GILDEROY LOCKHART
Harry let out a gasp of surprise that no one could hear.
Instead of roots, a small, muddy, and extremely ugly baby
popped out of the earth. The leaves were growing right out of his
head. He had pale green, mottled skin, and was clearly bawling at
the top of his lungs.
Professor Sprout took a large plant pot from under the table and
plunged the Mandrake into it, burying him in dark, damp com-
post until only the tufted leaves were visible. Professor Sprout
dusted off her hands, gave them all the thumbs-up, and removed
her own earmuffs.
“As our Mandrakes are only seedlings, their cries won’t kill yet,”
she said calmly as though she’d just done nothing more exciting
than water a begonia. “However, they will knock you out for sev-
eral hours, and as I’m sure none of you want to miss your first day
back, make sure your earmuffs are securely in place while you
work. I will attract your attention when it is time to pack up.
“Four to a tray — there is a large supply of pots here — com-
post in the sacks over there — and be careful of the Venomous
Tentacula, it’s teething.”
She gave a sharp slap to a spiky, dark red plant as she spoke,
making it draw in the long feelers that had been inching sneakily
over her shoulder.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were joined at their tray by a
curly-haired Hufflepuff boy Harry knew by sight but had never
spoken to.
“Justin Finch-Fletchley,” he said brightly, shaking Harry by the
hand. “Know who you are, of course, the famous Harry Potter. . . .
And you’re Hermione Granger — always top in everything”
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