Robert rushed out of the Charms classroom.
He disappeared in the blink of an eye.
But what happened during that class was not something that would be easily forgotten. On the contrary—it spread like wildfire throughout Hogwarts. After all, Hogwarts was a small community. Even the slightest disturbance would quickly become a hot topic among students of all years and Houses.
And considering what had just occurred on Halloween night, it was no surprise that people were eager for more drama.
Now, another incident had erupted.
Of course it was going to be discussed.
Only this time, no one mentioned anything about Robert having Giant blood.
Instead, it was Malfoy who found himself the target of mockery. Students passing him in the corridors would snicker and ask:
"So, who has Giant blood now?"
Malfoy was so ashamed he couldn't even hold his head up.
He returned to the Slytherin dormitories in a miserable state. Rumor had it that he didn't even linger in the common room—he locked himself inside his dorm and refused to come out.
It seemed that, at least for a while, he'd finally be quiet.
In Hagrid's hut, Harry and Ron sat near the stove, shaking with laughter as they talked about what had happened.
"Hagrid."
"We really wish we'd been there."
"Just to see the look on Malfoy's face."
"It's hysterical. How many times has he been humiliated by Robert now? And he still hasn't learned."
A strange look came over Hagrid's face—one that seemed oddly nervous.
"Oh, right," he said.
"That boy's name is Robert. Robert Sprout, right?"
"How's he doing?"
"Ahem. Just asking casually."
Harry and Ron exchanged a glance. Both looked confused.
Although Hagrid tried to hide his concern for Robert, it was clear as day. Hagrid's expressions were as easy to read as an open book.
Harry thought for a moment and spoke based on the few interactions he'd had with Robert.
"He's—well, a typical Hufflepuff, I guess?"
"Apart from classes, I've heard he spends most of his time in the Greenhouse, planting trees."
"He also helps Professor Snape process potion ingredients."
"In short, he's hardworking and quiet."
"Malfoy always says Robert has no talent, but honestly, we've seen for ourselves—he's top of the class."
"Right up there with Hermione."
At that, Ron couldn't help but add, "But his personality is way better than Hermione's."
Hagrid nodded enthusiastically, a warm expression on his face.
It was as if Robert's praise was a personal compliment to him.
Harry and Ron couldn't hold back anymore.
"Hagrid."
"What are you really trying to say about Robert?"
"You're not exactly subtle—you clearly care about him."
Hagrid flinched. His face turned red.
Then he muttered, "I think… Robert might actually be related to me."
"Or at least a distant relative."
"You see, Headmaster Dumbledore gave me the Troll that entered the castle on Halloween night."
"I looked at the thing—it had been beaten senseless by brute force."
"Even I would struggle to do that. You'd need Giant blood for that kind of strength."
His voice began to quiver.
"You all know. I'm not ashamed to say it—I'm a half-Giant."
"I thought I was alone in the world."
"But I'll never tell anyone Robert might have Giant blood. I just want to know—do you think you could invite him over for tea?"
Harry and Ron exchanged another glance.
It was going to be difficult.
They weren't exactly close with Robert.
Harry had tried inviting him to help protect Hogwarts once, but Robert had turned him down flat.
Still, seeing Hagrid's hopeful expression, Harry nodded.
"Alright."
"We'll try."
After leaving Hagrid's hut, Harry and Ron looked at each other helplessly.
"Robert is always here one second and gone the next."
"Where could he be now?"
■■■
At that moment, far from Hogwarts Castle…
Robert held an elber tree sapling as Professor Sprout explained how to plant this rare, nearly extinct magical plant.
"It's actually quite simple," she said.
"You just need to fly to a cloud layer at an altitude of two thousand feet or higher."
"Then, plant the elber tree into the cloud. It will take root on its own."
"Once rooted, it'll draw in more cloud mass and create a large cloud layer, hiding the tree within."
Even though she was already a master of Herbology, Professor Sprout's eyes sparkled with excitement when discussing rare magical flora.
Then a trace of regret crossed her face.
"Back when the Levitation Charm was first invented, elber trees, while rare, weren't endangered."
"But as cloud pollution increased over the past two centuries, the elber tree has struggled to survive."
"Most clouds now are dark and toxic. They can't support its growth."
"But near Hogwarts, we're lucky."
"Our skies are clean."
"So just find a high enough cloud and plant it there."
"That shouldn't be hard for someone with your flying skills, Robert."
Robert nodded.
His flying talent was quite good.
Thanks to Quidditch practice, soaring into the sky to find the right altitude was no big deal.
But a casual planting wouldn't yield much.
If he planted the tree in a low-altitude cloud, the reward might only be Bronze-level.
Decent—but nowhere near the elber tree's potential.
Robert only had one sapling.
He had to make the most of it.
Even though he wasn't one for taking risks, this time he was determined.
He wanted to plant the sapling as high as possible.
But doing that would bring danger.
And with Professor Sprout watching, she'd likely disapprove.
As Robert pondered how to carry out his plan without raising alarm…
A silver phoenix suddenly appeared.
It was Headmaster Dumbledore's Patronus.
The phoenix opened its beak and spoke in Dumbledore's voice.
"Pomona, please come to my office."
"It's about that item."
Professor Sprout's expression shifted slightly. She looked at Robert.
"Headmaster Dumbledore needs me."
"Robert, go ahead and plant the elber tree. With your skill, it should be easy."
"Just—don't fly too high!"
Robert nodded.
Once she disappeared from view, he exhaled slowly.
"I've always been obedient to Aunt Pomona…"
"A little rebellion should be fine, right?"
He stared at the elber sapling in its bottle.
Then gritted his teeth.
"Forget it. Let's just do this."
He mounted his Nimbus 2000.
With a light push off the ground, the broom soared upward.
The ground quickly shrank beneath him.
Due to rapid acceleration, everything on the broom entered a state of hypergravity.
A normal person would've passed out.
But Robert didn't flinch.
His eyes remained locked on the elber tree.
100 meters. 200. 500.
1000 meters.
A faint glow appeared above the sapling.
[Mature Reward Available]
—Flying Ability Enhancement (Bronze Level)
—Levitation Charm Deduction Slightly Enhanced (Bronze Level)
The glow was stronger than at lower altitudes.
But still not enough.
Robert didn't hesitate.
He climbed higher.
2000 meters.
The air grew frigid.
Temperatures dropped below zero.
But Robert's legendary vitality kept him warm.
The elber tree reacted—its energy flaring brighter.
The reward text shimmered gold and silver.
But Robert wasn't done.
He took a deep breath while there was still oxygen.
Then ascended.
5000 meters.
He hit a dense cloud layer.
His broom slowed—ice formed on its shaft, making it heavy and hard to control.
Thankfully, Robert's custom Nimbus outperformed standard models.
Still, it was near its limit.
But now…
The reward text on the elber tree shone platinum.
One platinum reward.
One gold.
Should he stop here?
No.
He could feel it.
It wasn't done.
Robert drew his wand.
Despite the ice and thin air, it remained steady.
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
A Levitation Charm hit the broom.
It instantly became light again.
But now came violent turbulence.
An ordinary person would've lost consciousness.
Robert didn't.
He held the broom steady despite the wild shaking.
"You just keep flying," he whispered. "I'll handle the rest."
The broom surged upward again.
Until finally—12000 meters.
Civilian aircraft rarely flew this high.
The sapling's text stopped changing.
Robert stared.
A clear, dazzling glow appeared—like a diamond.
Even in the freezing, oxygen-deprived atmosphere…
He couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Diamond-level reward.
It was real.
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