The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 49 The Exchange by the Greenhouse

Before them stood a Slytherin unlike any they had ever seen before.

Neville recognized the other person; it was the same person Ron had mentioned in the dorm, someone even worse than Malfoy.

The thought of Malfoy sent a shiver down Neville's spine.

Seeing this, Ino couldn't help but sigh.

He reached into the pocket of his robe and rummaged around, then took out a berry that he had left over from eating in the valley.

"Look, I've prepared all the seeds; they're these kinds of berries."

As he spoke, he placed the berries in his palm and spread them out for Neville to see.

Ino didn't invite Neville to try it, not because he was stingy, but because in the wizarding world, eating food from strangers is a very dangerous thing.

If we were to actually invite Neville to try it, it might further provoke him.

Meanwhile, Neville stared blankly at the palm outstretched in front of him, where a bright green berry came into view.

a long time.

"It looks a bit like a fig, but I've never seen one before, so I can't be sure."

Neville spoke softly, and seemingly feeling that his answer was somewhat perfunctory, he quickly added:

"However, these kinds of plants generally prefer cool and humid environments. You could consider digging up some moist soil from the shore of Black Lake..."

Neville finished speaking his opinion in one breath, then quickly lowered his head like a child who had done something wrong.

However, Ino did not intend to give up, and instead praised her in an exaggerated tone.

"Thank you, buddy! That's a huge help. By the way, my name is Enoch, Enoch Swinburne, and as you can see, I'm a Slytherin too."

Neville was taken aback by this sudden display of friendliness.

After a while, a faint voice sounded:

"My name is Neville Longbottom, and I am a Gryffindor."

Ino didn't pay attention to the other person's voice. He knew very well that it was already a good thing that this kind of child, who had been bullied to the point of almost becoming withdrawn, was willing to speak up.

"Can I call you Navei? You know I have a lot to learn about planting, and I might need to ask you for advice on planting issues in the future."

"I don't really know either," Neville said softly.

"I really don't know much about it. Although I've always been the one taking care of my grandma's garden at home, and the flowers grow wonderfully, I don't really have much advanced knowledge."

After he finished speaking, he cautiously raised his head, as if he was afraid of being blamed for saying something inappropriate.

"Hahaha, that's enough! This isn't some rare herb, just a berry plant," Ino said with a laugh.

……

Half an hour later.

Ino carried two terracotta flowerpots filled with damp soil as she walked toward the castle.

He didn't talk to Neville much; in their first conversation, talking too much would have been counterproductive.

Similarly, he made no promises to Neville, such as stopping Malfoy's behavior.

The logic is simple: if Neville doesn't change himself, even without Malfoy, other people will appear in the future.

Human beings' inherent weaknesses lead them to subconsciously categorize their peers into different classes. They flatter those who are stronger than themselves, while also finding someone weaker or easier to bully, and then taking pleasure in mocking and teasing the weak.

This is the nature of ordinary fools, and no one can change it.

All he could do was help Neville regain his inner courage and confidence as soon as possible, nothing more.

After all, he can't take care of Neville for the rest of his life.

With these thoughts in mind, Ino also walked through the castle gate.

He has attracted some attention along the way.

Just imagine, a fair-skinned and handsome boy holding two huge flowerpots in his arms, he looks quite pleasing.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with being a voyeur; if you like watching, then watch. He can't control what others think.

However, some senior female students always scrutinize you with a meaningful look, which makes you feel uneasy.

Under this abnormal scrutiny, Ino couldn't help but quicken her pace.

"Pureblood!"

After giving the correct command to the stone wall, before the wall could completely crack open, he slipped into Slytherin's bedroom.

"call!"

However, before he could catch his breath, he heard a crisp sound behind him.

"Mr. Swinburne! What are you doing? Are you planning to grow potted plants?"

……

A corner of the common lounge.

Pansy sat listlessly on the sofa, chatting with a few girls around her who she considered her friends.

When the girls get together, the topics they chat about are actually quite similar to those of the boys. Apart from some current hot topics and gossip in the castle, the rest of the conversation is mostly about the boys.

However, all of this stopped abruptly after Ino entered the common room, and everyone's eyes lit up, but there was no further action.

This actually reveals the ubiquitous hierarchy within Slytherin, just as in the original story, it's impossible for someone like Malfoy to only have Pansy by his side.

However, in reality, only Pansy was willing. It wasn't that the other girls were unwilling, but rather that the strict hierarchy was deeply ingrained. Unless one was a follower, it was difficult to even be friends on equal terms, let alone have a romantic relationship.

Just like now.

In the small circle in the corner, only Pansy stood up and went forward to greet them.

Upon hearing the sound, Ino stopped and slowly turned around.

"Good afternoon, Miss Parkinson!"

"Do you want to grow potted plants?" Pansy asked with a curious look.

"They can't get sunlight in the dorm, but I happen to have a book about the magic of sunlight at home, maybe I can lend it to you."

This kind of polite curiosity always makes people feel good about you.

Of course, Ino didn't forget Pansy's overbearing and arrogant manner when he reprimanded Gore.

But none of this concerned him; on the contrary, Pansy was always very polite to him.

With that in mind, Ino decided to accept the other person's feelings.

"If possible, that would be wonderful! Thank you for your generosity, Miss Parkinson."

"Haha, just wait for my news, before Christmas at the latest."

Pansy's reaction was somewhat unexpected. It was clearly a gift, but it gave people the feeling of receiving a favor, which seemed rather strange.

However, Ino didn't bother to guess what the other party was thinking.

It's nothing more than seeing him sharing a dorm room with Malfoy, and maybe he can help make connections or get some information out of him later. It's not a big deal.

"Thank you in advance. I'll also prepare a gift for you for Christmas, but I need to put them back in my dorm room first."

As Ino spoke, he looked at the two flowerpots in his arms, his meaning already self-evident.

"Go quickly! Plant the seeds first, and I'll write home soon. I won't keep you waiting too long."

……

In the dormitory.

Looking at the two ceramic flowerpots placed on the table, Ino gradually fell into deep thought.

Today's experiences were nothing short of fantastical for him, from his conversation with Professor Flitwick after the Charms class in the morning, to his chance encounter with Quirrell at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, and then to his discovery of Neville near the greenhouse.

One thing after another happened, and I feel like I've experienced more today than in the past month combined.

New book release, a new journey begins. Thank you to all the big names for your support.

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Please add this to your favorites! Please recommend it! Please vote with monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)