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Harry Potter: I Get Stronger by Taking Loans - 30
🕑 Added 2025-09-15 18:16:31 +0000 UTCChapter 30: Herbology Class, Harry's Enthusiasm
The Herbology classroom buzzed with anticipation as Professor Sprout positioned herself at the centre of the greenhouse, speaking in her characteristically gentle voice:
"Welcome everyone to Herbology class. In this lesson, we will learn about dittany division and transplanting techniques."
Leo quickly recalled dittany from his studies. This represented a very common medicinal herb used not only by wizards but also in the Muggle world for various healing applications. The most frequent magical use involved mixing dittany with Horklump juice to prepare basic healing potions.
After Professor Sprout introduced dittany's distinctive characteristics, she began explaining proper transplanting techniques and essential precautions.
Leo listened with genuine fascination. He wasn't certain if his newly acquired "Diligent Little Gardener" title was taking effect, but he found himself understanding herbal knowledge and cultivation techniques with remarkable clarity, quickly grasping the fundamental principles.
He was already eager to start digging and planting!
"Dittany cultivation is relatively straightforward. Simply keep the soil loose and well-aerated, bury the roots completely to the bottom of your pot..." Professor Sprout's encouraging tone helped ease some students' obvious nervousness. "Don't worry about making mistakes. Herbology represents a subject of interacting with living things, naturally requiring patience and constant experimentation."
"Children, you may begin!"
Leo picked up his small hoe and began working the soil in his assigned flowerpot. When the earth reached optimal softness, he stopped almost intuitively, guided by newfound instincts.
He retrieved the stabilising potion from nearby supplies and poured it evenly throughout the container. While rhythmically stirring the mixture with his shovel, he ensured the potion was distributed thoroughly.
Though this was his first attempt, Leo felt the entire process was inexplicably familiar, as if he'd practised these techniques countless times before.
It seemed "Diligent Little Gardener" also provided inherent herb cultivation proficiency, allowing him to achieve competence immediately.
The aromatic balance seemed perfect. After properly handling the dittany plant and transplanting it into prepared soil, the stabilising potion would activate at precisely the right intensity.
Leo carefully lifted the dittany specimen, first observing how its roots had become naturally tangled during storage. Then he began separating them by hand with meticulous precision.
His movements remained gentle yet confident, his fingers steady without the slightest tremor. Efficient but never rushed.
Under Leo's skilled manipulation, those tangled root systems were quickly separated without damage. Even the finest, most delicate root hairs remained completely intact throughout the process.
He inserted the dittany divisions into the prepared flowerpot, carefully covered them with enriched soil, and then properly compacted the surface.
Phew...
Leo exhaled softly, raising his forearm to wipe away fine perspiration from his forehead. Cultivation was genuinely enjoyable work.
"Very well executed, Grafton."
Professor Sprout's approving voice materialised behind Leo. She had been observing this young wizard's performance but patiently waited until he completed transplanting before offering praise.
"Thank you for the recognition, Professor."
"Your technique demonstrates considerable skill, and I can see you're an exceptionally careful young wizard." Sprout's eyes sparkled with professional interest. "Have you studied gardening or agricultural cultivation previously?"
She remembered meeting him at Flourish and Blotts with Professor McGonagall's guidance, indicating Muggle family background. Perhaps he'd studied gardening-related subjects in the non-magical world.
However, Leo shook his head with honest surprise: "No, Professor, this represents my first experience with plant cultivation entirely."
Leo's response made Sprout's expression brighten considerably. "Then that's genuinely impressive! Achieving this level of competence on your initial attempt shows remarkable natural aptitude."
"No root damage whatsoever, perfect soil consistency, and precisely appropriate potion integration." She nodded with obvious satisfaction. "Grafton, you might possess exceptional talent for Herbology."
Leo responded with characteristic modesty: "I've read various Herbology references, and I seem to develop intuitive understanding during practical application. I'm very pleased to put theoretical knowledge into practice during your classes."
