Professor Sprout — Herbology
Herbology took place on Monday afternoon, when the sun hung comfortably low and the air around the greenhouses shimmered with warmth and moisture.
The greenhouses sat just beyond the castle walls, long panes of enchanted glass framed by iron ribs that glinted faintly with age. Inside, the air was thick with life earthy soil, crushed leaves, pollen, and something faintly spicy all mingled together. Vines crept up wooden supports, flowers the size of plates leaned lazily toward the light, and plants Leo had only ever seen illustrated in books rustled as if whispering to one another.
The six of them Leo, Cedric, Rowan, Mirabel, Elowen, and Tobias were visibly excited. Herbology had a good reputation, and not just among Hufflepuffs. Even the Slytherins entering the greenhouse looked… relaxed. Their shoulders were loose, voices lighter, some even smiling. Whatever rivalry existed between houses seemed muted here, buried beneath dirt and leaves.
A short, plump witch with wild curls tucked beneath a patched hat clapped her soil-stained hands together.
"Hello, first-years!"
It was Professor Pomona Sprout, her cheeks rosy, robes dusted with compost, and eyes bright with unmistakable affection.
"My name is Professor Sprout," she said warmly, beaming at them. "I'll be teaching you Herbology, the study of magical plants and fungi how to grow them, care for them, and, most importantly, how not to let them eat you."
A ripple of laughter went through the greenhouse.
"This week," she continued, "we'll be starting gently. No screaming plants just yet. Today you'll be learning about basic magical soil composition, proper handling of Fanged Geranium cuttings, and if you behave I can teach you how to safely repot Puffapods."
They spent the lesson with their sleeves rolled up and hands in soil. The atmosphere was lively and comforting. Professor Sprout moved among them constantly, praising effort, correcting mistakes gently, and telling stories about plants she'd raised longer than some of the students' parents had been alive.
Leo and Tobias exchanged a look at one point as the unmistakable smell of dragon fertilizer wafted through the air.
"That's… powerful," Tobias muttered.
Leo nodded solemnly. "I think it's burning my soul."
Despite that, the class was undeniably fun.
Expectedly Cedric did amazing in herbology but the
Unexpectedly and very loudly so was Rowan
Rowan answered nearly every question Professor Sprout asked, confidently identifying soil types and explaining why certain plants preferred shade, rowan even ask a complex question that make Tobias head tilted as he was confuse what they are talking. While Cedric was good in handling the Puffapods with calm precision, coaxing them into blooming without startling them.
When Professor Sprout asked for a volunteer to demonstrate proper trimming, both of them did it flawlessly.
Elowen stared.
Tobias stared harder.
"…What about our alliance?" Tobias whispered dramatically. "I thought we agreed we three were average."
Elowen nodded in betrayal. "This feels illegal."
Rowan scratched the back of his head, sheepish. "Um… my mum grows herbs and flowers, a lot of them, I kind of grew up helping them, immediately when I got the herbology book I read them thoroughly even read some book at the library pertaining magical plants."
Tobias groaned. Elowen sighed.
But when Professor Sprout awarded points to Hufflepuff, both of them brightened instantly since they notice they are getting more point than Slytherin in this class.
"At least we're winning," Tobias said. "I can forgive betrayal for that."
Author note: now that I establish what the usual class will entail like Leo is good at charms and transfiguration, astronomy and bit of potion, Cedric is close to second but better at potion and herbology and DADA (sorry I forgot to specify this). Rowan good at herbology, Maribel good at history and Elowen and Tobias average in all of this. (this is the what, the weekly happening of each classes in first year will be story, I don't want to repeat and make a detail about each week of what they gonna study.
Leo: Excels in Charms, Transfiguration, Astronomy; solid in Potions
Cedric: Strong all-rounder; especially good in Potions & Herbology
Rowan: Naturally talented in Herbology
Mirabel: History of Magic specialist
Elowen & Tobias: Reliable averages (emotional support + commentary co)