Biting Cabbage

The third day of the term at Hogwarts was arguably the one the Hufflepuff first-years had been looking forward to most, as it was not only Friday, but also featured the classes they were most interested in.

The morning was Herbology with their Head of House, Professor Sprout, while the afternoon consisted of Defense Against the Dark Arts and Flying lessons.

Bright and early, they joined the Gryffindors outside the greenhouses located on the grounds of Hogwarts Castle.

"Good morning, students, and welcome to Herbology."

Pomona Sprout was a short witch with flowing gray hair. Because she usually spent her time in the greenhouses fussing over her plants, her robes were always covered in dust.

Compared to the lofty title of Head of House, she looked more like an unassuming gardener.

However, Professor Sprout did not mind this in the least. She stood at the entrance of the greenhouse, looking earnestly at the young wizards before her as she spoke:

"Before we enter, I must impress upon you a few things; this is very important.

First, everything grown in this greenhouse is a magical plant, and they are generally dangerous to some degree. Even common Dittany has sharp thorns, so you are not permitted to touch any plant without my express permission.

Furthermore, no loud talking or screaming is allowed once inside. I am temporarily housing a few new plants I've just received at Hogwarts, and as they are still adjusting to their environment, shrill noises could easily startle them.

Do you all understand?"

"Understood!" the group replied in unison.

"Very good," Professor Sprout nodded.

After entering the greenhouse, she directed everyone to the left side, leaving the space on the right completely empty.

...In truth, even if she hadn't arranged it that way, no student would have been willing to go over there anyway.

"Professor, what are those horrible things!" a Gryffindor first-year asked, his face turning green as he stared at the row of strange yellow plants opposite them.

Merlin's beard, it was his first time seeing a cabbage with fangs, and the mouth was nearly as large as his own head; the consequences of being bitten would surely be dire.

Thinking of this, he shuffled further back.

"Biting Cabbage, you'd best keep your distance," Professor Sprout said with feigned nonchalance. "But there's no need to be too nervous. Although they look terrifying, they are good children. As long as you don't provoke them, there is absolutely no danger.

Besides, in a few days, once they have adjusted to the environment here, they will be moved to a larger greenhouse, so you won't see them when you come for your next lesson."

"Alright," Professor Sprout clapped her hands. "Let's begin the lesson. Open your books to the first page; today we are learning about Dittany.

Does anyone know what Dittany is..."

If one ignored the terrifying Biting Cabbages, this Herbology lesson was quite perfect.

Professor Sprout possessed an incredibly rich knowledge of herbology, and with her detailed explanations paired with physical specimens, the young wizards found it effortless to learn.

By the end of the class, almost everyone could perfectly answer every question she posed.

This made Professor Sprout very happy; she awarded three points to each house and even gifted each student a fresh leaf of Dittany.

This item was the equivalent of a "Band-Aid" in the wizarding world. Kyle had used quite a bit of it before, and the effects were excellent—as long as it was cleaned and fixed firmly over a wound, it would basically be healed by the next day.

Of course, this was limited to the minor scrapes encountered in daily life; anything too serious would require Essence of Dittany.

After class, the group walked out of the greenhouse together.

Mikel found Kyle in the crowd and ran to his side, asking curiously, "What were you picking up earlier?"

"What are you talking about?" Kyle looked at him, puzzled. "I was busy loosening the soil for the Dittany."

"I saw it all," Mikel insisted firmly. "You waited until Professor Sprout turned to grab her trowel, then you ran to the other side and picked something up from under those flower pots."

"Oh, that!" Kyle realized. "It was nothing, just a bag of fertilizer the professor gave me that fell over there, so I went to grab it."

"A bag of fertilizer?" Mikel looked at Kyle suspiciously, clearly not believing him.

It was a very light, small bag, and it wasn't even round; there was no way it could have fallen that far.

"Well, I might have accidentally kicked it over; I was terrified when I realized it," Kyle said with a look of lingering fear. "Those Biting Cabbages are truly frightening. Honestly, if I weren't afraid of Professor Sprout deducting points, I wouldn't have gone to get it."

"Is that so?"

Seeing how convincing Kyle sounded, Mikel's suspicions gradually faded, and he nodded. "Those Biting Cabbages do look terrifying; if it were me, I definitely wouldn't have dared to go over there."

"Who would?" Kyle shrugged. "By the way, did Professor Sprout say when she would teach you how to control your magic?"

"Yeah, the professor told me to find her on Saturday and Sunday mornings."

Mikel said with some frustration, "This is the first weekend at Hogwarts, and I still have to go to class..."

"It can't be helped," Kyle patted him on the shoulder, comforting him. "You can't keep drinking Magic Suppressant Potion forever."

Hearing the words "Magic Suppressant Potion," Mikel shuddered instinctively and shook his head repeatedly. "You're right, I'd rather never have a weekend again than drink that stuff ever again."

"Exactly."

After returning to the castle, Kyle let Mikel and Ryan head back to the dormitory while he made an excuse about going to the library. He headed straight to the eighth floor and found the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy trying to teach trolls to dance the ballet.

Barnabas the Barmy was a wizard who had attempted to teach trolls to dance ballet, only to be soundly beaten by six of them.

Judging by the content of the tapestry, he had been beaten quite badly.

After confirming the location was correct, Kyle took a deep breath, paced back and forth in front of it three times, and muttered in his heart.

"I need a greenhouse for planting."

As Kyle passed the tapestry for the third time, a circular archway appeared on the wall opposite.

Kyle did not hesitate; he gripped the brass handle, pushed open the door, and stepped inside.

A distinct, earthy fragrance immediately rushed to greet him.

Although he had expected it, the scene before him still left Kyle stunned.

The room was nearly as large as the Great Hall, with fertile soil beneath his feet and even a sun visible when he looked up.

He guessed it was some sort of magic.

Kyle tentatively whispered, "I need rain."

The very next second, the room, which had been bathed in bright sunshine, was instantly pelted by a torrential downpour. Moreover, the rainwater seemed to have a mind of its own, falling only onto the soil; Kyle stood there without even a single strand of his hair getting wet.

"This is incredible," Kyle exclaimed sincerely.

This is what you call a Room of Requirement.

Using this place as a storage room for second-hand junk was nothing short of a complete waste.