Harry Potter: Don't Touch the Badger's Plants

Professor Sprout had received many impressive pieces of news throughout her life.

For instance, during her student years when taking O.W.L.S exams, she received an Outstanding grade in Herbology, allowing her to continue advanced studies in the subject. Or when she submitted her first academic paper to a herbology journal and received that precious acceptance letter. Or when she received the Hogwarts employment notice to become a Herbology professor.

Of course, there was also that devastating time when she received news of her brother's family's death.

But now, Professor Sprout swore that the news Ciel brought her was absolutely the most shocking one in recent years.

"You've already completed it? Independently completed a new magical herb mutation cultivation?!"

Professor Sprout's voice couldn't help but rise in disbelief. Even knowing Ciel couldn't possibly deceive her, this was still too incredible to believe. After all, inducing magical herb mutations was almost the stepping stone for herbology masters. It required extremely advanced herbology mastery.

Ciel nodded modestly. "This wasn't my skill. It was purely good luck."

Then he recounted the entire process of discovering the Piranha Algae mutation. After listening, Professor Sprout felt a sudden enlightenment, but this didn't prevent her from showing an expression full of joy, relief, and admiration.

"No, Ciel. This absolutely wasn't your good luck. Daring to break conventional wisdom, using the Frequency Charm on Piranha Algae, and discovering their extreme phototropism... Even any herbology master wouldn't consider this luck. Child, you are an undeniable herbology genius!"

Facing such praise from a herbology master like Professor Sprout, Ciel was delighted, but what he cared most about was still one crucial matter.

"So Aunt... will the experimental plot matter cause you trouble?"

Professor Sprout said with absolute certainty: "Completing Guardian Tree seed processing just over a month after enrollment, and now producing such amazing academic results. If the spare experimental plots in the greenhouse aren't given to you, who should they go to?"

Her eyes flashed with protective determination. "If anyone dares raise objections, I'll stick a Fanged Geranium on their head. Anyone who would say such things doesn't need their brain anyway. Wait for my news. At the latest by Christmas break, I should complete the paper. By then, coordinating experimental plots will be natural."

Hearing this, Ciel also breathed a sigh of relief. His eyes showed anticipation. Christmas wasn't far away either. If he could gain one or even two more experimental plots, his reward harvesting speed would definitely surge dramatically.

At this time, Professor Sprout, having recovered from her excitement, began processing the Guardian Tree seed. She took out an ice-blue potion and soaked the sprouted seed in it. Then she recited a complex incantation.

"Vigorsemina—Immotus!"

After she finished these steps, Ciel immediately felt that the Guardian Tree seed soaked in the potion had its magic seemingly frozen.

Professor Sprout explained, "Now this seed can be preserved perfectly in this state for a whole year as long as it's not reactivated. This won't affect its cultivation success rate during this period."

She said with some emotion, "This is all thanks to this potion specifically for Guardian Tree cultivation. If this were two hundred years ago, when this potion didn't exist, Guardian Tree cultivation difficulty would be several levels higher than now. Herbology and Potions have always complemented each other."

Then, as if remembering something, she asked Ciel, "I heard you've been getting close to Professor Snape recently. And often help him process materials?"

Ciel nodded.

Professor Sprout showed a surprised but quite pleased expression. "That's very good. Many herb cultivations require potion assistance, and the more powerful the herb, the more this is true. This is particularly evident with Guardian Trees."

She continued with growing enthusiasm, "In the next stage, Guardian Trees will extensively use something called Sacred Tree Potion. Although not having it doesn't mean cultivation can't succeed, but with Sacred Tree Potion, Guardian Trees can not only shorten maturation time but also be in better condition."

Professor Sprout paused meaningfully. "Since the Guardian Tree was activated by your magic, this Sacred Tree Potion should also be made by you. Serving as Professor Snape's assistant, even his casual guidance would be very helpful for your Sacred Tree Potion brewing."

She added with a wry smile, "Professor Snape has a bad temper, is cold, and doesn't wash his hair. But his potion skills are truly unquestionable."

Ciel showed agreement. "Indeed."

Then his eyes showed some peculiarity. Originally, he had planned to find an excuse to reduce his visits to Snape after finding the Half-Blood Prince's textbook. Now it seemed this potion assistant job would really need to continue long-term.

"Tonight after Quidditch training ends, I'll continue going to Professor Snape's."

Then Ciel led Professor Sprout to the greenhouse. She wanted to personally examine the post-mutation state of the Piranha Algae.

After dinner that day, outside the Slytherin Head's office, the anxious Malfoy and first-year Slytherins hesitated for a long time but finally mustered the courage to knock on the door.

After a moment, Snape's voice came through with some lightness: "Ciel Sprout? I've told you before, Quidditch is a sport only muscle-bound, simple-minded fools would be enthusiastic about. Especially the Seeker position—good thing you're not one, otherwise I would never agree to let you handle potion materials... Looks like you finally listened to me and decided not to go to Quidditch training?"

The next moment, the office door opened. But Snape didn't see Ciel—instead, he saw Malfoy and the little snakes. His expression immediately darkened.

"Malfoy? First years? What are so many of you doing here?"

Seeing Snape's dramatically different attitude, Malfoy and the little snakes felt deeply uncomfortable. Why? We were here first! We're the Slytherin snakes—why does the Head treat Ciel so well?

Malfoy clenched his fists and asked, "Professor, are you having Ciel Sprout help process materials?"

Snape stared at him coldly and sneered, "What? Do I need to report to Mr. Malfoy?"

Malfoy's expression froze. "No, of course not..." He waved his hands repeatedly.

Then, gritting his teeth under Snape's icy gaze, he said, "But Professor, we're the Slytherins. Now is the time for competing for the House Cup. If you need assistants, you don't need Ciel—we can completely handle it!"

When he said this, Snape let out a light sneer. "You?"

Malfoy raised his head and said loudly, "If one little badger can do it, why can't we? You should at least give us a chance. Professor, whatever Ciel can do, so many of us will only do better. However much material he processes for you, we'll double it—no, triple it!"

Snape was slightly stunned. His expression became quite interesting. "You're... certain?"

Malfoy and the other little snakes nodded decisively. "Certain!"

Snape looked at them deeply. Then he said, "Fine. Then I'll give you this opportunity. Consider it a lesson—next time before acting, do your intelligence work. At least then you won't be completely ignorant of your opponent's strength."

Then Snape waved his wand. Baskets of flobberworms piled like small mountains fell into Malfoy and the others' arms.

"By dawn tomorrow, you need to process all of these."

Malfoy and the others stared blankly at the writhing worms in their arms, momentarily wondering if Snape had misspoken about the time.

"P-Professor... So many flobberworms, processed by dawn tomorrow? Did you misspeak about the time? Shouldn't it be the day after tomorrow or next week? Even if we stay up all night, we can't finish..."

Snape raised an eyebrow. "Stay up all night? Are you confused about something? If you can't even work through the night, what makes you think you can compete with Ciel?"

(End of Chapter)

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