After hesitating for a moment—he had just received a message from Hermione saying that she and Harry were heading to Hagrid's, and Hermione had also told Allen through the Omniscience Mark about Harry borrowing her Felix Felicis—Allen finally suppressed the idea of inviting Snape to the banquet as well. After all, that cold, gloomy old bat was not exactly likable.
After leaving Professor Snape's office, Allen appeared behind the castle, where Herbology classes were held. All kinds of magical plants were cultivated there, and Allen's destination was Greenhouse One.
Although early spring had already arrived, Britain was still cold. The dampness and temperature in the air had left frost in some corners. Looking at the vitality now bursting out everywhere, Allen, because of the material of Snape's wand, unconsciously found his attention drawn to several birch trees.
He recalled that last month, in January, the whole of Hogwarts had still been wrapped in white by snow that had not fully melted. From a distance, only the tips of those birch trees in the woods showed the faintest green—birches always began to bud before the bitter winter had retreated.
He arrived at Greenhouse One. This was where first-years learned Herbology. The greenhouse contained only harmless creatures; these magical plants were relatively ordinary and not valuable.
Allen called around for a while but did not see Professor Sprout or anyone else. He decided to take what he needed first and inform the Hufflepuff Head of House afterward. With her gentle temper, he imagined she would not mind. In any case, the ingredients he needed were all very common plants, and taking some would not cause any trouble.
Besides, some of the things there had been planted by Hufflepuff students in spare spaces—ingredients they would use for cooking, so they could come and