Just like how our touch leaves its mark, so does our magic. Plants that never grow in a wizard’s dwelling and lose their reproductive capability after contact with any wizard or witch are called Fae plants.

After the Blooming incident of 1777, an adventure into the magical forest of the British Isles requires the ministry to sign off, especially if you are on the hunt for the fae plants.

-Chapter 33, the potions of new and old.

………………….

“Found you!” The man muttered; his magical eye focused on a roof far away, catching a glimpse of a pair of magically camouflaged legs as the culprit dived into the alley beside him.

His magical eye followed him, turning the wall see-through, with a Mad-eye moody apparated.

Leon hit the wizard in the suit with the illusion spell when he was on the roof as the wizard entered the alley.

Then he plunged him into an illusion and stood behind the guy, camouflaged.

As he was standing behind the muggle-born wizard, hitting the crazy woman who apparated out of nowhere with the spell was easy.

Leon ran to the roof beside the alley he was dropped at, the second he heard about Auror.

And he was curious if the crazy woman could break free of his illusion, so he turned around and waited, hanging at the edge of the roof, ready to run.

The Hufflepuff felt some resistance when his illusion spell hit her- Remnants of Occlumency. The woman most likely started using dark spells with the help of Occlumency and got corrupted.

It was just conjecture, he didn’t know if dark spells corrupt but knowing the behaviors of death eaters in books and movies, he thought it was a safe bet.

Just as the dark witch dropped like a sack of potatoes, he jumped into the alley.

The world disappeared around him and he was, once again, back in the void.

‘The muggle-born was dragging out the time for backup, but he did look surprised when she tossed a dark spell right off the bat.’

Leon waited around in the dark void for a couple of more seconds, waiting for the scroll to greet him, analyzing the relationship dynamics between the two thieves.

He waited and waited.

“Hey! Are you there?” he yelled, irked.

Answer: Yes, yes. I am checking if the necklace is original. Can’t get fooled by a wet behind the years firstie. Be patient, suppress the troll instincts in you.

The scroll appeared before him, wiggling at its ‘joke’.

‘This bloody scroll!’ He shook his head; the troll blood joke was getting old, so he went back to ruminating about his encounter with the wild witch.

‘I wonder if either of them is a real Wizard/Witch.’

Answer: It’s real, Good job. Any questions for me?

The Scroll interrupted, catching his attention by turning into a rainbow.

“So that was the real world?”

Answer: Wow! Look at you, a genius among your brethren, the trolls.

“Why was the necklace important? Couldn’t the trial have waited for when I was older? Now I am recorded in every CCTV.”

Even if he wore a mask, he was an average 14-year-old Brit, he hadn’t quite hit the adult male height yet.

So, if Aurors get to know about the theft, there are chances, however minuscule they are, that some doubt would be cast on Hogwarts students.

“Now, now! This trial wasn’t about your magical prowess. It was about your decision-making, irrespective of what you think, an old wizard is the wizard who is good on his feet. While you could have been more patient and bolder in the trial, you did well.”

‘Damn! He didn’t end that with a remark about his blood.’

“For a troll spawn!”

Sighing Leon continued.

“What would have you done if I got caught?”

The scroll was in for some major classes in manners in the future when he at least had an idea of what the scroll was made of.

Answer: Depends on the reason for getting caught, if you were stupid your trials would end. If not, you would continue to the next trial without any rewards.

‘Disqualifying from future trials is harsh if a stupid mistake snowballs into something bigger. Minimum punishment being no reward that for trial is kinda fair…right, rewards.’

“So, my rewards!”

“Yes. But if you ask me, you better not take anything, you don’t have any gaps right now nor do you need an artifact. More and better rewards get added if you complete the third trial, you can redeem your rewards then.”

Leon thought about his immediate requirements before nodding.

Exams were coming, so the professors were heaping mountains of assignments on students to make them study. He has Enchantment club activities, and his daily spell practice on top of assignments and exam preparations.

