Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 22: Jackfruit

"When dealing with slugs with tentacles, it's important to pay attention to the distribution of their mucus."

Try to choose a time when they secrete more mucus.

If you see them stretch out their antennae to touch the tabletop...

Don't hesitate, this is the perfect time to simmer...

A little reminder: when you see tiny bubbles rising in the crucible, you can stop cooking...

Excellent! Mr. Dickinson, you handled it perfectly.

Oh, Mr. Green, perhaps you've been simmering it for a little too long.
Remember? You can stop when tiny bubbles appear in the crucible…

Inside the greenhouse.

The twelve crucibles on the shelf bubbled and steamed, causing the pumpkin-shaped plants to sway gently.

Professor Sprout had just finished praising Bruce when he rushed over to Sheehan's side to help him put the slug that had escaped back on the table.

She smiled gently and said:

"Mr. Green, don't let the slug escape next time."

Sheen was indeed a bit flustered, as he was dealing with two crucibles at the same time.

Bruce, on the other hand, seemed much more at ease.

As for Professor Sprout, she not only had the ability to boil seven crucibles at the same time, but also had ample time to instruct Sheen.

"Observe the mucus, wait for the bubbles to emerge..."

Sheen silently recited the techniques taught by the professor while diligently practicing.

As time went by, Sheen gradually became more skilled at cooking, although he was still inevitably a bit flustered at times.

The liquid in the crucible gradually turned dark green, and Professor Sprout also stepped forward.
Sheehan gripped his spoon tightly, awaiting the professor's evaluation.

He was somewhat uneasy, partly because of his poor talent, and partly because he felt bad about wasting the materials.
Slugs with tentacles aren't cheap; they cost one Galleon per can in Diagon Alley.

The prices of materials in the magical world are always terrifyingly high.
This made Sheen realize one thing: potions must be extremely profitable, otherwise he simply couldn't afford the materials.

Professor Sprout quickly offered his assessment:

“Mr. Green, this is appropriate.”

Sheen breathed a small sigh of relief. Although Professor Sprout allowed them to use it as they pleased, he couldn't keep wasting it.

Once things were on track, it didn't take long for Sheen to finish dealing with the slugs with tentacles.

The three of them put the boiled liquid into a glass bottle and selected slugs with enough mucus to put in a large jar.

Professor Sprout said,
This selection process will help young wizards increase their chances of successfully brewing the scabies potion.

As for those boiled slugs, they would be used as exemplary models.
And to help Professor Snape with some preliminary work.

When choosing porcupine quills
Professor Sprout also revealed some news that surprised Sheehan.

"Yes, children, herbs and potions always depend on each other."

Every harvest season, Severus would also come to the greenhouse.

Sheehan imagined Professor Snape holding a hoe, then went on to pick out porcupine quills.

"Porcupine quills are about three inches long and about the size of two slug antennae..."

As he left the greenhouse, Sheen reviewed the key points of the procedure and wrote them down on the parchment he carried with him.

So far, the four ingredients for scabies medication are:
Sheen gained a deep understanding of dried nettles, porcupine quills, venomous snake fangs, and slugs with tentacles.
This means that the first step of his plan has been completed.

The thought made Sheen's eyes shine even brighter.

“I said, Sheen, we’ve already left the greenhouse, there’s no need to record it again.”

Bruce, arms crossed, somewhat helplessly pulled Sheen away.
To avoid him from bumping into the standing armor rack while he was too focused.

On the armor rack,
The lady, dressed in a ceremonial gown, covered her mouth and smiled, leaving the knight opposite her stunned.

The clock points to six.

The breeze was gentle and calm.
The path bathed in warm sunlight,
Sheehan heard the Hogwarts bells ringing.

Bruce stopped in his tracks.

In the corridor next to the greenhouse,
Leon held a book, his blond hair gleaming in the warm sunlight, while Pistols held a potted plant, its tender leaves swaying in the wind.

The two of them turned their gazes toward Bruce.

Bruce grinned:
“Those two guys…” He turned back to say goodbye to Sheen.

Before he could even speak, a piece of candied pineapple was placed in his hand.

"Snack swapping, a Hufflepuff tradition, Bruce."

He was stunned for a moment, and Sheen had already walked briskly away.

"Is he really not Hufflepuff?"

Leon closed the book.

"The Sorting Hat probably made a mistake."

Bruce carefully put the candied fruit away.

Suddenly, he let out a "hey!" and grabbed Leon and Pistol with both hands.

His arms wrapped tightly around their necks, like a warm lock, binding the three heads together firmly.

"flaw!"

He laughed out loud.

"Fool."

Leon stumbled.

Pister carefully protected the potted plant.

……

Since borrowing enough books from the library yesterday, Sheen's only problem is not having enough time to finish his homework.

The Hogwarts Library closes at 8 p.m.
Sheen finished dinner at 6:30.

Therefore, Sheen did not choose to go to the library, but went straight back to the Ravenclaw Tower.

Ravenclaw's double rooms even have desks and are thoughtfully equipped with floating candles.

That's right, they're the same kind of candles used in the auditorium.

It's obviously a good place to finish your homework.

Ravenclaw's wisdom
Sheen thought.

"Sheen, are you going back to the tower?"

At the entrance to the auditorium, Sheehan bumped into Michael, who was playing a game of tic-tac-toe.

"Ah."

Sheen nodded.

"Oh! Wait for me!"

Michael quickly placed his piece, his fifteen-piece move wielding a large stick, knocking away the last piece of the opposing wizard.

"A narrow victory."

Michael smiled as he put away the chess pieces and then ran towards Sheehan.

The stairs back in Ravenclaw were still terrifyingly long.
Michael climbed up, panting, complaining as he went:
The welcome message stated that Ravenclaw would help inquisitive young wizards climb the ladder of wisdom.

But it didn't mention that the steps are so long!

Michael looked up; ahead lay an endless staircase.
"Merlin... I'll have to climb these stairs for seven years?"

Before he could finish speaking, a strong gust of wind blew in.
It turned out to be an older Ravenclaw who rode a broomstick into the tower.

This caused gasps of surprise from the surrounding Ravenclaw children.

"Cool!"

Michael stared intently at the elegant wizard, his heart pounding.

The steps gradually decreased, and Sean and Michael were finally approaching their destination.

"...Many may think that the glorious era of the Chadley Artillery Corps has come to an end, but everyone knows that it will once again shine brightly..."

By this time, Michael's complaints had transformed into a longing for Quidditch.

He was about to continue recounting the glorious history of the Chadley Artillery Corps
But he noticed the swaying little wizard beside him first.

"Sheen!"

(End of this chapter)