Harry Potter: The Role Of Pomona Sprout In The Second Wizarding War

As one of the five Heads of House during the 90s, Pomona Sprout had a large impact on the outcome of the Second Wizarding War, if only by simply being a teacher to a large number of its participants. This matronly professor’s guiding hand and love of her subject easily resulted in an increased affinity for Herbology within the ranks of her own House and, even, eventually helped bring Neville Longbottom from his shell by sowing him that he truly did have a talent for something, that “something” being Herbology. As we all well know, Neville Longbottom went on to become a Herbology professor himself, initially working alongside his mentor before becoming her replacement. Another one of her success stories was certainly, eventual Auror, Nymphadora Tonks who, despite her own clumsiness, under Professor Sprout surprised everyone, even Sprout herself, by earning a N. E. W. T. in Herbology. Of course, Professor Sprout’s achievements are not limited to the classroom.

In 1991, Professor Sprout, along with a few of her colleagues, was tasked by the then Headmaster, the late Albus Dumbledore, with devising one in a series of traps that were supposed to keep the legendary Philosopher’s Stone safe whilst it was kept in Hogwarts. She chose with placing a Devil’s Snare, a dangerous and lethal plant in a dark and damp chamber – the environment most suited for this plant. Seeing as this was one of the plants she’d covered in her classes, the then first-year Golden Trio was able to pass the trap while pursuing the Philosopher’s Stone thief, who was later revealed to have been Professor Quirrell acting on the orders of the presumably-dead Lord Voldemort. In 1992 and 1993, she worked diligently and tirelessly in tandem with the late Professor Severus Snape on growing Mandrakes and brewing a Mandrake Restorative Draught in order to help the cat, students and ghost who were petrified by the Basilisk that was roaming the school that year.

During the school year of 1996/’97, in the wake of Headmaster Dumbledore’s death, she firmly advocated for leaving the school open, saying: “I feel that if a single pupil wants to come, then the school ought to remain open for that pupil. ”And finally, during the final moments of the Second Wizarding War, she helped the wounded and lobbed plants such as Venomous Tentacula and Snargaluffs at all Death Eaters who came in range of the Astronomy Tower. By most accounts, Professor Sprout was described as the most matronly and cheerful of the Heads at Hogwarts, as opposed to Professor McGonnagall’s strictness, or Professor Snape’s mostly apathetic treatment of the students. She was said to have been the embodiment of everything a true Hufflepuff should aspire to be, making the choice of her for the Head of House a no-brainer, and she showed that she also possessed a brave heart in times of great peril. And for that, I am certain that all her students will forever be grateful to her.