All the Reasons We Love Professor Sprout
It’s Thank an Herbalist Day, and who else do we have to thank other than the ultimate professor of Herbology at Hogwarts, Pomona Sprout? I’ve always believed Professor Sprout to be madly underrated. Yes, she doesn’t have a lot of screen time in the Harry Potter films, but that doesn’t stop her from being adorable and hilarious. She’s a voice of reason in the books, and she’s a character that should get more attention.
1. She’s sassy.
The only other character who could compete with Professor Sprout’s level of sass is McGonagall. Instead of just telling her students what to do, Sprout handles her lessons with expertise and a little bit of cheek. In the film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, when Neville faints from a mandrake cry, Sprout is unalarmed. Instead, she says, “Just leave him there.” This isn’t due to a lack of concern for her students, but to a clever level of sass whenever something in her class goes wrong. If her students complain or make a mistake, she doesn’t put up with any of their nonsense. She claps back with a smart remark every time.
2. She encourages Neville.
Apparently, Professor Sprout told Professor Moody I’m really good at Herbology.” – Neville (GoF, ch. 14)
There are only a few people at Hogwarts who see Neville’s true potential. Out of all the professors, Sprout encouraged Neville from the very beginning. She noticed his talent in class and keeps a strong mentorship with him throughout the series. Neville needed someone to look out for him, and Professor Sprout warmed the hearts of readers when she did this.
3. She’s loyal to Dumbledore.
I feel that if a single pupil wants to come, then the school ought to remain open for that pupil.” (HBP, ch. 29)
I will be forever disappointed that this scene wasn’t in the movies. After Dumbledore dies, all the professors assemble in his office. There’s a wonderful exchange between McGonagall, Hagrid, Flitwick, and Sprout. They talk about Dumbledore and their duty to the students of Hogwarts. It’s a beautiful moment, especially when Professor Sprout reaffirms her desire to stay at Hogwarts. In true Hufflepuff fashion, she remains loyal to her students and to Dumbledore’s memory.
4. She’s a Hufflepuff.
Hufflepuff is the most underrated Hogwarts House, which is maybe why Professor Sprout is so underrated as a character. However, it’s her Hufflepuff tendencies that make her such a caring teacher. She’s maternal, dedicated, and hardworking. She looks after her students with every bit of love that she has as if they were her own children. Also, she works incredibly hard! During the events of Chamber of Secrets, Sprout spent all year preparing antidotes for students who had been Petrified, which must have taken hours of patient work. Professor Sprout brings out all that is best in Hufflepuff House.
5. She’s a powerful witch.
Tentacula. Devil’s Snare. And Snargaluff pods… Yes, I’d like to see the Death Eaters fighting those.” (DH, ch. 30)
Lest we forget, Professor Sprout fought at the Battle of Hogwarts with flair! She knows that her strengths lie with Herbology, so she enlisted several dangerous plants to aid her in battle. Professor Sprout was as heroic as any other wizard there. I forgot how powerful and gifted a witch she was until I read about her capabilities on the battlefield. Sometimes Potterheads forget that a Hufflepuff can be both brave and fiercely loyal. Professor Sprout’s undying loyalty to her students and school had her joining the rest of Hogwarts in battle.
6. She didn’t tolerate Umbridge.
The teachers were of course forbidden from mentioning the interview by Educational Decree Number Twenty-Six, but they found ways to express their feelings about it all the same. [For instance,] Professor Sprout awarded Gryffindor twenty points when Harry passed her a watering can.” (OotP, ch. 26)
Similar to many professors, Professor Sprout was furious about Umbridge’s presence at Hogwarts. Sprout has always been staunchly loyal to Dumbledore and all that he stands for. Instead of vocalizing her feelings directly, Sprout initiated small acts of rebellion, such as the moment when she awarded Harry extra House points just to show that she was on his side. Where McGonagall was more openly hostile to Umbridge, Sprout kept her head down in order to watch over her students. I was glad that Sprout didn’t openly mock Umbridge, because if she had, she could have been fired.
7. She’s portrayed by Miriam Margolyes.
Need we explain this? Miriam Margolyes is a talented and well-known British actress. She’s funny, so funny that it’s almost unbelievable. With her sly wit, unique facial expressions, and lovable personality, Margolyes is the perfect person to portray Professor Sprout. I honestly can’t imagine anyone better suited. Margolyes is proud of her Potter role, and she brought such life to Sprout’s character. We loved her so much as Professor Sprout that we wish she had more scenes in the films!
What are your favorite Professor Sprout moments? Share them with us in the comments!
