Hogwarts: I'm Really a Model Wizard

Kyle and Pomona walked through the entrance hall, up the marble staircase, and along a corridor.

Professor Sprout's office wasn't particularly large, but it was filled with the fresh scent of soil. A warm, cozy fire burned in the fireplace, lush vines climbed the walls, and various magical plants were scattered everywhere, making it resemble the greenhouses outside the castle.

Near the window stood a small desk. Pomona walked to it and pointed to a brown box placed on top.

"I received this package two days before school started. It came from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, along with a letter saying it was compensation for the damage to the Forbidden Forest."

As she said this, her expression suddenly turned somewhat strange.

"But I don't recall Minerva requesting any compensation from the Ministry, so I suppose these things must be for you."

"Ahem, yes, Professor." Kyle said awkwardly, "I did write to the Ministry, but that was at the Aurors' request. They apparently knew I had used some valuable magical items in the Forbidden Forest, which is how I barely survived my encounter with Oren, so they generously decided to provide compensation."

"Is that so?" Pomona said with a smile, "But the letter also mentions they'll soon send specialists to build a new greenhouse for Hogwarts. Was that your request as well?"

"Uh... no, not that." Kyle said after a moment's thought, "I just mentioned in my letter that too much dark magic had been cast in the Forbidden Forest, and many precious magical plants and centuries-old trees had been destroyed. They probably want to compensate the school in this way."

Professor Sprout's expression grew even stranger. Her face reddened slightly as she instinctively glanced out the window.

She knew better than anyone what plants were in the Forbidden Forest. Most of the rare and precious plants had long since been moved to the greenhouses, and what remained were at most some dittany, puffapods, and other common varieties.

As for those so-called century-old trees... truth be told, after the Aurors left, she and Filius had restored the damaged parts of the Forbidden Forest in just five minutes.

After all, the Corrosion Curse hardly qualified as advanced dark magic; a simple General Counter-Spell could easily counter it.

Pomona cleared her throat and said righteously, "Yes, those plants were indeed a great loss. It's remarkable that the Ministry thought of this and knew to build a new greenhouse to protect them."

She looked pleased and continued in a light tone.

"Well then, you can check their compensation here to see if anything is missing. But be quick about it — I believe the Sorting Ceremony is about to begin."

With that, she left the office, closing the door behind her.

After she left, Kyle approached the desk and opened the box.

There weren't many items inside. About half were neatly arranged Galleons, around fifty in total, with the word "Broomstick" written next to them.

While in the Forbidden Forest, Kyle had indeed discarded a broomstick, which was later crushed in half by a falling tree during the battle, rendering it completely unusable.

The Ministry people probably couldn't find such an old model, so they simply gave him the cash equivalent.

Kyle set the Galleons aside. The broomstick was school property, so naturally the Galleons had nothing to do with him. The remaining items were what really mattered.

After removing the Galleons, only five tightly sealed glass vials remained in the box. They all contained seeds — magical plant seeds.

Their names were written on the vials: "Chinese Chomping Cabbage", "Mandrake", "Lovage", "Venomous Tentacula", and "Fanged Geranium".

Kyle picked up the vials and carefully placed them in his pouch.

He felt somewhat relieved. To make everything seem more reasonable, these were all reported under the pretext of "lost plants", which was why the Ministry had sent the items to Hogwarts.

After all, almost all of these were classified as "extremely dangerous" plant species, especially the Fanged Geranium and Venomous Tentacula, which were prohibited trade items that the Ministry strictly forbade private cultivation and sale of.

Before this, Kyle wasn't entirely confident — plainly speaking, he was gambling on whether the professor who received the package would open it and look inside.

If she had opened it, those seeds would have had to go to the newly built greenhouse.

Fortunately, Kyle's luck held out. Pomona, beyond the plants in her greenhouses, didn't pay much attention to other matters.

After securing the vials, he let out a heavy sigh of relief. He sincerely thanked the Ministry for packaging everything so securely. Obtaining these seeds right under the nose of a plant master was quite thrilling indeed.

After leaving Professor Sprout's office, Kyle descended the stairs and returned to the Great Hall.

The new students had arrived, and the hall had transformed into a sea of pointed black hats, with students seated at each of the long house tables.

The old, tattered Sorting Hat sat on the high table, and compared to last year, it had acquired some new accessories.

A red and blue piece of cloth — either a kerchief or a bandana — was wrapped around its pointed tip, and a small pair of sunglasses rested on its brim.

Kyle arrived at the hall just in time to catch it singing.

The Sorting Hat looked extremely excited, wiggling back and forth on the three-legged stool, its melody completely different from traditional magical music.

"... Hogwarts truly is a school,

Where magic taught is wondrous cool.

Gryffindor hides courage deep,

With nerve and daring, dangers they'll meet.

Hufflepuffs are just and true, hard work they never fear to do,

Students loyal and honest too.

Ravenclaws are smart and quick, in books they search for secrets thick,

Exploring magic's meaning deep.

Perhaps you'll go to Slytherin, they're cool and sharp within,

To reach the path to glory's end, they won't be kind to any friend.

Come on, put me on, don't be afraid.

One last thing to say, Sorting Hat's my name.

Which house... don't mess around."

When the Sorting Hat finished its song, the entire hall instantly erupted in excitement. The young wizards applauded thunderously, as if they might bring down the ceiling.

Kyle turned and headed toward the Hufflepuff table. Cedric had saved him a seat, right between himself and Michael.

"Kyle, if only you'd come earlier." Cedric said with regret, "The Sorting Hat's song was completely different from previous years."

"Yes, I heard it just now." Kyle said with a smile.

It seemed the Sorting Hat must have received the Christmas gift he sent last year.

He just hadn't expected that Hogwarts would still be able to play those cassette tapes.

✭✭✭

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