Chapter 87: The Hit Wizards and Hagrid
Fertilizing the Devil's Snare was nearly the toughest part of first-year Herbology. Kyle, however, found it manageable, simply because he had prior experience. After all, he'd been tending to Chomping Cabbages for months. The Chomping Cabbage, especially after its teeth sprouted, was far more dangerous than the Devil's Snare, which only tried to bind you. One wrong move with the cabbage, and Kyle might have ended up in the Hospital Wing with a glass of Skele-Gro... or some other healing potion.
After surviving those high-stakes encounters, returning to something as straightforward as Devil's Snare felt almost relaxing to him.
For the others, though, it was a different story. Coming into contact with the Devil's Snare for the first time left them shrieking as the tendrils coiled around them in tight binds. Some panicked the moment they were entangled, instantly forgetting Professor Sprout's instructions and thrashing instinctively. If not for Professor Sprout's watchful eye, they might have ended up as tightly wrapped as dumplings.
Kyle, meanwhile, stayed busy. When Professor Sprout was occupied, he took the initiative to help his classmates untangle themselves from the Devil's Snare. His assistance earned Hufflepuff another ten points, courtesy of Professor Sprout.
"Thanks, Kyle," said Ryan, rubbing his arm, which was still sore from the strangling tendrils. "When I watched you do it earlier, it looked easy. I had no idea it would be so tough... I can't even get close to the roots."
"Don't be discouraged," Kyle replied, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Just focus and avoid the tendrils. You'll be fine."
"I'll give it my best shot," Ryan sighed, adding, "but it would've been way easier if Professor Sprout let us use the Lighting Charm."
"You're overthinking it," Kyle said with a shake of his head. Using the Lighting Charm would make the Devil's Snare bloom immediately, defeating the purpose of the lesson. If all they had to do was dig a hole and add fertilizer, even a toddler could manage it, so why dedicate an entire lesson?
"Just wishful thinking," Ryan muttered before making another cautious attempt.