Sprout clapped gently, her warm smile radiating maternal approval: "Steady progress combined with dedicated effort. If you were in Hufflepuff, I believe you'd fit our house values perfectly as well."
"Since Grafton completed dittany transplanting first, five points to Ravenclaw!"
After announcing the house points, Professor Sprout added hopefully: "I wonder if you'd be willing to help guide your fellow students?"
She gestured toward Harry and Ron's struggling efforts. Harry was managing reasonably well, just working slowly at separating his dittany specimen. But Ron was creating increasingly tangled complications, and judging by the force he was applying, continued efforts would probably result in destroying everything!
Leo nodded agreeably. "Of course, I'm happy to assist my friends."
After Professor Sprout moved to help other students, Hermione deflated with obvious frustration: "Leonardo, besides excelling at Charms, how do you possess such extensive knowledge about herb cultivation too?"
Hermione had been an academic achiever since childhood, the type who disliked being inferior to anyone in any subject. After discovering the magical world, she'd worked diligently to maintain competitive standards.
She studied magical texts religiously, practised spells extensively, and previewed herbal knowledge systematically. Yet she consistently trailed far behind Leo's achievements.
Hermione felt she could barely keep pace with Leonardo's remarkable progress!
"Yeah, yeah, Leonardo, how did you handle dittany so efficiently? Are our plant varieties somehow different?"
Ron set down his mangled specimen and scratched his head in bewilderment. Unfortunately, he forgot about the mud coating his hands, leaving dark patches throughout his red hair.
Ron's question made Hermione roll her eyes with exasperation. "Weasley, don't ask such ridiculous questions. And you should definitely wash your hair when we return to the castle."
Harry shook his head with fond resignation. He appreciated his friend's enthusiasm and humour but felt helpless against these occasional moments of complete obliviousness.
"Not just Charms and Herbology either, right? Since Leonardo thinks even Snape is reasonable, he must excel at Potions as well."
Just after voicing this observation, Harry froze as if struck by sudden inspiration, his dittany-separating movements slowing to a complete halt.
Leo spread his hands with casual dismissal: "I'm not particularly exceptional. I've simply been very fortunate with my studies."
Leo's cryptic comment left the trio completely confused.
Observing their puzzled expressions, Leo understood the miscommunication. Such private jokes couldn't be shared with outsiders.
However, Harry suddenly became intensely enthusiastic: "Wait, you mentioned being fortunate? Do you need financial assistance? I have substantial Galleons stored in Gringotts!"
Harry's unexpected offer puzzled Leo considerably. He couldn't understand why Harry seemed so excited about potentially lending money.
Was this really typical Gryffindor behaviour?
In Leo's assessment, if Hufflepuff represented loyal kindness, then Gryffindor embodied honour and righteousness! Because you're my good friend, I'll offer you everything I possess.
But Leo felt something seemed off about this dynamic. They hadn't known each other very long. How could his status in Harry's estimation be so elevated already?
Surely this kid wasn't just simple-minded with excessive wealth, enjoying reckless spending. Maybe he felt comfortable spending his deceased parents' inheritance without emotional attachment since he'd never known them personally?
Avoiding this sensitive topic, Leo began instructing the trio in proper dittany transplanting techniques. His explanations were detailed and logically structured. Even Ron managed to complete successful cultivation before class concluded.
This achievement made the three students' admiration for Leo even more obvious. Not only did he learn quickly himself, but he could teach others effectively too.
What kind of miraculous classmate had they discovered!
Soon, Herbology class concluded with universal success. Not long after Leo bid farewell to the trio, Harry approached him privately:
"Leonardo, do you have time to talk?"
"Are you experiencing any financial difficulties?"
These two questions filled Leo's eyes with obvious suspicion as he studied Harry carefully. What was this boy really planning?
Leo's strange scrutiny made Harry hesitate uncertainly, but after several seconds he seemed to reach a firm decision:
"Coach... no, Leonardo, I want to learn Potions properly!"
