With the automatic cleaning kit, Snape's detention suddenly became quite simple.
That night, George took only a little over an hour to wipe all the cauldrons in the Magic Potion Classroom.
Moreover, his use of the kit was very discreet; although Filch found it a bit strange, he didn't notice anything unusual and just assumed George had become proficient due to numerous detentions.
Filch was not boasting, but if he were doing the cleaning, those few cauldrons would only take half an hour.
So after checking and confirming there were no issues, he left with George.
George took this matter as a topic of conversation.
The next morning, he chatted away at the Gryffindor table about his nocturnal discoveries in the Magic Potion Classroom and claimed that he found a letter written to Snape in an abandoned cauldron, which was later confiscated by Filch.
Though he didn't say it outright, George's insinuations were quite clear—the letter was a love letter.
This excited the young lions immensely.
They didn't care about the truth of the matter; as long as it was fun, it was enough.
On the Hufflepuff side, Kael was also quite happy.
Although his joy wasn't related to the gossip about Snape, it was simply because they had Herbology Class today.
Professor Sprout had announced in the last class that the Ruta Graveolens curriculum was finished and they could start studying the Devil's Snare.
There was nothing better than this news.
After breakfast, Kael and the others arrived outside the greenhouse, along with the Gryffindor students.
"Why do I feel you're a bit excited?"
Conna glanced at Kael and said, "The book says Devil's Snare is a very dangerous plant; aren't you worried?"
"It's alright."
Kael quickly hid his smile and said, "In fact, Devil's Snare is only scary by name. It's not that dangerous if you handle it properly; it can become gentler than a Puffskein."
"Absolutely correct."
At this moment, Professor Sprout appeared from behind the group, smiling at Kael and said, "Don't mind me, keep talking about what you know."
"Alright."
Kael cleared his throat and said, "According to 'Magical Vine Plants', Devil's Snare was once very popular for quite some time; many wizarding households would plant one or two of them because they could keep underground storage rooms free from rats and spiders.
However, after the Ministry of Magic classified Devil's Snare as a dangerous plant and banned private cultivation, it gradually withdrew from wizarding households."
"Even I couldn't have said it more comprehensively." Professor Sprout said gladly, "Five points to Hufflepuff."
"As Kael mentioned, Devil's Snare is not as dangerous as its name suggests, but…"
She paused, her expression becoming much more serious. "The condition for it not being dangerous is that you must understand them; if you know nothing about the Devil's Snare, they can become very dangerous and might even cost you your life."
After hearing this, the young wizards became much quieter.
Professor Sprout nodded in satisfaction.
They were at the second greenhouse today.
Upon entering, the first feeling was that the light was very dim; the roof and surroundings were completely covered, with only two dim oil lamps providing light.
Fortunately, the greenhouse was not large, and after adapting, they could see the surroundings clearly enough.
Compared to the previous first greenhouse, the plants here were much more peculiar.
Besides the Devil's Snare placed on the table, Kael also saw the exploding Puffapods, as well as the Fanged Geraniums and Belladonna, which are poisonous plants.
The only pity was that he didn't see any Mandrakes here.
"This is Devil's Snare."
Professor Sprout stood behind a stool, pointing to the large cobweb-like vine in the center on the ground and said: "Very beautiful, right? But it's also very dangerous. Who can tell me why?"
Everyone simultaneously looked at Kael, with actions very unified.
"Devil's Snare can extend snake-like tendrils, wrap around closeby people, causing injuries or death." Kael blurted out.
"Exactly right, five more points to Hufflepuff." Professor Sprout pointed to the Devil's Snare's roots and said, "Look everyone, our Devil's Snare here is still very young."
Due to the dim light, everyone leaned forward, trying to get a clearer view, though they couldn't see anything special and didn't know how Professor Sprout judged it to be "young."
These things were almost two meters long.
Professor Sprout threw an empty flower pot toward the Devil's Snare.
As soon as the pot fell, it was tightly wrapped by the tendrils of the Devil's Snare, and with a "crack" sound, it shattered into pieces.
The young wizards collectively took a step back, looking at Kael and Professor Sprout as if seeing ghosts.
This supposedly not-so-dangerous thing?
"You should notice the tendrils are still light green, while mature Devil's Snare is dark green."
Professor Sprout calmly tidied up the flowerpot fragments and said, "So being caught would not be fatal, but certainly unpleasant."
"Now, who can tell me how to escape an attack by Devil's Snare?"
Once again, everyone looked at Kael.
"When caught, don't panic; when you relax completely and stop struggling, Devil's Snare will loosen."
Kael said, "Additionally, Devil's Snare dislikes light and fire; sometimes a simple Lighting Spell can free you from its grip."
Upon hearing this, Mikel beside him suddenly chuckled proudly, puffing out his chest.
Lighting Spell? He's quite familiar with it.
Honestly speaking, among all the young wizards present, no one understood the Lighting Spell better than him.
"Exactly correct, three more points to Hufflepuff."
"Today we are going to learn how to fertilize Devil's Snare."
Professor Sprout took out a small wooden barrel and said, "Here are tools and compost. Be gentle during the process. If caught, remember to relax completely.
Now, who wants to try first?"
Kael felt the eyes from all around for the third time, and this time there was also Professor Sprout looking at him.
"I'll go first."
Kael stepped forward.
"Don't be nervous."
Kael took the shovel handed by Professor Sprout and slowly extended his hand toward the Devil's Snare's roots.
Everyone held their breath.
Kael's hand was steady, perfectly avoiding every tendril of Devil's Snare throughout the process, successfully dug a small hole at the root.
Then he used tweezers to extract a soybean-sized silver grain from the compost barrel and placed it into the soil hole.
Finally, he filled the soil back, completing the fertilization process.
As Kael withdrew his hand from the Devil's Snare, he immediately heard Professor Sprout's voice.
"Ten points to Hufflepuff."