He had learned about the creature inside the tank through his own studies last year which meant that Daniel was not taking notes. He already had them written down inside the little notebook in his bag. So should the professor mention that he wasn't paying attention, he could show that he was ten steps ahead.

It was interesting to see how the Kappa's entire demeanor changed when the new professor informed them that they would be practicing how to guard themselves against the creatures. Did this imply that Kappas understood human speech? Could Kappas speak? Or was it the sight of the cucumbers that sparked the Kappa's rage because it had experience with what would happen? The Hufflepuff had a lot of questions, both about the Kappa and the carving of the cucumber but again, he didn't speak. He figured someone would mention it sooner or later. That, or he would go to the library and do some extra research. He preferred self-study over asking these days anyway.

Daniel rose from his seat and walked to the front of the classroom, his hands deep inside his robe pockets. To pass the time while waiting in line, the Hufflepuff read the answers on the blackboard. When it was his turn, Daniel pulled one hand out of his pocket and took a cucumber from the container before returning to his desk.

He sat down again and rolled up his sleeve to retrieve his wand. He was studying magic at a magical school. He refused to carve his name with a regular knife. He rolled the cucumber around until he found a suitable surface to carve his name into, then pointed his wand at it. The Hufflepuff mumbled the incantation firmly and intently while hovering his wand an inch above the cucumber. "Scribere" the spell worked instantly, and Daniel moved it vertically before making his first letter, a backward C.

It took a few moments and he began to get irritated that the top and bottom lines of his E were not the same length, but he eventually placed his wand on the desk, a rare smile on his face. He was pleased with the outcome.