HP: The Boy who Planted

A night passed quietly, and as the sun rose, Char checked his system panel with a mix of anticipation and patience.

"The Lumos rating is still stuck right at the edge between Black Iron and Bronze," he thought, shaking his head with a small smile. "It's better than before, but not quite there yet."

He didn't feel frustrated or disappointed. He knew that true progress was a natural process—sometimes slow, sometimes sudden, but always built on steady effort. The breakthrough would come, if not today, then in the next day or two. There was no need to rush.

Besides, even without the bronze-level upgrade, Char's mastery of the Lumos charm was already among the best for his age. Magic like Lumos wasn't about raw talent alone; it was about practice, repetition, and perseverance. And Char had practiced more than anyone.

He was confident that he'd do well in today's Charms test, and by the time the final exam for the exclusive spell came around in two weeks, he was sure his Lumos would be bronze—maybe even silver, with a little luck and a few more mushroom harvests.

With these thoughts, Char left the greenhouse and made his way to the Charms classroom. As he entered, he was surprised to find the room already full. Usually, only a handful of early risers would be there, looking sleepy. But today, nearly every Hufflepuff was present, practicing their Lumos spells with determination.

Even more surprising, the Ravenclaws—who usually prided themselves on their intelligence and didn't bother with extra practice—were already there, sweat beading on their brows. It was clear they'd been working hard for some time.

Char realized what was happening. Charms was Ravenclaw's pride and joy, their signature subject. Losing to another house would be unthinkable. And word had spread that, just two days before, Hermione Granger had stunned Professor Flitwick with her Lumos charm in Gryffindor's class. Flitwick had even lamented, half-jokingly, that Hermione belonged in Ravenclaw.

Clearly, the young eagles had taken this as a challenge. Their practice had doubled, maybe tripled, and their progress showed. While they still lagged behind Char, they had pulled ahead of the Hufflepuffs.

When Professor Flitwick arrived and called the class to order, the tension was palpable. One by one, the students demonstrated their Lumos charms. The Ravenclaws performed admirably, drawing nods of approval from Flitwick, though none quite matched Hermione's brilliance.

Flitwick's eyes grew a little sad. "Why did such a gifted witch end up in Gryffindor?" he wondered. It seemed to him that the first place in both today's quiz and the final test was already decided—no one could surpass Hermione.

The Hufflepuffs felt a pang of disappointment. Their hard-won lead in the House Cup was slipping away. They were the most easygoing of the four houses, but seeing their advantage erode was hard to swallow. Still, they didn't make excuses. If someone was better, they accepted it with grace.

Finally, it was Hufflepuff's turn. One by one, the remaining badgers demonstrated their Lumos charms. Each tried their best, but none could match the Ravenclaws—until only Char was left.

His housemates gathered around him, their voices full of warmth and encouragement. "Char, don't worry. Do your best. Even if we lose, it's not your fault. We're proud of you no matter what!"

Char felt their hope and support settle around him like a warm blanket. He realized, with a little surprise, that he truly belonged here. These were his friends, his family. If he could help them hold onto their lead, he would.

He stepped forward, wand in hand, and paused. Suddenly, he understood why his Lumos had always been just shy of bronze. The Lumos charm was a spell of hope—a light in the darkness, a beacon when all seemed lost. To cast it at its best, he needed to believe in that hope.

With that realization, he felt a shift inside. On his system panel, the bronze light finally swept over the Lumos charm.

[Lumos (Bronze Level)]

He raised his wand, heart full of hope and determination, and spoke clearly: "Lumos!"

A brilliant, steady light burst from the tip of his wand, shining like a lighthouse in a storm. The room fell silent, every eye drawn to the gentle radiance.

Professor Flitwick's eyes widened in astonishment. He had expected a good performance, but this—this was something else.

The Hufflepuffs erupted in applause, their cheers echoing through the classroom. Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, and the others clapped until their hands turned red, beaming with pride.

For a moment, Char stood in the center of the room, bathed in light and hope, knowing he had given his friends—and himself—something to believe in.

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