At three in the afternoon, in one of the greenhouses behind the castle.
The Herbology professor was Hufflepuff's Head of House,
a short, plump witch,
Pomona Sprout.
She often wore old robes stained with dirt and greeted everyone with a gentle smile.
Hufflepuff's hardworking and kind nature was perfectly embodied in her.
"Who can tell me what dittany is used for?"
Vincent and Hermione raised their hands almost at the same time.
"Ladies first."
His display of gentlemanly manners won him quite a bit of Sprout's favor.
"Dittany is a plant with magical properties. It can be used to make potions and also has powerful healing effects."
"Correct. One point to Gryffindor."
She carefully held up a tray of green-leafed plants. "Besides using essence of dittany, applying it promptly can make wounds heal without leaving any scars."
Harry subconsciously touched the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.
If Hagrid had brought some dittany back then, maybe Harry would not have needed to keep brushing his hair aside.
"So, what other use does it have?"
This time, Hermione did not raise her hand.
Having received permission, Vincent gave the answer. "A mixture of dittany and silver powder can be used to treat werewolf bites.
But it cannot prevent infection with lycanthropy."
Sprout's smile widened. "It seems Mr. Wayne has read the textbook carefully.
One point to Gryffindor!"
Hermione's expression was a little unnatural, and the hand holding her textbook trembled.
She should not have given up the chance.
Listening to that thug's string of humble words, she clenched her knuckles until they nearly turned white.
Ron, sitting beside her, noticed something was wrong. "Hey, are you feeling unwell?"
"No."
"Fine." He turned his head away in disappointment.
Looking at Ginny, the little sweetheart back home,
then at Hermione, whose face practically said