“Your rating is O2; you missed the top grade by a hair as the mad-eyed auror got a look at you. No, he didn’t see your face.”

As he nodded, the scroll dropped the tidbit about his rating and threw him back into the same corridor he was kidnapped in.

‘I definitely need to teach it how to behave with others,’ he sighed.

Leon turned around and walked into an abandoned classroom.

Locking it, he casted the Spongify charm on the floor and sprawled on the comfy, magical, bed.

The Hufflepuff spent some time thinking about his trial, retracing his steps to see if he could have done anything different or left any clues about his identity.

The warm castle, the comfy bed, and his tired mind became friends, and decided it was napping time.

………….

Feeling refreshed and awesome, Leon walked towards the library in the evening.

Ignoring the students, he continued his search for potions that treat injured magical creatures.

‘This is it- a stasis potion, used in the treatment of debilitating injuries. Works both on magical creatures and wizards.’ But before he could become happy, he remembered he didn’t have a huge amount of money.

The stasis potion met most of his requirements, cheap(somewhat) ingredients, applicable to any injury i.e., it doesn’t react with any magical injury and is quick to make.

Sighing, he decides to ask Daphne- about the price and the potion's availability- when Hagrid gets his dragon egg.

The last time he went, everything was normal- as normal as things could be in the house of a half-giant in a magical school surrounded by a magical forest.

The Hufflepuff visited Hagrid more frequently as of late. At first, the visits were all about saving the Unicorn, but they soon became enjoyable as Hagrid had a way with magical beasts.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Leon kept returning, finding that these visits helped him relax and fully appreciate the magical world he was part of.

He liked helping Hagrid feed the creatures in the pen or simply watching him manhandle some rowdy ones.

Most magical creatures respected and obeyed the half-giant, partly due to his size but mainly because he was a tender, naïve, teddy bear who loved them.

The gentle giant even cried as a Hippogryff of one of the herds died due to old age, the giant’s heart was too pure.

Leaving the library, he left for Hagrid’s house and knocked.

Just like always heavy shifting sounds followed his knocks, but this time the commotion was far from the standard mayhem the clumsy, forgetful giant caused when he had visitors.

“Hello! Hagrid! Those fire crabs aren’t going feed themselves,” he greeted the giant as he entered his house.

Instantly, Leon knew something was different. Hagrid never lit his fireplace except for some makeshift cooking when he felt adventurous. That coupled with the conspicuous blankets covering something in the corner made guessing easy.

‘The dragon’s egg is in the house!’ Suppressing his excitement at the chance of seeing a live dragon, Leon acted like he bought Hagrid’s poor excuses about being busy and left.

‘Now! Where is Daphne?’

The search for the Slytherin didn’t end well, she wasn’t present in any public areas.

His bad luck made Leon stare at the said Slytherin during lunch, hoping she gets the hint.

Just like in the library, Daphne was quick to feel someone’s gaze on her.

After turning to look at him a couple of more times, she slightly nodded her head, showing she understood his intent.

‘Right, I guess she understood the first time she looked at me.’

“Why are you glaring at Daphne, Leon?” Susan nudged him.

“Someone has an itty-bitty crush,” Tonks the dork lord, chimed in and started making kissing noises.

Glaring at her, Leon whispered to Susan.

“Well! I completed my trial because of her help, I thought it warranted a thanks.”

Leon spoke to his house head after his trial about whether the trial was supposed to be a secret.

She gave him a green flag to share with his friends but asked him to keep the numbers low.

It seems that it was an open secret among the Hufflepuff graduates. There was always at least one trial participant present in every school term for it to be any other kind of secret.

So, he shared his trial details with his two friends, leaving out the safety net, the skulking house head provided, to not affect their trial as recommended by the house head herself.

They were upset he didn’t ask for their help, at first. But after Leon showed his stealth combo, his e-item, and more of his contingencies and plans, they forgave him as they didn’t see a way where they could have learned the stealth combo, or he could have created more e-items for them without months of preparations.

