This day's Herbology class brought Gryffindor and Ravenclaw together.
Nevile performed excellently, sharing herb-related knowledge not found in textbooks.
His insights left his classmates impressed, and even Professor Sprout couldn't hide her satisfaction.
She awarded him 10 house points with a proud smile.
After class, Ted caught up with Neville for a chat about herbology. He was working on a new potion and needed Neville's expertise.
Though Ted was no slouch when it came to potions, Neville's deepening mastery over magical plants had started to surpass his own in that area.
It showed just how valuable specialized knowledge could be.
Neville had really grown into his strength.
For instance, he'd cultivated a patch of biting cabbages in a forgotten corner of the greenhouse.
These weren't ordinary ones, either—they were wild variants, much more temperamental and harder to manage.
"These biting cabbages are looking strong," Ted said, crouching near the patch.
"Started growing them last year," Neville replied, eyes gleaming with pride. "They're tricky, but worth it. Dangerous plants like these have untapped potential."
Ted grinned. "Honestly, I always thought they came from some magical jungle in the tropics. Not that different from the weird stuff in the Forbidden Forest."
Neville laughed. "Let's just say they're local... and very bitey."
Ted felt thankful—Neville finally got to help his friends with something he excelled in, and it made him shine.
"Ted, if your potion needs to penetrate the skin, tropical herbs might be the key. If it needs to work through the bloodstream, you should try adding Dracaena. And for skin effects, look for rotskin moss. Professor Sprout has a few samples. I'll help you get some."
As they talked, the two made their way back toward the castle.
On the way, they passed the incoming Slytherin and Hufflepuff students heading to their own class.
Among them, Malfoy stood out—as usual.
He was at it again.
This time, it looked like he was picking on a younger student.
Ginny Weasley.
Apparently still sour from the Diagon Alley incident—where Lucius Malfoy got thrashed in a very public argument with Arthur Weasley—Draco was now taking it out on Ginny.
"Oi, Weasley! I've seen you sneaking around the castle grounds. Who are you spying on this time?" he sneered, flanked by smirking Slytherins.
Most of the others just watched silently, arms crossed, enjoying the show.
One Slytherin boy frowned, muttering, "Come on, we're gonna be late. No point bothering a first-year."
That was Lothar.
Malfoy saw him as his biggest threat to becoming prefect.
But Ginny?
She wasn't one to cower.
She stepped forward, chin raised. "Draco Malfoy, right? I've heard all about you. Dressed like a peacock and still managed to get your wand handed to you by Neville and Harley last year."
Malfoy's mouth opened—no words came out.
Ginny smirked. "Oh, and before term started? In Diagon Alley? My dad knocked your dad flat. Wanna try and avenge him now? I'm right here."
A few nearby students chuckled.
A first-year roasting Malfoy in public?
Priceless.
Malfoy's face burned red.
He reached for his wand—but even he knew casting a spell on a younger student in plain sight would only make things worse.
He'd win the duel and lose all face.
Just then, Ted and Neville caught up.
Neville stepped forward, voice firm. "Malfoy! What do you think you're doing?"
Malfoy blinked like he was waking from a trance.
Weirdly, he looked relieved.
Ginny, already pocketing her wand, wore a look of innocent confusion, as if nothing had happened.
Pale, but fierce—she had everyone fooled.
"Seriously, Malfoy? Picking on a first-year now? If you want a fight, try someone your own size," Neville said, his hand already around his wand like it was a sword—muscle memory from training sessions kicking in.
Malfoy glared but backed down.
The sight of Ted seemed to seal the deal.
Ted's presence reminded him of... well, a few expensive "accidents" his family would rather forget.
"Hmph. Not worth it. I have better things to do," Malfoy scoffed, turning on his heel with Crabbe and Goyle trailing behind.
As they passed, Ted silently flicked his wand. A whisper of magic slipped through the air: "Prestidigitation—Morph."
A little D&D spell he had adapted into Hogwarts' own style.
Nothing too flashy—just enough to tint Malfoy's perfectly polished shoes bright pink for the next hour.
And Ted had recently studied a color-changing spell. The incantation? "Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this—"
Yep—the same silly spell Ron had once tried to show off on the Hogwarts Express. Back then, everyone thought it was a joke.
Turns out, it was a legit charm... Ron just botched it.
But Ted, being Ted, took it a step further.
He blended the effect with a bit of his own system magic, broadening its power.
So, when Malfoy stormed off in a huff, he didn't even notice that his head had turned bright yellow.
Not just any yellow—glowing, spiky, Super Saiyan yellow.
Ted smirked. "Sunshine vibes for Malfoy. He'll be glowing with confidence."
...
As the crowd finally dispersed, things calmed down.
Neville awkwardly turned to Ginny.
"Hey, Ginny, are you... okay?"
She gave a quick shake of her head. "I'm fine. Malfoy mocked my family's money problems, but... it's not like it's news. Doesn't bother me."
Neville flailed a bit. "No, no, I didn't mean—it's just—uh..."
He looked to Ted for help, clearly out of his depth.
Truth was, Ginny's intensity kind of scared him.
She'd been super enthusiastic every time they crossed paths before school started, and Neville wasn't built for that level of energy.
Meanwhile, Ted had already drifted over to Luna.
"Luna, it's been almost two weeks since school started. How're you settling in?"
She was wearing little carrot-shaped earrings today and looked as dreamy as ever.
She gave a slow nod.
"School's great... but my things keep disappearing. I bet its the Nargles."
Ted frowned.
He had a pretty good guess what that meant.
Bullying—classic and unfortunately universal.
Seems like even Ravenclaws have their jerks.
Ted had to remind himself: both Quirrell and Lockhart came from Ravenclaw. Go figure.
"I'll talk to some classmates. See if we can help 'find' those lost items."
"Thanks," Luna smiled. Then she glanced at Ginny and Neville.
"You've noticed, right?" she said, eyebrow raised.
"Noticed what?"
"Ginny's... calming down. She figured out that the high-energy thing was scaring Neville off. So now she's switching tactics."
Ted chuckled. "Early maturity strikes again."
Then his tone shifted slightly.
"By the way, Ginny doesn't look too great. Has she been sick lately?"
Luna nodded, a bit more serious. "She hasn't been well since term started. There's something... off."
Ted's eyes narrowed slightly.
Right. He hadn't forgotten this year's plotline.
Last year's drama with Quirrell and Voldemort felt like child's play compared to what was coming.
A giant basilisk roaming the castle's walls and pipes?
Now that was dangerous.
At least Quirrell never killed anyone outright.
But a basilisk? One look and you're done.
Ted didn't know if he could pull off a perfect save like in the original story.
This wasn't just a tale anymore—these were real people.
Real students. Real lives.
And just watching it all happen like a rerun wasn't an option.
Because now he was Ted Epifani, not a reader.
And if there was one thing he knew,
It's that power matters.
Not for glory. Not for revenge.
But to protect the people who can't protect themselves.
Only with real strength can someone afford to be kind.
Without it, kindness is just a nice way to lose.