Remus Lupin stepped into the conservatory and was instantly transfixed.
The interior was far more expansive than it appeared from the outside; the vast stretch of land seemed to roll on toward an endless horizon. The air was thick with a chaotic, heady swirl of scents from a thousand different medicinal herbs.
What startled Lupin most was that these magical plants weren't meticulously arranged in pots as they were in standard wizarding greenhouses. Instead, they were planted directly into the earth in massive, sprawling patches. It felt less like a greenhouse and more like a high-yield magical farm.
Alaric Thorn wasn't surprised by Lupin's stunned expression. Anyone with a passing knowledge of herbology would be floored by the sheer scale of the operation.
With even a cursory glance, Lupin identified dozens of rare and precious species. To those in the trade, these weren't just plants—they were fields of living gold. This realization made Lupin re-evaluate the young man beside him; Alaric Thorn was clearly far more powerful and influential than his unassuming shopfront suggested.
"Mmm, I think I'd better show you around," Alaric said with a light chuckle. He drew his wand. "You'll need a Bubble-Head Charm, sir. Otherwise, you'll find some of the... er, less friendly aromas a bit overwhelming."
Lupin followed Alaric's lead, casting a Bubble-Head Charm on himself. Soon, two large, shimmering spheres of air encased their heads. The charm, typically used for breathing underwater, was a practical way to filter out toxic spores or pungent odors.
Lupin quickly understood why it was necessary. As they walked, he spotted a tall, gnarled willow tree in the distance, which caused him to stop in his tracks.
"Is that... a Whomping Willow?" he asked, a look of nostalgic recognition crossing his face. "I remember one just like it at Hogwarts."
"Actually, this is a sapling from that very tree," Alaric said, approaching the willow and giving its trunk a familiar pat. "I transplanted a cutting back when I was a student."
By all rights, a Whomping Willow should have lashed out at anyone within range, yet this one remained perfectly still. Lupin found the creature's docility fascinating. However, as he took a step closer, the tree's demeanor shifted violently.
The long, whip-like branches began to thrash through the air with a series of sharp, whistling cracks. Lupin scrambled back, nearly tripping over a patch of Fluxweed.
"Ah, apologies. It's a bit shy around strangers," Alaric noted with a smirk. "When you approach, simply hold your hands above your head. It won't attack if it sees you're 'surrendering.'"
"Shouldn't I just press the knot at the base of the trunk?" Lupin asked.
He remembered the Hogwarts willow vividly; pressing a specific knot on the bark would paralyze the tree instantly. That had been his secret way into the Shrieking Shack for years.
"Every Whomping Willow is unique," Alaric explained patiently. "This one doesn't have a knot. Just do as I said; it won't hurt you."
"I think I'll keep my distance for the time being," Lupin said, his heart still hammering against his ribs.
"It really is quite safe," Alaric insisted, looking somewhat disappointed. "You'll need to learn to coexist with the residents here; it's part of the job description."
Since his employer had made it a requirement, Lupin hesitated but eventually decided to try. This was, after all, what he was being paid for. He took a deep breath, lowered his center of gravity, and—as Alaric instructed—raised both hands high above his head.
This time, as he approached, the tree remained motionless.
However, just as Lupin prepared to move even closer, the branches began to quiver with a violent, unnatural intensity. Lupin froze. Even Alaric took a cautious step back.
That's odd, Alaric thought. The surrender gesture should have pacified it completely.
While Alaric puzzled over the behavior, the color of the branches began to turn. The vibrant green bark deepened, shifting rapidly into a bruised, ominous dark purple.
"Something's wrong," Alaric's voice sharpened, a flash of alertness in his eyes. "Back away, Lupin! Now!"
The words had barely left his mouth when the Whomping Willow erupted. Instead of physical blows, the branches began to vent thick, swirling plumes of a pungent purple gas. The toxic mist expanded with terrifying speed, dyeing the surrounding air a murky violet.
Fortunately, both men were protected by their Bubble-Head Charms, preventing them from inhaling the noxious fumes.
"Retreat!" Alaric barked, grabbing Lupin's arm and pulling him toward the edge of the conservatory.
The gas surged forward, coating the outside of their air bubbles in a thin purple film. Panicked, they both leveled their wands at their own heads, reinforcing the charms until the intrusion was held at bay.
"What happened? Why did it do that?" Lupin asked, his face pale as he stared back at the thrashing tree. He had never seen a Whomping Willow behave with such chemical aggression.
Alaric's brow was knit tight in a deep scowl. Eldra, analyze the Willow's current state.
The Tree of Wisdom's data flickered in his mind:
Species: Whomping Willow
Level: 2
Traits: Lethal Toxicity
Status: Growing (0%)
Alaric felt a wave of relief wash over him. It seemed his Mutation ability had finally taken hold of the Willow at this very moment, granting it a "Lethal Toxicity" trait.
Usually, Alaric's mutations were the result of deliberate magical infusions and potion-enriched soil, but he knew that spontaneous, random mutations could occur within the plantation's high-magic environment. The Willow was simply a victim of a random evolutionary jump.
Alaric turned to Lupin, forcing a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Lupin. This is perfectly normal for my plantation. This Willow is just... unique. It's still quite safe, I assure you."
"...Is it?"
Lupin stared at the tree, which was currently acting like a giant, angry smoke grenade. He was beginning to suspect that this job was significantly more "high-risk" than the interview suggested.
While Lupin watched with growing apprehension, Alaric stepped back toward the tree and placed a hand on its purple-streaked bark. Under his touch, the branches began to settle, and the purple mist gradually thinned until it vanished altogether.
"See? Problem solved," Alaric said with a nod.
The sudden outburst had likely been the result of the tree being unable to control its new toxic capacity. Now that the mutation had stabilized, it had retracted the poison and the bark was returning to its natural hue.
Lupin stared at the Willow, his mind racing. Alaric's explanation did very little to soothe his nerves.
"Is it too late for me to reject this job?" Lupin asked, his voice dripping with weary resignation.
"I'll pay you double."
"Deal."