Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Revenge Plan, Harvest Again
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Professor Sprout's angry eyes lit up the moment she heard what Robert said.
"Robert, you have a plan?"
Robert nodded confidently, his mind recalling a key moment from the original storyline—the Flying Class shared by Gryffindor and Slytherin this Thursday. In that lesson, the clumsy Neville would lose control of his broom, fall badly, and end up with multiple fractures. Malfoy, meanwhile, would gleefully pick up Neville's dropped Remembrall and mock him. Harry would then stand up for Neville, retrieve the Remembrall in a daring midair display, and be rewarded with a place on the Quidditch team as the youngest Seeker in a century.
But Robert wasn't focusing on Harry this time.
Instead, his attention was on Malfoy—on how the boy failed to get his way and ended up getting in trouble with Snape. Robert could easily imagine Snape's angry scolding. And knowing Malfoy's vindictive nature, he wouldn't let it slide. On Thursday, Robert knew Malfoy would likely seek revenge on Neville, who shared a close bond with him.
The Remembrall incident was bound to happen again.
Robert narrowed his eyes and turned to Professor Sprout.
"Auntie," he said, "is there any magical plant that can be hidden inside a Remembrall?"
Professor Sprout was taken aback at first, then frowned in deep thought.
"You mean...a plant that can disguise itself as a Remembrall?"
Robert nodded.
After a brief moment, her eyes brightened. "There is one," she said. "It's called Mirror Grass. This magical plant can mimic the appearance of anything it touches. It's extremely rare and often mistaken for other herbs. Only seasoned Herbologists can identify it correctly."
Robert's gaze sharpened.
Professor Sprout caught on quickly.
"You're planning to forge a fake Remembrall with Mirror Grass so Malfoy grabs it himself—and then suffers the consequences?"
A wide grin spread across her face.
"That would definitely leave Severus speechless! Malfoy would be the one to initiate the trouble!"
But she quickly added, "Mirror Grass can only imitate the outer appearance. We still need something inside the fake Remembrall to make him regret it."
Then her eyes gleamed mischievously. "What about a pot of Biting Cabbage? Once Malfoy touches it, it'll wake up and give that arrogant brat a proper bite!"
Robert gasped. No wonder people warned against provoking kind people—they were the most dangerous when they got serious.
Using Biting Cabbage on Malfoy?
That plant was listed on the Ministry of Magic's restricted plants list!
He shook his head quickly. "That's too extreme. We need something that won't get us into trouble but can still teach him a lesson."
Professor Sprout pouted slightly, seemingly disappointed that Malfoy wouldn't get the worst of it. But after another moment's thought, her eyes sparkled again.
"I've got it," she said. "There's something I've been growing—it's harmless, but deeply unpleasant. Just the thing to remind that boy that Hufflepuffs aren't to be trifled with."
Meanwhile, in the dungeons of Hogwarts, Snape was raging at Malfoy.
"You idiot," Snape snarled. "If you insist on playing dirty, at least don't get caught."
His tone was ice-cold. "If anyone had witnessed what you did in Flying Class—if Hannah Abbott had died from that fall—do you think even your father could've saved you?"
"You would have been expelled from Hogwarts."
Malfoy stood pale and trembling, unable to speak a word.
Snape glared at him for a long moment before speaking again. "This time, I'll let it pass. But there won't be a next time."
After Snape left, Malfoy finally let out the breath he was holding, his face drenched in sweat. But the relief quickly gave way to rage.
"Robert Sprout," he growled.
"This is all your fault."
"Again and again, you stand in my way—because of you, I was humiliated by Professor Snape."
"I'm not finished with you."
However, remembering Robert's unusual strength, especially his legendary survival after falling from a broom without injury, Malfoy hesitated.
He wasn't ready to confront Robert directly—not until he had learned more powerful magic.
But then, another thought struck him.
Neville.
That bumbling fool was Robert's cousin. And he was weak, timid, and easy to bully—a perfect target. Hurting Neville would hurt Robert.
Malfoy grinned. He couldn't wait for Thursday's Flying Class.
Back in the Hufflepuff common room, Robert revealed his plan to Neville.
"Neville, we'll need your help."
"Everyone in Hufflepuff is going to support you over the next few days."
Neville looked overwhelmed, as if he'd just been asked to carry the fate of the entire house. He stammered nervously, his hands trembling.
Robert gently patted him on the shoulder.
"You've got this, Neville. I believe in you."
"I've always thought you have incredible potential."
Neville's cheeks turned red.
Except for Robert, no one had ever spoken to him that way. Not his relatives, not his professors. They all treated him as a hopeless case.
But Robert's belief in him gave him strength.
Neville stood straighter.
"Cousin Robert," he said with sudden conviction, "I'll do my best."
Later, Robert went to the Medical Ward, where Hannah was recovering.
Though he had cushioned her fall, and she had sustained only minor injuries, her constitution wasn't as resilient as his. Professor Sprout insisted she rest for a few days.
When Robert entered the room, he found Hannah watering a pot of Goldfish Vines. Their leaves were nearly all orange-red—a sign of near maturity.
Robert's eyes lit up.
She really was the second-best Goldfish Vine breeder in Hufflepuff—only slightly behind Neville. At this rate, he'd be able to harvest another batch of rewards soon.
"Thank you again, Robert," Hannah said softly.
When she first woke up, she didn't even know what had happened. But afterward, she learned that Robert had caught her mid-fall, possibly saving her life.
Without him, she might've been injured far worse—or even hospitalized for weeks.
Robert smiled mysteriously.
"No need to thank me—we're Hufflepuff, we help each other."
"Besides, just look at these Goldfish Vines. That's the best thank you I could ask for."
Then he paused and added casually, "By the way, Hannah… you're still on bed rest for two more days, right?"
Hannah gave a pained smile.
"Yes, lucky me—oh wait, I mean, it's terrible..."
Robert nodded solemnly.
"Being unable to attend classes must be horrible."
"Don't worry—I brought you today's notes. That way, you can review the lessons right from your bed."
Hannah froze.
Before she could react, Robert handed her a thick notebook.
Her smile stiffened. "Oh... thank you... I guess…"
She opened it and began reading.
"Basic principles of Charms… Basic principles of Transfiguration… Common classifications of Herbology…"
Only a few minutes passed before Hannah clutched her forehead.
"My head… I think I need to rest…"
Robert gave her a warm smile and looked at the Goldfish Vines—now fully mature.
"Alright. Then rest well, Hannah."
"I'll stop bothering you."
As he left the Medical Ward, a relaxed sigh escaped from Hannah.
At that moment, three reward light clusters appeared in Robert's vision, converging toward him and merging into his body.[Your planted Goldfish Vine has matured]
[You have received the reward - Slight increase in Magic Perception]
[…]
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