Soon, Adrian abandoned the idea of making the Chomping Cabbages smarter. Perhaps because the trait of "intelligence" didn't suit them, not a single Chomping Cabbage acquired this characteristic.
[Species: Chomping Cabbage]
[Status: Growing (0%)]
They all gained parasitic abilities.
As for their function, naturally, like the Devil's Snare, they could parasitize on humans.
However, when Adrian personally tried letting them parasitize on himself, the effect was even more bizarre than the Devil's Snare.
Looking at the few Chomping Cabbages sprouting from his arm, Adrian couldn't help but shudder.
It was better to keep them in flowerpots...
Night fell, and the Great Hall of Hogwarts was brightly lit.
At the Gryffindor table, Harry was telling Ron about what happened after flying lessons today—Professor McGonagall had made an exception and let him join the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
After hearing this news, Ron was so shocked he couldn't close his mouth, even forgetting to chew the pie inside it.
"Don't tell anyone," Harry said calmly while eating the same pie as Ron. "Wood asked me to keep it secret. He's the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team."
Ron looked even more excited than Harry.
"Oh, Merlin," he exclaimed, patting Harry's shoulder. "If I had joined the Gryffindor Quidditch team, I'd probably be too excited to eat! Are you a Beater? Or a Seeker?"
"I'm a Seeker, and keep your voice down," Harry quickly urged Ron to lower his volume.
For the rest of the time, Ron kept asking Harry how he was selected. In fact, Harry himself was somewhat surprised. The first time he touched a broomstick, he felt a strange sense of control.
During flying class, his broom jumped into his hand on his first try. Compared to other students, he had done exceptionally well. Even those Slytherin students who boasted about their flying skills had to try numerous times at best.
As for Malfoy—Harry admitted that although Malfoy flew quite well, he was still a bit inferior compared to himself...
Just as Harry was thinking about Malfoy, Malfoy actually appeared in front of him. Seeing Malfoy and his two cronies, Harry immediately showed a look of disgust.
"Well, Potter, didn't the professor send you back to the Muggles?" Malfoy said mockingly. "Or are you enjoying your last dinner at Hogwarts?"
Obviously, he was ridiculing Harry for breaking the rules during flying class.
After Malfoy finished speaking, Goyle and Crabbe dutifully emitted low, mocking laughter. However, Harry only found them somewhat ridiculous.
"You've gotten much braver now," Harry glanced at Goyle and Crabbe, then said coldly, "after getting two dumb trolls who can only laugh stupidly."
Goyle and Crabbe immediately stepped forward upon hearing this, and glared at Harry.
Under the table, Harry's hand secretly reached into his robe and gripped his wand. His spellcasting wasn't proficient, but he could accurately release a simple Levitation Charm.
Although he wasn't sure if he could successfully make Goyle and Crabbe float to the ceiling. But now, if those two showed any signs of attacking him, he would cast the spell immediately!
However, there were too many people in the Great Hall, and Goyle and Crabbe clearly didn't dare to actually make a move.
This made Harry feel relieved but also slightly disappointed. After practicing magic for so long, he hadn't really tried it on anyone yet.
"Harry Potter," Malfoy suddenly spoke up, and sneered as he said, "Let's have a duel like real wizards. A wizard's duel! Tonight, what do you say?"
Harry stood up almost without hesitation, looking directly into Malfoy's eyes: "Why wait until night? We can do it now. I know a place where no one will disturb us."
Malfoy clearly hadn't expected Harry to be so straightforward; the smile on his face instantly froze.
Seeing that Harry had already risen from his seat, looking eager to try, he quickly coughed and pretended to be calm, and waved his hand, "Potter, don't rush. A wizard's duel is no child's play. First, you need to choose a better second."
He glanced at Ron, then shook his head, making a "tsk" sound.
Ron seemed provoked by his gesture, his face turned red as he abruptly stood up: "Just you wait! We accept. I'm his second."
"Very well, Potter. Midnight today, I'll be waiting for you in the trophy room."
Malfoy nodded with satisfaction and left with Goyle and Crabbe, giving Harry no chance to respond.
Harry could only sit down and face Ron for a while.
"Maybe I shouldn't have just accepted like that," Ron suddenly asked, seeming to think it was inappropriate to accept the duel on Harry's behalf.
Harry smiled and patted Ron's shoulder, saying in a light tone: "Don't worry, Ron. I wasn't planning to refuse anyway."
Ron's expression only then eased slightly.
"So, what's a wizard's duel?" Harry asked Ron as he forked the food on his plate.
"I thought you knew," Ron was stunned for a moment, then explained: "A wizard's duel is a magical contest between two wizards. They stand facing each other, bow, then cast spells at each other. Cool, isn't it?"
"Sounds very formal," Harry replied vaguely, chewing his food.
"But your duel probably won't be like that," Ron shrugged. "You and Malfoy probably can't cast many decent spells."
That was true, Harry nodded in agreement. The spells he knew couldn't really support him in combat.
Those specialized combat spells, like the Shield Charm or Disarming Charm—he couldn't seem to cast any of them.
And as for Malfoy, Harry didn't think he knew those spells either.
"Just punch him and break his nose when the time comes," Ron said viciously, swinging his fist.
Harry spread his hands, indicating that was all he could do.
At this moment, a crisp voice came from beside them: "Excuse me."
Harry and Ron turned their heads simultaneously to see Hermione standing behind them, her brows furrowed, clearly having overheard their conversation.
"You can't wander around outside in the middle of the night," Hermione said reprovingly. "You'll definitely get caught, and Gryffindor will lose points!"
"No one will know," Ron pursed his lips, "if certain people don't tell."
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