"Hogwarts: Why So Nervous? The Little Badger’s Just Planting a Tree."

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Three days later.

Char stood in the greenhouse, eyes fixed on the luminous mushroom mycelium. It was clearly thicker than before. The reward light orbs floating above the mycelium had also grown significantly in size. A satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"As expected," he murmured. "Ever since the Loosening Charm was promoted to Silver, the growth speed of the luminous mushrooms has improved dramatically."

His eyes moved to the system panel. The Luminous Charm, which had been Bronze level, now looked much darker—its Bronze luster nearly faded, with only a faint gleam remaining.

A joyful expression formed on Char's face.

With increased Magic Perception and the Loosening Charm's upgrade, the Luminous Charm had advanced at a much faster rate. In just three days, it was almost ready to be promoted again.

"Once it's officially upgraded, the mushrooms will grow even faster."

Char was tempted to stay longer and observe. But after a glance at the time, he left the greenhouse.

Today was Thursday.

It was the day of the first flying lesson for Gryffindor and Slytherin—just like in the original story. But this time, the little badgers of Hufflepuff had been biding their time for three days. Today, Malfoy would pay a price he would never forget.

The little badgers were not to be underestimated.

Back in the Hufflepuff common room, Professor Sprout was already there. Neville, too, was waiting.

When Char returned, Professor Sprout's face lit up with excitement.

"Char!" she called. "How did you know that Neville's grandmother, Madam Longbottom, would send him a Remembrall today?"

Neville looked at Char, eyes full of surprise. Earlier that week, Char had asked Neville to cooperate with him, saying that his grandmother would likely send him a Remembrall soon.

And sure enough, that morning, Neville had received a package—inside was exactly that: a Remembrall.

Char smiled knowingly.

"Madam Longbottom sent it because she loves Neville very much," he said calmly. "Even though she's strict, her care for him is undeniable. She knows he often misplaces things, so it's perfectly natural for her to send him something to help."

He then turned his gaze toward Professor Sprout.

"Besides, I guessed she would send it... because my aunt loves me just as much."

Professor Sprout's eyes instantly welled with tears.

Neville froze, stunned by the simple yet profound comparison.

For as long as he could remember, he had felt both love and fear toward his grandmother. In the original story, Neville's greatest fear was literally her—his Boggart had transformed into her stern figure.

But now, hearing Char's gentle interpretation shifted something inside him. He remembered how his grandmother always reminded him of things he'd forgotten—how she looked after him, even from afar.

And now, despite not being by his side, she had sent him a Remembrall in his second week at school.

Neville's throat tightened. He clenched his fists, a wave of emotion rushing over him.

"Cousin Char… thank you."

He sniffled, then added, voice firm:

"I won't let you down anymore."

Char patted his shoulder.

"I believe in you, Neville."

The other Hufflepuffs in the common room turned their eyes to Neville, their faces serious.

"We believe in you too."

"Let's give that bastard Malfoy a lesson he'll never forget!"

Neville nodded, fire burning in his chest. He clenched his fists harder.

And then he left the Hufflepuff common room.

Meanwhile, in the Gryffindor common room, the mood was much gloomier.

Even Harry seemed troubled, thinking about the flying lesson with the Slytherins.

"Just my luck," he sighed. "Watch me embarrass myself in front of Malfoy on a broom."

Ron, as usual, tried to cheer him up—just like in the original story.

Then, Neville walked in.

His expression was intense, like someone preparing for a mission.

Harry and the others looked up, curious.

"Neville? You've been going out early and coming back late lately. What have you been up to?"

Memories flooded Neville's mind.

In order to fulfill Char's plan and ensure Malfoy's downfall, Neville had used every spare moment over the last few days to practice flying. The Hufflepuff Quidditch team had helped him train.

The first time he got on a broom, Neville almost fainted from fear. The sight of the ground shrinking beneath him had made his knees weak.

But then he remembered Char's faith in him—how someone finally believed he could do something great.

That belief fueled him.

Again and again, he trained, until finally, he could fly without losing control. He still wasn't great, but he was ready.

He responded vaguely to Harry.

"It was just my Herbology homework."

"Professor Sprout called me for extra tutoring."

Harry and the others nodded, buying the excuse. After all, Neville always had some issue with homework.

Their attention shifted.

Until 3:30 p.m., when it was finally time for flying class.

After the chaos during Monday's Hufflepuff lesson, Madam Hooch was clearly on edge. Every flash from the castle tower made her stop and scan the sky nervously.

She had the Gryffindor and Slytherin students recite safety rules over a dozen times.

Still, despite all precautions, the same terrifying scene repeated itself.

Before Madam Hooch could even start counting down, Neville's broom shot into the sky.

"Ahhh!"

"I can't control my broom!"

"It's like it has a mind of its own!"

He shot away in a streak, shrieking.

The other students gasped.

"Is he flying toward the Forbidden Forest?"

The Slytherins burst into laughter. Malfoy's cackling was the loudest.

"Letting Neville take flying lessons was the real mistake," he jeered. "He's clumsy on the ground. You expect him to control a broom?"

"He might end up even dumber than a troll!"

Madam Hooch turned pale.

"Draco Malfoy, shut up!" she barked. "Slytherin loses three points!"

As she zoomed off on her broom to catch Neville, she muttered curses under her breath.

"This week is cursed, I swear…"

Just like in the original story, the moment Madam Hooch flew off, Malfoy took his chance.

He spotted a shining object hanging from a tree.

It was the Remembrall.

Malfoy grinned wickedly, mounted his broom, and retrieved it.

Hovering mid-air, he waved it like a trophy.

"Look what I found!"

"Neville's precious Remembrall!"

Furious, Harry launched into the air and chased Malfoy across the sky. His flying was excellent—he closed the gap fast, and Malfoy began to sweat.

Just then, Neville returned.

He swooped in from the direction of the Forbidden Forest and shouted:

"Harry! Stay away from that Remembrall!"

Harry instinctively paused.

Malfoy took the opportunity to speed up, cackling again.

"Harry Potter can't catch me!"

But something wasn't right.

From the Astronomy Tower, a group of little Hufflepuffs were watching with smug expressions. Their eyes glinted with satisfaction.

Malfoy's heart skipped a beat.

Then—

Boom!

The Remembrall in his hand exploded.

A foul-smelling liquid sprayed out, thick and rancid like troll dung. It drenched Malfoy from head to toe.

He froze midair, stunned and stinking.

The badgers on the tower erupted in laughter.

Their plan had worked flawlessly.

End of Chapter 28: Neville's Growth, Badger Court's Revenge

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