Chapter 255 Neville: Am I that good?

Sebastian sat in his chair, leaning forward slightly, crossing his hands on the table, looking at old Lady Longbottom with a gentle but firm gaze.

"Ma'am," Sebastian said with a smile, "As a professor of Muggle Studies, I would like to share with you a 'Bamboo Law' that is widely circulated among Muggles."

Bamboo Law?

What does this have to do with Neville?

Old Lady Longbottom raised her eyebrows in confusion and looked at Sebastian with a hint of confusion.

"It took the bamboo four years to grow only three centimeters, and these three centimeters are still buried deep under the soil," Sebastian continued in a slow and convincing voice.

"However, starting from the fifth year, it will grow wildly at a rate of thirty centimeters per day. In just a few weeks, it can grow to fifteen meters high."

"Muggles say that's because the bamboo spends the first four years taking root, so it can grow rapidly in the fifth year."

Sebastian chuckled. "Of course, I'm not a botanist, so I don't know the scientific basis of this law. But we might as well learn from the principle behind this story."

Sebastian turned to look at Neville and asked gently, "Neville, tell me, how long does it take for a mandrake to grow from a seedling to maturity?"

Neville shuddered slightly, raised his head, and whispered, "Almost a year."

"Very good." Sebastian nodded, his tone encouraging. Then he continued to ask: "So, how long does it take for white fresh to grow?"

"About three months," Neville answered quickly, his voice much firmer than before.

Sebastian smiled and patted his shoulder, praising him, "Very good answer, Neville."

Then, he looked at old lady Longbottom and said seriously, "Madam, each plant has a different growth cycle. We cannot force Mandrake to mature in three months like Dictamni."

"Besides, no one can say that the mandrake, which takes a whole year to mature, is inferior to the dill that matures in three months, right?"

Old Madam Longbottom nodded slightly, with a thoughtful look in her eyes.

"In fact, it's the same with people." Sebastian's tone was gentle but firm. "Everyone is an independent individual and has his or her own pace of growth."

"Blindly comparing yourself with others will only bring you anxiety, stress, and a lot of negative emotions."

Sebastian looked at Neville, then raised his head and said softly, "Ma'am, you just said that Neville's performance was not as good as a Squib. I personally strongly disagree with this."

"Neville is a very good child. In school, his grades are actually above average."

"As you saw just now, I asked him two random questions about herbs, and he answered them fluently. He is Professor Sprout's favorite assistant professor of herbology."

When Neville heard this, he secretly looked up at Sebastian, and an indescribable warmth rose in his heart.

Since he was a child, he rarely heard others praise him to his grandmother.

This feeling of praise made him feel a little overwhelmed for a moment.

Sebastian continued, "Neville's learning pace is slower than others, and his memory is not as good as other students, but he has a trait that most students don't have, and that is perseverance."

"Perhaps, Neville needs to practice five or ten times what others can learn in one time, but he never gives up easily."

"In the Dueling Club, Neville is often the one who practices the latest, and he always completes his homework very carefully."

An admiring look appeared on his face. "From my perspective as a professor, Neville's performance has already surpassed more than 90% of the students. If it were me, I might not do as well as him."

Old Madam Longbottom pursed her lips, her expression slightly moved. Although she remained as serious as ever, the hardness in her eyes seemed to have loosened at Sebastian's words.

"As the boss of Swann Alchemy, I have always been very good at judging people." Sebastian's tone was full of confidence.

"Over the years, I have discovered countless talents. I can say with certainty that Neville is the kind of person who will blossom late in life. As long as he is given a little more patience, he will surely achieve brilliant success."

A late bloomer!

Am I really as good as the professor praises me to be?

Hearing this, Neville was so moved that his eyes were red. He secretly raised his sleeve and gently wiped away his tears, his heart full of gratitude.

At this moment, Sebastian had become his most respected and beloved professor.

Sebastian gave an example: "Because of the Dementors, the professors at the school have been teaching students the Patronus Charm for the past month."

"As a third-year student, Neville can already release a disembodied Patronus stably."

Sebastian smiled slightly, "Ma'am, you know how difficult the Patronus Charm is. You should be able to appreciate how amazing it is that Neville can do this within the limitations of the wand."

A month?

A steady release of a non-physical patronus?

A trace of surprise and relief suddenly flashed in the eyes of old lady Longbottom. She couldn't help but look at Neville and asked proudly: "Neville, why didn't you tell me?"

Neville looked up, a little embarrassed, and explained softly: "I...I want to tell you after I successfully release the Patronus with a physical body."

Old Lady Longbottom's eyes softened completely. She looked at Neville and said the first compliment of the day: "Neville, your performance is indeed beyond my imagination."

"Even your father and mother had never successfully released a non-corporeal patronus at your age."

"They'll be proud of you."

Looking at old Madam Longbottom, Sebastian said, "Neville has worked harder than others, so we can't let this wand continue to hold him back."

"At the very least, changing to a more suitable wand will definitely improve his learning efficiency and save his study time."

"After changing the wand, I am confident that Neville will be able to successfully release a physical Patronus before Halloween."

A month?

Let Neville release a corporeal Patronus? !

Old Lady Longbottom smiled and shook her head. "I understand the difficulty of the Patronus Charm. One month is too much anyway."

"You know, many powerful wizards cannot release a complete Patronus in their entire lives."

"I will be satisfied if Neville can master the Patronus Charm within a year."

"Well," Sebastian said confidently, "If Neville can do it, I hope you can agree to one condition of mine."

"That is, don't be so strict with Neville in the future. Try to be more tolerant and encouraging towards him."

"I believe that for Neville, family encouragement is more effective than strict supervision."

"You've convinced me, Professor." Mrs. Longbottom nodded slightly and looked at Sebastian with a hint of respect and gratitude. "It is a blessing for the students at Hogwarts to have a professor like you."

"Thank you for your recognition, ma'am."

Old Lady Longbottom glanced at Neville and said goodbye to Sebastian.

"Thank you for everything you've done for Neville, Professor Swann."

"Now, I'm going to take Neville to Diagon Alley to buy a new wand."

As she spoke, she stood up, packed her bag, called Neville to leave the coffee shop together, and walked hurriedly towards the public fireplace in the new town of Hogsmeade.

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