Hermione and Neville raised their hands together.
Seeing these two raise their hands together, Professor Sprout considered for a moment and chose Neville.
She felt that young wizards like Neville, who lacked confidence, should be given more opportunities to showcase themselves and build their confidence.
"Mandrakes…" Neville looked up at Professor Sprout, saw her give him an encouraging smile, and confidence rose in him again. He continued, "They are used to restore transformed people or those affected by magic spells back to their original state…"
"And what else are they called?" Professor Sprout encouraged him to answer.
"Also called… Also called Mandrake Root!" Neville was much more confident, "They are a type of strong recovery potion."
"Very good!" Professor Sprout said loudly, "Ten points to Gryffindor!"
Neville heard the sound of points being awarded—especially ten points—and he showed a look of disbelief.
Oh my, he had always been losing points in class, when did he ever gain any points?
"Longbottom," Professor Sprout asked again, "Mandrakes are a crucial component in many antidotes, but they are also very dangerous. Can you tell me why?"
Neville thought for a moment with his head raised and answered, "The book says that hearing the cry of a mandrake… can be fatal."
"Completely correct, another ten points." Professor Sprout said loudly.
The classroom erupted into applause, led by Hermione.
Neville was happy and smiling, even forgetting to sit down.
"Well, Longbottom, please have a seat." Professor Sprout said.
Harry suddenly said, "Professor, I have a question."
Seeing Harry ask a question, Professor Sprout smiled gently.
This child, so much like Lily, made her very fond of him.
"Go ahead, Mr. Potter," she said.
"Then, professor, if we cast a growth spell on the mandrakes and then cast a loud voice spell on them, would that create greater lethality?" Harry asked innocently.
Hearing Harry's question, Professor Sprout seemed to be petrified where she stood.
She looked mechanically at Harry, letting out a sigh in her heart.
Oh my, this is just like another James!
"Mr. Potter, I must remind you—mandrakes are very dangerous plants!" Professor Sprout said heavily, "Please don't apply these spells to mandrakes; it would cause incalculable harm!"
"Oh." Harry nodded and asked again, "Actually, I have one more question, Professor Sprout."
"Go ahead, Mr. Potter," Professor Sprout said, thinking Mr. Potter wouldn't come up with something new now, would he?
However, she didn't expect Harry's next topic to be even more frightening.
"Professor, if you record the scream of a mandrake into a howler letter, would it have the same lethality?"
Professor Sprout clutched her collar tightly, her face turning blue and white.
Oh my, oh my, this Mr. Potter...
She really wanted to grab Professor McGonagall's cat form by the collar and roar at her—
"This is what you mean by like Lily?!?!"
Harry quickly shut his mouth; actually, he didn't mean it. He had never explored the specific usage of mandrakes—in fact, these were just flashes of inspiration that he hadn't yet put into actual practice.
Hmm... Maybe next time he meets Voldemort, he can try it out, see if Voldemort can withstand the scream of a rapidly growing, loud-voiced mandrake.
"Have a seat, Mr. Potter." Professor Pomona Sprout sighed, "I still hope you young wizards can focus your energy elsewhere, even learn some inoffensive minor curses? It's better than studying these troublesome things."
Hermione's mouth twitched slightly.
Well, inoffensive minor curses, if Professor Sprout means the "inoffensive minor curses" specially selected by the Gaunt family, it might be better to study the application of mandrakes.
"Today we're going to learn how to repot mandrakes." After recovering, Professor Sprout said to them, "When I tell you to put on your earmuffs, make sure they cover your ears completely. When it's safe to remove the earmuffs, I will give a double thumbs-up… Alright—put on your earmuffs."
Upon hearing Professor Sprout's command, the students hurriedly put on their earmuffs.
Professor Sprout came down to inspect each student carefully, ensuring everything was in order, before returning to demonstrate the process in detail.
She grabbed the doll-like mandrake out of the pot and, ignoring its screams, stuffed it into a pot and covered it with soil.
Then, Professor Sprout extended two fingers, signaling them to remove their earmuffs.
"Our mandrakes are still seedlings, hearing their cries won't be fatal." She said calmly, "However, they can make you faint for a few hours, and I'm sure none of you wants to miss the first day of school, so be sure to wear your earmuffs while working. When it's time to tidy up, I will find a way to get your attention—okay, four people per plant, let's begin."
They quickly formed groups, but unfortunately, Harry was alone without any teammates.
"Harry, hope you do well." Ron and Hermione said together, schadenfreude evident in their tone.
They weren't worried about Harry completing the task alone—seriously, a man who could propose so many applications for mandrakes would be worried about how to complete it?