She continued to stair pointedly at the Gryffindor, eyebrows raised expectantly.

Benedict Hunter was a good and eager student in her subject, but no one landed detention if they were not open to the occasional misguided action, be that tardiness, a prank, or downright rule-breaking. While he did not quite meet Professor Valenduris' profile of one who might have done this to them singlehandedly—he was not stupid, but he also did not have the advanced potions skills necessary—the witch was reluctant to rule him out altogether—especially as he had had access to the professors the evening before their transformations.

Let him talk his way out of this to her satisfaction—or let his tongue dig his grave for him.