Since it was the first lesson for the new students, Professor Sprout did not assign any practical exercises, focusing instead on theoretical knowledge.
Professor Sprout was very kind; perhaps all Herbology professors at Hogwarts were. When Neville struggled to answer a question, she would gently encourage him and guide him to recall the correct information.
Seamus practiced Transfiguration secretly during the lesson and was successful, but on his second spell, he accidentally detonated a pot of Baboon Tubers. Fortunately, Harry reacted quickly enough, transforming Seamus's scarf into an umbrella to shield him from the splattering pulp.
"Excellent Transfiguration spell! Five points for Gryffindor!" Professor Sprout exclaimed, before giving Seamus a stern reprimand.
Just as Seamus began to feel discouraged, Professor Sprout produced a small cake from somewhere and handed it to him.
Seamus lowered his head and sincerely promised Professor Sprout that he would never misbehave in Herbology again.
She forgave him but deducted one point from Gryffindor as a mild punishment.
When the class ended, Harry didn't leave immediately; he stayed in the greenhouse.
"Mr. Potter?" Professor Sprout noticed him. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Professor," Harry said, gathering his thoughts, "I read about a carnivorous Chinese cabbage in a book, and I'm very interested. I was wondering if you have any mature carnivorous cabbages here."
"A carnivorous cabbage is a very dangerous plant," Professor Sprout said, tactfully—not refusing Harry's request outright. "I don't think a young wizard like you is suited to care for such a plant. You should see a real carnivorous cabbage—it might change your mind. Come with me."
Ron and Neville exchanged a glance, intending to follow them, as did Hermione.
Seamus took his small cake and returned first, a bit embarrassed to face Professor Sprout again—after all, he had destroyed a Baboon Tubers pot.
The four students followed Professor Sprout to the second floor of the greenhouse, weaving around a group of magical trees until they reached a control panel.
On the counter lay six Biting Cabbages, their mouths wide open, bodies writhing.
"Behold," Professor Sprout presented them, "this is the Biting Cabbage. The one in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi isn't nearly as frightening as the real thing."
She then picked up a branch and held it in front of one of the cabbages.
The twisted, round cabbage snapped its jaws shut with a loud crack. The branch let out a sharp, high-pitched squeal as it was bitten in half.
"This is incredibly cruel," Hermione frowned. "Harry, I don't think we should cultivate this—"
Before she could finish, she saw Harry extend his wand and tap quickly behind the cabbage.
Then, Harry reached out his hand to the plant.
"Harry!" she and Ron shouted together, "Don't touch it!"
But, to their surprise, when Harry's hand touched the cabbage, it rubbed against him like a playful puppy.
"I think it has a fairly gentle temperament. Do you want to try?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow. Ron clearly looked interested and reached out, but the cabbage turned toward him, revealing a sinister grin.
"Never mind," Ron quickly withdrew his hand.
"Cabbage…"
Harry patted the cabbage, thinking fondly of Professor Sprout's Chinese dish called Spicy Cabbage.
"Incredible," Professor Sprout said with a look of discovery. "I never imagined a young wizard of your age would know so much about plants. If this were during class, I'd give five extra points to Gryffindor."
Finally, she added, "If you want, I can give you a smaller, less dangerous one—just don't throw it at your classmates, understood?"
"Thank you, Professor. I won't," Harry replied obediently.
Professor Sprout met his green eyes and smiled. That child… really did resemble Lily.
Harry, holding a small cabbage, left the greenhouse happily, while Hermione watched him with a worried expression.
"I hope it doesn't bite my Scabbers," Ron muttered, deciding that both he and Scabbers should stay far away from the cabbage.
Neville was very careful with the cabbage, fertilizing and watering it whenever he had free time, and asking Harry questions about herbs.
Harry patiently answered all of Neville's questions; since they were dorm mates, there was no need to hold back.
Of all Hogwarts subjects, Harry was most familiar with History of Magic with Professor Binns.
Professor Binns was a ghost; it was said he had fallen asleep in front of the fireplace in the staff room and forgotten to take his body with him the next morning—thus becoming a ghost unknowingly.
During lessons, Professor Binns lectured in a monotone voice, making Harry inevitably sleepy. It felt so familiar—exactly like it had in the past.
Harry's eyes filled with tears.
The professor's spellcaster was an unusually small wizard named Flitwick. During class, he had to stand on a pile of books to reach the podium.
At the start of the first lesson, he took attendance. When Harry's name was called, he shouted with joy, turned the book over, and disappeared from the students' view.
Professor Flitwick only taught the Flurry spell in the first class. Most students managed to cast the simple spell successfully, but Harry's Flurry shone like a spotlight, and Flitwick generously added five points to Gryffindor's score.
What really disappointed Harry was Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
In fact, it disappointed all the students, because Professor Quirrell merely stammered through stories of his terrible adventures, without mentioning the strong smell of garlic that permeated the classroom.
According to Professor Quirrell, the garlic was meant to repel vampires, but the students disagreed, suggesting that utensils would be much more effective.
To avoid further questions, Professor Quirrell decided to teach the students a small spell: the Immobilization Charm.
This certainly captured the students' attention. They stopped worrying about the source of the garlic smell and focused on learning the small but useful spell.
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