Everything connected.
Sean checked his schedule again.
Ravenclaw First Year:
Monday Morning:
Potion Class, Potion Class;
Monday Afternoon:
History of Magic.
Note: First-year Young Wizards' class schedule is Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM.
Hogwarts' first-year curriculum was undoubtedly relaxed, with no classes after 3:30 PM.
This also meant a greater need for Young Wizards' self-study abilities.
After half a roasted chicken on the Great Hall's long table,
Sean's cheeks puffed out. Herbs were not like Potions. Although there were still some dangerous plants,
Sean could avoid dangerous plants and use safe magic plants to gain proficiency,
such as Dittany and Daisy herbs.
That is, if he could find Professor Sprout and get her to agree to let him enter the Greenhouse,
for example, as a helper, that would be great.
Just then, several Hufflepuff senior Wizards walked past Sean, and their conversation caught his attention.
"Hurry up, Professor Sprout is preparing for today's first class for the new students, and we'll be busy for a while again."
"It's like this every year. I'm happy to help the Professor with the herbs,
I just hope we don't encounter those serrated three-leaf plants this year. Do you know what those are?"
"Huh?! You mean you've been sneezing for three weeks and you still haven't bothered to find out what that herb is?"
"I thought you guys were talking behind my back."
"We were, but no one can talk behind your back for three weeks straight, just like you can't be in love for three weeks straight."
"Hey! Can you guys stop making fun of me like this..."
"If you don't put itching powder in our hats and under...
"Hehe, stop, I was wrong."
Seeing that the three Hufflepuff Wizards were about to pass, Sean quickly stood up, poking his head out from the long table.
"The serrated three-leaf plant should be Sneezewort. It's a poisonous plant,
often used in Confusion Concoction and Befuddlement Draught. Its dried leaves can also be used to make sneezing powder.
If you don't want to get affected, it's best to stay more than two meters away from it, because its pollen will scatter everywhere with the wind."
Sean's voice was tender yet strong, making the three Wizards stop in their tracks.
"A knowledgeable Young Wizard, you must be a Ravenclaw first-year, right?
But you really shouldn't have told that Bruce fellow the truth; he deserves to sneeze his head off."
The Wizard with fluffy brown hair had eyes full of teasing.
"Hey, hey, hey, at least not in front of others..."
The short-haired Wizard beside him spoke helplessly.
"If you don't put itching powder in our hats and under...
A slightly plump Wizard interjected.
"Can we please just let this go? I'm begging both of you..."
He said this, but there was no hint of regret on his face; instead, there was some... if Sean wasn't mistaken, was that a look of reminiscence?
"Oh, thank you for telling me that. Sneezing for three weeks straight is not pleasant,
but we have to go now. Next time we meet, I'll treat you to Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans."
They were about to leave when they heard Sean's voice:
"I've always wanted to learn about those magical herbs. Can I go with you to help Professor Sprout with the herbs?
I can remember all the plants in the first-year textbook; perhaps I can be of help."
Sean quickly stated his strengths, then waited for the result.
In fact, even if these Hufflepuff seniors didn't take him, he would go by himself after hearing the news.
"Huh?"
The brown-haired Wizard showed a difficult expression.
"Really, you've memorized that brick-thick book?!"
Bruce's eyes widened.
"Bruce! Professor Sprout never said we could bring someone along!"
The fluffy brown-haired Wizard immediately knew what his companion was about to do.
"Don't worry, Leon, Greenhouse One has no dangerous plants, remember?
And with one more person, our speed will be much faster.
We still have Divination class this afternoon, and I don't want to miss the Tarot Card Afternoon Tea party."
The short-haired Wizard, Bruce, looked at Sean with interest.
"Sorry, but I have a few questions to make sure you won't mess up the Greenhouse like those other Young Wizards."
He showed an apologetic expression,
"What's the nickname for the Alihoht tree?"
His words were fast and urgent.
"Hyena Tree."
Sean answered quickly.
"What shape are Dittany leaves?"
"Oval, oblong, or oblong-lanceolate."
"What does Mistletoe produce?"
"Mistletoe berries, which are white berries, excellent ingredients for making common antidotes and Forgetfulness Potion, etc."
"You must come with us."
Bruce grabbed Sean's hand, his expression incredibly serious, and the two beside him also showed surprise.
"I'm Bruce, and they are Leon and Pister."
"Sean Green."
...And so, Sean got the opportunity to go to Greenhouse One. They were there to help Professor Sprout with the herbs,
including weeding, collecting some mature herbs, and expelling the tendrils extending from Greenhouse Three.
"Those dangerous plants always have a soft spot for Greenhouse One,"
Bruce spread his hands, then seriously admonished Sean,
"Although it's rare, if you find them, remember to notify the Professor."
Sean silently remembered his words,
Then, in the gentle sunshine of the Scottish Highlands, Sean followed the three familiar figures out of the Castle,
and arrived in front of three dome-shaped buildings of varying sizes.
They had curved roofs, with several large panes of glass forming skylights on the roof.
"One more thing, Greenhouse One is at the very front. If you go to the wrong one, you can only pray Professor Sprout is there.
Just kidding, just remember to run fast."
Bruce explained many details to Sean along the way.
Although he seemed a bit unreliable, he was very clear about important matters.
As he spoke, Leon and Pister also nodded, clearly agreeing.
Pushing open the creaking wooden door, a suffocatingly humid and hot air immediately rushed out,
Pister's glasses instantly fogged up.
As far as the eye could see, there were layers of dazzling green plants.
Huge, lumpy pumpkin-shaped plants;
Sneezewort planted in pots, with only a noisy tuft of leaves at the top exposed;
and wooden trellises intertwined with vines on the outer perimeter of the Greenhouse.
The shelves were filled with all sorts of oddly shaped flowerpots,
some plants were spewing smoke, some had leaves that pulsed like hearts, and others bore glowing, gem-like fruits.
Among them, only a small path was left for passage,
and in the center of the path stood a short Witch with flowing grey hair.