The matter with Professor Quirrell didn't occupy their discussion for too long.
Because Cedric told them that the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor before Oren was even worse than Quirrell.
At that time, he had just entered school and was a newcomer full of dreams and infinite longing for Hogwarts.
But this beautiful feeling lasted less than two days. During a Defense Against the Dark Arts class, their professor at the time wantonly cast jinxes on them under the guise of teaching.
Vomax.
Horn-Growing Hex.
Hair-Thickening Charm.
Jelly-Legs Jinx.
Skull Engorgement Charm…
He had experienced all of these.
Although the professor would remove the negative effects of the charms in time each time, causing no substantial harm to their bodies, the feeling of being jinxed was very unpleasant.
Especially the Skull Engorgement Charm; the dizziness it caused remained a vivid memory for Cedric.
Moreover, the professor would divide the class into two factions according to their houses, making them oppose each other and duel with jinxes.
That's why every Defense Against the Dark Arts class was a torment for him, taking days to recover afterward.
Thankfully, such days didn't last long.
According to Cedric, a large group of fully armed people stormed into Hogwarts and took that professor away on Halloween.
Initially, everyone thought he was a malicious Dark Wizard.
But it was not until a few days later that they learned from the Daily Prophet that he turned out to be an escaped patient from St. Mungo's Hospital.
Specifically, from the Mental Health Ward.
…
After Cedric finished speaking, Kael and Conna stared at him, dumbfounded.
"It's true." Cedric shrugged at their disbelief and said, "If you don't believe me, you can ask the Weasley Brothers; they know too."
Kael shook his head, silently feeling sorry for Cedric and the Weasley Brothers for a second.
Indeed, those who dared to apply for the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor position at Hogwarts were extraordinary people.
With Cedric's experiences for comparison, Professor Quirrell's classes didn't seem so bad.
And by the time they had Herbology Class in the afternoon, the magical greenhouse number three made them forget about the whole matter entirely.
It was simply a paradise of magical plants.
Mandrakes, Poisonous Tentacles, Knot Vine… all these plants they had only heard by name could be found there.
"Today we will be repotting Mandrakes."
Professor Sprout pointed to a row of deep pots beside them and asked, "Now, who can tell me the properties of Mandrakes?"
Cho, who was attending the class with them, was the first to raise her hand.
"Mandrakes are a powerful restorative," Cho said without hesitation. "They are used to restore those who have been transfigured or cursed back to their original state."
"Very good, 10 points to Ravenclaw," Professor Sprout said. "Mandrakes are an important component in most antidotes, but they are also dangerous. Can anyone tell me why?"
"Hearing the cry of a Mandrake can be fatal," a boy in the middle blurted out.
"Absolutely correct, another 10 points to Ravenclaw," Professor Sprout said.
At the same time, she gave Kael a somewhat regretful look.
This child is too honest. Just raising your hand won't do in class; you'd better speak out… like that Ravenclaw boy just did.
Too bad he missed the chance for extra points.
She was just thinking about this when she noticed that Kael hadn't put down his hand.
"Oh, Kael, do you have something to add?" Professor Sprout asked.
"Yes, Professor."
Kael said, "Besides their scream, dried Mandrake Leaves are also dangerous to Animagi."
"Yes, you're not wrong in saying so."
Professor Sprout nodded, but then quickly shook her head.
"However, it's not as dangerous as you think."
She continued, "In fact, the effects of dried Mandrake Leaves on Animagi are very weak, causing irreversible consequences only if taken for a long period while in animal form.
And by long-term… it means at least three years, but if the wizard reverts to human form during this time, any negative effects would instantly disappear.
Moreover, there aren't many Animagi in the Magic Realm; there are only seven registered with the Ministry of Magic. To my knowledge, they don't like to remain in animal form for a long period, let alone eat Mandrake Leaves.
Therefore, although Mandrake Leaves do affect Animagi, the likelihood of such incidents happening is very low.
Except for that gluttonous Barnabas a hundred years ago, there has been no second recorded case in the Magic Realm."
"I see?" Kael nodded thoughtfully and said, "I was overthinking it."
"No, it should be said you read a lot of books."
Professor Sprout said with a smile, "I remember this matter is only mentioned in a very obscure herbal medicine book, what was it called?"
"Medieval Herbal Selection," Kael said. "I saw it at Mr. Scamander's place."
"Yes, that's the book."
Professor Sprout said with a smile, "Everyone knows Mr. Scamander is a remarkable Magizoologist, but few know he is also a master of Herbal Medicine."
"10 points to Hufflepuff."
Professor Sprout clapped her hands and said to everyone, "This is an extracurricular knowledge point, just know it, no need to remember it deliberately."
Then, she pointed to the row of deep pots again and began explaining the precautions of repotting Mandrakes in a while.
"Four people per pot, remember to wear your ear muffs."
Professor Sprout instructed, "Although the Mandrakes here are still young and their cries aren't fatal, they can knock you out for several hours.
I don't think any of you want to miss the first day of the term, so be sure to wear your ear muffs while working, and I'll find a way to get your attention when it's time to clean up."
With ear muffs, repotting the Mandrakes wasn't too hard, as long as you're careful not to let any part of your body get into their mouths.
Though Mandrakes don't have teeth, they have a layer of hard callus, and a bite could be quite painful.
Kael grabbed a handful of leaves and skillfully pulled the Mandrake out.
The little creature began shrieking immediately, writhing its pale green body as it screamed.
Its noise was much louder than everyone else's, seeming very resistant to Kael.
"I just plucked a few leaves off you; is that such a big deal, really?"
Kael grumbled in his heart as he grabbed a large flowerpot from under the table and stuffed the Mandrake into it.