Chapter 32: A Growing Look of Aggrievement

Though Leonard was impatient, he reminded himself to take things slowly.

Collecting magical plants wasn't something to rush—one wrong move could land him in Azkaban, and he had no interest in living alongside dark wizards and Death Eaters.

Most dangerous magical plants were classified as banned goods. Once discovered, the punishment was fines and a stint in Azkaban. Few people dared to sell them.

Leonard's only real source was Midgard.

But werewolf wizards had several days of weakness each month. For Fenrir and those like him, it wasn't too bad—just extreme physical exhaustion. For werewolves who didn't want to harm others, however, they would isolate themselves and transform in the wilderness.

That might spare others from harm, but with no humans around, those who lost their reason often injured themselves. That was why Midgard bought Essence of Dittany for her subordinates—she feared that injuries piled on top of injuries would leave some unable to survive.

As Fenrir's replacement leading a small pack, Midgard was busier than ever.

So for now, Leonard chose not to trouble her.

"Besides, even if I had the seeds, they'd be useless without a hidden place to plant them."

He sighed, watching droplets roll off the leaves of the Chomping Cabbage swaying in the pot. Then he turned downstairs for breakfast.

Why hadn't the System given him a plot of land? Then he could plant whatever he wanted without restraint.

Leonard ordered chickpea soup and settled at a corner table, lost in thought while he waited.

It was disappointing, but the enhancement system did offer a weaker alternative to carrying his own field.

[Magical Seed Bag]. This fourth-tier enhancement could mark chosen plants, automatically collect their seeds after they bore fruit, and store them in an invisible pouch. The seeds could then be taken out and used at will.

There were no distance or space limits. It worked like an extra ability—once unlocked, it gave Leonard a makeshift portable space just for seeds.

With this, paired with Rapid Growth from his enhancements, he could one day raise an army of plants with a wave of his hand.

Like [Devour], though, it required unlocking both third- and fourth-tier offensive or defensive enhancements first—which meant at least three points were needed.

Still, it was something to look forward to, a path of visible progress.

An enchanted tray floated over and set his breakfast down. Leonard quietly pulled it closer, dipping oat bread into the bean soup and eating it with bacon.

The Leaky Cauldron's chickpea soup was surprisingly good—the beans cooked down to a soft, velvety texture.

"I still need to find a way to level up—and I'll need a safe, reliable place just for cultivating magical plants," Leonard thought as he sipped his soup.

As for a location… there was one. His family's farm would work nicely. All he'd have to do was talk it over with his grandfather Londo and set aside a section specifically for magical plants.

Londo definitely wouldn't object. If anything, Leonard would need to spend energy keeping his overly eager grandfather from poking around those dangerous plants. His grandfather didn't share his talent, and magical plants wouldn't show him any mercy.

Still, the farm was better left for after graduation. Until then, Leonard simply wouldn't have enough time to tend the plants. He'd be stuck at Hogwarts for seven years, able to return only during summer and Easter holidays.

If possible, he needed to find land near Hogwarts where magical plants could grow.

The Forbidden Forest was the obvious choice. But it was dangerous, and wizards often passed through. Without proper safeguards, trying to plant there would just mean working hard for someone else's gain.

As Leonard was pondering where to find safe, fertile land, the pub door swung open. The din of the street outside spilled in, along with two contrasting figures—one massive, one small.

Looking up, Leonard saw a burly man at least three meters tall, face hidden beneath a thick brown beard, clad in a shabby coat and a mink scarf. In his hand, he led a bespectacled boy about Leonard's age.

"Hey, Hagrid, long time no see! Care for a drink?" Tom, the pub's owner, called out warmly.

"No thanks, I've got things to do. Just give our Harry Potter a room. I still need to take him to Diagon Alley for shopping," Hagrid said cheerfully.

Rubeus Hagrid, Hogwarts' Keeper of Keys and Grounds.

Leonard studied the half-giant, quietly spooning up another bite of beans. In his mind, he could already picture the inevitable clashes ahead.

No question—once school began, he'd be sneaking into the Forbidden Forest and pitting his wits against this gamekeeper.

Even with a powerful Disillusionment Charm to slip past Hagrid, the man knew the forest around Hogwarts better than anyone. If Leonard wanted to secure a spot for his plants, he'd have to find a way to fool him.

And that wouldn't be easy—the Forbidden Forest was Hagrid's domain.

Just then, the long-silent System suddenly sprang back to life.

[Beginner Quest 4: A Safe Botanical Garden]
[As a plant cultivation expert, how can you not have your own garden? Establish a secure botanical garden with at least three types of magical plants. Reward: 300 experience, 5 enhancement points.]

Great. A quest—but instead of solving his problem, it dumped it right in his lap.

He'd been hoping to trigger more beginner quests, level up quickly, and earn enhancement points to unlock upgrades that would help him fence off land for magical plants.

Now it was a closed loop.

Want enhancement points? Grow magical plants.

But without land, how could he grow them? Then use enhancement points to secure land!

But he had none left…

Leonard squinted at the System's notification, sighed inwardly, and scooped up another spoonful of beans, his face gradually twisting with frustration.

Ugh. These beans were awful. Cooked so soft they tasted like mushy dirt.