Seeing how thoroughly the Devil's Snare Tentacles had captured everyone's interest, Professor Sprout's face lit up with satisfaction.
"Of course, reaching that level is still far too early for you," she said, giving her wand a light wave. The tentacles immediately calmed down and obediently retreated back into their pots.
"For now, your task is to repot the Mandrakes."
She turned and walked deeper into the greenhouse, motioning for the students to follow.
"Come along, and mind the damp patches on the floor."
The group gathered around a circular table where a ring of small pots had been neatly arranged. Each pot contained a green plant tinged with purple.
"These are Mandrakes," Professor Sprout said, clapping her hands to gather everyone's attention.
"They are a key ingredient in most antidotes, but they're also extremely dangerous. Does anyone know why?"
Hermione's hand shot up so fast it nearly knocked Harry's glasses off.
"Miss Granger."
"Because a Mandrake's cry is lethal!"
Professor Sprout nodded approvingly.
"Excellent. Ten points to Gryffindor."
"That's correct. The cry of a fully grown Mandrake can kill anyone who hears it." She took out a stack of pink earmuffs from a shelf.
"That's why proper protection is essential."
She handed a pair to each student and put one on herself.
"Oh, bloody hell, these earmuffs are pinching my ears," Ron complained the moment he put them on.
"Mr. Weasley, bear with it," Professor Sprout said patiently.
"The tighter they fit, the better the soundproofing."
"Now, I'll demonstrate how to repot one."
She picked up an empty pot filled with fresh dragon dung fertilizer.
Then, gripping a Mandrake firmly by its stem, she gave it a sharp pull.
Out came something that looked like a very ugly baby, the Mandrake's root.
"AAAAAAH!"
Even through the earmuffs, the students could faintly hear the piercing scream.
Unfazed, Professor Sprout swiftly stuffed the Mandrake into the new pot and packed soil around it.
The screaming stopped immediately.
"Did you see that?" she said, dusting off her hands.
"You must be quick and decisive."
"Now, groups of four. Each group will handle one Mandrake."
"And remember, keep your earmuffs on," she reminded them.
"These Mandrakes are still juveniles. Their cries won't kill you, but they will knock you unconscious for several hours. I doubt any of you want to miss the first day of term, do you?"
Charlie blinked. Unconscious?
So he could skip class and sleep the whole day?
That was an option?
"There, let me do it."
Charlie rolled up his sleeves.
He grabbed the Mandrake by its leaves and yanked.
The plant came free instantly, letting out a deafening scream.
Professor Sprout was a little surprised at how smoothly Charlie had pulled it out. She hadn't expected his talent in Herbology to be this solid.
The Mandrake didn't struggle nearly as violently in his hands as it did with the other students.
Then, suddenly, Charlie reached up and ripped off his earmuffs.
"Charlie!" Ernie shouted in alarm.
The shrill cry slammed straight into Charlie's ears, but instead of discomfort, he merely found it unbearably noisy.
[The Sovereign ignores his instructor and acts willfully. Reward gained: Tyrant Points +3]
Professor Sprout nearly had a heart attack.
Honestly, if you wanted to nap, you could've discussed it. Why be so reckless?
Seeing Charlie unharmed without earmuffs, the surrounding students assumed the professor had exaggerated the danger.
"Charlie's fine without them. I'm taking mine off too," Ron said, grimacing as his ears throbbed from the pressure.
"My ears hurt too, but the professor said we have to wear them…" Harry hesitated.
Ron didn't wait. He copied Charlie and pulled his earmuffs off.
Seeing that, Harry and several other Gryffindors followed suit without further hesitation.
Professor Sprout tried to stop them, but it was already too late.
"AAAAAAH!"
The Mandrake's cries rang out again.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Bodies hit the ground in rapid succession.
Aside from Hermione, who had kept her earmuffs on, the Gryffindor students dropped like logs.
[Well done, Your Majesty. That was nearly a full-party wipe. Tyrant Points +20]
Charlie was still holding the Mandrake, looking at the students sprawled on the floor, sleeping peacefully.
"Professor," he said awkwardly, "I really didn't mean for them to take their earmuffs off too. You believe me, right?"
Professor Sprout's face turned bright red. Even with her patience, she felt an overwhelming urge to smack him.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
He's from my house. I can endure this.
Then she turned and saw Ron face-down on the floor, drooling happily in his sleep.
Harry lay slumped beside a flowerpot, his glasses crooked.
Seamus had it worst, he'd face-planted straight into the dragon dung fertilizer.
Nope. Absolutely not.
With a sharp flick of her wand, Professor Sprout sent all the fallen Mandrakes back into their pots.
"Hufflepuff loses twenty points!"
"Gryffindor loses twenty points as well!"
Hermione looked like she was about to cry. My ten points…
She had done everything right, kept her earmuffs on, followed instructions, and still got dragged into a point deduction.
She felt like demonstrating a full Hogwarts self-defense routine on Charlie.
Charlie, however, had skin thick enough to ignore Hermione's glare entirely.
"Professor, I have a question."
"Speak," Professor Sprout snapped.
"Why didn't I pass out?"
Despite her irritation, she answered seriously.
"A Mandrake's cry has limited effect on wizards with strong magical power, especially when they're still juveniles."
"However," she suddenly raised her voice,
"That is not an excuse for ignoring safety rules!"
"Got it, got it," Charlie nodded repeatedly, looking extremely well-behaved.
Professor Sprout rubbed her temples, staring at the unconscious students.
"Charlie, take the fainted students to the hospital wing."
She still had to teach the Hufflepuffs who were standing, and frankly, she didn't want to see Charlie right now.
Charlie shrugged. "No problem, Professor."
Skipping class? He couldn't ask for more.
With a wave of his wand, he cast a Levitation Charm.
Ron, Harry, Seamus, and the rest of the Gryffindors floated up into the air, lining up neatly behind him like balloons.
At the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey instructed Charlie to lay them on the beds.
After checking them over, she said,
"No serious issues. They'll wake up after a few hours."
Satisfied, Charlie left the hospital wing.
There was still plenty of time before the class ended.
Now he had two choices: go back to class, or go wherever he wanted.
Hesitating for even a second would be an insult to this rare moment of freedom.
Charlie decisively chose option two.
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