Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Re-evaluating Oneself - Wind and Eagle
The feeling of brushing past Voldemort is indescribable, but fortunately, it has all passed.
Quirrell waved his sleeve and left without a trace.
Watching the gradually disappearing figure, Ino couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
...
Inside the castle, Quirrell weakly walked up the stairs, and the terrifying voice in his mind resounded again.
'Find an opportunity to approach that student.'
"But... Master, what about your plan?" Quirrell was somewhat puzzled. After painstakingly setting up his scheme and seeing it about to succeed, why was there a sudden change?
'Plan? That is just a game between my dear professor and me. The game continues only because I want to know what his reliance is.'
"Master..."
'Quiet!'
Hearing the command in his mind, Quirrell sensibly shut his mouth. He was well aware of the consequences of disobedience. Experiencing the excruciating pain once was enough.
...
Similarly, at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Ino did not realize he had already caught Voldemort's attention.
This was actually quite normal. If Professor Flitwick could see the problem at a glance, there was no reason Voldemort couldn't.
Perhaps this is the so-called "the observer sees clearly while the participants are confused."
In any case, after Quirrell left, Ino had no more interest in staying and instead changed direction to continue his walk.
...
Walking along the edge of the castle.
Observing his surroundings, Ino realized he had been misled by books and films. He had always thought that outside the castle, apart from the Black Lake and the Forbidden Forest, there was nothing much.
But upon arriving at Hogwarts, he discovered the area outside the castle was significantly larger and had many interesting things.
Whether standing on the long bridge to watch the sunset, strolling across the plains to listen to the wilderness, or even throwing stones to tease the Whomping Willow when bored...
Wasn't this more interesting than breaking school rules and sneaking into the Forbidden Forest?
Moreover, the castle wasn't just the main building glimpsed in the films; it was surrounded by numerous structures forming an immensely large complex.
And among them, the most distinctive was the greenhouse for Herbology classes that Ino saw before him.
One greenhouse after another was built next to the castle, square and orderly like... furrows planned out on a plain.
Looking at the countless potted plants inside the greenhouse, he also got the idea of having a couple of green plants in his dormitory.
Although Slytherin was already green enough, this kind of vibrant green was entirely different from the mysterious magical green.
"It wouldn't have been bad to be sorted into Hufflepuff; I could farm and grow flowers in my spare time..."
During the school term, Ino had often heard the Hufflepuffs boast about their common room, like being very close to the kitchen, enjoying extra meals and snacks at will, and how the dormitory was adorned with various plants...
Even more absurd was their head of house, Professor Sprout, who would green-light any Hufflepuff who wanted to grow plants, providing everything from pots and soil to fertilizer, and giving free access to the greenhouses.
Next to the greenhouses, various clay pots were piled up in a mess. These were defective products deliberately placed there by Professor Sprout to be used by students to cultivate some plants.
Hufflepuff's generosity and friendliness were worth mentioning, as Professor Sprout always treated everyone equally, regardless of their house.
If students from other houses wanted to grow some green plants, she would support them just the same.
...
Looking at the various pots before him, Ino squatted down and began to pick through them without a second thought.
Though most were of one type, he still had to identify those with cracks or were half-broken.
Despite the appearance of many pots, they were actually leftovers after several rounds of selection by the Hufflepuffs.
Finding something useful amidst a pile of broken pieces sometimes brought a unique joy.
...
And so, he passed one greenhouse after another.
To others, the discarded pots behind the greenhouses might seem worthless, but he enjoyed the thrill of unboxing and relished it.
Unconsciously, he had walked past many greenhouses. Just as he was about to open a new box, Ino suddenly stopped.
Because he heard faint crying, a sound... he was very familiar with.
It was like the sound of a child in an orphanage who had been burned, clearly in pain but afraid to cry out loud, only able to weep quietly in a corner.
In the past, he had no ability to help and could only watch silently.
But now... he had to intervene.
Not just to make up for past regrets, but also because, after today's conversation with Professor Flitwick, he didn't want to become a true Slytherin.
Being overly shrewd and slick would only become another kind of restraint.
"The agile wind, clustering, the eagle's azure wings. Await the wise one, to bestow the crown..." he murmured softly.
His inherent wisdom had given him a mature experience, making him think carefully and weigh his options before doing anything.
The ten years in the London orphanage had further ingrained this habit, as a slight misstep there could bring trouble.
Subsequent adventures in the fantasy world turned him into a true spectator, coldly observing everything around him.
At this moment, Ino finally saw his own heart clearly.
From the beginning, what he truly yearned for was always the wind and eagle soaring freely in the sky, not the cold-blooded viper silently watching everything from the sidelines.
...
After figuring everything out.
Ino turned and walked towards the source of the crying.
With each step he took, he felt his body become lighter, as if a long-carried burden was being gradually lifted off by an invisible hand.
Step by step, he moved forward.
In a corner outside the next greenhouse, he saw a chubby boy wearing a robe with Gryffindor's red trim.
"Are you okay? Can I help you with something?" Ino squatted down and asked softly.
"No! I don't need any help, thank you." The chubby boy said with his head buried in his knees.
Seemingly realizing that this might be impolite, he slowly raised his head and saw the edge of a green-trimmed robe.
"Please... Malfoy already promised to let me off today!"
Looking at the pleading expression on the other side, a word flashed through Ino's mind instantly—bullying.
It was clear that the chubby boy was a victim of bullying. Given Malfoy's intimidating yet cowardly nature, Ino quickly identified the boy.
The only other character qualified to pull the Sword of Gryffindor from the hat, jokingly referred to as the true Sword Master: Neville Longbottom.
"Sorry, I mean no harm! I'm just here seeking help because I want to grow some potted plants but don't know where the suitable soil is," Ino said slowly.
Given the situation, he knew that to help Neville, he had to make him let down his guard.
For the future Herbology professor, potted plants were undoubtedly a good conversation starter.
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