Chapter 23: What Wicked Thoughts Did Ethan Have
Happy times always end too quickly. Although no one wanted such an interesting class to end so soon, Professor McGonagall ended the lesson when the bell rang.
"Alright, stop what you're doing. Class is about to end, and 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 the topic, at least twelve inches long. Submit it next class along with your written Reparifarge spell.
A chorus of groans erupted from the class, but the Slytherins had no choice but to complete the assignment as required, and as quickly as possible, because they had Astronomy at nine that evening, and their second Transfiguration class of the week was tomorrow.
McGonagall ignored their complaints. She finished assigning the homework and left.
"Stop sighing. What's done is done, isn't it? This is only a twelve-inch essay. The History of Magic assignment is three feet long. Have you finished that yet?" Ethan teased Draco on purpose. Of course, he knew that Draco hadn't written a single word; he'd been busy playing Wizard's Chess all night.
"Oh God, just kill me!" Draco cried out in despair.
"Be strong. You still have Astronomy class tonight," Ethan joked, 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 the Muggle world, the person who designed this schedule would be issuing public apologies by now, with parents protesting and demanding answers."
"After all, it is a magic school. I suppose their Astronomy might be different from what we know, right?" Hermione didn't sound certain, as there were no textbooks for the course.
Ethan spent an hour rushing to finish the Transfiguration essay and borrowed a copy of A Compendium of Famous Bloodline Talents from the library.
The book listed several well-established bloodline talents from ancient times to the present, including the Dumbledore family's Phoenix affinity.
It read: "The Dumbledore family has held the favor of the Phoenix since antiquity, and all members of the family are protected by the Phoenix."
The greatest wizard of the century, Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, was accompanied by a Phoenix, which served as proof that this talent truly existed.
The book was written by a man named Olivier Doro, but Ethan had never seen it at Flourish and Blotts.
As night fell, the Slytherins emerged in droves and met the Hufflepuffs, who were also taking Astronomy, in the Entrance Hall on the first floor. The large group walked noisily toward the Astronomy Tower.
Professor Sinistra wore a pointed hat embroidered with gold stars and magnificent robes decorated with silver moons and stars, as she greeted the first-years attending their first lesson.
The course required no practical magic. Students simply observed the night sky through telescopes, learning the names of stars and the orbits of planets.
Ethan felt that, aside from the magical meanings assigned to celestial bodies in the wizarding world, it wasn't much different from Muggle Astronomy.
They returned to their dormitory before curfew and collapsed into bed, exhausted.
After a busy Tuesday, the next two days brought just four classes (two per day): two Herbology lessons, which Ethan didn't mind, plus Transfiguration and Charms, which he genuinely enjoyed.
In Herbology, Professor Sprout, her protective suit covered in mud, showed them a small pot of Dittany.
"Class, this is Dittany. Look at them. Aren't they beautiful? Today we'll learn how to cultivate them, assess their growth, and recognize their characteristics."
The professor truly loved plants. The smile on her face as she held the Dittany was utterly genuine.
Draco seemed unhappy. He muttered, "At home, the House-elves would do this. Why should I do it myself?"
Wearing protective gloves, the first-years followed Professor Sprout's example, repotting and fertilizing the Dittany while observing its characteristics.
Ethan was happy. He was curious about everything in the magical world and wouldn't grow tired of anything until that curiosity faded. Besides, he had ulterior motives concerning the plant.
When class ended, Ethan didn't leave the greenhouse with the others. Instead, he approached Professor Sprout.
"Professor, may I take a pot of Dittany to keep in my dormitory?"
He was curious whether Dittany grown in greenhouses had the same effect as that grown in the dark, sunless environment of their dormitories.
Although the textbook described the ideal growing environment for Dittany, it hadn't elaborated much on its medicinal properties.
The short, stout professor praised his initiative. "Good idea, Jones. I'm glad you thought of this."
"Dittany isn't rare or dangerous. To be safe, you may take two pots."
Professor Sprout added her own request. "However, Jones, while it's simple to give you two pots, I need you to do one thing: record the Dittany's growth, and after a month, bring some back to compare their efficacy with the greenhouse plants."
"So, are you confident you can complete this task?"
The witch cared nothing for the value of two pots of white flowers. She cared whether Ethan possessed the patience for complicated, tedious work.
"Of course, Professor. I can do it. I can't wait!"
Looking into Ethan's sincere eyes, Professor Sprout found herself inclined to trust him.
"Very well! I believe you'll give me a satisfactory result. Wait here."
Familiar with the greenhouse plants, she quickly selected four pots of Dittany of roughly equal size and condition, placing two in front of Ethan.
"These two are yours now. Don't disappoint me, Mr. Jones."
"I guarantee I'll complete the task!" he promised, carefully cradling the two pots as he hurried toward the dungeons.
Watching him go, Professor Sprout smiled with approval. "If you maintain this curiosity and drive, and your sixth-year grades are decent, you may join my advanced class."
Ethan carried the Dittany back to his desk in the dungeon.
Truthfully, he hadn't done this merely to gain experience cultivating magical plants, but primarily to stockpile Dittany for future use. He had ideas about applying this treatment later.
But what harm could Ethan possibly intend? He simply wanted to hunt some small animals.
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