Chapter 238: Vines and Razor Leaf

The morning class was Professor Sprout's Herbology lesson; Gryffindor and Hufflepuff attended together, tending to magical plants in the greenhouse. Sunlight filtered through the glass roof, falling upon everyone and making each person feel quite comfortable.

Allen felt even more comfortable; in all his life, he had never found basking in the sun so pleasant. For this reason, he had even swapped places with Harry, since Harry's spot received better sunlight.

Under the sun's rays, he felt a fine, warm current arising from the bud on his back, flowing continuously into his body. He felt warmth suffusing his limbs and bones, every cell as if soaking in a hot spring.

He did not know if it was an illusion, but he felt his body had become somewhat stronger.

He only knew that Bulbasaur could absorb sunlight to heal itself; he had not expected it to have such a wonderful additional effect.

The Bowtruckle lay lazily atop the bud; it had not moved from its spot for quite some time, very satisfied with its current life.

This comfortable enjoyment vanished in the afternoon, for the next class was Potions, held in a dim underground classroom where no direct sunlight could penetrate.

Today's potion was the Wit-Sharpening Potion, a brew used to treat colds. Its taste was not unpleasant, though drinking it would cause smoke to billow from one's ears for several hours afterward.

Professor Snape crisply explained the entire process of brewing this potion, then instructed everyone to begin practicing.

Allen had never devoted much effort to Potions class, yet with his learning ability, the effort he did invest was sufficient to pass the exams.

His performance in Potions was always steady; he absolutely never gave that old bat, Professor Snape, any opportunity to find fault with him.

Precisely because of this, Professor Snape never lingered by his side, knowing it was difficult for Allen to make mistakes.

Professor Snape usually hovered around Harry and Malfoy; his purpose needed no explanation.

Today, however, was different. Allen had lost count of how many times Professor Snape had passed by his station; conservatively, he estimated it was at least twenty times.

The reason was obvious: Professor Snape was interested in the bud on his back. One should not underestimate the allure a new type of magical material holds for a Potions Master. However, given Professor Snape's personality, he would certainly not speak up first.

Thus, Allen remained completely unmoved. He steadily brewed his potion, measuring every ingredient with precision and adding each at the perfect moment.

"I'll suffocate you, you old bat," Allen thought resentfully. Just the day before, Professor Snape had plucked him bald; he certainly would not give the professor a good look now.

Although Professor Snape's actions had no effect whatsoever on Allen, they deeply affected another person—Neville Longbottom.

Neville already feared Professor Snape immensely, and coupled with his perpetual inability to master Potions, he encountered various problems in every single class.

Today was no exception. Since he was Allen's desk-mate, every pass by Professor Snape exerted tremendous psychological pressure on him. Believing each approach was intended to catch his mistakes, he grew increasingly nervous, his hand movements becoming progressively distorted.

He had no idea how much material he was cutting each time; in a panic, he prepared to toss the porcupine quills into the cauldron.

Allen keenly caught this movement. Professor Snape had just emphasized that one must not add porcupine quills to a half-finished product that has not ceased boiling, otherwise it would cause an explosion.

Allen did not want an explosion to occur. In truth, Neville had caused numerous explosions in Potions class before, and everyone around had grown accustomed to them, but this time Allen did not wish for Neville's potion to explode.

This was because a small creature was currently resting on the bud on his back. Potion liquid after an explosion undergoes Brownian motion; if scalding potion accidentally splashed onto the Bowtruckle and killed the little fellow, he would have no way to explain matters to Mr. Scamander.

Therefore, he dared not take that risk.

However, by the time he noticed, it was slightly too late; he simply could not reach in time to catch the porcupine quills about to be thrown into the cauldron.

Neville also realized he was about to make a mistake again; his expression turned terrified. Just then, a green shadow flashed before his eyes, narrowly coiling around that porcupine quill.

Thus, an accident was averted. Many others noticed this scene as well; they stared in astonishment at the two long green vines extending from Allen's back, the vines currently coiled around a porcupine quill.

Professor Snape also noticed this scene. Although no accident had occurred, he still coldly deducted one house point from Gryffindor. However, Allen observed that afterward, Professor Snape became even more interested in him.

For the remainder of the time, Allen remained flawless, giving Professor Snape not a single opportunity to act.

After class, the Gryffindor students excitedly surrounded Allen, extremely interested in the green vines extending from the bud on his back.

Seeing that the vines had been exposed, Allen could only let them look. Fortunately, everyone was still relatively innocent and had not yet formed any improper associations regarding the tips of the vines.

At this moment, Malfoy appeared again with his two henchmen. As expected, he immediately began critiquing Allen.

"I didn't expect you to have become this perverted," Malfoy said arrogantly. "That garlic bulb on your back must smell terrible! Are you planning to use it to ward off vampires?"

Allen narrowed his eyes at Malfoy, while internally beginning to reflect: Have I been too polite to Malfoy recently? He has actually forgotten the previous lesson and is once again acting arrogant before me.

Naturally, Allen would not be polite toward such behavior. Since his vines had just been exposed, it was the perfect time to test the whip on Malfoy.

He quickly scanned his surroundings; they were in the corridor, with no professors or prefects in sight.

The vine suddenly lengthened. Before Malfoy could react, the vine bound him tightly. During the binding process, Allen even had the leisure to reference tying methods he had seen in certain 'educational films' from his previous life, tying Malfoy up very aesthetically.

Crabbe and Goyle also reacted; they roared and charged forward. In the next instant, two green shadows sliced across their waists, severing their belts.

This was the Razor Leaf fired from Allen's bud.

Crabbe and Goyle instantly lost their combat capability; they retreated to the side in a sorry state, holding up their trousers...

Malfoy finally realized he had been controlled again, but refusing to lose face even in defeat, he opened his mouth to curse. However, he felt a soft, flexible foreign object stuff itself into his mouth, pushing directly down to his throat, rendering him unable to speak...

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