When Draco and the others returned to Hogsmeade Village, they immediately sensed the tense atmosphere. Beyond the Aurors patrolling back and forth, Hogwarts professors could also be seen among the crowd. They were busy organizing the students.
"Everyone, follow instructions and return to school. Prefects, check if anyone is missing or unaccounted for."
"Stop wandering around! Get over here!"
"What's going on? Why do we suddenly have to go back?"
"There's still plenty of time before we're supposed to return. I wanted to buy a few more things."
"Isn't that Professor McGonagall? Something must've happened."
Most students had no idea what was going on, but seeing the Aurors' blank expressions and the professors' worried faces, even the dullest could sense something was wrong. So, no matter how reluctant they were, the students followed directions and moved toward the assembly point...
This allowed Draco and his group to arrive without attracting much attention.
"So it really came to this? I didn't even get to have a proper walk with Draco yet."
"Enough. Let's go."
As Pansy shot Draco a glance and sighed, Hermione cut her off impatiently—it was hard to tell whether from genuine worry or deliberate irritation. Pansy clenched her teeth and glared at her. She hadn't forgotten where she had found the two of them earlier.
As they walked in that direction, Draco said quietly, "Though I don't think it's necessary, I'll remind you anyway—don't spread word about what happened earlier."
"Hmph, obviously. I'm not that stupid. But someone might just run off and tell that self-righteous savior of hers."
"Huh? I definitely heard that."
"Did I say anything wrong?"
"You—!"
Even though both women had lowered their voices, Draco heard every word clearly. He didn't interrupt. His gaze stayed fixed on the Aurors' cold, expressionless faces...
Draco didn't actually know much about them. To be precise, he had never seriously tried to understand them. He only knew in general what their duties were, what kind of work they usually did, and how they presented themselves to the public.
But it turned out they weren't the useless figures rumors made them out to be—unable even to capture a single Azkaban escapee. He didn't know how strong they truly were, but at the very least, their discipline was far beyond what ordinary wizards could possess.
It was hard to imagine how powerful Voldemort and his Death Eaters must have been during the First Wizarding War to keep these Aurors completely suppressed...
Beyond surface impressions, Draco—who was gradually learning more about those in higher positions—could now see something deeper. An organization that resembled a Muggle army...
...
Draco and his group's arrival drew little attention. After all, everyone's focus was on the recent explosion and the professors rushing about with grim expressions.
Except for Astoria, who had been waiting for them, and Goyle and Crabbe accompanying her...
"Draco, over here, boss lady!"
"We saved you a spot."
"See anything?"
Goyle and Crabbe couldn't discern anything from the details, but Astoria beside them was different. She noticed the faint traces of dirt on Pansy and Hermione's robes—something unlikely unless they'd been buried in snow. Not to mention the brief exchange of glances between the two girls, as if sharing some secret.
This piqued Astoria's curiosity and left her intrigued. However, she kept her doubts to herself, standing quietly by and observing the group before her, especially Draco, whose expression gave nothing away...
"I don't know what happened, but right after the boss lady left, Professor McGonagall and the others showed up and ordered us all back to the school."
"Not only that, but Dumbledore showed up just now too. He didn't stay long though—seemed pretty busy."
"Then those Aurors started appearing one by one on the streets."
It was worth noting that, for some reason, they hadn't seen Professor Lupin anywhere.
Goyle and Crabbe's explanation caused Draco and the others to exchange glances. It could be said that, aside from the individuals directly involved, they were the observers who understood most clearly what had transpired. However, before the outcome was determined, they couldn't casually reveal the truth. Even Hermione could sense how deep the waters ran in this matter...
Astoria silently averted her gaze from Granger, who was leading Draco away. Just then, the carriage dispatched from Hogwarts pulled up before the waiting students. Having arrived in Hogsmeade that very morning, they were now being sent back before afternoon—and the reluctance was plain on the young wizards' faces.
Though not to the point of rebellion, they were filled with confusion and puzzlement. Among them, the Weasley twins, noticing their brother's absence, raised their hands to Professor McGonagall…
…
"Professor, our brother Ron is missing!"
"Has anyone seen Ron?"
"Hmm... Come to think of it, I haven't seen that bloke Ron either."
"Hmm, but that know-it-all—why is she hanging around with those Slytherins?"
"Speaking of which, didn't that Granger girl go off to have tea with Malfoy?"
Setting aside Hermione's matter, the Weasley twins' words effectively captured everyone's attention. Only then did they realize Ron Weasley was indeed nowhere to be seen.
Even though they usually teased their younger brother, they still worried about and cared for Ron when it mattered. In fact, besides Ron, the twins—who had given something to Harry Potter—were even more concerned about whether Harry Potter had also appeared in Hogsmeade...