After dinner, the first-year students in the Gryffindor Common Room were groaning as they each found a well-lit spot and furiously worked on their homework.
Yes, homework—and it was for Herbology!
Because tonight, they not only had to do their laundry, but also finish the Herbology homework assigned by Professor Pomona Sprout. In other words, they had to write at least two or three pages of parchment detailing the habits and characteristics of the "squirting cucumber."
The "squirting cucumber" was the terrifying plant that had sprayed juice and seeds everywhere in their last class that afternoon, leaving them all in an utterly wretched state thanks to one troublesome little girl.
"Damn it!"
"Arghhh—"
"Why is it that Annie's the one who caused all that trouble, but we're the ones who have to do the homework?"
"This isn't fair!"
"Shouldn't she be the only one who has to write it?"
At last, Ron, dressed in his ordinary clothes, let out a loud groan and started railing against the situation. Naturally, since he was disturbing everyone, the surrounding Gryffindors shot him angry, threatening looks.
"..."
With no choice, he quickly hunched his shoulders and quietly complained to Harry, who was sitting beside him and was just as stumped about what to write.
"I haven't even done my laundry..."
"I was going to ask Fred and George to help me with Scourgify, but they turned me down. My clothes are still soaking in the washroom!"
"And now I have to write three pages of homework, too!"
As he spoke, Ron's expression grew even more aggrieved.
That was right!
At the time, Professor Pomona Sprout hadn't punished or scolded the troublesome little girl who'd messed with things she shouldn't have touched. Instead, she'd punished them, the innocent ones, and told them to carefully write