Harry Potter: Don't Touch the Badger's Plants

The scene of the Goldfish Vines maturing in such a short time went unnoticed by everyone present except Ciel. After all, the professors' attention was focused on Ciel and the troll. Even Professor Sprout was still shaken from worrying about Ciel.

Ciel's pupils contracted slightly. His mind recalled the essential nutrient for Goldfish Vine growth—forgetfulness. Whether there was sufficient "forgetfulness" made the growth speed of Goldfish Vines completely different levels.

This was precisely why Ciel's Goldfish Vine cultivation quantity had never been able to increase. After all, there were only so many young wizards in Hogwarts. There weren't many who would forget things all the time. The amount of "forgetfulness" was limited. Even if Ciel wanted to plant more Goldfish Vines, there was no way.

But now, witnessing the scene of Goldfish Vines rapidly maturing after contact with the troll, a flash of inspiration struck Ciel's mind.

"Could it be that the troll's forgetfulness also works on Goldfish Vines? With the troll's level of forgetfulness, the amount it could provide would be unimaginable. One troll could probably provide more forgetfulness than the current total from all of Hogwarts. Using trolls to cultivate Goldfish Vines could directly double their production!"

Thinking of this, Ciel's eyes lit up with possibility. Looking at the troll, his anger diminished somewhat. If this method really worked... after eating so many pots of his Goldfish Vines, it would have to work to pay them back!

However, at this time, the professors had already controlled the situation and were moving the troll outside the castle.

"This still needs to be handled by Hagrid. I really don't know how the troll got into the castle."

Additionally, Professor Sprout was still worried about Ciel. Afraid that the sole heir of the Sprout family had been injured, she insisted that Ciel go to the hospital wing for examination.

Ciel could only temporarily suppress the matter of using trolls to cultivate Goldfish Vines in his heart. "I'll wait for this incident to blow over before finding an opportunity to test it."

Then Ciel was led by Professor Sprout to the hospital wing. Even though Madam Pomfrey in the hospital wing insisted, "Ciel is perfectly fine. I think he could even beat another troll to death," Professor Sprout still insisted that Ciel must rest in the hospital wing for the entire night.

Ciel could only helplessly take a brief break amid the smell of disinfectant. Fortunately, he asked Professor Sprout for one favor.

"Aunt, could you bring all my Goldfish Vines here? I feel uneasy not being able to see them."

Meanwhile, the young wizards in the castle who had returned to their common rooms due to the troll incident were completely in uproar. The reason was simple.

Harry and Ron, during the troll incident, had gone to look for Hermione, who was supposedly crying in the girls' bathroom for a long time, just like in the original story.

"But as soon as we got to the first floor, we saw Ciel beating up the troll! Merlin above, it was so brutal! The troll was like a newborn baby in front of Ciel. It was beaten to tears!"

Harry and Ron vividly described that scene. The story of Ciel beating up the troll spread among the young wizards at an extremely fast pace. Throughout Halloween night, the young wizards excitedly discussed this matter.

At this time, in front of the traces left by Ciel's battle with the troll on the first floor, two figures lingered.

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows, showing surprise. "Ciel Sprout... I don't recall the Sprout family having giant blood, do I? What's with this brute strength?"

Then his gaze fell on the thorn marks created by the Pruning Charm. "Good mastery of the Pruning Charm. However, there seems to be very weak dark magic aura in this. It's a bit like... Sectumsempra?"

Dumbledore turned to look at Snape beside him. "Severus, what do you think?"

Snape snorted coldly. "Maybe some ancestor mixed in giant blood, and it happened to manifest in this generation. Didn't the Malfoy family also mix in Veela blood? What's so strange about this in pure-blood families?"

He paused thoughtfully. "As for Sectumsempra... how could I not recognize traces of Sectumsempra in this? Besides, when did Sectumsempra become so weak?"

Snape looked at Dumbledore irritably. "Dumbledore, will your paranoid habits ever end? Ciel Sprout's talent is something we've all witnessed. Magical perception can be trained, but magical strength is innate. He'll never achieve anything in spells in his lifetime. If you're worried that even this level of spells could cause bad consequences, then all wizards in the entire wizarding world should be thrown into Azkaban."

Upon hearing this, Dumbledore was first stunned, then showed a bitter smile. Snape had a point. With Ciel's talent, there really was no need to worry about him going astray.

As for Ciel's performance this time... badgers were quite protective of flowers and plants. Even honest people would explode when pushed too far. It was perfectly normal for a little badger to lose his temper. He shouldn't overthink it. He should focus more attention on cultivating the savior and the mastermind behind this incident.

Then Dumbledore left the scene.

Snape turned around and glanced at the traces left by the Pruning Charm. His eyes showed satisfaction. It seemed Ciel had obtained the Half-Blood Prince textbook he had left behind and learned Sectumsempra from it.

Heh. Little badger. Finally showing some discernment.

He could secretly guide him a bit. He just wondered what expression Ciel would have if he ever found out that he was the Half-Blood Prince.

Thinking of this, Snape's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile, and he also turned and left.

Long after they had both left the scene, Quirrell, wearing a large scarf, slowly stepped out from the shadows at the end of the corridor. His expression showed considerable delight.

"The Sprout family's child. I thought his talent was extremely mediocre, with no value for exploitation. I didn't expect he was hiding a bloodline similar to giants. Then perhaps, he really could be used to get past the three-headed dog."

Quirrell's eyes showed a thoughtful look. "As for how to use him... not now. After tonight's incident, that old fool Dumbledore should be on high alert. I can't act rashly during this period. However, with Ciel Sprout's terrible talent... as long as I reveal to him at some point that the three-headed dog is guarding a treasure that can improve talent, I'm sure he won't even think twice before jumping right in. Little badgers are very easy to fool."

Then Quirrell also quickly disappeared into the night.

Ciel was unaware of the undercurrents triggered by the troll incident. His gaze was focused on the Goldfish Vines that Professor Sprout had placed in front of his hospital bed.

Although quite a few had been eaten by that troll, nearly thirty pots remained. And they had all matured. Heavy reward orbs floated above the Goldfish Vines.

Ciel's eyes showed anticipation. "I wonder if harvesting this wave of rewards can make my Magical Perception Enhancement reach the threshold for advancing to Gold Tier?"

The next moment, he reached out his hand. The orbs rushed into Ciel's body one after another, promising new heights of magical ability.

[Chapter Complete]

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