HP: The Boy who Planted

Quidditch pitch at Hogwarts was a scene of anticipation and excitement. The stands, though empty, seemed to hum with the echoes of past matches, and the open sky above promised the thrill of flight. The Hufflepuff Quidditch team, the pride of Badger House, was assembled and ready for their first practice of the season.

When Char entered the pitch, Nimbus 2000 in hand, the team's reaction was immediate. Eyes widened, jaws dropped, and a collective gasp swept through the group. The custom broom, gleaming in the afternoon light, was the envy of every player present. It was as if a rare and delicious treat had appeared before a crowd of hungry children.

The team captain, Cedric Diggory, finally managed to call everyone to order. "Alright, alright! That's enough drooling over Char's new broom. Give him some space—don't get your fingerprints all over it!"

Cedric approached Char with a warm handshake. "Welcome, Char. I'm Cedric Diggory, third year, Seeker, and team captain. We're glad to have you with us."

Char smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie. He knew Cedric's reputation—brilliant, kind, and a true leader. In another world, Cedric's story had ended in tragedy, but here and now, he was the heart of Hufflepuff's team.

As the rest of the players began their warm-ups, Cedric pulled Char aside to review the basics. "I know you're new to the team, so let's go over the rules. Chasers score by getting the Quaffle through the hoops—ten points each time. The Seeker, that's me, hunts the Golden Snitch; catching it ends the game and earns 150 points. But don't let anyone tell you the Seeker is everything. Quidditch is a team sport. Chasers, Keepers, and especially Beaters matter just as much."

Cedric's tone grew serious. "Our team has always struggled with Beaters. Hufflepuffs are gentle by nature, and facing Bludgers head-on isn't easy. But you—you've got the strength and the skill. I still remember you knocking out Malfoy's teeth in the Great Hall. That kind of power is exactly what we need."

Char grinned, remembering the incident. "It was a lucky shot."

Cedric laughed. "Luck or not, you've got talent. But talent alone isn't enough. You'll need to practice—hard."

He handed Char a solid bat, enchanted for extra durability. "This is your Beater's bat. And here," he said, opening a box, "is a practice Bludger. It's a bit weaker than the real thing, so it won't break any bones, but it'll still give you a bruise if you're not careful. The goal is to protect your teammates and disrupt the other team's plays. Ready?"

Char weighed the bat in his hand, frowning. "Feels light. Got anything heavier?"

Cedric blinked. "Heavier? Most people want lighter bats so they can swing faster."

Char shook his head. "I want something with more heft. Is there a rule against heavy bats?"

Cedric thought for a moment. "No, just a minimum weight. No one's ever set a maximum—no one's ever needed to."

He grinned, remembering something. "Actually, the Weasley twins made a bat for a bet a while back. It's more like a club than a bat, and nobody's managed to use it for more than a few swings. Want to try it?"

Five minutes later, Cedric returned, levitating the infamous bat with effort. "Here it is. Are you sure—?"

Before he could finish, Char picked up the bat one-handed, swinging it experimentally. It felt just right. He smiled, ready for the challenge.

Cedric stared, wide-eyed. "You're not human, are you?"

Char just laughed. "Let's get started."

He mounted his Nimbus 2000 and shot into the sky, the world blurring beneath him. The broom was a revelation—responsive, fast, and smooth as silk. He felt like he could fly forever.

Cedric released the Bludger, and it zoomed toward Char. With a practiced eye, Char tracked its movement, then swung his heavy bat with all his strength. The Bludger shot away like a cannonball, vanishing into the distance.

The team stared in awe. Cedric was the first to recover, his face flushed with excitement. "That was incredible! The other teams won't know what hit them."

Char grinned, feeling a surge of pride. He remembered Professor Sprout's dream of winning the Quidditch Cup. Maybe, just maybe, they had a real chance this year.

"Let's keep practicing," he said. "We're going to win this."

The team's energy soared. Practice became a blur of drills, laughter, and encouragement. Char's strength and precision transformed the defense, and the other players pushed themselves harder, inspired by his example.

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the team finally collapsed on the sidelines, exhausted but exhilarated. Cedric, drenched in sweat, called an end to the session. "Great work, everyone. Char, you're a machine."

Char just smiled, feeling more alive than he had in ages. The combination of hard work and pure joy was exhilarating.

As he packed up his things, he felt a strange tingling in his mind—a sense of clarity and insight. He glanced at his system panel and saw that all his spells—Lumos, Soil Loosening, Pruning—were glowing a little brighter.

He paused, thinking. "Magic is tied to the mind and will. When I'm tense, I get stuck. But when I'm relaxed—when I'm having fun—my magic flows better. Maybe I need to balance hard work with play."

He made a mental note to spend more time on the pitch, letting his mind and body unwind. The combination, he realized, was the key to growth.

As the other players trudged back to the castle, Char turned toward the greenhouse. Cedric called after him, "Hey, Char, the castle's that way!"

Char waved. "I know. I've still got plants to tend to. See you tomorrow!"

Cedric shook his head, smiling. "He's not human," he muttered, but there was admiration in his voice.

The other players agreed. "With Char on our side, maybe we'll finally win the Cup."

As Char walked through the twilight, he felt a deep sense of contentment. He was part of something bigger—a team, a house, a school. He was growing stronger, not just as a wizard, but as a friend and teammate.

His days settled into a rhythm: mornings in the greenhouse, afternoons on the Quidditch pitch, evenings with friends in the common room. Each day, the glow mushrooms grew closer to maturity, his spells became more powerful, and his confidence soared.

Ten days passed in a blur of magic and camaraderie. Char knew that challenges still lay ahead, but for now, he was exactly where he wanted to be—soaring between earth and sky, a little badger with big dreams.

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