Chapter 24: Mad Girl and Wrackspurts
Professor Sprout, who taught Herbology, was a very gentle witch—short and plump. Though she was also the Head of Hufflepuff, she did not carry herself with the slightest air of authority.
After not seeing her for an entire summer, she was still as plain as Harry remembered: dressed in a shortened robe that looked like sackcloth, with a heavily patched hat on her head.
She was covered in dirt, especially beneath her fingernails, looking like a farmwife who had just returned from the fields.
When Harry and the others saw her, she was carrying a flowerpot covered by a black cloth. The cheerful smile she usually wore was nowhere to be seen; her face was stern as she warned the curious young wizards leaning closer, "Don't go near it. Don't touch the black cloth, or I'll throw you out of the greenhouse and dock your House points!"
Professor Sprout had always been one of the young wizards' favorite professors.
She was mild-tempered, held no prejudices against anyone, and showed no bias toward any House—Harry had to single out Snape here. The Potions professor had single-handedly dragged down the moral standards of Hogwarts' staff.
Back to Sprout.
Over the past year, Harry's impression of her had been that of a plump, dirt-smudged face with a kindly smile always on it.
Even when dealing with forgetful Neville, Professor Sprout had never lost her temper. She had even said in many classes that Neville had a great talent for Herbology.
Harry had never seen another professor be so patient with Neville, or even make up lies to comfort him—
Yes, Harry did not think Neville had any particular talent for Herbology. It was not prejudice; Neville was his friend, after all, and had always treated him well.