The following morning dawned bright and cool over Hogwarts Castle. Sunlight streamed through tall windows and spilled across ancient stone corridors as students made their way toward their first classes of the year. The excitement of returning to Hogwarts still lingered in the air. Conversations echoed through the halls as students compared schedules, discussed summer adventures, and speculated about their new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. By the time the second-year Herbology students arrived at Greenhouse Three, the grounds were sparkling with dew and the scent of damp earth filled the morning air. Mira Silverthorne stepped inside alongside Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, Daphne Greengrass, Neville Longbottom, Hermione Granger, and several other Gryffindors and Slytherins. The greenhouse was pleasantly warm compared to the cool autumn breeze outside. Rows of magical plants stretched in every direction, their leaves rustling softly despite the lack of wind.
Professor Sprout stood waiting near a long workbench covered in pots and gardening tools. Her patched hat sat slightly crooked atop her head, and her face lit up with a welcoming smile as the students entered. Behind her rested several large trays containing rows of Mandrake seedlings. Even from a distance, the tiny plants looked remarkably grumpy. Their leafy green tops twitched occasionally, and several appeared to be glaring at the students. Neville immediately brightened at the sight of them. Plants never made him nervous. In fact, Herbology was one of the few classes where he felt genuinely confident. Mira smiled as she noticed the familiar excitement in her friend's eyes. Beside her, Draco eyed the Mandrakes with cautious suspicion.
"Good morning, everyone," Professor Sprout announced cheerfully. "Today we'll be learning how to re-pot Mandrakes."
Several students exchanged nervous looks.
Even those who knew what Mandrakes were felt a flicker of unease.
The seedlings looked small.
That somehow made them more unsettling.
Professor Sprout gestured toward the trays.
"Before we begin, can anyone tell me what properties Mandrake Root possesses?"
Two hands shot into the air immediately.
Mira's.
And Hermione's.
The speed was nearly identical.
Several students smiled knowingly.
Some things never changed.
Professor Sprout's eyes twinkled.
"Miss Silverthorne?"
Mira lowered her raised hand and stood slightly straighter.
"The Mandrake, or Mandragora, is a powerful magical plant whose root resembles a human in appearance," she explained clearly. "When fully matured, Mandrake Root is used in restorative potions and magical remedies. Most famously, it is used to reverse petrification. Individuals who have been petrified can be restored to their normal state through carefully prepared Mandrake Restorative Draughts. The plant also possesses several medicinal properties useful in advanced healing, though proper preparation is essential due to its dangerous nature. A mature Mandrake's cry is fatal, while younger specimens produce cries that can cause unconsciousness. Because of this, proper hearing protection is required whenever handling them."
Professor Sprout beamed.
"Excellent answer."
She clapped her hands together.
"Ten points to Slytherin."
The Slytherin students looked pleased.
Draco immediately sat a little taller.
Blaise smirked.
Theo gave Mira an approving nod.
Across the greenhouse, Hermione smiled despite losing the opportunity to answer herself. She genuinely appreciated when someone else knew the material as thoroughly as she did. Harry noticed and smiled faintly. Ron, meanwhile, looked relieved that he had not been called upon. He still wasn't entirely awake. The warmth of the greenhouse and the steady drone of academic discussion were combining into a dangerous mixture. Neville found himself admiring how naturally Mira answered questions. She never sounded arrogant. She simply shared information because she enjoyed learning it.
Professor Sprout moved toward the trays.
"As Miss Silverthorne said, only a Mandrake seedling cry can knock you unconscious. Luckily, we have to precautions to prevent that," she said, reaching for a collection of bright earmuffs. "Everyone put these on."
Students immediately obeyed.
"Flaps tight down and watch me closely." Sprout gestured how to wear the earmuffs.
The earmuffs came in various colors and sizes.
Some looked practical.
Others looked ridiculous.
Ron received a pair that resembled oversized purple cabbages.
Draco looked personally offended by his orange earmuffs.
Daphne's were elegant silver.
Mira's were pale blue.
Soon the greenhouse was filled with students adjusting straps and checking seals.
The world became muffled.
Voices faded into dull vibrations.
Sprout held onto the Mandrake seedling, "Now, you grasp your Mandrake firmly. You pull it sharply out of the pot." She lifted a Mandrake seedling from its pot.
The tiny creature immediately opened its mouth.
Though the students could hear almost nothing through their earmuffs, the sheer intensity of the cry was obvious.
