HP: Hogwart's Journey

Professor Pomona Sprout, the Head of Hufflepuff House and Herbology professor at Hogwarts, was a short, plump woman with flowing gray hair, wearing a patched wizard's hat that resembled the Sorting Hat. She was dressed in a brown robe, heavily stained with dirt. At this moment, she, normally a kind and optimistic person, wore a stern expression as she glared at Robert, her gaze clearly saying, "Boy, keep your hands to yourself and don't touch my plants! They're not spices for your pot!"

Robert swallowed nervously and forced a compliant smile. Fortunately, Professor Sprout was not truly a stern person. After a brief exchange, she led Robert and Nicole to the door of the Third Greenhouse. She took a key from her waist and unlocked the door, then turned to Nicole and said, "Miss Kilman, you can go in now." 

Nicole gave a helpless smile and waved at Robert. "Robert, do you think you can find your way back to the castle? If you can't wait, you can leave first. I have to take care of my precious plants!" 

Robert assured her he was fine, and was left standing outside. Professor Sprout closed the door and turned back, staring at Robert with a serious expression. 

The little badger shivered. 

Half an hour later, Nicole was surprised to find her house head happily guiding the new student in trimming a withered fig tree. 

"That's it, just like that—cut off the dead branches, and new leaves will grow," Professor Sprout instructed. "Although this is a simple task, very few students are willing to carefully distinguish which branches are dead. I have to replant those tender branches. Merlin, some of them were just new shoots!" 

By the time Professor Sprout signaled they could head to breakfast, Robert was already a bit messy. He skillfully cleaned himself up using a spell, and with Nicole's strange gaze upon him, the two crossed the garden and headed back to the castle. 

At this point, the little wizards had already gotten up, and the breakfast spread was full—cereal porridge, sausages, bacon, fried eggs, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, fried potatoes, baked beans, fresh fruits, and a whole assortment of breads. There were also drinks like milk and tea. 

Robert sat down and quickly devoured his meal alongside the other little badgers. Finally, he stuffed a few pieces of bread into his pocket. He was off to find the twins and explore the castle! 

It was Saturday, and the new students joyfully discovered they didn't have to attend classes the following day. This meant they had two days to explore the ancient castle. 

The little lion cubs were eager. 

The little snakes sneered. 

The little eagles just wanted to return to their dorms. 

The little badger… was utterly confused. 

So when the Gryffindor cubs finally realized it, they found an extra little badger in their common room. 

"Hey, Lee, Fred, George, you're all here? That's perfect!" Robert exclaimed cheerfully. "Let's go explore the secrets of this castle!" 

Lee Jordan was about to ask something when the twins interrupted with a loud exclamation. 

"So the rumors are true?" Fred asked, his voice filled with excitement, his arms flailing. "There are secret passages all over Hogwarts?" 

"Yes!" Robert nodded. "I confirmed it with a Hufflepuff senior this morning!" 

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" George shouted, looking excited. "I'll grab my scarf. Robert, wait for us!" 

Robert stopped them with a mischievous grin. "I don't want to go with you to find the passages. How about we make it a competition?" 

George looked puzzled. "A competition?" 

"Let's see who can find more secret passages!" Fred cheered. "This is a brilliant idea!" 

Robert waved his hand. "Alright then, I'll head off first. Just be careful not to get caught by Filch!" With that, he darted out of the Gryffindor common room. 

Over the next two days, the news of three little lions and one badger running around the castle, knocking on walls, spread quickly through Hogwarts. Some of the older students gave knowing smiles, feeling a sense of pride that the next generation was continuing the tradition. Meanwhile, many others just winced in frustration. Were these kids not tired? Wouldn't it be better to just rest for the two days and be ready for classes? 

The first-year courses included Potions, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, History of Magic, Astronomy, Charms, and a class only for first years—Flying lessons. However, first years were not allowed to bring their own broomsticks. 

Whether by luck or misfortune, their first class turned out to be Potions. 

In the dungeons of Hogwarts, Potions classroom. 

"Put your wands away," Professor Snape entered with a stern look. His long robes swelled around him as he glided into the room like a giant bat patrolling its domain. "You are here to learn the exacting art and subtle science of potion-making, not to flail about like trolls with your wands, nor to mutter useless incantations." 

Standing at the front, he sneered, "Many of you will doubt this is magic... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even stop death—but only if you are not the dunderheads I so often encounter." 

The little wizards held their breath, carefully watching the notoriously temperamental professor. 

Perhaps the supposed hero had not yet enrolled, for Snape didn't show his usual biting sarcasm, not until... 

*Hissssss* 

Robert froze for a moment, hearing the strange sound. He turned to his partner, Stebbins. "Did you hear that?" 

The poor boy, already on edge from Snape's looming presence, almost dropped the porcupine quill he was holding into the cauldron. Robert quickly pushed his hand down to prevent any disaster, not wanting to be called a fool by Snape. 

"Idiot!" Snape's shout echoed from the back of the classroom. Stebbins instinctively turned to look, but fortunately, Robert had moved the cauldron in time. The quill flew out of Stebbins' hand and landed exactly where the cauldron had been. 

Sighing, Robert thought to himself. This guy really wasn't a good partner. With the slightest distraction, his attention would be completely lost. He wondered how this guy, who couldn't focus for a second, would manage to get a Ravenclaw girl like Fawcett to kiss him. But, thinking it through, Europeans were generally more open about these things. Maybe it wasn't too surprising. 

Shaking his head, Robert carefully moved his cauldron to a safer spot. This was the product of his hard work for the entire class, and he absolutely couldn't let Stebbins ruin it! 

(End of Chapter)