Hogwarts Castle had seven greenhouses behind it, each more dangerous than the last.
Hermione was lucky enough to pick Greenhouse Five, where an entire rack was filled with Fanged Geraniums.
Their stems could extend, and being bitten by the fangs hidden in their petals would make your skin swell, turn red, and itch.
The Chinese Chomping Cabbages, which looked a lot like cabbages, were harmless. Self-pollinating shrubs weren't especially dangerous, either.
"You're trying to drive Snape away?"
Vincent looked completely unconcerned. "Where there's oppression, there's resistance.
"Since we're fighting against the forces of evil, of course we'll fight to the very end."
Hermione wasn't moved.
That line didn't work on her.
"Fine." Vincent shrugged. "We've already used up our one chance to privately appropriate school property. We can only go on strike as a group once, too."
On the surface, they were issuing a challenge and provoking him. Behind the scenes, they were trying to drive Snape mad.
Hermione nodded as understanding dawned.
"Whether or not he eventually does something irrational, you can use your supervisory authority as a School Board Member to urge him to change his attitude."
School was the first social institution children encountered, and teachers' words and actions subtly influenced them.
The original motive was personal, but everything was within the rules. It was a legitimate use of power.
After Herbology, they had a Muggle Studies class.
To better conceal their wizarding identities, Professor Burbage focused today's lesson on changing trends in Muggle clothing.
"With the development of modern society, over the past few decades, they have begun to favor clothing that is more casual and comfortable..."
In wizards' stereotyped view, Muggles still clung to many cruel customs.
Corsets in Europe, for example, and foot binding in Asia.
But these displays of unhealthy beauty, achieved at