The Mandrake kicked furiously.
Its tiny limbs flailed.
Its face was twisted in outrage.
Professor Sprout calmly lowered it into a larger pot and covered its roots with fresh soil, "Got it? And now you dunk it down into the other pot and pour a little sprinkling of soil to keep him warm."
The creature continued protesting.
Then settled.
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At that exact moment, Ron Weasley toppled backward.
He hit the greenhouse floor with a dramatic thud.
Several students jumped.
Harry blinked.
Hermione stared.
Neville looked alarmed.
Sprout sighed, "Weasley must have neglected to wear his earmuffs properly."
Seamus Finnigan immediately shook his head. "No, ma'am, he just fainted."
For several seconds, Professor Sprout stared.
Then she sighed.
Deeply.
Years of teaching had prepared her for many things.
This was apparently not one of them.
Finally she waved dismissively.
"Yes, well, just leave him there."
The class resumed.
Ron remained unconscious.
Nobody seemed particularly surprised.
"Right, on we go. Plenty of pots to go around. Grasp your Mandrake and pull it up!" Sprout instructed.
Students began approaching the trays of Mandrakes. Nervous hands reached toward squirming seedlings and firmly pulled them out. Some cried immediately. Others attempted to bite their handlers. One Hufflepuff nearly dropped theirs when it tried to grab her sleeve. Harry struggled awkwardly with a particularly stubborn specimen. Hermione worked carefully and methodically, determined to follow every instruction exactly. Neville handled his Mandrake with remarkable confidence, gently supporting its roots as he transferred it into a larger pot. Professor Sprout noticed and smiled proudly. For once, Neville looked completely at ease.
Mira selected her Mandrake carefully.
Unlike many of the others, she didn't simply grab it.
She crouched beside the tray first.
The little Mandrake glared at her.
Mira smiled softly.
The creature blinked.
Then blinked again.
A moment later, she gently lifted it from the soil.
The seedling gave a brief cry.
More of a complaint than a scream.
Its leafy top rustled.
Then it settled.
Several nearby students stared.
Even Professor Sprout looked impressed.
The Mandrake seemed oddly comfortable in Mira's hands.
Years spent caring for magical creatures had taught Mira patience. She supported the roots carefully, lowered the plant into its new pot, and packed fresh soil around it with gentle precision. The Mandrake barely protested. Once finished, it sat quietly in its new home, looking almost content. Professor Sprout's eyebrows rose slightly. She had never seen a Mandrake cooperate quite so willingly. Mira simply offered the seedling a small smile before moving on to assist others. It felt natural to her. Magical creatures often responded better when treated with kindness.
Unfortunately, Draco's Mandrake had very different ideas.
The seedling immediately attempted mutiny.
Its tiny arms flailed wildly.
Its mouth opened in a furious shriek.
Then it lunged.
Directly at Draco's fingers.
Draco recoiled.
The Mandrake snapped its mouth shut inches from his hand.
Blaise doubled over laughing.
Theo looked deeply entertained.
Daphne shook her head.
Mira stepped in before the situation could escalate further.
"Gently," she reminded.
The Mandrake glared.
Mira glared back.
The seedling reconsidered its life choices.
Under Mira's supervision, Draco finally managed to re-pot the creature without losing any fingers.
The process continued smoothly after that. Mira helped several students who were struggling. She adjusted a pot for Harry when his Mandrake nearly escaped. She steadied a tray for Daphne. She showed Theo a better way to support the roots while transplanting. Neville assisted students nearby as well, his confidence growing with every successful re-potting. Hermione worked efficiently beside them, occasionally comparing observations with Mira whenever Professor Sprout wasn't speaking. Throughout it all, Ron remained unconscious on the floor. By the end of the lesson, he had become part of the greenhouse scenery.
As the class finally concluded, Professor Sprout surveyed the rows of freshly potted Mandrakes with satisfaction. Most of the seedlings had settled into their new homes. The students looked dusty, slightly exhausted, and generally pleased with themselves. Sunlight filtered through the greenhouse glass, illuminating floating motes of soil and pollen. The earthy scent of fresh compost filled the air. Students began removing their earmuffs and gathering their belongings. Conversations resumed immediately. Laughter followed shortly afterward when Ron finally woke up and discovered the lesson had ended without him. And as Mira watched Draco complain about Mandrakes being "unreasonably aggressive vegetables," she found herself smiling. The school year had only just begun, but already Hogwarts felt wonderfully alive once again.
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