Lupin stepped into the greenhouse and was immediately captivated by the sight before him. The space inside was much larger than it appeared from the outside, stretching into what seemed like endless land. The air was thick with the mingled scents of various medicinal herbs, creating a heady aroma that left him slightly disoriented.
But what surprised Lupin the most wasn't the size or the smell — it was how the potion plants were arranged. Instead of being neatly potted like in a typical magical greenhouse, they grew directly from the earth in large, sprawling patches. It felt less like a greenhouse and more like an open farm.
Vison, standing beside him, wasn't at all surprised by Lupin's wide-eyed stare. He'd seen that look before. Anyone would be amazed to witness such a massive cultivation of medicinal herbs.
Even with a cursory glance, Lupin spotted numerous precious magical plants among the fields. To a seasoned potion-maker, these weren't just plants — they were fields of gold. His estimation of Vison rose sharply; the young man before him was clearly far more capable than Lupin had expected.
"Well, I think I should give you a tour," Vison said with a friendly smile, pulling out his wand. "But first, you'll need a Bubblehead Charm, Mr. Lupin. Otherwise, you might end up inhaling some… less than friendly fumes."
Seeing Vison's gesture, Lupin quickly followed suit, casting a Bubblehead Charm around his head. Soon, two transparent, shimmering bubbles enveloped them both. The Bubblehead Charm, after all, was a handy spell—perfect for breathing underwater or protecting against harmful smells.
Lupin soon realized why the charm was necessary. As they walked deeper into the greenhouse, his eyes caught sight of a tall willow tree not far ahead, and he stopped in his tracks.
"Hey… is that a Whomping Willow?" he asked, his voice laced with nostalgia. "I remember Hogwarts had one just like that."
"Actually, this is its offspring," Vison replied, stepping toward the tree and giving its trunk a fond pat. "I transplanted it from Hogwarts back when I was a student."
Logically, the Whomping Willow should have attacked anyone who got too close. But the one before them remained still, which piqued Lupin's curiosity. As he took a cautious step closer, however, the tree's demeanor shifted entirely.
The willow's thick vines whipped through the air with sharp, cutting sounds. Lupin jumped back in alarm.
"Ah, sorry—it's a bit shy," Vison said with a chuckle. "Raise your hands when you approach it, and it won't attack."
"Shouldn't I press the knot?" Lupin asked, recalling how the Hogwarts tree could be pacified by touching a specific scar. It was the method he'd used countless times to enter the Shrieking Shack.
"Each Whomping Willow is unique," Vison explained patiently. "Mine doesn't have a knot like that. Just raise your hands, and it'll leave you be."
Lupin hesitated, eyeing the tree warily. "I think I'd rather not get too close."
"It's safe, I promise," Vison insisted with a slightly regretful sigh. "You'll have to learn to get along with plants here. It's part of the job."
Lupin exhaled deeply. He had a contract, after all. Backing out now would be embarrassing. Mustering his courage, he stepped forward, slowly raising his hands above his head just like Vison had instructed.
This time, the Whomping Willow remained still as he approached. Encouraged, Lupin inched closer—only for the branches to suddenly shudder and thrash violently. He froze on the spot.
Even Vison took a step back, frowning. That's odd. It should've calmed down.
Then the branches began changing color, shifting from their usual green to an ominous deep purple.
"This isn't right…" Vison muttered, eyes narrowing. "Back away, Lupin. Now."
Even as he spoke, the branches tensed and unleashed a sudden burst of purple mist. The air filled with a sharp, acrid smell as the toxic cloud spread rapidly, staining the air dark purple.
Luckily, both Lupin and Vison had their Bubblehead Charms active, keeping the poison at bay. Still, the sight was unnerving.
"Fall back!" Vison barked, grabbing Lupin's arm and pulling him backward. The noxious gas swirled around them, leaving violet streaks on their protective bubbles. Both men quickly reinforced their charms with fresh magic to prevent further contamination.
"What the hell just happened? Why did it go berserk?" Lupin's face had gone pale. He had dealt with the Whomping Willow at Hogwarts, but never had he seen such behavior.
Vison's brow furrowed. He didn't have an immediate answer either. He reached out mentally to Eldra, the sentient Tree of Wisdom that assisted him with plant management.
Eldra, he called silently, analyze the Whomping Willow before me.
A calm, mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
[Species: Whomping Willow]
[Level: 2]
[Trait: Highly Poisonous]
[State: Growing (0%)]
Reading the information, Vison exhaled in relief. So that was it. The tree had undergone an unintended mutation—a side effect of his unique transfiguration abilities. It had randomly acquired the "Highly Poisonous" trait.
Vison's plant mutations normally required a mix of his magical energy and specific potions to trigger. But sometimes, spontaneous mutations occurred on their own. This Whomping Willow had just developed its poisonous attribute without any deliberate intervention.
With the data analyzed, Vison felt reassured. He turned to Lupin with a calming smile. "Don't worry, Lupin. This is normal for plants here. It's still safe."
Lupin, watching the tree continue to spew poison, wasn't convinced. His lips thinned. "...Really?"
Vison chuckled lightly but understood the man's hesitation. Without answering directly, he strode back toward the tree. As he approached, the whipping branches stilled. Vison placed a hand on the trunk, and the tree's violent shudders gradually subsided. The purple mist began to fade, clearing the air around them.
"You see? It's fine now," Vison said, nodding.
He surmised that the Whomping Willow had simply lost control of its new toxic ability. Now, with his calming presence, it seemed able to restrain itself.
Lupin remained rooted to the spot, his gaze flicking between Vison and the tree. Every instinct told him this job was going to be more dangerous than advertised.
"Is it still too late for me to reject this job?" Lupin asked flatly, his voice tinged with helpless resignation.
Vison grinned. "I'll double your salary."
Lupin sighed. "Deal."