For Draco and Pansy, the encounter with an unknown Ravenclaw freshman was nothing more than a small episode—just a strange and amusing junior.
They might run into her again in the future, but for now, second-year classes and mastering magical knowledge were all that mattered.
Their first class of the morning was Herbology, held in the third greenhouse behind the castle...
Ever since receiving the Howler, Harry Potter had been visibly guilty and hadn't smiled at all. Even Ron had lost the smug look he wore in the dining hall. The Slytherins nearby couldn't help but look on with schadenfreude.
Goyle and Crabbe even took the chance, while Draco was away, to taunt Harry and his friends a few times...
Seeing how downcast the two looked and how others were clearly enjoying their misery, Hermione—who had been somewhat upset with them—suddenly softened. She decided not to bring up their reckless and impulsive behavior. Surely, after this ordeal, they'd think things through a little more next time.
Right?
Anyway, when Draco arrived at Professor Sprout's greenhouse for Herbology, he saw Hermione holding the book Voyages with Vampires, sharing its contents with Harry and the others.
It seemed she was trying to distract them so they wouldn't dwell on the Howler incident.
But judging by the frustrated look on Harry's face, her strategy wasn't having much effect...
"Oh my gosh, did you know? If I hadn't read this book, I would've thought wizards and vampires were enemies. Harry, you know this, right? Before we became wizards, people didn't exactly see vampires as friendly creatures."
"Is that so? That's great..."
"I think you should read more of Professor Lockhart's books. They're full of interesting stuff."
"Yeah, that's really... great..."
Though Hermione meant well, when someone isn't interested, even the kindest words can come off as irritating—eventually even annoying.
Harry didn't say anything, but his disinterested tone made it clear he wasn't the least bit engaged in what Hermione was talking about.
Unfortunately, Hermione, caught up in her own enthusiasm, didn't notice this—one of her more oblivious traits...
While waiting for class to start in front of the greenhouse, Professor Sprout and Professor Lockhart appeared in the distance, drawing the young wizards' attention.
Sprout had her arms full of bandages, and from afar, they could vaguely make out several branches of the Whomping Willow suspended in bandages, as if it had suffered a serious injury.
As for who had injured it, the guilty looks on Harry and Ron's faces gave a clue...
The Whomping Willow was a large willow tree planted near the edge of the Forbidden Forest. It had a long history. Don't be fooled into thinking it was just a tree—whenever a creature got close, it would go berserk, lashing out wildly with its branches. That's how it earned the name "Whomping Willow."
It's said that before the time of gamekeepers, an entire row of these strange trees was planted to guard the edge of the forest. For reasons unknown, only this one remained today...
"Oh, hello there! I just demonstrated for Professor Sprout how to treat the Whomping Willow's injuries—but don't get the wrong idea! I'm not claiming to be better at Herbology than she is. I just happened to come across a few of these unusual plants while traveling."
Lockhart beamed as he appeared, waving enthusiastically at the gathered students, completely ignoring the fact that Professor Sprout was the actual Herbology teacher—never mind the strained look on her face.
It was rare to see the usually gentle Professor Sprout looking so irritated.
"Professor Lockhart, I need to—"
"Ah, isn't that Harry? Sprout, if you don't mind, I'd like to borrow him for just a moment—you know~"
"..."
It was obvious Sprout neither understood nor wanted to, but Lockhart didn't give her a chance to speak or decline. The next second, he was striding straight toward Harry Potter...
"Looks like our Chosen One's in for it."
"I wouldn't be so sure. Maybe they'll get along—both of them are celebrities, after all."
Unlike the other young witches who looked on with envy, Draco and Pansy watched Lockhart dragging Harry away with rather odd expressions.
As Professor Sprout led the rest of the students toward Greenhouse Three, clearly displeased, Harry Potter was held back by Lockhart. The two walked off with their arms slung around each other's shoulders, making Draco's eye twitch.
"Today we'll be repotting Mandrakes. Now, who can tell me the characteristics of a Mandrake?"
Though class had technically begun, it was clear that most of the young wizards' attention was still focused on the two figures outside the greenhouse. After all, it was Harry Potter and Lockhart.
This only deepened Professor Sprout's dissatisfaction toward Lockhart, whom she already didn't think highly of.
"Draco, why do you think Lockhart came here? That guy's a total neat freak."
"Yeah, and I've never heard anything about him being into plants."
Draco and Pansy's whispers drew Goyle and Crabbe's attention away from the Mandrake, which looked disturbingly edible.
"Draco, do you know something we don't?"
"Yeah, you guys act like you know that guy who likes to wear women's clothes."
Well, Goyle and the others weren't exactly subtle about their dislike for Lockhart. Granted, Lockhart's style was ridiculously flamboyant—but calling it women's clothing was definitely a stretch...
"Pfft!"
Apparently, that hit Pansy's funny bone. She doubled over, face flushed, leaning against Draco as she tried to stifle her laughter.
Professor Sprout, already in a foul mood, looked even more annoyed.
Even Hermione—one of the few actually paying attention—shot a glance in Draco's direction, her eyes carrying an inexplicable chill...