Early the next morning, they had no classes, but Hermione had a Transfiguration class. So after meeting at the Great Hall, Ethan Jones simply explained the difficulties he was currently facing, and Hermione hurriedly left to go to class.
Ethan Jones wanted to seek help from Professor McGonagall, but unfortunately, because he was unfamiliar with Hogwarts Castle and couldn't figure out how the stairs worked, he had to give up after wasting thirty minutes.
Having already suffered through the castle stairs once, Ethan Jones dared not set off at the last minute. He carried One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi on his back, grabbed his stationery and wand, called to his three roommates, and came out of the dungeons, heading towards the temporary Herbology classroom on the third floor.
After a long and arduous journey, they finally arrived at the classroom a little after ten o'clock.
"Thanks to you, Ethan, if you hadn't reminded us, we would have been really late." Draco patted his chest, still feeling a bit shaken.
The sudden change of direction on the stairs had terrified him, while Goyle and Crabbe simply nodded and chuckled in agreement.
"You're welcome. As roommates, we should help each other, shouldn't we?" Ethan Jones's words had another meaning, making Draco feel as uncomfortable as a fish exposed to the air.
When they arrived, many Ravenclaw students were already seated. The four of them chose a few tables close together, arranged their books and stationery, and waited for Professor Sprout to arrive.
Soon, the short, stout professor, wearing a hat covered in patches, arrived at the classroom. Less than a minute before class was to begin, the Slytherin boys and girls from the other dormitory had not yet arrived.
When the little snakes arrived at the classroom, panting, three minutes of class had already begun.
Professor Sprout said gently, "You all need to be careful next time. The staircases inside the castle are intricate and complex; even senior students can get lost. So, please leave earlier next time you have other classes."
Sprout did not punish the late students, which made the young wizards' goodwill towards the professor soar, and they grew to like this unassuming professor.
"Okay, let's start again and go over what we just covered."
Our Herbology course is mainly divided into two parts: theory and practice.
This academic year, we will be learning about some magical plants and fungi that are basically harmless. As you progress through the years and become stronger, you will gradually come into contact with some dangerous plants.
You will be taught by two Houses together, three times a week. Except for the first class which we will have temporarily in this classroom, all other courses, whether practical or theoretical, will be conducted in the greenhouses.
Since this is your first class, I'm worried you won't be able to find the greenhouse, so I'll be holding your first theory class in the main building for now.
The greenhouses are behind the castle. I hope you won't be late for the next lesson.
Seeing all the young wizards nodding, Professor Sprout began the actual lesson with satisfaction.
"Alright, everyone, open your textbooks. We're about to learn about our first magical plant—Dittany."
This is a plant with healing and repairing magical properties. It can heal superficial wounds when eaten raw, and its effects are even more pronounced when extracted into a fragrance.
The reason I'm introducing this herb first, instead of starting from the beginning, is because you're very likely to use it in other lessons.
Professor Sprout, with a mysterious smile, frightened the group of young wizards, most of whom were just beginning to learn magic.
Her words startled some people, who looked at the professor in horror, trying to see in her eyes that it was just a joke.
Draco scoffed and whispered to Ethan Jones at the table next to him, "Don't listen to the professor's scaremongering. Dittany is indeed a plant used in treatment, but my father told me that first-year students' courses rarely involve situations that cause wounds, so there's nothing to worry about."
"I've read all the books for first years, and there really isn't any spell or content that could cause harm," Ethan Jones replied in a low voice with a smile.
Next, Professor Sprout continued to elaborate on the habits and living environment of Dittany, and projected various potions made with Dittany to expand their knowledge.
Ethan Jones's quill moved swiftly, jotting down all the useful information the professor was giving.
Seeing Ethan Jones's actions, Draco, who had been somewhat lazy, couldn't help but start writing furiously, making the two of them stand out among the Slytherins, almost as much as the Ravenclaws.
Sprout appreciated this learning attitude and even brought up some knowledge she hadn't originally intended to teach, which greatly benefited Ethan Jones.
"Ring ring," the bell rang, signaling the end of class.
Professor Sprout glanced at the lesson plan that was still a little unfinished, looked at the students in front of her, and thought about the Herbology class she still had that morning. The professor reluctantly ended the class and told herself that she must teach according to the lesson plan next time.
"Alright, don't forget to go to Greenhouse One for class on Wednesday. That's all for today's class."
All the students stood up, said goodbye to Professor Sprout, and left the classroom, but Ethan Jones stayed behind.
"Good morning, Professor. I am Ethan Jones from Slytherin." He introduced himself politely to the professor.
Perhaps thanks to his good performance in class, the professor asked gently, "Hello, Mr. Jones, is there anything you'd like to ask?"
He nodded. "Yes, Professor, I have some questions I'd like to ask Professor McGonagall, but I don't know where her office is. Could you tell me?"
"Professor McGonagall? Her office entrance is on the second floor. After you go downstairs, turn right and you'll see the office with the nameplate." Although she didn't know what a first-day student, a Slytherin student, would want with the Gryffindor Head of House, Sprout still told him everything she knew.
"Thank you very much, Professor." Ethan Jones bowed slightly.
"It's nothing," the witch chuckled. "If there's nothing else, you can leave now. I need to prepare materials for the next lesson."
"Okay, goodbye, Professor."
Ethan Jones, unable to contain his excitement any longer, ran downstairs and headed in the direction to his right.
"Knock, knock, knock, Professor McGonagall, are you there? It's Ethan Jones. I have some questions I'd like to ask." He stood at the door and knocked gently, but received no answer.
He continued knocking on the door, unwilling to give up, but after waiting for almost ten minutes without anyone opening it for him, he could only head towards the Great Hall where he had arranged to meet Hermione.
Hermione, who had finished her class early, had been waiting for Ethan Jones in the Great Hall for a long time. When she saw Ethan Jones walk in, although there were books in front of her, she was too distracted by the news from the morning to read them.
"Here!" Hermione waved to him.
She was sitting at the Gryffindor table. Ethan Jones, disregarding the difference between Houses, sat down next to Hermione, tossed his backpack onto the table, rested his chin on his hands, and said with a troubled expression, "I went to look for Professor McGonagall just now, but she wasn't there. I plan to go look for her again tonight."
Hermione comforted him, "The professor is busy teaching and doesn't have much time during the day. You can try looking for her during your lunch break."
"This morning was a bit rushed. Are you saying you might not be their biological child?"
"Yes, whether based on the laws of genetics or the Sorting Hat, I shouldn't be their child." Ethan Jones's voice was somewhat low.
Hermione felt a pang of sympathy and wanted to reach out and pat his head, but after extending her hand halfway, she thought it wasn't quite right and instead placed her hand on his shoulder and patted him: "Whether they are your parents or not, they love you enough, don't they? Don't think too much about it."
He took one hand and patted Hermione's hand on his shoulder: "I know, I don't want to leave them. I just want to know who my biological parents are and why they abandoned me."
Hermione felt the warmth from the back of her hand, her face flushed, and she quickly pulled her hand back.