Harry spent the whole day trying to brew Essence of Dittany under Adrian Wesson's instruction.
As for the result…
Not ideal.
Adrian even began to doubt his own ability to teach.
But when he noticed the Tree of Wisdom's growth bar inching forward,
Well, he decided to keep at it a while longer.
Over the next few days, Harry continued learning with Adrian.
Harry wasn't particularly interested in Potions, but so long as it kept him away from the Dursleys, he was happy to do anything.
In the gaps between lessons, he also learned about many of the plants growing in Adrian's nursery.
There were things like dancing cacti and mushrooms that swelled and shrank at will.
Everything felt new and marvellous.
Adrian hadn't planted anything dangerous in this greenhouse, so he didn't stop Harry exploring.
Devil's Snare clung to the outer wall of the greenhouse, and every so often it would trail a vine inside to tease Harry.
Speaking of Devil's Snare, Adrian felt it had been growing more and more sentient lately.
[Species: Devil's Snare]
[Level: 2]
[Traits: Wisdom]
[Status: Growing (96%)]
The only trait on its panel was "Wisdom".
That was precisely why it seemed so alive—able not only to understand Adrian's orders, but even to think for itself.
Seeing the 96% growth bar, Adrian nodded.
It wouldn't be long before the Devil's Snare took the next step.
During a break, the Devil's Snare stretched a tendril towards Adrian and, almost coquettishly, coiled round his hand.
Adrian chuckled at the eager plant before him.
"Looks like it's time."
He took a bottle of dark red potion from the storage rack, its glass glowing faintly.
This was a special brew of Adrian's, designed for plants affected by his Alteration ability.
It could greatly accelerate their growth.
Naturally, its ingredients were… unusual.
The key ingredient was Adrian's blood.
A wizard's blood brimmed with magic, and Adrian's magic was particularly unusual—highly beneficial to plant growth.
He pulled the stopper, then poured the entire bottle over the Devil's Snare's tendrils.
In an instant, the plant jolted as though electrified, then rapidly unfurled. Strands of red, flowing markings appeared upon its dark green skin—like veins—racing along its body.
Eyes narrowed, Adrian watched the changes in silence.
The Devil's Snare soon calmed. The markings spread across its surface, their beauty edged with something eerie.
Adrian slowly stretched out his hand. As his fingertip touched a tendril, the Devil's Snare twined up of its own accord—at the same moment, a readout surfaced in his mind.
[Species: Devil's Snare]
[Level: 3]
[Traits: Wisdom, Parasitism]
[Status: Growing (0%)]
Straight into the next stage. Adrian was pleasantly surprised.
And the Devil's Snare had gained a new trait as well.
"Parasitism?"
From the name alone, he couldn't tell what role it would play.
His gaze sharpened as he felt the tendril's touch.
What had been a gentle coil at his wrist tightened as if at a signal, climbing his arm. Vine after vine crossed and spread until they covered his entire upper body.
"It seems 'Parasitism' isn't parasitism in the literal sense, but a more advanced symbiosis."
Murmuring, Adrian didn't resist; he simply let the Devil's Snare continue its metamorphosis.
As it wrapped further around him, he could clearly feel the tendrils merging into his body.
A deeper connection.
At last, the vines contracted, receding like the tide and vanishing into Adrian's form.
He looked down, lifted his robe, and examined his arm.
Across his skin spread a dark, netted pattern—as though a miniature Devil's Snare had been etched beneath the surface.
The markings rose and fell with his breathing.
Adrian frowned slightly and summoned his magic.
At once, the plant-mark upon his arm gleamed, and a slender vine shot out from his palm.
He flicked it a few times—perfectly responsive, as nimble as his own limb.
"I see…"
Regard thoughtful, Adrian tightened his fist. The vine instantly retracted, the flowing pattern slipping back beneath the skin.
"Eldra, analyse the Devil's Snare's 'Parasitism' trait."
The Tree of Wisdom soon returned its verdict.
[Parasitism: The Devil's Snare can fully integrate into a host's body to act, and can draw on the host's magic to repair itself.]
Simple, but intuitive.
Adrian nodded, very satisfied.
This trait would greatly enhance the plant's concealment.
Even so, a complicated feeling tugged at him. When those tendrils writhed out from beneath his skin and flailed freely, he couldn't help thinking he looked like some eldritch creature.
Hmm… something rather like a tentacled monster.
The thought made him shudder.
"Off me for now, Devil's Snare," he ordered.
The vines still curled round his arm gave a reluctant twitch, but obeyed in the end—slowly loosening and withdrawing from the surface of his body.
The dark web of markings faded bit by bit, as though it had never been there.
The plant's main body reappeared before Adrian.
Its tendrils quivered, as if unwilling to part.
"Don't be clingy," Adrian chided, patting it. "Back outside you go. If I need you, I'll call."
The Devil's Snare hesitated, then slowly climbed back up the greenhouse wall and returned to its former state.
…
While Adrian tested the plant's new function, Harry—left to one side—was gawping.
He'd watched as a canopy of vines swallowed Adrian, then vanished, then appeared again.
Honestly, it was a bit terrifying.
"Mr Wesson…" Harry's voice was hoarse. He pointed at Adrian's arm. "Did those vines go into your skin?"
"Oh, don't be so jumpy." Adrian smiled faintly. "That was the Devil's Snare I told you about, remember?"
"Can I learn it?"
"No."
Adrian laughed under his breath; this wasn't something an ordinary person could learn.
He clapped his hands as if to close the matter. "Right, Harry. Break's about over. Let's get back to something far more interesting—Essence of Dittany."
Harry's expression froze for a second.
Damn Potions.
He was quite sure that once he got to Hogwarts, this would be the class he hated most.
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