𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐱 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝚂𝚃𝙾𝚁𝚈

Chapter 10 - the Special Class

In the warm, humid greenhouse, the Herbology class buzzed with activity as Professor Sprout moved among the rows of students. She was a small but round woman with full cheeks and short curly hair that was the colour grey. Her voice, as lively as the plants she tended, rang out above the chatter.

"Today, class, we'll be working with Screechsnap—a particularly interesting and temperamental plant. Screechsnap is semi-sentient and can feel both pain and pleasure, so you must be gentle when handling it. This plant also makes quite a noise when agitated, so I advise you all to be careful."

Professor Sprout held up a Screechsnap plant, its green tendrils curling and uncurling as if seeking attention. "The Screechsnap is known for its sensitivity to touch. When handled properly, it can be quite docile, but if mistreated, it will let you know with a very loud shriek. This lesson will be vital for your O.W.L.s, so I expect everyone to pay close attention." She scanned the class with a keen eye. "Pair up and begin extracting the plant from its pot. Take notes on its appearance, movements, and reactions. This will be important for your final essays on magical plant care."

Adeline's heart sank when she realized she was paired with Hermione Granger.

Despite her admiration for Hermione from the books, she couldn't help but feel nervous. Malia had a history of bullying Hermione, and Adeline worried about how the bright witch would react to her. As they began their task, Hermione seemed surprisingly at ease. She was focused, professional, and didn't flinch or make any cutting remarks.

This allowed Adeline to relax a bit.

"Be sure to note the colour of the leaves," Hermione instructed, carefully turning the plant so Adeline could see. "They're a vibrant green, but the edges turn darker if the plant is distressed."

Adeline nodded, jotting down the details. "And the tendrils... they seem to curl towards any warmth, don't they?"

"Exactly," Hermione confirmed, clearly impressed. "It's a form of movement towards a stimulus. A sort of plant intelligence."

As they worked, Hermione glanced at Adeline from the corner of her eye. "I've heard your grades have improved. You're one of the top students in Slytherin now."

Adeline smiled softly, trying to sound casual. "I guess I just got embarrassed about having such bad grades. I started studying more and doing my homework." Hermione nodded thoughtfully, her eyes lingering on the girl she saw as Malia Beaumont for a moment longer before returning to the plant. She said nothing more, but Adeline could feel the curiosity simmering beneath the surface.

'I looked up to her when I was small,' Adeline thought to herself. 'I always wanted to be just like Hermione, I loved her character in the books. She was lively and smart, loved her family, and had such a close friendship with Ron and Harry that most people only dream of. I wanted to be just like her. So I cannot fathom why I was forced inside the body of a person who made her life hell for years.'

When class ended, students began to pack up and leave.

Hermione quickly made her way over to Harry, who was waiting by the greenhouse door. She whispered, her tone low and serious. "You were right, Harry. Beaumont's acting really suspiciously. We should keep an eye on her."

Unbeknownst to them, Draco had overheard the conversation as he passed by. His grey eyes narrowed, and he clenched his jaw before slipping away unnoticed.

Once again, the Gryffindors were planning to cause the Slytherin house more problems.

Later that day, Potions class was in full swing.