Hufflepuff Moodboard + Headcanons
I love the idea that Hufflepuff students get arguably the warmest welcome to the school, because Professor Sprout will simply TAKE NO BS. If you're in her house, you'll know right away that her office/greenhouses are ALWAYS open for you, she'll always lend a willing ear or a hand, and will genuinely keep an eye out for all of her students (especially first-years!).
As much as I love McGonagall, it's undeniable that she's a little inattentive to the more emotional guardianship duties, as suggested by her lack of follow-up to Harry's wellbeing despite the traumas he faces (not saying it was implicitly her duty, only that I would hope for more from school authority figures), and as demonstrated when she pushes their concerns about the stone away in first year.
So, random headcanons for this:
- There's a herbology club where Sprout shows students more niche/less practical plant varieties that wouldn't usually be taught in class, and though it's interesting enough, students end up going not for the sake of learning but because of all of the wild stories that the Professor tells while they're doing practical work.
- Turns out she had a very wild ride in her 20s, involving all sorts of travel, illegal port-keys, muggle lovers on motorised bikes and close encounters with dangerous magical plants in the rainforests of South America.
- Some of the other Professors (including McGonagall) make it clear that they consider her openness with students about such brash matters, frankly, imprudent and ill-advised.
- Sprout, on the other hand, considers it a good exercise in promoting honesty and trust amongst students, and considering how willing they seem to be to open up to her when they need to, it seems to work.
- When it comes down to it, Dumbledore finds it all quite funny, and having no intention to intervene, the routine continues as usual.
