HP: The Boy who Planted

As Char stepped into the Charms classroom, he was momentarily taken aback. The room, which usually felt cozy and just large enough for two houses to share, had been transformed. It was as if a wizard with a flair for grandeur had cast a traceless extension charm—everything was bigger, brighter, and more impressive. The classroom was now five or six times its usual size, with distinct sections for each house, a raised platform for spell demonstrations, and even a judges' table that looked fit for a Wizengamot hearing.

It was clear that this wasn't just another lesson. The professors had gone all out for the final test of the Lumos charm. The sense of occasion was palpable, and the excitement in the air was mixed with a heavy dose of nerves.

Char made his way to the Hufflepuff section, where his fellow badgers were already gathered. He could feel the tension radiating off them—some were fidgeting, some were whispering nervously, and others just looked lost. The grandeur of the room and the looming test had everyone on edge.

When the badgers saw Char, their faces brightened a little, as if his presence alone was reassuring. "Charles, what do we do?" whispered Hannah, her eyes wide. "It's so formal today. Are we really supposed to go up there and cast our spells in front of everyone? My knees feel like jelly just thinking about it."

Char gave a gentle, understanding smile. He could see that the "pre-exam jitters" were in full effect. He thought for a moment, then glanced over at Hermione, who was sitting with the Gryffindors. An idea struck him.

"I once heard," Char said quietly, "that if you pray to the God of Learning, you can absorb some of their wisdom. It's said to bring good luck in exams and help you perform beyond your best. Want to give it a try?"

The badgers' eyes lit up. They turned as one to look at Hermione, who was completely unaware of the attention. Softly, they began to murmur, "Hermione, please help us do well. Let us perform better than ever. Let us make Hufflepuff proud."

To their surprise, the simple act of focusing on Hermione—Hogwarts' undisputed top student—seemed to calm them. The tension in the air eased a little, and a few of the badgers even managed nervous smiles.

"Wow, Hermione's blessing really works," whispered Ernie. "Praise Hermione!"

"Hemen!" giggled Susan, and the others joined in, a little more relaxed.

Across the room, Hermione felt the weight of their stares and shifted uncomfortably. She checked her robes, wondering if she'd accidentally put them on backwards, or if she had ink on her face. Why were all the Hufflepuffs looking at her?

Before she could puzzle it out, the professors entered the room, drawing everyone's attention. All four heads of house were present, along with several other professors who had come to watch the spectacle. The room buzzed with excitement.

But the real shock came when a tall, white-bearded figure entered, his blue robes twinkling with stars. "Principal Dumbledore?!" someone gasped, and a wave of whispers swept through the room.

Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling behind his half-moon glasses. "Last week, when I heard about this exciting exam, I decided I simply had to attend. There's nothing better for an old man than to witness the energy and progress of Hogwarts' students."

He continued, "As headmaster, I thought it only fair that I contribute to the festivities. In addition to Professor Flitwick's special spells and house points, I will be offering a unique reward of my own."

The students leaned forward, breathless with anticipation. Dumbledore reached into his pocket and pulled out a shiny silver object that looked like a lighter. With a click, every light in the room—including those cast by students practicing Lumos—was sucked into the device, leaving the room in sudden darkness. Another click, and the lights flowed back, as if nothing had happened.

"This," Dumbledore announced, "is a little gadget I made myself. I call it the Put-Outer. Many professors have asked for it, but I've never parted with it—until now. The winner of today's test will take it home."

A ripple of awe swept through the students. "That's so cool!" someone whispered. "Imagine being able to control all the lights in your dormitory!" "If I brought that home, my parents would flip!"

Char's mind raced. The Put-Outer would be a game-changer for him. He could store up Lumos spells during the day and release them at night to help his plants grow, freeing up his evenings for other projects. The more he thought about it, the more determined he became to win.

Dumbledore took his seat at the judges' table, and Professor Flitwick called the room to order. "Let's begin! We'll go in the order of the Sorting Ceremony. Hannah Abbott, would you like to start?"

Hannah blanched. "Oh, why did my surname have to be first?" she muttered, but her friends rallied around her. "You can do it, Hannah!" "The God of Learning is with you!" Even Hermione gave her a supportive smile.

Hannah took a deep breath and walked to the platform, her hands trembling. She thought of all the practice sessions, Hermione's patient guidance, and her own desire to make Hufflepuff proud. She raised her wand, closed her eyes for a moment, and whispered, "Lumos!"

A bright, steady light burst from her wand, illuminating the stage. Hannah stared at it in wonder—it was the best she'd ever done. The judges looked impressed, and Professor Sprout beamed with pride.

Dumbledore nodded approvingly. "An excellent start, Miss Abbott. Three points to Hufflepuff!"

Hannah blushed and hurried back to her seat, her heart pounding with joy. "I did it! I got points for Hufflepuff!" she whispered, her friends hugging her in celebration.

Over at the Gryffindor table, Harry and Ron exchanged worried glances. "Did you see that?" Ron muttered. "She's supposed to be nervous, but her spell was perfect!"

Harry nodded, feeling a knot of anxiety in his stomach. He hadn't practiced much, and Ron hadn't even asked Hermione for help. Suddenly, the prospect of beating Hufflepuff seemed much less certain.

As the test continued, Char watched his friends with pride. The badgers, once timid and unsure, were rising to the occasion. Hermione's lessons had paid off, and the whole house was shining.

Char's turn was coming soon, and he felt a surge of excitement. He was ready—not just to win, but to show everyone what a little badger could do.

And somewhere in the back of his mind, he thought, "Pretending to be a badger and eating a tiger? Maybe we're not pretending anymore."

The test had only just begun, but already, the magic of Hufflepuff was on full display.