Just as Draco had said.
Because there was a real possibility of an attack along the way, the Hogwarts Express, long regarded as one of Hogwarts's traditions, was unilaterally suspended by the school.
And because the decision had been made so suddenly, the owls delivering letters ended up with a great deal of extra work.
Still, there had been no other choice. After all, the Dementor incident a few years earlier had already proven that the route itself carried a certain degree of danger.
Back then, the Dementors that attacked the train had at least been, on the surface, under the Ministry of Magic's control.
Not to mention the chaos now. Those mad Death Eaters were undoubtedly lurking outside, watching for their chance, and no one could say for certain that they would not target a train packed with students, and even Harry Potter himself...
...
The Great Hall at Hogwarts.
On the morning after the end-of-term feast, students from every House gathered in the Great Hall under the prefects' guidance after breakfast.
The hall was filled with long lines of students from all four Houses.
Usually, a scene like this could only be seen on the morning of a Hogsmeade trip...
"So we're really going home?"
"I wonder what things are like outside. My family seems to be hiding something."
"If they've gone this far, then the situation must be awful."
"They keep saying we should stay home... honestly, staying at Hogwarts might be safer."
"I just hope it's not too bad."
Excitement.
Confusion.
You could see all kinds of emotions and expressions on the students' faces.
But no matter what they were feeling, the unease on their faces was impossible to miss. Even with Professor McGonagall standing on the platform and repeatedly trying to calm them down, it was doing very little good...
In short, just like the students had been saying, today was not about going to Hogsmeade for fun. The term had ended, and everyone had to leave Hogwarts Castle before the day was over.
And they would not be leaving the usual way, by taking the Express...
They would be using the Floo Network.
Bang!
The rising flames swallowed the student who stepped into the fireplace. The sight did not cause any panic among the others, because it was simply what happened when Floo powder was used.
And with the professors supervising, there would not be any major mishaps.
"This fireplace... it's connected to the Floo Network? None of the books mentioned that."
As a fifth-year prefect, Hermione had to help maintain order, so she was not standing in the long line with the other students.
That was why she had the chance to stand in the best possible spot and watch the fireplace burning with green flames, sending the students away one by one.
Just as Hermione was searching her memory for anything she had read about Hogwarts, a slightly playful voice sounded in her ear...
"Forget the book. If Professor McGonagall hadn't activated it, we would not have known the Great Hall fireplace could connect to the Floo Network either. I guarantee this was definitely arranged by Dumbledore behind everyone's back."
"What do you mean, arranged behind everyone's back... Wait. Why are you and Parkinson over here? Aren't you prefects too?!"
"Don't make such a fuss. Relax, we handed all the work of keeping order over to Goyle and Crabbe."
"That's fine... You think I'm actually going to say that? Just look over there. Penelope is glaring this way like she wants to kill someone!"
Looking at the clearly slacking Draco and Pansy beside her, Hermione rolled her eyes and shot a few complaints at Pansy.
With Penelope's practically tangible glare landing on her as well, Hermione had the distinct feeling she was suffering for no reason at all.
The ones slacking off were obviously those two beside her...
...
After shooing a few students who had drifted out of line back into place, Hermione finally turned to the pair beside her.
Knowing full well that Draco was the real instigator and that Pansy was only an accomplice, Hermione ultimately chose to pretend she did not notice the strange looks Penelope and the other students were sending their way...
"So why exactly are you two not staying with your own House? What are you doing over here?"
"That coming from you really is not very convincing."
"That's not the point."
"Hm hm. I just have not seen you in a while, so I came over to talk to you."
"...."
Faced with Pansy's reply, Hermione pressed her lips together, unsure what to say, and instinctively turned her head away.
It was hard to tell whether she was avoiding the amusement in Pansy's eyes or the pale blond figure standing on her other side.
In fact, ever since learning that she would be going to Malfoy Manor, Hermione had been acting as though she were trying to escape reality. She had been deliberately avoiding Draco, and even when they did run into each other, she intentionally avoided eye contact and any possible conversation.
As for the reason...
Anyone looking at the teasing expression in Pansy's eyes could tell she had already guessed why Hermione was acting so strangely.
And there was no way Pansy would let an opportunity like this pass her by.
"Tsk tsk. I happen to know what Draco's mother likes."
"....."
"If someone asked me nicely, I might be willing to share."
"....."
"And also..."
Seeing Hermione's face grow redder and redder under Pansy's relentless teasing, Draco finally cut in at the right moment.
Her reaction really was entertaining, but he still wanted to keep Hermione from becoming so embarrassed that she exploded on the spot...
"Although connecting to the Floo Network does create a small gap in Hogwarts's security, as long as it is not activated, it normally is not a problem."
"Oh... I see."
"And in fact, Dark Wizards and Death Eaters generally do not use the Floo Network to commit crimes unless they want the Ministry to discover their movements."
"I read about that in a book. It's because the Ministry monitors witches and wizards who use Floo powder..."
Poke poke.
Before Hermione could finish, Pansy reached out and poked her lightly on the arm.
Wearing a thoroughly mischievous smile, Pansy said, "Granger, that's a pretty clumsy attempt to change the subject."
"Who's trying to change the subject, you idiot!"
"Huh? Say that again. Who exactly are you calling an idiot, you ridiculous tsundere!"
"...I'm not going to pretend I didn't hear that completely wrong impression you just gave of me!"
As soon as the riled-up Hermione snapped out the word idiot, Draco found himself listening to the girls' argument while the looks from the surrounding students grew stranger and stranger.
Worth mentioning.
Penelope, standing not far away, looked as though she had nearly snapped her wand in half...