By the time Draco and the others entered the meeting room, several Prefects were already seated in their places.
There weren't many people present. Most of them were fifth-years like Draco and his group, and not a single seventh-year Prefect was in sight yet.
Their arrival didn't cause much of a stir.
Some Prefects had their eyes closed, resting. Others were quietly observing the room, while a few seemed deeply interested in studying the two goddess statues. In any case, no one showed any intention of striking up a conversation. Compared to them, Draco and his companions looked noticeably more relaxed.
While they waited, Hermione seemed to remember something. She suddenly pulled a piece of parchment covered in text out from beneath her robes.
She wasn't using the time to do homework, nor had she suddenly decided to write in a diary.
On closer inspection, it turned out to be The Daily Prophet again.
"Come take a look at this."
"What is it? Something about problems with Hogwarts' teaching?"
Pansy took the paper and began reading the front-page headline aloud, word by word.
Draco merely glanced at it with little interest.
"The Daily Prophet is talking about Hogwarts again. Looks like the Ministry isn't even trying to hide it anymore. Aren't they worried people will start getting suspicious?"
Indeed, as Umbridge made increasingly bold moves inside the school, the Ministry outside was moving in step with her.
Umbridge on the inside, Cornelius Fudge on the outside.
It might not quite count as trouble from both within and without, but for Dumbledore, it was certainly a major headache.
While Pansy treated the article like an entertaining story, Hermione directed her frustration at Draco.
"I've had enough. If this keeps going, none of us are going to learn anything useful this year!"
Among Draco's group, Hermione was the first to truly grow fed up with Umbridge's actions.
And she had good reason.
Umbridge didn't just observe lessons. She actively interfered with the professors' teaching. The moment something ran contrary to her ideas, she would step in as High Inquisitor and "correct" it.
Those corrections were devastating. Practical classes in particular were singled out and targeted.
After all, very few professors were willing or able to openly ignore the Ministry and the Educational Decrees. Not everyone could be as unyielding as Professor McGonagall.
More often, it was professors like Trelawney, quietly accepting Umbridge's arrangements and changes.
It was also worth mentioning that Snape had very nearly unleashed Sectumsempra on Umbridge right in the middle of his class…
…
Hermione's irritation came quickly, and it faded just as fast.
The very next moment, she shifted to another topic.
"Draco, the books you asked me to buy arrived yesterday. I'll bring them to you later."
"Oh? The ones about hypnosis?"
"Yes. And besides those, I also ordered a set of reference books. You can help me see whether they're useful or not."
At that, Draco perked up a little.
"Tell me the title. I might have seen it before."
Worried that she wouldn't learn anything worthwhile this year, Hermione had, while looking for books on hypnosis for Draco, also ordered a Defence Against the Dark Arts reference book from a magic shop. Its title was—
Dark Magic 123: Learning Made Easy.
"..."
"..."
Not just Draco. Even Pansy, who had been focused on The Daily Prophet, turned to stare at Hermione. The strange looks on their faces made it clear they couldn't quite believe what they'd just heard.
"I've never heard of that…"
"Granger, you didn't order that from some dodgy dark magic shop, did you?"
Faced with their stares, Hermione irritably tapped the bottom-right corner of the Daily Prophet's front page, where advertisements were printed.
Sure enough, there was an ad right there. It read:
Study it thoroughly and you'll pass your O.W.L.s with ease! Interested? Send an owl…
In short, while Draco and Pansy were staring at the advertisement that looked like a blatant attempt to swindle wizards out of their money, they failed to notice that, aside from the Head Boy and Head Girl's seat still being empty, all the other Prefects had already arrived.
Hermione didn't notice either that a wizard with fiery red hair had taken the seat to her right.
It was Ron Weasley, now quiet and keeping a low profile. As a Prefect, his presence here was only natural.
It wasn't until a series of chairs scraping and people standing up that Draco and the others finally noticed Penelope entering the room together with her partner.
Still seated, Draco and his companions instantly became the most conspicuous Prefects present.
Just as the nameless male Head Boy raised an eyebrow, clearly about to say something, Penelope at his side spoke first.
However, what she said was clearly not what the male Head Boy wanted to hear.
"Everyone, relax. I'm not like the previous Head Boy. We don't follow those ridiculous, pointless rules here."
Penelope frowned as she stopped everyone, flatly overturning the regulations passed down by the previous Head Boy. Having once served as a sixth-year Prefect herself, Penelope had long found those nonsensical rules intolerable.
This wasn't the Ministry of Magic, and she certainly had no need for regulations that existed purely to stroke someone's ego.
It was also worth mentioning that the previous Head Boy was none other than Percy Weasley, who was now highly regarded by the Minister of Magic.
Draco and the others hadn't expected this either.
Because of how Penelope's reaction had been just a fraction slower than the other Prefects', her impression in Draco's eyes actually improved even further.
As for what Penelope's partner thought?
Well… Draco and the others didn't particularly care.
...
Once everyone had taken their seats, the meeting time finally arrived.
This marked Draco's first student meeting of the term.
And with that, it began.
"Ahem! I trust everyone is aware of what's been happening at the school lately?"
"The reason we've gathered today is mainly to discuss how we can address these issues, or at least find some kind of balance."
"At the very least, we need to make sure our voices are heard by the Headmaster and the other professors!"
Penelope, who had been slightly nervous at first, gradually adjusted to the attention focused on her.
Her clear blue eyes seemed to speak for themselves, captivating everyone present. Paired with her purposeful and well-structured delivery, it made all the Prefects unconsciously quiet down, listening closely to every word she said.
With her gentle yet sincere manner and unmistakable earnestness, it was no wonder Penelope had been chosen as this year's Head Girl.
Even Draco couldn't help wondering whether he had been a little too lax in his own duties as a Prefect.