"We can go to Hogsmeade next term. Don't forget to have your parents sign the permission form over the summer."
During Herbology in the greenhouse, Pomona heard Tonks say this to Tulip. They were repotting valerian.
"How could I forget?" Tupri said with a mischievous grin. "Then we can go to Zonko's and see what we can use to prank that annoying librarian."
Pomona glanced at Elena, the first-year student in their group. She was intently weighing Dragon manure fertilizer on a scale, as though she had not heard Tonks and Tulip's conversation.
Elena's goal for next term was to prepare for the Potion-Making Championship. The old bat thought she should not keep muddling through her first year, but Elena had clearly not found a reassuring study partner among the second-years.
"How are you doing?" Pomona asked sweetly.
"Almost done," Tonks said generously, showing off the fertilizer she had just applied to the valerian.
"Did you loosen the soil?" Pomona asked.
"Of course," Tonks said. "I just didn't weigh every type of fertilizer one by one like she did."
Elena grew a little angry from embarrassment. "You're just throwing it in by feel. No wonder your Potions always go wrong."
"This is Herbology. First, you need to understand what the plant needs, not follow a recipe," Tonks said with a cheeky grin.
"I have a question," Pomona said before the girls could start arguing. "Which of the following potions does not require valerian sprigs? A, Polyjuice Potion; B, Sleeping Draught; C, Forgetfulness Potion."
"I thought final exams were still weeks away," Tonks said, pouting.
"You just don't know the answer," Elena said smugly.
"I guess A," Tupri said excitedly.
"You guessed right," Pomona said, maintaining her smile. "But next time, I hope you won't merely guess right. Five points to