Professor Sprout took a deep breath as she looked at Robert. She didn't hold back her praise.
"This could cultivate margaret of perfect quality," she said, clearly impressed. "Robert, you are absolutely a genius in Herbology!"
Her words weren't exaggerated—they were simply the truth.
While planting margaret is relatively straightforward, the conditions required for its growth are extremely particular. The plant needs a highly stuffy environment, and—most unusually—it requires the cultivator to provide an atmosphere of sincere happiness. To produce margaret of perfect quality, the grower must maintain an environment that is not only stiflingly hot and humid but also filled with genuine joy and satisfaction.
Even with protective enchantments, most wizards find such environments unbearable. Additionally, artificial happiness from potions or spells doesn't suffice. Only authentic joy from the heart will do.
But how many people in the world can feel overwhelming joy while trapped in such uncomfortable surroundings? Even Herbology Masters aren't usually that masochistic.
Robert, however, was different.
He was truly, inexplicably happy.
It was that sheer, heartfelt joy that allowed this batch of margaret seeds to reach a perfect state the moment they were planted. If this condition could be maintained throughout their growth, the effects of the margaret—particularly when used in talent-enhancing potions—could even surpass what was recorded in the textbooks.
A thought stirred in Professor Sprout's heart. She happened to know the recipe for a very rare potion—the Talent Growth Potion.
In magical history, there have been rare cases of witches and wizards with meager innate talent who managed to transform into extraordinary prodigies thanks to this elusive potion. However, the formula called for incredibly rare and difficult-to-obtain ingredients. The most basic and indispensable among them was a perfect quality margaret. The other components were even harder to procure. What's more, it had to be brewed by a top-tier Potions Master.
Because of these stringent requirements, Talent Growth Potions have only appeared a handful of times in wizarding history.
But now, right in her own Greenhouse, Professor Sprout might be witnessing the successful cultivation of perfect margaret.
As for a Potions Master? Fortunately, one of the best was already close by—Severus Snape.
Professor Sprout couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope.
"One ingredient is secured," she thought. "Maybe I can find the others. If I succeed... then Robert's magical talent can be greatly improved!"
But she didn't tell Robert about this possibility. The recipe was ancient, and the chance of successfully gathering all the ingredients was slim. She didn't want to get Robert's hopes up only to crush them later. That kind of disappointment would be too cruel.
She decided it would be better to keep it a secret—at least until the ingredients were truly in hand.
As for the difficulties or even dangers involved in searching for them?
Professor Sprout didn't care at all.
Because Robert was her only family—her beloved nephew.
For his future, she would endure any hardship.
Then, without warning, Professor Sprout grabbed Robert and dragged him out of the Greenhouse.
"I don't care what your old habits were," she said sternly. "But from now on, Robert, you must eat properly and sleep well!"
Robert could only nod helplessly. If she hadn't been so insistent, he truly would have stayed up all night working in the Greenhouse.
Fortunately, Professor Sprout had explained that margaret only required strong emotional influence during the earliest phase of growth—just like how a house's foundation determines its stability. Since Robert had already provided such perfect conditions at the beginning, the margaret no longer needed to be constantly accompanied. After a month, they would require only routine pruning and maintenance.
In about six months, the plants would reach full maturity.
Robert's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"Six months? That's fast!"
At that moment, Professor Sprout gently forked a piece of medicinal cuisine onto Robert's plate.
"Alright now," she said warmly. "Work-life balance is essential. Whether you're aiming to be a Potions Master or a Herbology Master, learning to balance effort with rest is part of your training. Now, taste some of Hufflepuff's delicious dishes."
Robert took a bite and immediately looked amazed. His pace quickened, savoring each bite.
"This is incredible," he said, surprised. "Auntie, you haven't eaten yet either, right? You should eat too."
The two shared a smile.
In the long-empty Sprout Family manor, warmth slowly returned.
In the blink of an eye, two months passed.
The date was now September 1, 1991—the first day of Hogwarts!
Early that morning, Professor Sprout was already up and heading straight to the Greenhouse. As usual, Robert was already there, busy inside the humid enclosure.
"Robert!" she called out. "Today is your first day at Hogwarts! You don't have to work this hard, do you?"
Robert blinked in surprise.
"School starts today?"
He had completely lost track of time. Ever since he'd filled the entire Greenhouse with margaret a month ago, he had poured all his energy into caring for them. Watching the glowing reward halos above the plants grow brighter day by day gave him endless joy.
If Professor Sprout hadn't reminded him, he might have completely forgotten that today was the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
Robert turned back toward a cluster of margaret and raised his wand. Drawing a triangle in the air, he flicked his wrist as if mimicking the action of a pair of scissors.
"Arbor-Siccus! Deadwood Removal!"
This was the Pruning Charm—the second spell Robert had learned from Professor Sprout, after the Soil Loosening Charm.
The Pruning Charm trimmed away dead branches and unnecessary leaves from plants quickly and with precision—far superior to any garden shears. Moreover, instead of leaving waste behind, the trimmed parts turned into ash and returned directly to the soil, enriching it with nutrients.
This made plants grow more robustly and was one of the essential spells taught in Herbology.
After Robert cast the charm, the margaret in front of him shed their withered parts, which dissolved into the soil and revitalized the plants. Their vibrant green hue became even more vivid.
Professor Sprout watched with pride.
"Robert, your Pruning Charm is improving by the day."
Robert smiled. "For two whole months, I haven't practiced any other spells. From morning till night, I've only been casting the Soil Loosening and Pruning Charms. If I still couldn't get them right, I wouldn't deserve the name Sprout."
Professor Sprout gazed at him, deeply moved. She could hardly have hoped for a better result.
"My dear Robert," she said softly, "you're going to make the Sprout name shine brightly."
Then she continued, "Now that the margaret have passed their critical stage, I'll arrange for their care. You mustn't be late for Hogwarts."
Robert looked back at the plants, reluctant to leave.
But then he remembered the stories Professor Sprout had told him about the Hogwarts Greenhouse—how much larger and more mysterious it was compared to their family one.
If this small Greenhouse could be so magical, what kind of wonders awaited him at Hogwarts?
Four more months, and these margaret would be ready for harvest. By then, he hoped his magic would be stronger. Perhaps he'd even be ready to grow rarer magical plants at school.
With that thought, he packed his luggage efficiently and stood by the door.
Professor Sprout looked at him with a playful smile.
"I wonder what House you'll be sorted into..."
Then she added jokingly, "If it's not Hufflepuff, I'll throw the Sorting Hat into the fertilizer bin!"
Grabbing his hand, she said cheerfully:
"Hold on tight. Let's go—to King's Cross Station!"
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