While Hannah balked at going into the forbidden forest, Susan knew about the trials.

Her aunt told her, and she thought the first years wouldn’t be given the trial.

The glint in her eyes told him she was very eager to take the trial.

The duo brainstormed the reasons as to why the female Hufflepuff didn’t get selected after he came clean.

He thought that the lack of spells that suited venturing into a magical forest in her repertoire was the reason for Susan not getting invited.

But Susan shook her head, saying her aunt would have made her learn the spells if that was the case.

Most of their recent conversations always got diverted to both brainstorming the reasons she wasn’t invited.

Leon didn’t mind, it was fun.

Theory crafting was more amazing than normal when magic was involved.

The duo wasn’t quite sure yet why Susan wasn’t invited.

After all, she already has shown herself to be a great Hufflepuff by subjecting herself to a strange mind spell for her friend.

……………

The next evening, Leon was accosted by the Slytherin as he was coming from Hagrid’s hut.

“You know, you didn’t have to look at me so many times. I knew you wanted to speak with me after I looked back at you the first time.” With an amused grin, Daphne continued.

“Don’t tell me, you are attracted to me.” She cupped her cheek. “Now, how to let you down, gently. Or do you want me to be rougher? Do you have a thing for mean girls?”

“Ha ha, very funny! I just wanted to ask whether you can make a stasis potion.”

“Sure, I can. But I will need some petals and seeds of Aedelwyrt in exchange.” Her eyes glistened like she was waiting for this chance.

“How do you-? Leave it, I can see how you could have guessed. I will give you some petals and seeds for the potion, but that will use up the favors you have on me.”

“After all, the plant is very rar-”

“Fine!”

‘Damn! She agreed quickly.’

Leon did ask Tonks about the potion; it would take more than half of his bet earnings as the potions aren’t intended for citizen use.

Sadly, selling parts of Aedelwyrt was never an option. So, he has to make do with what he has.

“How much time do you need?”

“When do you want it?” she questioned back with a raised eyebrow.

“Within a week.”

She just nodded.

‘Okay, it’s a good deal if she can deliver it within a week.’

As the Slytherin turned around, Leon couldn’t help but ask. He thought Daphne was the type to always push for more information.

“Aren’t you going to ask why I want the potion?”

“What makes you think I don’t know?” With that rhetoric and a knowing smile, she left.

‘This girl will be terrifying when she grows up. But she still needs some experience; Hagrid didn’t even mention to me that Unicorns were getting hurt except for the bloodied bandages I saw lying in his house today.’ So, Leon knew she was just bluffing.

The blood was silver and glowing, showing how unique the world he was in.

‘Don’t worry, little Unicorn I will save you.’

The Hufflepuff’s plan wasn’t the only one in motion, while his plan was concerned with the fate of the unicorn, a century-old wizard’s plan was concerned with the fate of the whole magical Britain.

……

“Isn’t there any other way, Dumbledore?” James Potter, the father of Girl-Who-Lived, was pacing in the headmaster’s office.

His friend, Sirius Black, was sitting in a corner with a drink in his hand, massaging his forehead.

“I think this is the safest way to check if the prophecy is in play, James,” Sirius spoke, his jovial tone absent.

“The day Voldemort decided to pay heed to the prophecy was the day he made it real, James. I am giving you a solution to your doubt, you can see yourself if the prophecy is in play or it will collect dust like others in the department of mystery,” Dumbledore spoke, gently.

“Fine! But I want to apparate to my daughter if something goes wrong. Adjust the wards, remove them, I don’t care. You will make it happen, Dumbledore.” He stated.

With a nod from Dumbledore, the play was set in stone.

‘I wonder if this makes me a bad father,’ James thought, his eyes drooping.

The popularity of being the Girl-Who-Lived’s father and his competence made him head of Aurors. A job that ate up his personal life.

