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Chapter 40 - Chapter 40: Which Serious Little Badger Is Wandering at Night? Pruning Spell Promotion

"Although your spell is Lumos, your syllable emphasis is off."

"It's Lu——Mos! When you flick, your wand should finish drawing the first circle."

Unable to hold back any longer, Hermione spoke up and corrected Hannah's mistake.

But the moment she did, a tinge of regret passed over her. It wasn't because she was worried about inter-house rivalry—rather, it reminded her of how the other young Gryffindors had reacted when she tried to correct them back in her own house.

"Maybe I shouldn't always point out people's mistakes," she thought with a touch of annoyance.

Yet to her surprise, Hannah's eyes widened in realization. She nodded quickly, like a chick pecking rice.

"Ah? So that's how it works? I always felt like there was something off with my Lumos spell!"

Without hesitation, Hannah began waving her wand again, this time following Hermione's instructions.

While Hermione could still spot many imperfections, Hannah's performance had clearly improved. That small success made her even more excited, and she looked at Hermione with shining admiration.

"Hermione, you're absolutely brilliant!"

The nearby young badgers perked up, casting interested and enthusiastic glances her way. Some of them cautiously approached.

"Hermione, could you teach me too?"

"I also think I've been doing the Lumos charm wrong."

"Sit, sit—everyone, make space for Hermione and fill her dessert plate!"

"Where's the fruit tea? Quick! Brew some hot fruit tea!"

Surrounded on all sides, Hermione felt momentarily overwhelmed.

She had always wanted to help her fellow Gryffindors, but most had scoffed at her attempts. She never imagined that in Hufflepuff, others would actively seek her out for guidance.

After a brief pause, Hermione asked tentatively, "Doesn't it bother you?"

"I mean, having me point out your mistakes?"

The young badgers looked genuinely confused.

"But you're willing to teach us. Isn't that a good thing?"

"If we don't understand something, shouldn't we ask someone who does?"

"Of course we'll follow your guidance, Hermione. Why would we be uncomfortable?"

"Isn't that just normal?"

Hermione stood there, momentarily stunned.

She suddenly recalled a conversation from the Hogwarts Express. Back then, she'd spoken with Char, Neville, and others about Sorting. She'd been more drawn to Ravenclaw or Gryffindor, and firmly against Slytherin, which she saw as an evil house. As for Hufflepuff—she'd dismissed it as ordinary, even mediocre.

But now… she was beginning to understand.

Ordinary, yes—but also humble. And in that humility was a quiet kind of excellence.

A wave of shame welled up in Hermione.

She cleared her throat and straightened up.

"Alright then. Come one by one, and I'll guide each of you as best I can."

Watching this scene from the side, Char felt a stir of emotion.

As expected of the 'know-it-all.'

Hermione's ability to teach was truly exceptional. Each correction went straight to the core of the problem. Even if she didn't become the future Minister for Magic—as she had in the original timeline—she'd still make a phenomenal Hogwarts professor.

With Hermione's help, when it came time to test the Lumos charm, the young badgers just might surprise everyone.

Char's thoughts were interrupted as he picked up a letter addressed to him.

On the envelope, someone had written: "Very Important — Char Must Open Personally."

That alone was enough to raise suspicion.

"So mysterious… Who would send something like this?"

Opening the letter, Char found lines of handwriting that had clearly been disguised.

"Char Sprout, you poor wretch raised in the Muggle world..."

(800 words omitted)

"…In short, if you have the guts, meet me at the Trophy Room for a duel tonight at midnight. Bring as many assistants as you like."

A strange expression crept over Char's face.

A duel challenge?

He could guess almost immediately whose idea this was.

After all, the phrasing—"midnight duel," "Trophy Room"—was way too familiar.

Wasn't this the same trick Malfoy used to trap Harry in the original story? The only difference was that Malfoy had issued the challenge face-to-face back then. Now it was via a letter.

Char hadn't expected to be on the receiving end.

Still, he shook his head.

Even if Malfoy were actually waiting in the Trophy Room, Char had zero intention of showing up.

Who had time for that?

He'd rather be casting Lumos on glowing mushrooms.

With a flick of his hand, Char tossed the letter into the fireplace.

The flames licked it up instantly, drawing Hermione's attention.

"What was that letter? Why'd you burn it?" she asked curiously.

For once, she wore a rather gossipy look.

"A love letter?"

Char looked momentarily stunned, then amused.

"No. Just an anonymous duel challenge. Midnight. Trophy Room. Told me I could bring assistants."

Hermione's face instantly grew serious.

"A wizard's duel?"

"The kind with assistants?"

"Those are meant to be duels to the death! If the main duelist dies, the assistants take over until only one side is left standing!"

"Char, you're not thinking of going, are you?"

Hearing Hermione's raised voice, the nearby badgers grew nervous.

"Char? A duel?"

"We can come with you…"

"It said you could bring assistants, right? The more the better!"

"Or should we go get Professor Sprout?"

One of them had already turned to run off.

Char quickly waved him down.

"No, absolutely not!"

"It's clearly Malfoy's trap."

"He's too much of a coward to show up. Most likely, he's already told Filch. The plan is probably to get me caught sneaking out so he can take points from Hufflepuff."

Char shook his head in disdain.

"He doesn't even think before scheming."

"Sneaking out for a duel? Who would fall for that?"

"What reasonable Hufflepuff would ever do something that dumb?"

At this, everyone finally relaxed.

However, Hermione's expression shifted slightly. She seemed to have realized something.

"If that's true, then Malfoy may not have just challenged you."

"He might've also sent one to a Gryffindor. That way, he ensures Gryffindor loses points and can't catch up to Slytherin."

Worry clouded her features.

The Hufflepuffs weren't the type to sneak around at night or chase after drama.

But the same couldn't be said for the brave and impulsive Gryffindors.

If someone received a challenge, they'd likely accept without a second thought.

Hermione stood up abruptly.

"I have to warn them," she said, hurrying toward the Gryffindor Common Room.

Char watched her go, his curiosity piqued.

Would this midnight duel incident turn out differently from the original story?

Probably not.

The Golden Trio hadn't come together yet.

There was no deep bond forged through shared hardship—not yet.

Hermione was still an outsider in Gryffindor. Who would even listen to her?

Those thoughts flickered briefly through Char's mind before he pushed them aside.

None of it really concerned him.

He had farming to think about.

For now, most of what could be done was already done. The glowing mushrooms, goldfish plants, and other crops were simply waiting to mature.

So, what next?

His gaze fell on the system panel.

The Pruning Charm was glowing with rich silver light. The bronze beneath was barely visible.

It was on the verge of reaching the Silver Level.

"When the Loosening Charm leveled up, I got a huge bonus."

"What will the Pruning Charm unlock once it levels up?"

Char's eyes lit up with anticipation.

He pointed his wand at several pots of goldfish plants in the common room.

"Arbor-Siccus! Cleanse Dead Branches!"

A few withered leaves rustled to the ground, instantly decomposing and enriching the soil for the healthy leaves.

At the same time, on the system panel, the silver glow of the Pruning Charm surged brighter.

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