The familiar burn of Umbridge's quill had become a dull ache in Harry's hand, a constant, irritating reminder of her cruelty. He usually just gritted his teeth and endured, but lately, the sensation lingered, a strange stiffness that even Madam Pomfrey's basic salves couldn't fully banish. He'd noticed other students covertly rubbing their hands too, a silent, shared burden under Umbridge's oppressive reign, yet he was determined not to let Dumbledore know, fearing it would only lead to more trouble. One afternoon, a hushed conversation reached Harry's ears in the common room. It was Neville Longbottom, excitedly whispering to Dean about a rare magical plant Sue, the Hufflepuff Herbology genius, was cultivating in the greenhouses. Neville mentioned how Sue believed this plant held properties that could counteract lingering magical ailments, even dark ones. A flicker of hope ignited within Harry. Could this quiet Hufflepuff's expertise be the answer to the mysterious, persistent pain in his hand, the pain he couldn't bear to admit to Dumbledore? Driven by a desperate need for a solution and a sudden, quiet curiosity about the unassuming girl, Harry decided he'd head to the greenhouses later, hoping to find her alone.

He found her there, hunched over a potted plant with delicate, silvery leaves, her brow furrowed in concentration. The scent of rich earth and subtle magic hung in the air. "Sue?" Harry began, feeling a little awkward interrupting her.