Lockhart, however, acted as if he hadn't seen it, and upon seeing the bandages, he wore the expression of a know-it-all.
"Oh, my dear Professor Sprout, your method might be effective, but it's far too ancient." Lockhart waved his hand, his tone full of superiority.
"In Chapter Three of 'Wandering with Yetis,' I meticulously documented a more efficient healing method."
Professor Sprout was expressionless.
"It seems Professor Lockhart is already more professional than I am; I've never heard of a new way to treat the Whomping Willow."
"No, no, no, of course you are more professional," Lockhart said, feigning modesty.
"It's just that I once encountered such a situation, with injuries even more severe than this, and I healed them in three minutes using this spell."
Professor Sprout only suffered because she couldn't curse, otherwise she would have long since cursed Lockhart.
Charlie narrowed his eyes, quite skeptical of his claim.
So far, he hadn't personally witnessed Lockhart do anything impressive.
Lockhart raised his wand, pointed its tip at the Whomping Willow, and began to mumble incantations.
"Abracadabra... uh, what comes next?"
"Professor Lockhart, please stop!" Professor Sprout cried out urgently.
"You can't just cast spells on the Whomping Willow!"
Lockhart turned back, grinning widely.
"Please trust me, Professor, I can handle it."
He frowned, trying hard to recall a spell.
"That's right! It's... um... what was it again...?"
"Never mind, it's all pretty much the same anyway."
Professor Sprout's face turned green, and she quickly pulled Charlie back.
"Come on!" she whispered to Charlie.
"Although the Whomping Willow's magical flow is temporarily blocked, if someone casts a spell on it, its magic will flow again."
As soon as the two retreated to a safe distance, Lockhart's triumphant voice came from his direction.
"Ha, look, the spell worked."
A blinding white light shot from his wand tip, hitting the Whomping Willow's trunk directly.
The Whomping Willow began to tremble.
First, a slight sway, then it became increasingly violent.
"Haha! See? I've revitalized this Whomping Willow!"
Lockhart turned to look at Professor Sprout and Charlie.
He saw them standing very far away, looking bewildered.
"Why are you two running so far?"
The next second, a thick branch whistled through the air.
"Whack!"
Lockhart was directly knocked flying, tracing a perfect parabola in the air, finally crashing heavily onto the grass five meters away.
"Ah!"
Lockhart's scream echoed across the open field.
The Whomping Willow was fully awake, all its branches began to swing wildly, emitting angry rustling sounds.
It was clearly not very satisfied with the recent treatment.
Professor Sprout turned her head away, unable to bear watching the cruel scene.
"I knew this would happen."
Charlie, however, watched with relish. As expected of the great Professor Lockhart, he easily helped me test the strength of future security.
Charlie was very satisfied with this strength.
"Help... help me..."
Lockhart called for help weakly from a distance, his voice tinged with a sob.
His magnificent robes had turned into rags, his hair was a bird's nest, and his face had several red marks left by branches.
Professor Sprout pulled out her wand and pointed it at the Whomping Willow's knot.
The Whomping Willow quieted down again, its branches drooping, returning to a static state.
"Charlie, you go to class now." The Professor's tone suddenly became cheerful.
"The first class is Herbology Class, don't be late."
"I'll take Professor Lockhart to the Hospital Wing."
She hummed a tune and walked towards Lockhart.
Charlie also strolled leisurely towards the Greenhouse.
The first class was Herbology, taken with Gryffindor.
As he reached the Greenhouse entrance, he saw Harry and Ron standing there dejectedly.
Clearly, the power of the Howler had left them still reeling.
"Hi, Charlie." Harry greeted him weakly.
Ron was even worse, completely wilted, not even wanting to speak.
"Morning." Charlie nodded.
Hermione was beside them, not sad that her friends had been scolded; she just felt they deserved it.
The class bell rang, and Professor Sprout pushed open the Greenhouse door and walked in.
She had dropped Lockhart off at the Hospital Wing and returned.
She had no intention of looking after her colleague.
"Students, please sit down."
Professor Sprout clapped her hands, signaling everyone to quiet down.
Charlie walked and sat next to Ernie, who had specifically saved a spot for him.
Harry and Ron still sat dejectedly in the corner.
Hermione had already prepared her quill and parchment, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the Professor, awaiting new knowledge.
Neville nervously rubbed his hands; he had performed well in Herbology Class last year, which made him both excited and worried about the subject.
"Last year, we learned the basics of Herbology," Professor Sprout began.
"Starting this year, we will begin practical work."
She looked around, her gaze lingering on each student's face for a moment.
"I believe many people think Herbology is just an auxiliary subject, and studying Herbology is merely to better brew Potions."
Ron muttered softly, "It is, though."
Professor Sprout heard him, but she just smiled, not angry.
"But if that were the case, why would Herbology be listed as one of the four major subjects?"
"Next, I will show you the true charm of Herbology."
She pulled her wand from her robes.
"When you understand the characteristics of each plant, you can freely change and manipulate them."
Professor Sprout raised her wand and began to wave it gently.
The wand tip traced elegant arcs, and something seemed to flow in the air.
Charlie felt the fluctuations of magic, but this fluctuation was very special, not sharp and formed like a spell, but rather uncertain like water, yet carrying the warmth of life.
The deep red plants in several pots behind the Professor began to change.
The plants, which had been quietly nestled in their pots, suddenly began to grow wildly.
"Merlin!" Ron exclaimed.
The stems thickened at a visible rate, instantly swelling from finger-thin to arm-thick.
Branches extended wildly, twisting in the air, covered with dense, sharp thorns.
Each thorn glowed with a dim light, looking very poisonous.
The plants waved their tentacles menacingly, but they always remained attached behind the Professor, not attacking anyone.
Neville stared at the plants with shining eyes.
Hermione began to furiously take notes: Herbology can make plants grow large.
"These are Venomous Tentaculas," Professor Sprout introduced.
"They can not only be used in Potions but are also good helpers for Wizards."
As she spoke, one of the tentacles wrapped around a pair of dragon-hide gloves placed on a shelf, carefully handing them to the Professor.
Charlie blinked; weren't those the gloves he had given her?
"See?" Professor Sprout put on the gloves, nodding with satisfaction.
"They are very intelligent and know what is useful to their master."
The students were completely stunned by this display.
"Professor, this is so cool!" Seamus said excitedly.
He was already eager to learn this.
Hmm... bigger plants should have greater explosive power, right?
Charlie also sighed, admitting he had indeed underestimated Herbology before.
Transfiguration could also conjure vines and various plants, but those plants required one's own energy and magic to sustain.
Once the supply of magic stopped, the effect of the Transfiguration would disappear.
But the magical plants cultivated through Herbology were not only stronger than regular plants but could also exist indefinitely.
Most importantly, after receiving an attack command, they would act on their own.
The ability to move on their own was a huge bonus.
This was equivalent to having several extra enforcers, and the kind that were tireless and absolutely loyal.
Wizards were essentially becoming summoners.
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