"Goldfish Vine?" Neville repeated, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What's it for?"
Ciel leaned back against the compartment cushions, a small, knowing smile on his face. "It's an herb used in potions related to memory," he explained. "Many memory-enhancing draughts require it as a key ingredient. The reason it works is tied to its rather unique growth requirements."
Neville's curiosity was piqued, his eyes wide.
"This little plant doesn't have high demands for soil, water, or sunlight," Ciel continued, his voice taking on the tone of a lecturer sharing a fascinating secret. "In fact, it's quite similar to the succulents Muggles are so fond of. But for it to truly thrive, it must absorb a very specific nutrient: the act of forgetting."
Neville stared, completely bewildered. "Forgetting?"
Ciel nodded. "Whenever someone forgets something in the vicinity of a Goldfish Vine, the plant absorbs that... lapse... as nourishment. The more 'forgetting' it consumes, the more vigorously it grows. Its maturation speed increases dramatically."
Neville's jaw dropped. "There's really a plant like that? Merlin's beard, that's amazing!" He leaned in closer, his gaze fixed on the tiny, potted sprouts. Suddenly, he gasped. "Cousin Ciel! Look! I think they just got a little bit greener!"
Ciel nodded again, his smile widening. "That means it's absorbing the nutrients it needs. Neville, did you forget something just now?"
Neville froze, his expression clouding over with intense concentration. "Forgot something? I... I think I did forget something... but what was it?"
As Neville racked his brain, fruitlessly trying to grasp the lost thought, Ciel's gaze shifted to the shimmering text only he could see, hovering over the tiny pots.
[You have successfully planted Goldfish Vine]
[Reward Available: Magical Perception (Extremely Slight Increase - Gestating)]
[Maturity Bonus: Magical Perception (Slight Increase)]
The faint orbs of light above the vines, which had been small and dim just moments ago, were now pulsing with a noticeably brighter energy.
It worked, Ciel thought, a surge of satisfaction washing over him. Neville is the perfect catalyst for cultivating Goldfish Vine. I planted these a month ago, and they've barely grown, but just a few moments with him, and they're already responding. At this rate, they'll mature in no time.
He had considered this step carefully. After filling the greenhouse with Marguerites, his next move was critical. He was tempted to jump straight to powerful, high-reward plants like Mandrakes or Devil's Snare. But his aunt had warned him that the more potent the herb, the more precise the magical control needed during cultivation. The slightest fluctuation in magical energy could ruin the entire crop.
Herbology wasn't just about following instructions; it was about feeling the plant's needs, about adjusting the magic and potions in real time. This required an incredibly fine-tuned perception of magic—an ability he currently lacked. His Bronze-level magic was a blunt instrument.
So, he had devised a plan. He would first cultivate a plant that could enhance his magical perception. The Goldfish Vine was the perfect candidate. Once this crop matured, his perception would be sharp enough to tackle the more difficult and more rewarding magical flora. And as for the 'forgetting', the vines needed to grow? Neville had that in spades.
With a look of sheer delight, Ciel pushed the pots of Goldfish Vine across the small table toward his cousin.
"Neville," he said earnestly, "I can see you're very interested in magical plants. And these vines can even help you realise when you've forgotten something. I'd like you to have them."
Neville's eyes went wide, and he immediately tried to refuse. "No, Ciel, I couldn't! They're too valuable…"
Ciel cut him off, launching into a well-practiced spiel. "Nonsense! A fine treasure for a future hero! Besides, I see you have the bones of a Herbology prodigy. Are you trying to insult me by refusing such a small gift?"
Overwhelmed, Neville could only accept the pots in a daze. When he finally came to his senses, his eyes were shining with a profound gratitude. It was the first time anyone, besides perhaps his grandmother, had ever shown such faith in him.
"Cousin Ciel," he said, his voice thick with emotion as he clutched the pots. "I'll take good care of them. I promise I won't let you down. Thank you!" He clenched his free fist, a new resolve hardening his features. He would study Herbology with everything he had. He would not disappoint his cousin's trust.
Ciel smiled, satisfied. He wasn't worried about Neville accidentally killing the plants. With Neville's memory, if he couldn't make them thrive, no one in the wizarding world could. In fact, Neville might even provide a surprise and cultivate them to perfect quality. That would speed things up considerably.
Just then, as the final whistle for the Hogwarts Express was about to blow, the door to their compartment slid open. A girl with a cascade of bushy brown hair and slightly prominent front teeth stood in the doorway.
"Hello," she said, her voice clear and confident. "My name is Hermione Granger. Are these seats taken?"
Before they could answer, her sharp eyes noticed the pots of Goldfish Vine in Neville's hands. She let out a small, audible gasp. "Is that Goldfish Vine? I've read all about it in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi! You have your own magical plants already? That's amazing!" Her eyes shone with an undisguised, academic eagerness. "May I have a closer look?"
Ciel felt a sudden, primal sense of alarm, as if confronted by a formidable enemy. Without waiting for Neville to reply, he answered decisively.
A look of crestfallen disappointment washed over Hermione's face. Had she offended them already?
Then she heard Ciel's next words, spoken with an almost panicked urgency.
"You look like a very smart person. A top student who never forgets anything. Please, for the love of Merlin, stay away from these plants. They prefer fools. Smart people are poison to them."
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