Chapter 37: Sizzling Honey Bee Candy

“You’ve already done very well.”

Sean shared his Yorkshire pudding with Justin, thinking that something sweet might improve the other's mood.

“Professor Snape is a fool,” he said softly. “Don't be sad, Hermione. Would you like some pudding?”

Sean loved Yorkshire pudding. His fondness for it stemmed from an old lady who liked to visit the orphanage to donate supplies; she always brought plenty of pudding, which was the most delicious food Sean had ever eaten at the time. Consequently, he always made sure to sit in the spots with the most pudding.

“Yes.”

Hermione did not refuse, which was rare. Thus, the trio's questioning of Professor Snape turned into a fierce assault on the pudding.

*Professors aren't always fair,* Sean thought, *it depends on whether Harry Potter is standing beside him.*

After finishing his pudding, Justin's comments gradually shifted toward Professor Snape's "glorious" exploits—such as pretending he wasn't on night patrol when, in fact, he had cast a Disillusionment Charm, allowing him to catch five Gryffindors out for a stroll; such as staying at school even during Christmas to capture two pairs of lovers; or how he had just deducted a point from Gryffindor because Harry failed to tell Neville the correct brewing method—though in reality, Harry's head was empty and knew nothing at all.

“Oh, Hermione, the reason I'm giving these examples is to tell you that if anyone is at fault here, it certainly isn't you. We all know Professor Snape is strict, has a bad temper, and sometimes, he isn't even reasonable,” Justin said softly.

Sean nodded silently beside him.

“If you doubt yourself, deny yourself, and make yourself sad just because of someone unreasonable, wouldn't that be too foolish? Even if that person is a professor,” Justin added.

Sean nodded again.

“What do you think, Sean?” Justin looked at Sean expectantly.

Sean thought for a moment: “Right.”

“Alright then,” Justin nodded, somewhat helplessly.

At that moment, Sean noticed Hermione trembling slightly. He pulled Justin toward him, and the two of them stood up to block Hermione, pretending to chat casually so that no one would see the little witch's soft sobs.

“Hermione never says anything when she's wronged. I think I need to keep a closer eye on her. She always pretends not to care, and those who bully her never know how sad she actually is,” Sean heard Justin whisper. “And... how can I make her realize that she doesn't have to act strong in front of her friends?”

Sean stared at Justin blankly. He remembered that Hermione indeed didn't have many friends; Gryffindor ostracized her, and Ron had even given her nicknames and mocked her, driving her to hide in the lavatory to cry. At least until Halloween, Hermione had been all alone.

Soon, Sean felt a sense of relief. At least now, she had two friends.

...

Ravenclaw's only class today was Herbology in the afternoon, and Sean had arrived in front of the domed building ahead of time.

Greenhouse One was filled with the damp, warm scent of earth, and the glass dome filtered the afternoon sunlight into a hazy gold and green. Professor Sprout, with her sleeves rolled up and dragon-hide gloves stained with humus, was carefully handling a plant that resembled a spider's nest. Three Hufflepuff students were huddled around a deep trough planted with pumpkin-like plants, their heads—wrapped in scarves—leaning together as they gestured and discussed what it was.

“Smart young sprouts should remember that this plant is called Spider Eggs. Although it looks like spider eggs, those are actually two green berries. Don't be frightened by its rhizomes; they aren't real spiders, but its roots. Can anyone tell me how often Spider Eggs can be harvested?”

Professor Sprout's question left the Hufflepuffs stumped. Neville seemed to think of something, but he stuttered and couldn't get the words out, while Ernie and a short, chubby boy looked completely lost.

“The books describe it as a perennial plant. The specific number of harvests is three to four times, though it may increase if cultivated well. There was once a wizard who managed five harvests of Spider Eggs.”

A clear voice drifted over. Professor Sprout smiled warmly. “Mr. Green, a very good answer... child, it's lovely to see you.”

As she spoke, she directed Neville and the others to go pick Dirigible Plums.

“Ah, warm sun, warm summer, there are always new sprouts taking root. Sometimes I wonder if my energy is fading, otherwise, how could it be so difficult to guide several little wizards at once... Mr. Longbottom, watch your legs! *Wingardium Leviosa*—”

Neville had almost spilled dragon dung fertilizer on his shoes, but Professor Sprout had timely caught the bucket with a Levitation Charm.

“Oh! Mr. Macmillan!” Professor Sprout cried out, before turning her attention to Ernie, who was surrounded by Jumping Bulbs.

Just then, the door opened, and a tall figure walked into the greenhouse.

“Not all first-year wizards are named Sean Green, are they?” Senior student Bruce leaned against a plant stand, a teasing glint in his eyes.

...

After Herbology, Sean felt that he probably shouldn't come to the greenhouse for a while. Professor Sprout was busy enough to be sweating profusely, and after being left with three more Hufflepuffs during Herbology, she was even more overwhelmed.

In the greenhouse corridor, a gentle breeze blew. Bruce was leaning against a wall like a statue; Sean thought he certainly had the potential to be a model, especially since the two older witches nearby had already glanced at him more than ten times.

“Fizzing Whizbee Toffee—” Bruce placed a candy that looked very sweet into Sean's hand. “Want to try it now?”

Sean curiously ate the juice-filled jelly ball, only to hear a shout

“Green, don't eat it! Damn it, Bruce, you—!”

Leon's blond hair shimmered in the warm sun, but even as he strode over, he was too late to stop Bruce.

Sean felt a surge of magic and suddenly began to float. Along with him, Bruce also drifted upward.

“Isn't it wonderful?!” Bruce said excitedly.

“Wonderful my Merlin's knickers!” Leon grabbed Sean and Bruce, one in each hand. “I should have just let you fly away!” Leon glared fiercely at Bruce. “Sorry, Green. That's just how Bruce treats his friends. Peter and I have been teased by him plenty of times. Let me explain: Fizzing Whizbee Toffee is a juice-filled jelly ball that makes people float. One of its ingredients is Billywig stings; anyone stung by them feels dizzy and then starts floating aimlessly.”

When Leon looked at Sean, his anger had clearly dissipated, and his voice was gentle.

“Oh, come on, Leon! You just don't want to share!” Bruce was still laughing loudly.

Then, Sean saw Leon let go.

“Leon! No! Stop! I was wrong—”

As Bruce screamed, Sean saw Leon give his wrist a triumphant shake. It turned out that, at some point, Leon had tied a rope between himself and Bruce.

“When dealing with dishonest fellows, I always have dishonest methods,” Sean heard him say.

(End of Chapter)