Herbology, being a required course at Hogwarts, met three times a week. This meant Professor Sprout had an enormous number of classes to teach nearly every day. Professor Vinson couldn't help but wonder how she ever found time to rest. Judging from her schedule, she practically didn't.
"Ah, right," Professor Sprout suddenly said, as if remembering something. She turned toward Professor Vinson with a thoughtful expression. "About Harry Potter…"
The moment Harry's name left her mouth, Professor Vinson stiffened like a parent whose child had just been mentioned at a parent–teacher conference.
"What's wrong?" he asked quickly. "Did something happen in class? Did he get into trouble?"
"Oh, don't be nervous, Professor Vinson." Sprout waved her hand lightly, entirely unbothered. "Harry behaves wonderfully in class. In fact, he's almost too good."
"Too good?" Vinson blinked.
Sprout nodded while organizing tools in the greenhouse. "I imagine you must have taught him already. When it comes to planting Demiguise, he works like an experienced gardener."
"Really?" Vinson narrowed his eyes, a proud smile tugging at his lips. "What else?"
Praise for his student naturally pleased him.
Sprout adjusted her hat and gave a half-amused, half-exasperated sigh. "Well… he also criticized my Demiguise for being poorly grown."
Vinson paused.
He remembered that the Demiguise he raised possessed the unique trait of gigantification. Compared to that, even the best normally grown Demiguise would look unimpressive. And Sprout's were already top-grade by market standards.
"Honestly, Harry was clumsy at first too," Vinson admitted with a shake of his head. "He just practices a lot. He sometimes helps me take care of the herbs—including the Demiguise."
Sprout lifted her eyebrows. So that was it. She had assumed Harry possessed extraordinary talent. Finding out that Vinson had personally trained him made everything make sense… though it also left her a bit disappointed.
"Well then, I should get going," Vinson finally said, standing up. "I need to prepare for the third-year class this afternoon."
"I wish you a successful first class, Professor Vinson," Sprout said warmly, brushing soil off her hands.
"Thank you." He straightened his sleeves and left the greenhouse.
His first class that afternoon was Care of Magical Creatures—a class that nearly all third-years had chosen. Vinson understood why. Care of Magical Creatures was one of the easier subjects, and its final exam was rarely difficult. Most students took it for the outdoor activities, a chance to stretch their legs and escape the endless essays and parchment-heavy subjects.
In previous years, Professor Kettleburn had introduced students to many magical creatures, ranging from harmless to highly dangerous. As long as one handled them correctly, no one usually got hurt.
Thinking of that, Professor Vinson decided to bring the Thunderbird for his debut lesson. Thunderbirds were rare, and even the young ones could summon lightning and storms. They were dramatic, awe-inspiring—and perfect for making an impression.
When he arrived at his office, the Thunderbird was nowhere to be seen. He suspected it had gone to the Plantation; it preferred resting atop the old lightning-struck tree rather than staying inside the cramped office.
A flick of his wand opened the suitcase in the corner. Vinson whistled softly.
After a moment, the Thunderbird poked its head out, its eyes flickering with alertness. Upon recognizing him, it shook out its feathers, instantly relaxing.
"Come on out, little one."
The bird hesitated only a second before hopping onto the desk. Its claws gripped his sleeve gently as it nudged his wrist in a surprisingly affectionate gesture. Though still a juvenile, it was already the size of a first-year student, its presence striking and majestic.
After several careful feedings, the Thunderbird had clearly become attached to him.
"Now… about a name."
Vinson tapped his fingers against the desk, thinking aloud.
He was terrible at naming things. The names he had given past pets were better left unremembered.
After a moment of deliberation, he finally lifted his wand.
"Alright, then…"
He exhaled, raised the wand solemnly, and flicked it through the air. A ripple of golden light emerged from the tip, coalescing into the faint outline of a word.
"Hedwig!"
He declared the name clearly.
The reaction was immediate. The Thunderbird's feathers fluffed up all at once, and it raised its head sharply, staring straight at him before letting out a bright chirp.
In that moment, Vinson felt something new—an invisible thread connecting him to the creature. It was strange, foreign, and yet unmistakably real.
"What is this…?"
"El… dera?" he murmured, prompting the tree of wisdom to analyze the Thunderbird.
A line of information appeared:
[Name: Hedwig]
[Species: Thunderbird]
[Status: Contracted (Adrian Vinson)]
A contract?
Vinson stared, startled.
Had naming the bird truly triggered a contract?
What exactly did this contract do?
Before he could think further, Hedwig spread her wings and soared around the office, chirping happily. In her enthusiasm, she toppled a kettle off the desk. When she circled back to him, the answer became clear.
"So that's how it is…"
Earlier, Vinson had been able to guess Hedwig's mood only through her movements and sounds. But now, he could feel her emotions—her excitement, her joy—as if they brushed directly against his own mind.
He smiled. "It seems you like the name."
Hedwig continued hopping energetically around his office, and Vinson couldn't help but feel a warm, inexplicable joy himself.
"Alright," he said, looking down at her. "Let's take you out for a walk this afternoon."
The second class of the afternoon—Care of Magical Creatures—was held on the lawn near the Black Lake. When Vinson arrived, the students were already chatting loudly, their excitement buzzing through the air. This was, after all, their first time taking the course.
In the distance, one of the Weasley twins spotted him. He immediately cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted,
"Professor! What are we learning today?"
The other students perked up, watching Vinson with curiosity.
Vinson only smiled. "You'll find out once class begins. Today's lesson is… a bit special."
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