HPS 109 (Patreon)

Chapter 109: The Biting Bellowplant

The Biting Bellowplant is a sentient vine with the ability to perceive its surroundings and emit squeaking sounds.

It was currently clinging to Neville's seedling tray, letting out faint squeaks.

Perhaps Neville had over-fertilized them, as they suddenly began writhing uncomfortably in the tray, scaring Neville into frantically flipping through Sean's notes—although they all helped out in the Greenhouse, only Sean consistently documented everything in minute detail.

The Glynn Notes were the gold standard in the minds of the younger students, no matter the subject.

"Guys, I have to say, anything you can think of will be in there, and anything you haven't thought of will be in there, too. If you still don't understand, you must not have looked closely enough."

This was a saying that had recently circulated from the Gryffindor long table. Strangely, not even the Slytherins had a word of rebuttal.

"Quietening Charm! (Puierus!)"

As Neville fumbled, Sean quickly waved his wand.

The Biting Bellowplants could no longer produce loud noises; only a faint squeaking remained, which reminded Neville that he had put in too much fertilizer.

【You practiced the Quietening Charm with Experienced level Skill. Proficiency +10】

【Quietening Charm: Beginner (700/900)】

Recalling the noise of the Biting Bellowplants in the Greenhouse, Sean roughly estimated that the Initiate-level Quieting Charm could reduce sound by eighty percent.

This was considerably stronger than the Experienced level, and for less-noisy movements, it could essentially achieve silence.

Of course, the effect of a spell at the same proficiency level wasn't always identical for wizards; magic is subjective, and spell strength is determined by the wizard's state of mind.

Facing Harry's increasingly powerful Disarming Charm, Tom (Voldemort) surely had much to say on the matter.

The classroom returned to its usual state. Hermione taught Neville a spell, and soon after, Neville would help Hermione organize the green plants on the desk.

Because there were many plants, Neville had hung a small tag on each one, writing the names Sean, Hermione, and Justin, and also marking the plant's growth time—although Neville did most of the care.

Sean would always practice charms for hours, until the Hogwarts bell rang.

【You practiced the Quietening Charm with Experienced level Skill. Proficiency +10】

【You practiced the Quietening Charm with Experienced level Skill. Proficiency +10】

...

【Quietening Charm: Expert(10/3000)】

Sean put away his wand with satisfaction, then picked up Professor Flitwick's notes and read for a while longer.

The Great Hall

The ceiling was gray, as if a drizzle was about to fall, but the interior was still dry and warm.

The four who came out of the classroom had become accustomed to sitting at the last long table in the Ravenclaw section.

There was a large fireplace there, its surface constructed of massive, rough, honey-colored stones. Over centuries of smoke and fire, the stones' grain had been coated in a deep, glossy, ebony color.

The Fat Friar would occasionally pass through here on his way to the Gryffindor table.

It wasn't as noisy as the Gryffindor table, nor was it filled with the bragging and flattery of the Slytherin table, and it wasn't prone to "food riots" like the Hufflepuff table.

In short, the young Ravenclaw wizards generally kept a certain distance.

But this wasn't why the four chose this spot; it was simply because there were more puddings here—which would always attract a Glynn.

Yet today, even the Ravenclaw table was quite noisy.

The bulletin board in the Great Hall was surrounded by a crowd. The notice read:

【At the end of October, on the eve of Halloween, students in the third year and above may spend the weekend in Hogsmeade. Remember, a guardian’s signature is required.】

"Our first trip to Hogsmeade for the weekend!"

Fred turned and high-fived George. He pointed at the new notice posted on the tattered bulletin board.

"The end of October. Halloween Eve."

"Fantastic!" George continued.

"I need to go to Zonko's Joke Shop there. I'm almost out of my Dungbombs."

"Third year—"

At this point, a younger wizard would mutter in disappointment, then plop down onto a nearby chair, their previous excitement completely gone.

His companion next to him offered comfort:

"We'll go when we're in the third year. But what is Hogsmeade Village?"

"Oh! You don't know—it's the only village in all of Britain without Muggles. Legend has it that the pub there was the command post for the Goblin Rebellions in 1612! And there's the Shrieking Shack, the most haunted house in Britain—"

Of course, there were also wizards who seemed "unimpressed":

"They make a big fuss about Hogsmeade, but let me tell you, it's really not that great."

The Gryffindor said earnestly,

"My brother said the sweet shop is decent, but Zonko's Joke Shop is dangerous. Oh, right, the Shrieking Shack is worth a visit. But besides that, honestly, we won't be missing much."

Nearly every wizard in the Great Hall was loudly discussing Hogsmeade Village; even Justin and Hermione couldn't resist a brief discussion.

Sean wasn't paying attention. His mind was still replaying his knowledge of the Disillusionment Charm. Suddenly, he seemed to catch a flicker of inspiration, and his quill rapidly 'scratch-scratch'-ed across his notebook.

He didn't notice that three wizards wearing yellow and black scarves were currently watching them.

"So, Bruce, what is it you want to do?"

Leon seemed to have already guessed, but seeing Bruce's ambitious, yet hesitant, look, he indulged him by asking.

"Oh—Leon, of course, it's..."

Bruce slung an arm around Leon and Pister's necks as if he were discussing some earth-shattering event.

The Classroom

"Disillusionment!"

Sean's wand traced a wide arc in the air before he tapped it on his body.

【You practiced the Disillusionment Charm with apprentice level Skill. Proficiency +1】

A strange, cold sensation spread through his body from the spot where the wand had tapped him.

Sean felt, just like in the staff lounge before, as though he had been wrapped in a thin, invisible film that made him translucent.

But the transparency wasn’t complete — at the apprentice level, the Disillusionment Charm wasn’t enough to render him fully invisible; faint, almost imperceptible ripples of light still betrayed his presence.

It was vastly different from the spell Professor Flitwick had cast last time — his color and outline had blended perfectly with the background, even his shadow had vanished.

That time, it had felt like wearing an Invisibility Cloak.

Still, since the Disillusionment Charm was a functional spell, Sean figured that reaching the Experienced level would already be enough for practical use.

The only thing Sean hadn't expected was that using the Disillusionment Charm was indeed like Harry using the Invisibility Cloak; when you felt like you were out roaming at night, it always seemed to succeed.

Of course, it still required the correct incantation and wand movement; the feeling merely enhanced the intent.

In the classroom, the Biting Bellowplant was no longer twisting its body. Instead, it swayed quietly with the cold air leaking in from the window.

Sean's plan had to be changed again. He needed to reconsider the three spells he was planning to grind to the Expert level.