On the third day after Hogwarts began, the Hufflepuff first-years were probably looking forward to this day more than any other. Not only was it Friday, but all their classes were ones they were especially interested in.
They had Herbology Class with their Head of House, Professor Sprout, in the morning, followed by Defense Against the Dark Arts and Flying Class in the afternoon.
Early that morning, they joined the Gryffindors at the greenhouses outside Hogwarts Castle.
"Good morning, students. Welcome to Herbology."
Pomona Sprout was a short witch with flowing gray hair. Since she usually spent her time in the greenhouses tending to plants, her clothes were always covered in dust.
Compared with the lofty title of Head of House, she looked more like an unassuming gardener.
Professor Sprout herself didn't seem to mind, though. Standing in the greenhouse doorway, she looked seriously at the young witches and wizards before her and said:
"Before you enter the greenhouse, I need to remind you of a few things. This is important.
"First, the greenhouse is full of magical plants, and they're usually somewhat dangerous. Even ordinary Dittany has sharp thorns, so you're not allowed to touch any of the plants without my permission.
"Also, no shouting or screaming once you're inside. I'm temporarily keeping a few new plants that just arrived at Hogwarts here, and they're still adjusting to their surroundings. Loud noises might frighten them.
"Is that clear?"
"Yes!" everyone chorused.
"Good." Professor Sprout nodded.
Once they were inside the greenhouse, she arranged everyone along the left side, leaving the entire right side empty.
...In truth, even if she hadn't done that, probably none of the young witches and wizards would have wanted to go over there.
"Professor, what are those things?" A Gryffindor first-year stared at the row of strange yellow plants across from him, his face turning green.
Merlin's beard, he'd never seen a cabbage with fangs before. Its mouth was almost as big as his head. Getting bitten by it would surely end badly.
At the thought, he edged backward again.
"Biting Cabbages. You'd best stay away from them," Professor Sprout said, putting on a casual air. "But there's no need to be too nervous. They may look frightening, but they're all good plants. As long as you don't provoke them, they won't pose any danger.
"In a few days, once they've adjusted to their new surroundings, they'll be moved to a larger greenhouse. You won't see them when you come to class next time."
"All right." Professor Sprout clapped her hands. "Let's begin. Turn to the first page of your books. Today we'll be studying Dittany.
"Does anyone know what Dittany is..."
If you ignored the frightening-looking Biting Cabbages, it would have been a nearly perfect Herbology Class.
Professor Sprout knew an incredible amount about Herbology. Her thorough explanations, along with the plants right there for reference, made the material easy for the young witches and wizards to learn.
By the end of class, almost everyone could answer every question she asked.
Professor Sprout was delighted. She awarded three points to each house and gave everyone a fresh Dittany leaf.
This was the Wizarding World's equivalent of a Band-Aid. Kyle had used plenty before, and they worked very well. All you had to do was wash one, place it over the wound, and secure it in place. The wound would usually be healed by the next day.
Of course, that only applied to the minor injuries you might get in everyday life. Anything more serious required Essence of Dittany.
After class, everyone left the greenhouse in groups.
Mikel spotted Kyle in the crowd and hurried over to him, curious. "What did you pick up just now?"
"What do you mean?" Kyle looked at him in confusion. "I was loosening the soil around the Dittany the whole time."
"I saw you," Mikel insisted. "When Professor Sprout turned around to get a trowel, you went across to the other side and picked something up from under one of the pots."
"Oh, that?" Kyle said, as if he'd just realized. "It was nothing. Professor Sprout's fertilizer packet fell over there, so I went to pick it up."
"Fertilizer packet?" Mikel eyed Kyle suspiciously, clearly unconvinced.
It was a very small, lightweight packet, and it wasn't even round. There was no way it could have rolled that far.
"Yeah, I must've accidentally kicked it over there. I was terrified when I noticed," Kyle said, feigning a shudder. "Those Biting Cabbages are so scary. Honestly, if I hadn't been afraid Professor Sprout would take points off, I wouldn't have gone to get it."
"Really?"
Kyle's story sounded so convincing that Mikel's suspicions gradually faded. He nodded. "Those Biting Cabbages do look scary. If it were me, I wouldn't have dared go over there."
"Tell me about it." Kyle shrugged. "By the way, did Professor Sprout say when she'd teach you to control your magic?"
"Yeah. She told me to come see her on Saturday and Sunday mornings."
Mikel looked a little dejected. "It's my first weekend at Hogwarts, and I still have to take lessons..."
"There's nothing we can do about that." Kyle patted him on the shoulder in consolation. "You can't keep drinking Magic Suppressant Potion forever."
At the mention of Magic Suppressant Potion, Mikel shuddered and shook his head repeatedly. "You're right. I'd rather never have another weekend than drink that stuff again."
"Exactly."
When they got back to the castle, Kyle told Mikel and Ryan to return to the dormitory while he made an excuse about going to the library. Then he headed straight to the Seventh Floor and found the tapestry depicting Barnabas the Barmy being clubbed by a Troll.
Barnabas the Barmy was a wizard who'd tried to teach trolls to dance ballet, only to get beaten up by six of them.
Judging by the tapestry, he'd taken quite a beating.
Once he was sure he had the right spot, Kyle took a deep breath and walked back and forth past it three times, silently repeating to himself:
"I need a greenhouse for growing plants."
The third time Kyle passed the tapestry, a round-arched doorway appeared in the wall opposite.
Without hesitation, Kyle gripped the brass handle, pushed open the door, and stepped inside.
The rich, unmistakable scent of soil immediately greeted him.
He'd been expecting something like this, but the sight before him still left Kyle stunned.
The room was almost as large as the Great Hall. Fertile soil stretched beneath his feet, and he could even see the sun overhead.
It was probably some kind of spell, too.
Tentatively, Kyle said softly, "I need rain."
The next second, the room, which had been bathed in sunshine, was suddenly deluged by a heavy downpour. Yet the raindrops seemed to have a mind of their own: they fell only on the soil, and Kyle didn't even get a single hair wet.
"That's incredible," Kyle exclaimed sincerely.
Now this was a proper Room of Requirement.
Using a place like this as a secondhand storage room or something was an absolute waste.
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