As a required course, Herbology at Hogwarts met three times a week.
This meant that Professor Sprout had numerous classes to teach almost every day.
This made Adrian curious about how Professor Sprout arranged her teaching schedule, since, judging by the number of classes, she hardly had any time to rest.
"Ah, yes," Professor Sprout seemed to remember something and turned to Adrian, "About Harry Potter..."
Hearing Harry's name from Professor Sprout's lips, Adrian immediately tensed up, just like a parent called upon during a parent-teacher conference.
"What is it?" he asked. "Did something happen with Harry in your class? Did he get into trouble?"
"Oh, don't worry, Professor Westeros." Professor Sprout waved her hand, appearing quite relaxed. "In fact, Harry performs very well in class, perhaps even too well."
"Too well?"
"Yes." Professor Sprout nodded, organizing the equipment in the greenhouse while speaking. "I suspect you must have taught him already. When it comes to planting dittany, he's already like an expert."
"Really?" Adrian narrowed his eyes, revealing a pleased smile. "What else?"
Naturally, Adrian was happy to hear someone praise his student.
Professor Sprout adjusted her hat, with a somewhat amused expression, and said, "Well, he also complained that my dittany doesn't grow well enough."
"..."
Adrian remembered that his some of his own dittany also had a "gigantification" characteristic, so by comparison, ordinary dittany would indeed lack some impressiveness.
However, the dittany Professor Sprout grew was already among the best compared to what was available in the market.
"Actually, Harry was quite clumsy at first. He just... practiced more often," Adrian shook his head, reminiscing. "He occasionally comes to help me tend to the herbs—including dittany."
Professor Sprout raised her eyebrows. So that was it. She had thought Harry was naturally gifted.
If Adrian had taught him these things, it all made sense.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed.
"Well, I should go now," Adrian stood up. "I need to prepare for my third-year class this afternoon."
"Good luck with your first lesson, Professor Westeros," Professor Sprout smiled, patting her soil-covered hands.
"Thank you." Adrian nodded, casually adjusting his cuffs before leaving the greenhouse.
...
The first afternoon class was Care of Magical Creatures for third-years, which was also Adrian's first class.
Almost all third-year students had chosen Care of Magical Creatures.
Adrian understood why.
Care of Magical Creatures was one of the easiest courses, with simple final exams.
Most people chose Care of Magical Creatures to get outside, move around a bit, and escape those annoying test papers and essays.
Previously, Professor Kettleburn would bring various magical creatures for students to interact with.
Of course, some were dangerous and rare, but as long as they were handled properly, students wouldn't get hurt.
Thinking about this, Adrian decided to bring the young Thunderbird to sh... showcase for the first class.
After all, Thunderbirds weren't common. Even a young Thunderbird already possessed the ability to summon storms and lightning.
It would look quite impressive.
When Adrian returned to his office, he didn't see the young Thunderbird, guessing it was probably in the plantation.
After all, the young Thunderbird preferred staying on that lightning-struck tree rather than in the cramped office.
Adrian waved his wand, and the briefcase in the corner opened.
Then, he whistled beside the briefcase.
Soon after, the Thunderbird poked its head out from the briefcase, its eyes gleaming slightly with a hint of vigilance.
Upon seeing Adrian, it shook its feathers, and the wariness in its eyes instantly vanished.
"Come out, little one."
Adrian smiled and extended his hand. The young Thunderbird hesitated momentarily before gracefully leaping onto the desk. Its claws gently gripped his sleeve, nuzzling his wrist with a touch of affection.
Though still in its youth, the young Thunderbird had already grown to about the height of a first-year child, looking quite impressive.
After several feedings, the young Thunderbird had become familiar with Adrian.
"A name, a name..."
Adrian looked at the young Thunderbird, unconsciously tapping his fingers on the desk, deep in thought.
To be honest, he wasn't good at naming. When he named his pets before.....
Well, let's not talk about that. It wasn't funny.
After pondering for a moment.
"Alright, then..."
Adrian murmured, solemnly raising his wand and waving it.
The air twisted slightly, a golden light shot out from the wand, slowly condensing into the outline of a word.
"Ray!"
Adrian called out the name he had prepared.
The moment the word left his mouth, the young Thunderbird's feathers instantly trembled. It alertly raised its head, staring straight at Adrian, and then let out a crisp call.
In that instant, Adrian felt as if something additional had formed within him, connecting with the Thunderbird in front of him.
It was a very strange sensation.
"This is..."
"Eldra?"
Adrian had the wisdom tree analyze the current state of the young Thunderbird.
[Name: Ray]
[Species: Thunderbird]
[Status: Under Contract (Adrian Westeros)]
'Contract?' Adrian hadn't anticipated this, 'Could a mere name involve a contract?
So, what was the purpose of this contract?'
While Adrian pondered, Ray spread its wings, quickly circled Adrian's office, chirping happily twice, and incidentally knocking over a kettle on the desk.
When it returned to Adrian's side.
"I see."
Before naming it, Adrian could only gauge Ray's mood from its actions and calls.
But now, he could clearly sense Ray's excitement and joy.
"Looks like you approve of this name."
Watching Ray jumping around in the office, he couldn't help but feel a strange delight.
"Well," Adrian looked down at it, "I'll take you out for a walk this afternoon."
The second afternoon class was Care of Magical Creatures. The class location was on the lawn near the Black Lake.
When Adrian arrived, the students were already chattering noisily on the lawn.
As third-years, it was their first-time taking Care of Magical Creatures.
From a distance, one of the Weasley twins looked up, noticed Adrian's arrival, and immediately called out excitedly, "Professor, what are we learning today?"
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