class
“Herbology first,” Hermione said brightly, tucking a strand of bushy hair behind her ear. "In the greenhouses, just outside the castle. Then Transfiguration with McGonagall."
“Great,” Ron muttered through a mouthful of bacon. “Starting with dirt and plants. Just what I dreamed of when I got my Hogwarts letter.”
Hermione frowned. “Herbology’s one of the most important subjects! Where do you think potion ingredients come from? And some magical plants are essential for healing spells—”
Ron rolled his eyes, but Harry laughed. “Come on, Ron. It might not be that bad.”
The sound of benches scraping against the stone floor interrupted their conversation as older students began filing out of the hall. Harry noticed Percy at the head of the group, gesturing authoritatively as he led the Gryffindors toward their first class.
“I suppose we should go,” Hermione said, standing and clutching her bag tightly.
Ron stuffed one last piece of toast into his mouth and slung his bag over his shoulder. “Right. Greenhouses. Which way is that, anyway?”
“I know the way,” Hermione said confidently, leading the group out of the Great Hall. Harry and Ron exchanged a skeptical glance before following her.
As they stepped into the entrance hall, the echoes of their footsteps bounced off the high stone walls. The castle seemed even larger this morning, with sunlight streaming through the tall windows and casting long shadows across the flagstones. A group of Hufflepuff students passed by, laughing as they headed toward the main doors.
“Looks like they’re going to Herbology too,” Harry said, quickening his pace to keep up with Hermione.
Outside, the air was cool and fresh. The path to the greenhouses wound through a small courtyard dotted with wildflowers and stone benches. The greenhouses themselves stood in a neat row, their glass panes glinting in the sunlight.
Professor Sprout, a squat witch with dirt-streaked robes and a wide-brimmed hat, stood at the entrance to Greenhouse One, waving them inside.
“Come in, come in!” she said cheerfully. “Quick now, don’t dawdle! Plenty to cover today.”
Harry, Ron, and Hermione filed in with the other first-years. Inside, the greenhouse was warm and humid, filled with rows of strange and exotic plants. Some had leaves that shimmered in the light, while others twitched slightly as the students passed by.
“Welcome to Herbology,” Professor Sprout said, her hands on her hips. “Today, we’ll be learning about the care and properties of Puffapods. Simple plants, but fascinating all the same. Now, pair up and grab a pot!”
Harry ended up paired with Ron, while Hermione was left with Neville, who looked both nervous and excited. As they worked, Harry couldn’t help but glance around at the other students. The sight of everyone in their black robes, handling magical plants, made it finally sink in: he was really here, at Hogwarts, learning magic.
Even Ron seemed to be enjoying himself, though he grumbled about the smell of the soil. “Couldn’t we have started with something cooler? Like Venomous Tentacula or something?”
Harry laughed. “Better this than something that might try to bite you.”
After class, the students washed their hands at a large stone basin near the door before heading back to the castle. Hermione caught up with Harry and Ron, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
“That was brilliant, wasn’t it?” she said, clutching her books. “Puffapods! Did you see how the seeds puffed out when we dropped them? Amazing!”
Ron shrugged. “It was all right, I guess. Just dirt and plants, though.”
“Oh, honestly,” Hermione huffed.
The three of them climbed the stone steps back into the castle, chatting as they made their way to their next class. Harry couldn’t help but feel a thrill of anticipation. One lesson down, and already Hogwarts felt like the most magical place in the world.