging about his herbology skills in front of Professor Sprout?" Ron chimed in.
Once inside the classroom, they noticed ear muffs placed on the benches, presumably for the students. Today's lesson was about repotting Mandrakes. Hermione easily answered Professor Sprout's question, earning Gryffindor ten points.
Mandrakes are the top soul singers of the wizarding world, fully embodying the principle that their songs can be deadly. Therefore, proper safety measures are essential when handling them. The ear muffs on the benches were clearly part of the safety equipment.
With everyone wearing ear muffs, they watched as Professor Sprout pulled up a Mandrake. The plant, resembling an infant, writhed and opened its mouth, presumably screaming.
Liam looked at the Mandrake and suddenly thought it resembled a ginseng figurine. Unfortunately, Mandrakes lack the magical restorative properties of ginseng and are only used for their toxic properties in various antidotes.
Thinking about using toxins to counter toxins, Liam somehow remembered snake wine and wondered if Mandrake wine might have blood-activating and stasis-resolving properties.
Hermione, noticing Liam's absent-mindedness, nudged him with her elbow. When Liam snapped back to reality, he realized the professor had already finished the demonstration.
Fortunately, Liam's lapse in concentration wasn't too severe, so he managed to complete the practical part of the lesson without much trouble.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
