Happy times always pass too quickly. Although no one wanted such an interesting class to end so soon, Professor McGonagall called everyone to stop when the bell rang.
"Alright, stop what you're doing, class is about to end, I'm going to assign some homework."
To deepen your understanding of Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration, everyone must write an essay summarizing their understanding of it, no less than twelve inches long. Submit it next class along with the Reparifarge spell you are required to write.
A chorus of groans erupted from the audience, but the Slytherins had no choice but to complete their assignment as required, and as quickly as possible, because they had an Astronomy class that evening, scheduled for 9 p.m., and their second Transfiguration class of the week was tomorrow.
Professor McGonagall didn't care about that; she finished assigning the homework and left.
"Stop sighing, what's coming will come, won't it? This is only a twelve-inch assignment, the History of Magic assignment is three feet long, have you finished yet?" Ethan Jones teased Draco on purpose. Of course he knew that Malfoy, who had been busy playing Wizard's Chess all night, hadn't written a single word.
"Oh God, just kill me!" Draco cried out in despair.
"Be strong, you still have Astronomy class tonight." He joked before heading to the History of Magic classroom to find Hermione so she could do her homework in the library.
On the way to the library, he complained to Hermione, "The Astronomy class is at nine o'clock at night. If this were in Muggle society, the person who designed this course would have been publicly apologized by protesting parents long ago."
"After all, it's a magic school. I think their Astronomy might be different from what we know, right?" Hermione's tone wasn't very certain, because there were no textbooks for this course.
Ethan Jones spent an hour rushing to finish the essay on Transfiguration and borrowed a copy of A Compendium of Famous Bloodline Talents from the library.
The list above includes some well-established bloodline talents from ancient times to the present, among which the Phoenix affinity of the Dumbledore family is also prominently listed.
It reads: "The Dumbledore family, from some unknown time, has gained the favor of the Phoenix, and all members of the family are protected by the Phoenix."
The greatest wizard of this century, Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, was accompanied by a Phoenix, which became the most powerful evidence that this talent truly existed.
This book was written by a man named Olivier Doro, but for some reason, he did not see it at Flourish and Blotts.
As night fell, the Slytherins came out in droves and met up with the Hufflepuffs, who were also taking Astronomy class, in the Entrance Hall on the first floor. The large group of them walked noisily toward the Astronomy Tower.
Professor Sinistra, who taught the course, wore a pointed wizard's hat embroidered with gold stars and a magnificent wizard's robe with silver moons and stars as she greeted the new students who were attending class for the first time.Getty Images
This course doesn't require the use of any practical magic; students simply need to observe the night sky with a telescope and learn the names of different stars and the orbits of planets.
Ethan Jones felt that, apart from the fact that celestial bodies were given different magical meanings in the wizarding world, it was not much different from the Astronomy of Muggles.
They returned to their dormitory before curfew and collapsed into bed exhausted.
After a busy Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday consisted of only four classes, two each day: two Herbology classes (which Ethan Jones didn't dislike) and one Transfiguration class and one Charms class (which he really liked).
In Herbology class, Professor Sprout, wearing a protective suit covered in mud, showed them a small pot of white sage.
"Class, this is Dittany. Look at them, aren't they beautiful? Today we will learn how to cultivate them, how to judge their growth, and other knowledge."
The professor truly loves plants; the smile on her face when she held the Dittany was so genuine.
Draco seemed a little unhappy. He muttered, "If this were at home, it would be something the House-elves would do. Why would I need to do it myself?"
Wearing protective gloves, the first years followed Professor Sprout's actions, personally repotting and fertilizing the Dittany, and observing all its characteristics.
Ethan Jones was quite happy. He was full of curiosity about everything in the magical world, and he wouldn't develop any aversion to anything until that curiosity dissipated. Moreover, he did have some ulterior motives regarding the plant, Dittany.
When class ended, Ethan Jones did not leave the greenhouse with the others, but instead went to find Professor Sprout.
He asked, "Professor, may I take a pot of Dittany and keep it in my dormitory?"
I'm curious whether the Dittany grown in greenhouses have the same effect as those grown in our dark, sunless dormitories.
Although the book describes the most suitable growing environment for Dittany, it doesn't elaborate much on its medicinal properties.
The short, stout professor praised his spirit of exploration: "Good idea, Jones, it's excellent that you thought of this."
Dittany is not a rare plant and poses no danger. To prevent any accidents during care, you may take two pots.
Professor Sprout also made her own request: "However, Jones, it would be very simple to give you two pots of Dittany, but I need you to do one thing—record the growth of the Dittany, and after a month of cultivation, bring back some of them to compare their efficacy with that of the Dittany in the greenhouse."
So, are you confident you can complete the task?
The witch didn't care about the value of the two pots of white flowers, but what she valued was whether Ethan Jones had the patience to complete the complicated and tedious work.
Ethan Jones assured her, "Of course, Professor, I'm sure I can complete the task. I can't wait!"
Looking into Ethan Jones's sincere eyes, Professor Sprout temporarily trusted him: "Very good! I believe that Mr. Jones will give me a satisfactory result. Wait a moment."
With her familiarity with greenhouse plants, the witch quickly picked out four pots of Dittany that were all about the same size and in similar condition, and gave two of them to Ethan Jones.
"These two plants are yours now. Don't let me down, Mr. Jones."
"I guarantee I'll complete the mission!" he assured her, carefully carrying two pots of Dittany as he ran towards the dungeons.
Watching his retreating figure, Professor Sprout smiled and nodded: "If you can maintain this curiosity and drive, and if your grades are decent in sixth year, you can join my advanced class."
He carefully carried the Dittany all the way back to the dungeon and placed it on his desk.
In fact, Ethan Jones did this not only to accumulate experience in cultivating magical plants, but also mainly to collect some Dittany for future use. He had some ideas that he might use this treatment method.
But what bad intentions could Ethan Jones possibly have? He just wanted to prey on some small animals.