Chapter 105: In the Wind and Rain

In the second week of October, the cold wind howled, sending the stones outside Hogwarts Castle tumbling end over end.

Not long after, a flash of lightning split the sky where leaves danced, followed by rumbling thunder—Neville said his desk was shaking.

Clearly, leaving the castle now was not a good idea, yet three small figures wrapped in thick robes and raincoats appeared behind it.

“Alright, Neville, you can hide behind me now, but not later.”

Justin walked to Harry’s left, helplessly pulling a small bag from his pack—it looked tiny, its surface smooth, as if made of some animal’s pelt.

Neville had already moved from Harry’s right to behind Justin, flinching with every flash of lightning.

In class, Hermione had snapped:

“Neville, if you’re truly afraid of thunder, stay in the classroom.”

Neville dared not argue, only shook his head and stammered, “Y-yes…”

Seeing himself contradict himself, Hermione rolled her eyes and impatiently shoved a pair of earplugs into his hand.

Now outside the castle, Neville wore the earplugs but still trembled slightly.

Fortunately, Justin’s bag caught his attention, making him stare at it with wide-eyed longing.

Justin placed the bag in Harry’s hands, and Neville’s gaze followed instantly.

“A Shapeshifter’s Hide Bag—perfect for storing seeds and small shovels.”

Justin smiled gently.

“Thank you.”

Harry’s slender hand emerged from the thick raincoat Professor Sprout had given him, and he curiously slipped the parchment inside.

After all, heavy rain was coming—wet parchment would be ruined.

Unlike leather, parchment had not been tanned, making it sensitive to humidity and non-waterproof.

So during these days in the greenhouse, Harry had been debating whether to bring them at all.

Now, with Justin’s bag, the problem was solved.

As for such bags, Harry had read about them in obscure books.

A Shapeshifter’s Hide Bag—a small pouch that could hold many items, accessible only to its owner.

It appeared tiny from the outside, yet could store a great deal.

In July 1996, Hagrid had given Harry a Shapeshifter’s Hide Bag as a seventeenth birthday gift.

During his search for Horcruxes, Harry wore it around his neck, storing his most precious items: the Marauder’s Map, the broken shard of the Two-way Mirror, the fake Horcrux locket, the Golden Snitch containing the Resurrection Stone, Lily’s letter to Sirius, half a photograph, and his own snapped wand.

Justin watched as Harry first slipped in the parchment, sighing slightly:

“I knew it would be like this… Oh, by the way, Neville, this is for you.”

Staring at Justin’s outstretched hand and the floating bag, Neville’s throat quivered as he stammered:

“What about you…?”

Then Justin revealed his own Undetectable Extension Bag, making Neville’s eyes widen as he silently envied him for a moment.

“Then… okay… thank you…”

…

Since October, Harry had spent three days a week helping in the greenhouse for three hours; since the weather turned foul, he stayed even longer.

To prepare for autumn’s storms, Hogwarts’ greenhouses had made many preparations—most importantly, powerful magical protections:

The greenhouse structure had been permanently reinforced with spells similar to those protecting the castle itself, capable of withstanding most severe weather.

Inside, constant-temperature, humidity-control, and soundproofing charms created a stable microclimate, minimizing external weather effects.

But this didn’t mean the greenhouse was completely safe—leaks, drainage issues, and relocating plants needing sunlight beyond the glass were all problems.

This left greenhouse staff severely understaffed.

Fortunately, Harry, Neville, Justin, and Senior Bruce took turns helping.

Outside the greenhouse.

Dark, heavy clouds loomed over the dome-shaped building, where three figures bustled outside the glass walls—

They wore identical thick raincoats and black-and-yellow scarves; upon spotting three smaller wizards below them, they hurried over:

“Hey! Harry, perfect timing—you’ve got this now.”

Senior Bruce silently studied the dark clouds, then handed Harry a red letter.

“Just arrived this afternoon—help out.”

Harry sighed, taking the letter—Bruce had barely opened it before he bolted far away, shouting as he ran:

“Run, Leon, Pistor… and you lot too!”

Harry slipped on the ear muffs Hermione had given him—the red letter immediately let out a roar that sent his black hair flying backward:

“BRU!CE! WHERE DID YOU THROW CHARL’S WAND?!”

As Harry covered his ears, Bruce hummed behind him, muttering:

“Ah, I figured it was about the wand—this thing’s practically an antique by now, and he’s still using it… heh, Mrs. Lis, now you can’t refuse my money anymore…”

After the roar ended, he sidled up to Harry again, placing a Sizzling Bee Sweet in his hand:

“I’ll repay you well, little Green… soon…

But since I heard nothing, I can’t do anything—blame the owl for the wrong delivery…”

He turned to leave, but Senior Leon grabbed him by the collar and yanked him back:

“Sorry, little Green,”

Leon said earnestly, as if helpless:

“I won’t let this guy get away with it…”

“Leon, little Green already agreed—why are you…”

“Shut up, you bastard!”

As Bruce and his companions bickered, they trudged farther across the soggy lawn.

Soon, Harry and the others saw Professor Sprout, beaming with relief:

“Thank you so much, young gentlemen… the plants truly need your help.”

“Professor, we came willingly—if we can help, that’s all the better.”

Justin eagerly lifted two potted plants outside the glass wall.

“Yes… Professor…”

Neville picked up a shovel to clear the drain clogged by Blackroot.

“...Hmm.”

Harry spoke little, but worked most efficiently—his silent Levitation Charm cleared entire areas in an instant.

Soon, thunder cracked loudly.

Wind, rain, slippery ground, dim visibility, and strange plants…

Three small figures labored hard under the guidance of a plump witch.

For weeks now, Harry had gained not only knowledge of over a dozen plants’ identification and handling, but also many of the Professor’s seeds.