Three days later, Char stood in the greenhouse, surveying the thickened glow mushroom mycelium with satisfaction. The reward light orbs above the mushrooms had grown noticeably larger, a sure sign of healthy progress.
"After upgrading the Soil Loosening Spell to Silver Level, the growth speed of the glow mushrooms has really picked up," Char thought, a pleased smile on his face.
He checked his system panel. His Fluorescent Spell, which had been Black Iron-level, now glimmered with a deep, almost bronze hue. Char's heart leapt. The improvements in his magical perception and the advancement of the Soil Loosening Spell had accelerated his progress with the Fluorescent Spell as well.
Just three days, and he was nearly at bronze level! Once he reached it, the glow mushrooms would mature even faster. The anticipation made him want to stay in the greenhouse all day, but he glanced at the time and remembered what was coming next.
Today was Thursday—the day of Gryffindor and Slytherin's first flying lesson together. The Hufflepuffs had been waiting for this day, their anger simmering since Monday. Today, Malfoy would finally get a taste of Badger Court's revenge.
Back in the Hufflepuff common room, Char found Professor Sprout and Neville waiting. Professor Sprout's eyes sparkled with excitement as Char entered.
"Char! How did you know Neville's grandmother, Mrs. Longbottom, would send him a Remembrall today?" she asked.
Neville looked equally surprised. Char had told him days ago that his grandmother would likely send him a Remembrall, and sure enough, a package had arrived that very morning.
Char grinned. "Mrs. Longbottom loves Neville very much. She's strict, but she always keeps him in her thoughts. Since Neville tends to forget things, it's only natural she'd send him something to help."
He turned to Professor Sprout, his eyes warm. "And I know this because my aunt loves me, too."
Professor Sprout's eyes misted over, and even Neville was taken aback. He thought of his own strict grandmother, both loving and a little frightening, and realized for the first time just how much she cared.
"Thank you, cousin Char," Neville said, his voice thick with emotion. He made a silent vow to himself: I have to grow up and stop being so forgetful. I can't let down the people who believe in me—Grandma, and Cousin Char.
Neville took a deep breath, remembering the plan Char had entrusted to him. "Cousin Char, I won't let you down."
Char smiled and patted Neville's shoulder. "I believe in you, Neville."
The other Hufflepuffs gathered around, their support unwavering. "Neville, we believe in you, too. Let's teach Malfoy a lesson he'll never forget!"
Neville nodded, determination burning in his eyes as he left for the day's challenge.
Meanwhile, in the Gryffindor common room, the mood was gloomy. Even Harry was dreading the flying lesson with the Slytherins. Ron tried to cheer him up, but everyone was anxious about making a fool of themselves in front of Malfoy.
Neville entered, looking tense and purposeful. Harry and the others noticed his recent absences and asked what he'd been up to.
"Nothing much," Neville replied, thinking of all the secret flying practice he'd done with the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. He remembered the terror of his first flight, nearly fainting as the ground dropped away beneath him, but he pushed through, determined not to disappoint Char.
He'd practiced over and over, and though he still wasn't a confident flyer, he could now control his broom. He was ready for today.
When Harry and the others asked, Neville just shrugged. "Just catching up on Herbology homework. Professor Sprout's been helping me."
They nodded, not suspecting a thing.
At 3:30 in the afternoon, the flying lesson began. After the incident with the Hufflepuffs, Madam Hooch was on high alert, scanning the towers for suspicious flashes and repeating safety instructions over and over.
But as soon as the students mounted their brooms, disaster struck again. Neville's broom shot into the air with a wild cry.
"Ahhh! I can't control my broom! It's got a mind of its own!" Neville's broom soared toward the Forbidden Forest, and panic swept through the class.
The Slytherins jeered, with Malfoy laughing the loudest. "Letting Neville Longbottom take flying lessons was the worst idea ever! He can't even walk straight on the ground, let alone fly!"
Madam Hooch snapped, "Shut up, Draco Malfoy! Three points from Slytherin!" But she was pale with worry, wondering if she was cursed to have such a disastrous week.
She mounted her own broom to chase after Neville, warning the others not to fly until she returned.
No sooner had she left than Malfoy spotted the glowing Remembrall caught in a tree. He grinned wickedly, swooped over, and snatched it up.
"Look what I've got! Neville Longbottom's Remembrall!" he crowed, waving it above his head.
Harry, furious, launched himself after Malfoy, and the two began a daring aerial chase. Harry's flying was instinctive and natural, and he quickly closed the gap, making Malfoy nervous.
Just then, Neville, having regained control, circled back and shouted, "Harry, stay away from that Remembrall!"
Harry paused, confused, and Malfoy used the moment to pull ahead, gloating. "Harry Potter can't catch me!"
But as Malfoy showed off, he noticed a group of Hufflepuffs watching from the tower, smirking as if they were in on a secret. A chill ran down his spine.
Suddenly, the "Remembrall" in his hand exploded. A foul, sticky liquid—worse than anything a troll could produce—splattered all over Malfoy's head.
For a moment, the entire field was silent. Then, laughter erupted from the Hufflepuffs, and even some of the Gryffindors and Slytherins couldn't hold back their giggles.
Malfoy, dripping and humiliated, had just learned: never underestimate the Badger Court's ability to strike back.
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