Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 45 I Can Feel Your Pain

Harry and Ron still bumped into the school's prized Whomping Willow, which caused Professor McGonagall to leave the Great Hall with Snape, who had just returned, right after the Sorting Ceremony. Dumbledore exchanged a few words with Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout before also leaving the Great Hall.

"What happened? Why have all the professors left?"

The young wizards chattered amongst themselves, sharing what they had heard. Soon, an answer that everyone agreed upon emerged:

"Potter and Weasley drove a flying car to school, were seen by Muggles, and even crashed into the precious Whomping Willow!"

"They're going to be fired!"

The Slytherins were delighted. Malfoy, beaming with pride, loudly proclaimed his judgment, while Clark and Goyle echoed his sentiments, and the other snakes nodded in agreement. The Gryffindors, however, were anxious. They feared things might really be as Malfoy predicted. Hermione and Ginny were particularly worried, pacing back and forth in circles. Had the twins not stopped them, they probably would have run off to find those two troublesome boys.

Meanwhile, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw went into their usual gossip mode, watching the Snake and Lion houses argue.

Of course, a fight was out of the question. Less than half an hour later, the professors returned. Dumbledore first introduced Lockhart, who was dressed flamboyantly in the professors' chair, then routinely reiterated the Forbidden Forest ban and the corridor magic ban, announced the Quidditch selection date, and then cleanly declared the dinner party open.

While the young wizards enjoyed the dishes prepared by the house-elves, the professors left the Great Hall.

There is a willow tree that is known for its harshness and urgently needs to be saved.

After dinner, back in the common room, the events had been confirmed. There was no expulsion; Harry and Ron were confined to their rooms. Everything else was basically the same, except the Willow's injuries seemed quite severe, with many branches broken. From Ravenclaw Tower, you could even see it still violently pounding the ground around it.

It took quite a while before it stopped.

The eaglets were very enthusiastic about things that interested them, and since there was only one Herbs class with Slytherin in the morning, they had plenty of time to finish looking at the Whomping Willow before going to class.

After waking up and having breakfast, Ike, Stuart, and the other mischievous young wizards headed towards the Whomping Willow. When they reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest, a large crowd of onlookers had already gathered around the Whomping Willow.

Ike squeezed to the front. The Whomping Willow had calmed down, but it was obvious that its branches were badly damaged. Almost half of its long branches were broken off, and a piece was missing from the top of the tree, like a beautiful bottle with a chip in it, which looked very awkward.

"He's badly injured," Stuart squeezed in as well.

"Yes," Ike frowned. "Half of the branches are broken, and a piece of the main body is missing. It will take a long time to restore it."

"It's alright, with Professor Sprout around, it will be well taken care of," Terry said.

"Of course, Professor Sprout is an expert in herbal medicine." Ike nodded, his furrowed brows smoothing out slightly.

The group watched for a while longer before returning to the castle to prepare for class.

The herbs that second-year herbology students need to recognize and care for are already somewhat dangerous. Of course, the first day of school only requires some sowing and transplanting work. No matter what kind of magical plant it is, there is no danger in the seedling stage, and it can be easily handled by wearing dragon skin gloves.

The afternoon was still herbalism class. Ike had been busy in the greenhouse for almost the entire day before dragging his tired body back to the dormitory.

After taking a shower and resting on the sofa for a while, Ike went to the Forbidden Forest alone after dinner.

For some reason, when Ike saw the Whomping Willow that morning, he had a strange feeling, as if someone was whispering in his ear.

"Pain...anger..." Simple words, but they convey emotions.

Clearly, this is Willow's sentiment.

Ike moved forward little by little, unsure whether the naturally volatile Willow would attack him, or whether Willow in this state still had any desire to attack.

As it turned out, Ike's worries were unnecessary; the Whomping Willow didn't budge until he reached the trunk.

He placed his right hand on the tree trunk, closed his eyes, and slowly channeled his magic into the tree.

"Feel it with your heart, feel it with your heart..."

Muttering to himself, Ike seemed to sense a wounded soul in a daze. It was in great pain, angry but powerless, groaning incessantly.

"I know...I know..." Ike murmured. As if in response, the Willow tree gently brushed against Ike's body with a few branches, much like when Julianne touched the top of her head.

"Squeak squeak squeak"

A few soft calls rang out, and Ike looked over curiously. It was a group of timid creatures. They had two small brown eyes, some like small pieces of bark, others like newly sprouted branches, and were only a few inches in size.

"Bowlets?" Ike recognized the magical creature, classified as an XX-level creature by the Ministry of Magic, and tentatively reached out his hand. The little creatures backed away, only their eyes peeking out at Ike.

The willow branch twitched again, and a three-inch bushguard rolled up and gently placed on Ike's shoulder. Ike carefully cradled the little creature in his hands, his eyes filled with joy.

"Are you asking me to take care of it?"

The branches brushed against Ike's hair, gently, as if blown by the wind.

"I will." Ike nodded, smiling as he looked at the Bowtruckle in his hand, who seemed reluctant to part with him. "How about I name you Jimmy?"

Jimmy blinked his little brown eyes, then grabbed Ike's fingers with both of his little hands and hugged him tightly.

"It seems you really like this name." Ike carefully placed Jimmy on his shoulder. Jimmy grabbed the collar, and with a little effort, climbed inside, leaving only his little head sticking out.

Ike bent down and patted the exposed tree roots at his feet: "Don't worry, Professor Sprout is the best herbalist, she'll take good care of you..."

"I'm going back now, I'll come see you again in a while." Ike stood up and waved his hand. The thrashing willow swayed its branches and made a rustling sound, which startled the hunchbacks clinging to the trunk and made a series of dense squeaks.

"Let's go!"

Ike turned and left, while Jimmy peeked out from his collar and looked in the direction of the Whomping Willow, seemingly reluctant to leave.

Without trying to appease Jimmy, Ike noticed a change in his useless notebook system. The title "Guardian of the Oak Tree" had disappeared, replaced by a new one:

Walking Plants (The plants see you as one of their own, and they will protect you unless you choose to harm their kindness—by Darenliu)

"A walking plant?" Ike realized instantly!

"Is this saying I'm a living, breathing vegetable?"

Garbage system!

The second watch is delivered, time for bed.

Requesting recommendations and monthly votes.

(End of this chapter)