Even with Quidditch, the atmosphere at school remained oppressive, as though countless Dementors were circling above it. Worse still, an official from the Ministry of Magic was secretly snooping around, trying to find the creature rumored to pose a threat to the young wizards.
After Severus pulled the Mandrake from its pot, he immediately placed it in a prepared basin of ice water. The Mandrake's cry shattered the layer of ice.
Once it sank beneath the water, it kept struggling, like a drowning person trying to swim back to the surface.
The sight was startling. Pomona did not know whether she should stop him, but the Mandrake struggled only briefly before going still. Severus then lifted it from the ice water and examined it closely before his eyes.
The ice water washed away the remaining dirt on the Mandrake. This Mandrake infected with "Dancing Acid" bore many red markings that resembled patterns of flame.
"Very good," Severus praised. "This is what I wanted."
"What do you need such a high-grade broad-spectrum antidote for?" Pomona asked.
He remained silent as he replanted the Mandrake in its pot.
Feeling she had made herself unwelcome, Pomona looked at the bucket filled with ice water.
"Our neighbors need it," Severus said calmly. "It is very effective against spider bites."
"You mean the Centaurs?" Pomona asked.
"A young spider's bite won't kill you, but it is still rather troublesome," Severus said.
Pomona believed the Centaurs ought to have a way to treat Acromantula venom, but she did not press the matter. She had already said something she should not have earlier.
"How is your Whomping Willow?" Severus asked.
"What do you want?" Pomona asked warily.
He seemed to be considering how to phrase it.
"What do you want from it?" Pomona asked.
"A few leaves,"