She nodded, dropping her head to mask the disappointment. It was so difficult to see her students upset and be unable to help, but she hadn’t really expected anything different. It wouldn’t be too hard, with the younger ones, at least; Merlin only knew what she’d tell the older students. Her head lifted at the question and she nodded, saying quickly, “Pomona Sprout. I’m the Herbology professor, and head of Hufflepuff house. Thank you, I understand you can’t give any information. It’s just hard -” Her voice cut off as she caught sight of one of her students watching them curiously, which struck her as a little odd. “I’ll be here, when you can release any information.”
Were he a man who was not more able to school his features his eyes would have widened in the recognition of her name. The first year on the stairs all those years ago. Surely she didn’t know it, but hers was the first life that he had ever saved. Over the years he had thought about her and a small handful of others when he failed a mission to reassure himself that he wasn’t merely incompetent. This helped his drive to be better and was what had eventually brought him up through the ranks and deposited him in a rather high position within the Auror Office. “Perhaps I could speak to you privately sometime?” he asked, “Do you like dinner?”
The unity of all the Hufflepuffs, of course, extended to their head of house. Charity loved Professor Sprout, and while Herbology wasn’t her favorite class, it was certainly an enjoyable one. She visited the greenhouses every once in a while, and it was always enjoyable. Which was why, when she spotted Professor Sprout and an auror she couldn’t name talking to each other, a small smile spread across her face. She’d gotten the attention of a few other Hufflepuffs around her, and tried to listen in as much as she could. She’d admit, it was a bit strange to be eavesdropping on her teacher, not to mention she thought she’d seen Professor Sprout blush at one point. However, Charity felt a strong urge to interject, just for a moment. She could tell everyone had been considering it, but she was the first to dare. Walking up to the two of them, she got there just in time to here the auror’s question. “If you don’t mind me interrupting,” She began, unable to help a mischievious smirk. “I think I’m speaking for all the Hufflepuffs here when I say she definitely likes dinner.”
Ever since their run-in the night before, Ted had been hoping to apologize to his head of house. He’d lost his temper a bit with Professor Sprout when she had accused him of being so fickle in his affections for Andromeda. Ted Tonks may be many things, but fickle wasn’t one of them, not when it came to Andromeda. He had planned on speaking with Professor Sprout in the Great Hall but hadn’t wanted to interrupt her conversation with non other than Domhnall Marchand, a man whom Ted greatly admired. After years of visiting the Bones family, he had run into the auror many times, and from their very first meeting Ted had felt he’d found a sort of kindred spirit. Another muggleborn that the Bones family had taken in, the two had a number of things in common and Ted had been thrilled to meet someone in the wizarding world who had entered into Hogwarts much as he had. Ted had been content to eavesdrop from afar before Charity had made her way over to the unlikely pair. He’d tried his best to intercept her, hoping she wouldn’t interrupt the conversation, but hadn’t been quick enough to stop her. In a way, he was glad he hadn’t, and he couldn’t help a grin as he stepped next to Dom, realizing what she was up to. Perhaps he could return the favor to Professor Sprout, setting her up on a lovely date of her own. It was the least he could do after what she had done for him last night and Ted couldn’t think of a better man to set her up with. “That’s true, she does. And what a coincidence, I believe you also like dinner, don’t you Uncle Dom?”
Benito had been close to dozing off into a nap, when Charity Burbage had grabbed his and Imogen’s attention. At first, he had been a disgruntled, and had sternly informed Charity that he had been trying to sleep. However, when she gestured rather excitedly in the direction of Professor Sprout, both Imogen and Benito found themselves drawn into the show with Charity. Professor Sprout held a high place in Benito’s heart and she was about one of the only professors except perhaps Professor Vablatsky who was exempt from any form of attitude. He didn’t recognize the man she was talking, but he knew that he was an auror, so Benito didn’t really expect to recognize him. For awhile, he was silent like the rest of the observing Hufflepuffs, but then Charity stepped forward, and Ted after that, and that was all Benito needed to join in too. He let out a long wolf whistle, waving so that Professor Sprout would see him. “Who doesn’t like dinner, r–” Benito didn’t get to complete his sentence, for Imogen had suddenly slapped her hand over his mouth. That was fine. He had said what he wanted to say.
Astrid had been minding her own business with reading her textbook upon her own cot in the corner of the Hufflepuff huddle when her attention caught sight upon Benito, Ted, Imogen and Charity began to strike up a conversation with Professor Sprout and one of the Aurors; one of her favoured professors. A small smile appeared upon her features as she watched the way that they began to interrupt the conversation, making sure that the Professor was encouraged to join the Auror. She began to move slowly towards the small group, her own book forgotten as she heard Benito’s wolf whistle across the room, moving to lightly slap Benito to scold him for maybe embarrassing one of their favourite Professors as she shook her head at his antics before stating, “What he meant to say, um is that Professor Sprout enjoys dinner. Very much so, isn’t that right Im?”
Imogen’s fingers toyed with Benito’s hair as he napped, his head resting in her lap. She was lost in thought, thinking back on the night before and how she had effectively ruined their date with a panic attack. He had been so kind to her, but it was clear he didn’t understand. She didn’t even understand what had come over her. The commotion between Professor Sprout and that nice Auror was a welcome distraction, and she watched with amusement as her fellow Hufflepuffs chimed in. It wasn’t long before Benito jumped up to join them, Imogen hot on his heels. Her boyfriend could be obnoxious at the best of times, and while she found it endearing, she knew that others might not. Namely, Professor Sprout. His sharp whistle had her rolling her eyes as she reached to slap her hand across his mouth. Nodding at Astrid, Imogen turned to give Professor Sprout and apologetic smile. “Please excuse my obnoxious boyfriend for interrupting.” She said pointedly, flinching when she felt Benito’s warm, wet tongue lick her palm. Still, she kept her hand in place, fighting the urge to pull it away and wipe it on his robes. “Oh ho, don’t you start that game with me.” She warned quietly, ready to lick him right back in retaliation.
Alex had been keeping her distance from student, giving them their space. Which was also what she was doing with Dom when she noticed him talking to Professor Sprout. Sure she hadn’t been a Hufflepuff, but she’d still taken Herbology classes. Plus the woman had never been shy when it came to helping out any students, regardless of their house. She couldn’t help but think that the two of them looked nice together. She was also pretty sure that she’d never seen Dom actually smile before, which was why she decided leaving them alone would be best. It seemed that the other students had some other ideas though, as they popped into the conversation. “Well that’s great!” She smiled, popping up from behind Dom and standing next to him. “Dom knows the best places to eat dinner. Which I’m sure he’d love to show you sometime soon Professor.”
