Hermione looked up, but the smile on her face quickly faded when she saw who it was.
"Oh, if it isn't our Mr. Savior who loves night excursions," she said, her tone laced with obvious displeasure. "I thought you weren't planning to talk to me anymore."
Hermione's annoyance was genuine. Deep down, she was frustrated with Harry and the others for dragging her into breaking school rules last night. Didn't they realize their reckless actions could cost the House points she had worked so hard to earn?
Harry and Ron exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in the other's eyes. If they had the choice, they wouldn't have come looking for this "Ravenclaw-in-Gryffindor" lady, but who else among their acquaintances had actually completed the Herbology homework besides Hermione?
Seeing Ron stiffen his neck in an awkward attempt to "save face while suffering," Harry braced himself and spoke up.
"That Herbology homework—Professor Sprout said it's due this period. Have you finished it?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow, as if recalling something, then frowned in realization.
"You mean the eight-inch-long analytical essay on the medicinal properties of Dittany? Isn't that something you could finish in a little time after class? Don't tell me you haven't even started!"
At this, Harry and Ron bowed their heads in unison. Even Hermione, despite her usual bluntness, understood what their gesture meant.
"You guys..."
"We're writing it!" Harry hurriedly interrupted, hoping to preempt a full lecture. There wasn't much time, and if Hermione launched into her usual reprimand, they wouldn't make it.
"We ran into some issues and wanted to borrow your homework for reference—just for reference!"
Hermione sighed, looking at the two boys. After all, they were among her few friends, and if they couldn't hand in the homework, Gryffindor would lose points. Reluctantly, she pulled a roll of parchment from her bag and handed it to them.
"Take it. Just this once."
"Thanks!" Harry accepted the parchment like it was a treasure.
"Honestly, if you want to thank me, just try to lose fewer points for the House!" Hermione turned her face away, her voice stiff and slightly reddened. Tom and Ariana could see her insincerity, though the other first-years, particularly sensitive Ron, felt only that she was being condescending. If not for their pressing need for her homework, they might have argued by now.
Harry, sensing Ron's lingering resentment, pulled him along and thanked Hermione quickly before preparing to leave. Time was precious.
Just then, Tom seemed to recall something and called out.
"Wait a second!"
The two Gryffindors turned back, surprised. Standing there was a Cat in wizard robes.
"Wait, I think I've heard of you!"
Seeing the peculiar combination, Ron's eyes widened.
"You're that legendary Hufflepuff who got Snape to award points in Potions class! Everyone said you were a Wizard Cat… I didn't believe it, but the rumors are true!"
Tom had not expected the news to spread so quickly. Class had barely ended, yet the tale had already reached Gryffindor. Snape's reputation as a "deeply popular" professor seemed well-earned.
"Oh, cool! How did you do it? Fred and George said it's impossible!" Ron leaned forward eagerly, setting aside any lingering irritation with Hermione. Even Harry glanced over, remembering the trouble Snape had caused him last class.
Tom responded innocently: "Well… that's probably just talent."
"There must be another reason," Ron insisted. "George said no young wizard has ever shown talent in Potions before, but Snape never gives points to other Houses. He's just biased toward Slytherin! The Principal should fire such an unfair professor!"
Hermione opened her mouth to argue but, recalling her own last run-in with Snape, swallowed her words.
Tom's gaze then fell on Harry, and a mischievous idea sparked.
"Do you guys want to see what it's like to be 'favored' by Snape?"
The four Gryffindors simultaneously blinked in surprise.
"Come find me before the next Potions class," Tom continued, wagging his tail with a devilish grin. "I guarantee you'll see a different side of Snape."
Clearly, he had no intention of letting Harry enjoy this treatment alone. Since Ron shared his struggles, Tom assumed he would be eager to join in.
"Alright, we'll talk later," he added, turning back to the homework. He noticed the time ticking away and a cunning smile spread across his face. "Do you still have time to finish your homework?"
Harry and Ron glanced at the clock and turned pale. Time was short.
"I can help you~" Tom said, and suddenly, to their eyes, he looked like a demon straight out of a storybook—dark red aura, horns sprouting, wings unfurled. They instinctively took a step back.
"Wow, Tom! You can actually change forms? You look like a storybook demon! But why?" Harry asked, still recovering from the shock.
"Can't you see? I'm committing extortion!" Tom replied, interrupted by Hannah, who rubbed his head, breaking the illusion. He immediately returned to his original form.
Holding up a whiteboard, Tom continued.
"Homework writing service: one silver Sickle. Guaranteed delivery before class. Full refund if not achieved."
With the translation shop still closed, he planned to earn pocket money—nothing shameful about that.
Harry and Ron exchanged looks, realizing the only alternative was failing the assignment.
"Deal!" they said in unison. Harry added quickly, "Um… can you do two more? Neville and Seamus haven't finished either."
"Piece of cake~" Tom replied.
He grabbed four quills and four sheets of parchment, holding one pen in each hand, a third with his left foot, and a fourth with his tail. Simultaneously, he wrote four different assignments, each in a unique handwriting style, impressively fast.
"Done~"
Less than half an hour later, Tom handed the finished essays to Harry.
"Now, we still have half an hour to get to the Greenhouse. Plenty of time~"
Harry looked over the four sheets—different handwriting, different content, impeccably clear. He couldn't help but feel the gap between them was sometimes larger than the gap between a human and a dog. But Tom wasn't human, so that made sense.
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