After turning the greenhouse temperature all the way up, the air grew heavy with heat, creating a wavy distortion that made the entire greenhouse feel like a giant steamer. Wisps of steam rose lazily into the air. It was an environment most people couldn't endure for long. Even wizards needed spells and tools to withstand the oppressive conditions. But Roger's expression remained calm. He simply felt a bit stuffy—like the sticky discomfort before a summer thunderstorm. Unpleasant, sure, but tolerable.
Thanks to Roger's legendary vitality, he could stay in the greenhouse indefinitely if he wanted. And just then, in his line of sight, the reward light orb floating above the Marguerites he had planted earlier had noticeably grown after the temperature increase. His eyes lit up with joy.
Since Professor Sprout hadn't returned to this neglected greenhouse for quite some time—only dropping by occasionally to tend to it—most of the land had remained untouched and barren. Roger's mind raced with possibility: if he filled the entire space with Marguerites and nurtured them to maturity... then the final reward—woohoo, takeoff!
Grinning with excitement, Roger ignored the rising heat. He repeatedly cast the Loosening Charm and continued to plant the Marguerite seeds that Professor Sprout had left him. Planting them perfectly still required focus and skill—many little details had to be handled just right. But Roger, from his previous life and into this one, had long since grown used to the kind of repetitive, quiet work that others might find tedious.
Even better, each time he planted a Marguerite, a glowing reward cluster appeared above it. It was like the universe patting him on the back, affirming his efforts. There was joy in this—a personal joy that couldn't be shared or easily explained.
Time passed steadily. Roger's figure slowly moved from the ridged rows near the entrance to the greenhouse toward the deeper areas. Neat rows of tiny soil pits stretched behind him, each one nurturing the fruits of his hard work.
Meanwhile, late into the night, Professor Sprout was hurrying through the halls of Hogwarts Castle. Dumbledore's words echoed in her mind:"The Savior Harry Potter will be enrolling this year."
"I've prepared a series of challenges to help him grow."
"I'd like you to design one of the trials."Professor Sprout frowned. "He called me back so urgently… just for this?" She muttered to herself, clearly frustrated. "My Roger is still alone in that big manor." Her expression softened with concern. "Poor child. He must be starving."
Without hesitation, she made her way to the Hufflepuff common room kitchen and asked the house-elves to prepare several delicious and medicinal meals. As the Head of Hufflepuff, she had access to such privileges.
"Roger's life has always been a difficult one," she said to herself. "I need to make sure he's cared for."
Food box in hand, she left Hogwarts behind, her mind preoccupied not with the Savior's challenge but with Roger. Dumbledore's request? Just a game for children. It could wait.
Back in the headmaster's office, Dumbledore was watching through the portraits, his expression thoughtful.
"That child, Roger Sprout…" he murmured. "He truly brings Pomona so much happiness."
He sighed. A mix of envy and loneliness flickered in his eyes.
Despite everything, he was pleased the Sprout family had managed to recover a lost bloodline. Still, there was a shadow of disappointment. Dumbledore had already heard what had happened at Ollivander's wand shop—Roger's magical talent was, frankly, unimpressive.
He had once considered encouraging a friendship between Roger and Harry Potter. But now, it seemed unwise. Roger's potential simply wasn't suited to dangerous trials. A normal, peaceful, and happy school life—that was what Roger needed most.
With that, Dumbledore set the matter aside and refocused on training the Savior.
At that very moment, Professor Sprout returned to the family manor.
"Roger! I'm back!" she called out as she stepped through the door. "You must be starving! I brought you some medicinal meals from the Hufflepuff kitchen. Not to brag, but it's the best food in the entire wizarding world…"
But she stopped in her tracks. The lights were on, yet the manor was empty.
Her heart sank.
Could he still be in the greenhouse?
Fear surged through her as she rushed outside. Even from a distance, she could feel the heat radiating from within. Her eyes widened, her face turning pale.
Just how high had the temperature inside risen?
Roger was still in there?! He hadn't learned advanced spells for protection against extreme heat. This environment could cause someone to faint quickly. Worse, extended exposure could be fatal.
And how long had she been gone?
Professor Sprout felt like she might faint from fear. Without hesitation, she flung the greenhouse door open and rushed inside.
"Roger!!!" she screamed.
But the scene that greeted her wasn't what she had feared.
Roger was alive. He wasn't just conscious—he looked energetic. He even calmly planted one last Marguerite before walking over to her.
"Auntie? What's wrong? You look pale."
And then came the roar. Loud enough to nearly burst his eardrums.
"Roger! Who told you to turn the temperature up so high?!" Professor Sprout was furious—and terrified. "Do you know how scared I was?! You're my only family in this world! If something happened to you… how could I ever face your parents?"
Tears welled up in her eyes as the fear and worry overwhelmed her.
Roger stood stunned for a moment, then quickly bowed his head.
"I'm sorry, Auntie. I made you worry."
Professor Sprout quickly raised her wand and cast multiple heat-protection charms, isolating the suffocating warmth around Roger. After checking him repeatedly to ensure he was truly unharmed, she finally let out a long, trembling sigh of relief.
"Roger, please… don't make me worry like that again."
Roger nodded, sincere and apologetic.
"Okay. Next time, before I raise the temperature, I'll tell you first. But my body really is special, Auntie. I'm not afraid of heat at all."
He paused, then smiled with childlike enthusiasm.
"But more importantly, what do you think of the Marguerites I planted?"
Professor Sprout was dumbfounded.
She had just been on the verge of panic—and this child was still thinking about his plants?
But when she looked where Roger pointed, her expression changed.
"Oh?" she murmured.
Her eyes narrowed, carefully examining the rows of Marguerites.
At first, she didn't dare to believe what she was sensing. She quickly pulled out her wand and cast a detection charm.
The results were astonishing.
"The state of these Marguerite seeds… It's perfect!"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"If they continue like this, when they mature… they'll be the most perfect Marguerites possible, even in theory!"
There was one detail she didn't say aloud—at least not yet.
While Marguerite was considered a common herb, Marguerites of this quality were extraordinarily rare. So rare, in fact, that their properties could shift and evolve. Their effects could mutate slightly, becoming suitable for ancient, forgotten potions.
One such potion? A legendary elixir that could enhance a wizard's magical talent.
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