HP: The Boy who Planted

Harry and Ron sat side by side, feeling their hearts thump in their chests as the Charms final unfolded. The grandeur of the expanded classroom, the presence of every professor and even Dumbledore himself, and the competitive tension in the air made it feel more like a championship match than a simple school test.

"I don't think we'll be the worst," Ron whispered, trying to reassure himself and Harry. "We're not that hopeless, right?"

Harry tried to believe him, but the nervous knot in his stomach only tightened as the next name was called.

"Susan Bones!"

Susan, her face pale but determined, walked up to the stage. She took a deep breath, glanced at her friends for support, and raised her wand. "Lumos!"

A steady, bright light shone from her wand. It wasn't quite as dazzling as Hannah's, but it was still excellent—better than most of her previous attempts in practice. The professors nodded in approval, and Susan smiled in relief as she returned to her seat, chatting excitedly with Hannah. "I didn't mess up! I didn't forget the words!"

The Hufflepuffs breathed a collective sigh of relief, their confidence growing. Now they could watch the rest of the test with a little less anxiety.

Next up were two Ravenclaws, Terry Boot and Mandy Brocklehurst. Terry's Lumos was especially impressive, reaching the bronze level by Char's estimation. The Eagles had clearly taken the last test's disappointment to heart, practicing hard to restore their house's pride. Professor Flitwick was so delighted he bounced up onto the judges' table to award Terry three points, his tiny face beaming.

Then came the first Slytherin, Millicent Bulstrode. Unlike the others, Millicent strode up to the stage with calm confidence, even performing a graceful bow to the judges. Her "Lumos" was pronounced with perfect clarity and a hint of aristocratic flair. The spell that burst from her wand was easily the most powerful yet—close to silver level, Char guessed.

The judges were surprised, and Snape stood up to clap loudly. "Excellent, Millicent. The best so far. Five points to Slytherin."

Millicent returned to her seat, her head held high, as the Slytherins cheered. Harry and Ron exchanged worried glances. No one so far had done worse than them in practice, and even the Slytherins—who usually struggled outside Potions—were putting on a show.

"It's okay," Ron muttered, trying to keep his spirits up. "Crabbe and Goyle are still left. No way they'll do better than us."

But when Crabbe and Goyle took their turns, their Lumos spells were surprisingly solid—nothing spectacular, but far from embarrassing. They were clearly in the middle of the pack, and certainly not the disaster Harry and Ron had hoped for.

Now, the anxiety was palpable. Harry's cheeks burned as he realized he'd soon be on stage, with everyone watching and expecting greatness from the Boy Who Lived.

"I shouldn't have spent so much time on Quidditch," he thought regretfully. "I should have practiced more."

Meanwhile, the Slytherins were on a roll. Each student who came up seemed stronger than the last. The professors began to murmur among themselves. Professor Flitwick frowned, and even Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.

"Phosphorescent potion?" Dumbledore mused aloud, his voice carrying just enough for the other professors to hear. "A rare brew that can temporarily boost the power of the Lumos charm. Severus, did you really go to such lengths for your students?"

The other heads of house looked at Snape in surprise and dismay. "Potions?" McGonagall said sharply. "Severus, that's hardly fair!"

Snape smirked. "There's no rule against using potions. Potions are a Slytherin strength, and learning to use every resource is part of their education. If you want your students to compete, perhaps you should teach them to be as resourceful."

The other professors fell silent. There was no rule against it, and Slytherin had always prided itself on cunning and preparation. Even Dumbledore couldn't object.

The test continued. Hermione's turn finally came, and she stepped up with determination. Her Lumos was brilliant—by Char's system, it was silver level, the best so far. Professor McGonagall's eyes shone with pride. But Hermione's lead was short-lived. Malfoy, swaggering up to the stage, cast a Lumos that was even brighter and steadier, thanks in part to the potion's effects. Another Slytherin followed, matching Malfoy's level.

Now, the top three were two Slytherins and Hermione, with only a handful of students left. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. The Slytherins were already celebrating, sure that they'd swept the podium. Snape's smile was smug, and even Professor Flitwick and McGonagall looked resigned.

Professor Sprout, however, wasn't giving up. She leaned over and whispered, "Charles hasn't gone yet. Just wait."

The other professors exchanged doubtful glances. Char was known for his hard work, but his magical talent was… well, not remarkable. Still, they watched as his name was called.

"Charle Sprout."

Char stood, feeling every eye in the room on him. He walked calmly to the platform, his mind clear. He thought of the hours spent in the greenhouse, the nights practicing under the stars, the lessons learned from Hermione and Professor Sprout. He felt the magic in his veins, the confidence in his heart.

He took a deep breath, raised his wand, and spoke: "Lumos."

The light that burst from his wand was unlike any that had come before. It was not just bright—it was pure, steady, and somehow comforting. The glow filled the room, pushing back every shadow, and for a moment, everyone was silent, caught in the spell's gentle radiance.

On Char's system panel, the Fluorescent Spell shimmered at the edge of gold, the insights from his recent harvest still resonating within him.

The professors stared, mouths open. Even Dumbledore looked impressed, his eyes twinkling with real delight. The students murmured in awe.

Professor Flitwick was the first to speak. "Extraordinary, Char. Absolutely extraordinary. That is the finest Lumos I have ever seen from a first-year."

The judges conferred, and Dumbledore stood. "Charle Sprout, you have set a new standard for this test. Five points to Hufflepuff, and the top spot in the final."

The Hufflepuffs erupted in cheers, while the Slytherins sat in stunned silence. Even Hermione smiled, proud to see her friend succeed.

Harry and Ron, watching from the sidelines, felt a mix of relief and admiration. "Well, at least we won't be last," Ron whispered, grinning despite himself.

Char returned to his seat, heart pounding with joy. He'd done it—not just for himself, but for his house, his friends, and everyone who believed in him.

And as the Charms final drew to a close, every student in the room knew they'd witnessed something special—a little badger, shining brighter than anyone expected.

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