An Accident in Herbology Class

Hermione had been worried lately—very worried!

Not long after the school term began, she noticed that Bell always liked to visit the newly arrived Professor Eleonora whenever he had the chance. She had asked Bell several times what he was going to see Professor Eleonora about, but every time, Bell dodged the question and refused to explain.

How could she not overthink it?

As the saying went, a wife was not as good as a concubine, and a concubine was not as good as an affair. Though she did not think Bell was doing anything improper behind her back, jealousy still kept bubbling up inside her, impossible to suppress.

And Bell... everyone knew what he was like. There was no way he could be up to anything good!

So Hermione was torn. Should she get to the bottom of it and find out what Bell was really doing?

"Hermione! Hermione!"

Parvati tugged hard at Hermione's arm.

"Hm? What's wrong?"

Hermione looked at her roommate beside her in confusion.

"You're asking what's wrong? You're about to pinch that Firethorn Bush to death!"

Parvati pointed speechlessly at Hermione's hands.

She had no idea what had been wrong with her roommate lately. Hermione was actually spacing out during class. That was truly rare.

"Ah? Oh, sorry!"

Hermione lowered her head and saw the Firethorn Bush, its stalk clutched in her grip, struggling painfully as though it were about to suffocate. She hurriedly released it.

They were currently in Herbology class, and today's lesson was about trimming the Firethorn Bush's branches and leaves. Yet just now, she had nearly pinched off the mouth at the top of the plant. If Professor Sprout saw that, he would definitely deduct House Points.

Only a little over a month into the term, Gryffindor House's House Points had