Herbology class ended, but the students lingered, reluctant to leave the greenhouse. Compared to the usual routine of watering, fertilizing, and repotting, nothing thrilled them more than hands-on magical combat.
"Wyzett, isn't your next class Flying?" Sprout asked, still humming a cheerful tune as she tidied up. "Or is there something else you'd like to ask me?"
"Professor Sprout, I was wondering… how exactly does Devil's Snare disguise itself as a Christmas cactus?"
"You always come up with the most unexpected questions," Sprout chuckled. "When Devil's Snare senses danger or is ready to hunt, it disguises itself. In fact, it can take on even smaller, less noticeable forms—like ivy or ordinary vines. But when it's about to attack, nothing is as quick or effective as turning into a Christmas cactus."
"After all… they're actually the same kind of magical plant."
"The same kind?" Wyzett echoed in surprise. "So, it's like… wolves and dogs?"
"What a wonderful analogy! You're very sharp—you can think of it that way," Sprout praised. "The relationship between them is much like that between dogs and wolves."
"Ages ago, Devil's Snare was a truly dangerous magical plant. Back then, any witch or wizard venturing into swamps or rainforests would travel in groups, always watching each other's backs."
"It was only after wizards developed more advanced magic that Devil's Snare became less of a threat. Then, some clever witches and wizards tried to refine it—and that's how the Christmas cactus came to be."
"That feels a bit odd, though," Wyzett said, glancing at his notebook. "How can Devil's Snare imitate a Christmas cactus, if the cactus only came later? Shouldn't it be the other way around?"
"The appearance of the Christmas cactus is actually just one of Devil's Snare's disguises," Sprout explained. "When it's not hunting, its camouflage is quite charming, don't you think? Wizards of the past must've noticed and decided to preserve that form. Isn't the Christmas cactus adorable?"
Wyzett couldn't help but smile. In that moment, Sprout reminded him a bit of Hagrid—both had a deep, genuine love for magical plants and creatures.
Sprout pulled out her wand. "Even so, Devil's Snare is still dangerous. Let me show you how it disguises itself as a Christmas cactus."
Wyzett packed up his notebook and activated his Oculus Magicae. "Please, Professor!"
"It's my job to answer students' questions," Sprout said, waving her hand dismissively. She led Wyzett five meters away, then opened the box containing the Devil's Snare.
"First, we need to create an environment where it feels safe."
She traced a graceful arc in the air with her wand—a motion shaped like the merging of a "C" and a "D."
"Frigidus Humidus!"
A familiar magical field shimmered into existence, wrapping the Devil's Snare in a cocoon of chill and damp. The plant's vines began to sway gently.
Soon, the dark green faded from its tendrils, and the plant transformed—now it looked exactly like a Christmas cactus.
Sprout continued, lowering her wand and chanting in a steady voice, "Stasis Perpetua!"
Both spells were familiar to Wyzett—Snape had already taught them to him in their private lessons.
Frigidus Humidus was the Preservation Charm, creating a magical field that kept ingredients fresh with cold. Like a wizard's refrigerator, it allowed precise control over temperature and humidity. It was a tricky spell—Wyzett had needed two full weeks of practice before he could manage it at all. When he'd finally demonstrated it to Snape, the professor's cheeks had puffed out in silent disapproval, clearly unimpressed with his "slow" progress.
Stasis Perpetua was the Stasis Charm, used to temporarily lock an ingredient's state and prevent magical properties from fading. It was another of Snape's favorites, especially when handling rare potion materials.
As Sprout cast her spells, Wyzett watched the transformation unfold through his Oculus Magicae. Just as he'd hoped, the process was enlightening.
He saw the Devil's Snare's magical circuits begin to contract; sharp, jagged lines smoothed and curled, gradually morphing into the more harmonious patterns of the Christmas cactus.
He hurriedly sketched what he saw into his notebook.
Sprout peeked over his shoulder, curious about the swift, precise diagrams. They looked elegant, but she couldn't make sense of them. In the magical world, every witch and wizard had their own way of understanding magic—no wonder it all looked like a secret language to outsiders.
When he finished, Wyzett asked, a little embarrassed, "Professor, could you make the Devil's Snare change back? I'd like to watch the process again…"
"Of course!" Sprout agreed. The tissue met its fate once more, shredded by the plant's eager vines.
Wyzett returned to his notebook, refining his earlier sketches and noting the subtle differences.
"Frigidus Humidus!" he murmured, raising his wand and helping the plant shift forms again as he continued to draw.
Sprout watched, impressed. "You already know that spell?"
Wyzett nodded. "Yes, I learned it from Professor Snape."
Sprout smacked her forehead. "Of course! You study with Snape on weekends—it makes perfect sense you'd know it."
Potions and Herbology were so closely linked that she often visited Snape herself to deliver ingredients; she knew all about Wyzett's extra lessons.
She grew even more curious. "That's a tricky spell, and it needs very precise control. How long did it take you to master it?"
"Two weeks," Wyzett admitted, a bit sheepish. "Maybe that's too slow… Professor Snape didn't seem pleased when he heard."
"Two weeks?" Sprout was momentarily speechless, then patted his shoulder with heartfelt sincerity. "Don't be so hard on yourself—you're already astonishingly talented!"
"I'll keep working hard!" Wyzett said earnestly. "I'm only just starting out—there's still so much to learn."
"Professor, I should get to Flying class… Will you be here later? I'd like to come back if I can…"
"The next class is more Devil's Snare, so you're welcome anytime!" Sprout smiled. "Headmaster Dumbledore gave special instructions—everyone needs to master how to handle Devil's Snare."
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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