A Simple Acceptance of Punishment

As a second-year student, Tonks had always been very fond of Evita. Of course, many younger students and even some older Hufflepuffs felt the same way.

"Lorand is so amazing," Tonks's roommate said admiringly on the train back to school. "She's a hundred times better than those stuck-up types."

Her roommate pursed her lips. "I really don't understand why those people who swagger around all day think that way. They're no better than Lorand, are they?"

Tonks rested her chin in her hand and nodded in wholehearted agreement. "The family my mum came from is full of those awful ideas. She was so happy when I told her about Evita."

The other Hufflepuffs joined in, all talking at once. "I heard from the older students that Lorand gets brilliant marks in every subject. I'm so jealous you're close to her, Tonks."

"Every time she goes to Hogsmeade, she brings back loads of snacks," said a Hufflepuff who loved food. "She must have more Galleons than she can count."

"She always answers our questions," said a Hufflepuff who loved studying. "She's so clever."

So it was only natural to like someone who shone so brightly, Tonks thought as she walked to the carriages with her roommate. When they got out near the castle, they ran into a few Gryffindor students and said hello to Charlie. Then they came across a group of Slytherin students walking together.

"I wonder how many new students are starting this year," Tonks said cheerfully to her roommate. "But Evita stayed at school, so in a little while we should be able to..."

The conflict erupted in an instant. Finally, the Slytherin student at the front viciously spat out the word "Mudblood," then pointed at Charlie as he moved forward and called him a traitor.

Students on both sides drew their wands, but another voice was faster.

"Expelliarmus." Evita jumped down and caught several wands in her hand. Her voice was cold. "Apologize to them, or I'll snap your wands."

The Slytherin student at the front turned scarlet.

"Wait, Evita," Tonks's roommate said anxiously. "I don't know what that word means, and the professors will be here soon."

"Anna?" Evita tilted her head slightly. "It's a very insulting word. Personally, I think it's utterly stupid."

As the last of her words faded into the air, she turned back to the Slytherin students. "Do you think this is funny? Or is it fun for you?"

"Oh, I forgot." There was no sarcasm in Evita's voice, yet it was extremely grating. "Noble Pure-bloods, right? But there haven't been any Pure-blood wizards for a long time. Everyone here has Muggle blood."

Seeing the Slytherin students grow increasingly indignant, Evita spoke more firmly. "Apologize."

Neither side would give way.

Not far away, the heads of three houses were hurrying over.

"Apologize," Evita repeated.

"Evita." Anna tugged at her robes, growing more anxious. "The professors are coming..."

Evita looked up and saw Professor Sprout waving, trying to stop her. Even so, she raised her wand.

She had originally wanted to try the Human Transfiguration she had just begun to master, but jinxes or hexes would do nicely too.

"Levicorpus," she said, waving her wand. "Babbling Curse."

The Slytherin students were instantly hoisted upside down from a tree, babbling uncontrollably.

Professor McGonagall hurried over at once. After putting the students down, she demanded sternly, "Miss Lorand? What on earth happened?"

"They insulted my friends," Evita said shortly. "Three fourth-years, bullying second-years."

Charlie backed her up. "Professor, they were the ones who shoved Tonks first."

Anna poked her head out from behind Evita and asked her head of house plaintively, "Professor, what does Mudblood mean?"

She sniffed. "I don't know what I did wrong, but they used it to insult me."

Tonks's eyes widened, and she said firmly, "Can people who don't even have 'noble manners' call themselves 'noble Pure-bloods'?"

Anyone could hear the sarcasm in her voice. Even Charlie, who had grown serious, almost failed to hold back a smile.

Professor Sprout immediately stood up for her students. "Using insulting language against a fellow student," she said, furious, "and younger students at that! They must all have detention!"

"I think they should go to the Hospital Wing first." Snape looked a little stiff. After a pause, he said, "Casting jinxes on fellow students-does Miss Lorand think this is just a joke?"

"If we were outside school," Evita said calmly, "I would turn them into rats, and they would never be able to turn back."

She glanced at the three opposite her, the threat in her gaze almost overflowing.

"You'd better be careful the next time you go to Hogsmeade," she said with a smile. "Or you might never come back."

"Enough," Professor McGonagall said. "The three of them will have a month's detention, and Miss Lorand will have two weeks. Their respective heads of house will be in charge."

Professor Sprout will be in charge? Evita was secretly delighted. How is that any different from going home?

She accepted her punishment so readily and happily that Charlie thought something was wrong with her. He nearly begged Professor McGonagall to let her see Madam Pomfrey first.

"Also," Professor McGonagall said sternly, "thirty points from Hufflepuff, and thirty from Slytherin."

Evita went stiff for a moment and comforted herself with the thought that she could probably earn them back in a few days... but she still decided to find a time to sneak up on them and put sacks over their heads. Tomorrow would be good.

Professor Sprout patted her on the head, gave the three second-years who had been caught up in the trouble some snacks, and led her away.

Detention went smoothly. Professor Sprout only needed Evita to help tend the plants, watering them or changing their soil.

It began at eight every evening and lasted until ten. Evita found it easy, and she could even recall various spells in her head while she worked.

That day, she left the greenhouse as usual and headed toward the castle, only to hear a cry coming from the direction of the Forbidden Forest.

Worried that an animal was in trouble, Evita quickly called Fini, who teleported her over.

Hagrid was just about to go into the Forbidden Forest. When he saw her, he broke into a delighted smile. "Good thing you're here, Evita. I was going to see what happened."

"Mm." Evita nodded gravely, and the two of them headed in together.

"I hope it isn't poachers," Hagrid said worriedly. "I ran into plenty of them years ago. After Professor Dumbledore became headmaster, they were rare. There was just the one you ran into in your second year."

"I thought they wouldn't come back." Evita pursed her lips, briefly recalling the miserable state of the last poacher they had caught. Hmm... I think he couldn't move anymore.

"What wouldn't they do for Galleons?" Hagrid said, full of disgust. "All right, be careful. Let's keep going."