In the Scottish Highlands in September, early mornings were always accompanied by damp, cold mist.
As Tamara led her followers out of the Castle gates, the damp air hitting their faces made this group of pampered young masters and ladies frown one after another.
"This wretched weather."
Draco Malfoy shrunk his neck, looking disdainfully at the muddy grass beneath his feet; his polished boots had just stepped on it when they were splashed with a bit of mud.
Tamara still maintained her perfect poise today, her dark green silk robes fluttering slightly in the morning breeze, her long hair tied behind her head with a silver-green ribbon, revealing her long, fair neck.
Nagini hadn't come along; it seemed to utterly loathe moisture, stubbornly staying in the blankets and refusing to budge, and Tamara didn't bother forcing a cat to suffer.
If she could, she would rather just rob an apothecary than come here to play with mud, but for that damn goal of getting an 'O' in every subject, she had to endure it.
Greenhouse One was located on the grounds behind the Castle, a long glass building.
After everyone had changed into their work clothes, they pushed open the door and walked in, met by a wave of warm, humid air mixed with the fragrance of earth and the stench of fertilizer.
Professor Sprout, a Witch wearing a patched hat with dirt always stuffed under her fingernails, was waiting for them behind a long table piled high with flowerpots.
"Good morning, Slytherin students!"
Professor Sprout cheerfully clapped the dirt off her hands, her smile very bright.
"Don't just stand at the door, come in! Today we are going to learn about a very interesting and practical plant!"
"Today's theme is—Dictamnus."
Professor Sprout pointed to the row of ordinary-looking plants with silver-green leaves on the table.
"Who can tell me, what are the effects of Dictamnus?"
The whole room was silent.
Goyle was trying to pick a bug out of his nostril, Crabbe was staring blankly at the potted plant, and Pansy was busy wiping water droplets off her robes.
Draco did know, but he was busy being disgusted by the fertilizer bucket on the table and had no time to raise his hand.
Tamara sighed.
This showed the downside of Hermione Granger not being present—with no one racing to answer, the atmosphere would be quite awkward.
She elegantly raised a hand.
"Miss Riddle?" Professor Sprout's eyes lit up.
"Dictamnus is a powerful healing herb, Professor."
Tamara's voice was steady, precise as if reciting a textbook: "Its essence can be used to treat lacerations, prevent scarring, and even has a certain delaying effect on some irreversible damage caused by the Dark Arts."
"Perfect! Five points to Slytherin!"
The Slytherin students immediately straightened their backs, looking at Tamara with even more admiration.
"Now, today's task is simple."
Professor Sprout pointed to a large bucket of dark brown substance nearby that emitted a strong odor.
"These seedlings need repotting; you need to transplant them into larger pots and mix in enough fertilizer."
"Be careful, the root systems of Dictamnus are very fragile, and they like... er... nutrient-rich environments."
"That's dragon dung." Draco covered his nose, taking a step back in horror, "That's Antipodean Opaleye dung, I can smell it!"
"A very keen nose, Mr. Malfoy." Professor Sprout nodded approvingly, "Fresh dragon dung compost is the best nourishment for Dictamnus."
"Now, put on your dragon-hide gloves and get to work!"
The Slytherin students looked at each other.
Asking these "noble pure-bloods" to grab dragon dung? This was practically murder!
Even Pansy, who had always been obedient to Tamara, now had a bitter face, looking at the bucket of black stuff and not daring to move for a long time.
Tamara looked at the flowerpot in front of her, then at the bucket of nutrient-rich dragon dung next to it.
She pulled her exquisite leather gloves, embroidered with a silver snake pattern, from her pocket, preparing to put them on.
Although touching dung through gloves was also disgusting, it was already the limit of what she could accept.
However.
Just as her fingers touched the edge of the gloves.
[Ding! Core segment of Herbology course detected: Contact with the Earth.]
[Virtue Task Triggered: Gift of the Earth.]
[Task Description: True life force should not be isolated by cold leather. As a Wizard determined to protect life, please use your hands to feel the temperature of the soil and the pulse of life.]
[Task Requirement: Complete the transplanting and fertilizing of Dictamnus barehanded.]
[Task Reward: life +5.]
[Failure Penalty: For the next three days, no matter how many times you bathe, your body will emit a faint smell of dragon dung.]
Tamara's movements froze.
The expensive gloves slipped from her fingertips and fell onto the dirt-covered table.
Damn it!
Damn it!
Damn it!
Tamara felt her temples throbbing.
She looked at the dark brown, slightly steaming bucket of dragon dung.