Sirius was the one who raised both of their girls.

He sighed again as his best friend patted him on his shoulder.

………………

“Really, Hagrid? How many days more days are going to give excuses? They aren’t even believable. How can even one shave a Nemean cub? They aren’t even native to the British Isles.”

Leon sighed, ignoring the little squeaks coming from behind Hagrid.

“Show me what you got already!”

The half-giant mumbled before nodding.

“Okay, but don’t tell anyone, Leon.” He made him promise and showed his hand, quite literally.

A little dragon was trying to bite through the giant’s hands, and going by its exclamations, it wasn’t succeeding.

Noticing the additional person in the room, it turned towards him, flared its little wings, and roared at him.

‘How cute-’ Leon jumped to the side as the dragon sent a fireball towards him.

Seeing him dodge it roared again, but Hagrid caught it and turned it towards himself.

“Hurry, Leon! Use that bucket and snuff out the fire.”

Leon did just that.

‘Feisty! I don’t think I will be able to dodge if the dragon was any older.’

The wooden floor where the fireball landed was burnt and melted. It looked like someone poured acid on it before lighting it on fire.

‘Welp! That fills my adrenaline quota for the day.’

“Hagrid, do you really think keeping a fire-spitting dragon in a wooden house is safe?”

“Heh heh! He didn’t mean any harm, he just started spitting recently. Just like how Fang bit everything while teething when he was a puppy.” Hagrid smiled, patting the dragon who went back to biting his fingers.

“Hagrid!”

“Ah! Don’t worry, Ron” he coughed. “Someone is going to come and take him. I was convinced that I couldn’t raise my little Norbert. He will be taken away very soon.” Tears started to form on the giant’s face.

“Now, don’t be sad, you can visit your dragon anytime and the feisty fireball will get to stretch its wings.”

Leon left after staring at the magical dragon for quite some time.

Why was he staring at it, you ask? Because it was a DRAGON, of course.

It behaved very similarly to an orange cat with golden retriever energy. Hunting, biting, and pouncing on every little thing.

The next day, Hogwarts was abuzz with outlandish rumors. Gryffindor and Slytherin lost huge amounts of points overnight, the house of brave was leading the board as Granger’s undiminishing enthusiasm gained Gryffindor points every day.

Hufflepuff followed the house of Snakes. With the big snake tossing points, like candies, and taking points from other houses, like stealing candies from toddlers, the Slytherin competed with the Gryffindors for the first place.

But now, Hufflepuff led the board.

And even more explosive news came out that evening, the punishment for the rule breakers was a jaunt into the forbidden forest without any professors on top of a massive point loss.

Half of the Hogwarts didn’t believe it while the other half thought the professors would follow them unseen.

But the opinion of the other Hogwarts students didn’t matter much to the punished children as they followed the caretaker, Filch, towards the Forbidden Forest.

“I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh? Oh yes... grunt work and pain are the best teachers if you ask me... It's just a pity they let the old punishments die... Hanging by your thumbs in the dungeons... God, I miss the screaming.”

Filch spoke, sending a wicked grin toward the troublemakers.

“I’ll be back at dawn.. for what is left of them.” Filch departed on the ominous note, making Neville shiver and Draco mutter something about his father.

‘Hmm! Why is Neville here, again?’ Drawing a blank, Leon shrugged and listened to Hagrid assure the first years of their safety.

The Hufflepuff was standing quite a distance away from the others under his new stealth combo, the light eater and notice-me-not charm.

Hagrid took out a flask and sprinkled it on the group and waved to follow him.

“The Dragon’s urine will make most of the fauna and flora hide, so you got no worries.”

“Eek!”

“My father-”

Hagrid ignored the children’s grumbles and started walking, forcing them to hurry to keep us with his long strides.

……………………

A/N: Hello, readers.

How are you finding the fic? Do you think it is lacking something or am I going overboard with details?

Comment and let me know.