Although it was meant to help everyone get acquainted, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry wasn't all that large to begin with, and the truly outstanding students were even fewer. As a result, even if the Prefects present didn't know one another personally, they could at least all put names to faces.
Because of this, a clear pattern quickly emerged. Most wizards gravitated toward people they were already familiar with, or those they wanted to get to know better.
Strictly speaking, they could be divided into three main groups...
The first consisted of the many Prefects clustered around Penelope, the Head Girl. The second formed a circle centered on the couple Cedric and Cho Chang.
The last group was made up of people like Draco, wizards who had little interest in getting to know the other Prefects, or those who were overly cautious and preferred to observe first.
There was no real sense of superiority among the groups, but the different choices clearly reflected each Prefect's temperament and way of doing things....
One thing worth noting was that the Slytherin Prefects present didn't show the usual signs of being at odds with the other houses.
Even the Gryffindor Prefects, when faced with their so-called "lifelong enemies" from Slytherin, showed little hostility. At most, they simply didn't speak to one another.
This oddly harmonious scene left Hermione glancing back and forth between the two houses in quiet surprise....
"Granger? You look a bit strange."
"You're the one being strange! And how long are you planning to keep holding Draco's hand?"
Ever since they entered, Pansy's attention had been fixed on Draco's palm, as if there were something fascinating hidden there.
Feeling as though she'd been pushed to the sidelines, it was only natural for Hermione to feel displeased.
Come to think of it, Draco had been indulging Pansy more and more lately, enough to make Hermione feel a little jealous...
Noticing Hermione's mood, Draco sighed and lightly tapped Pansy on the forehead, reminding her that this wasn't the time or place for such behavior. Pansy puffed out her cheeks in irritation before reluctantly pulling her hand back.
To her, nothing mattered more than nurturing her relationship with Draco....
Just as Hermione lifted her chin with a satisfied little smirk, she finally noticed someone standing in front of them.
"Not planning to get to know the others?"
It was Penelope, with an unfamiliar male Head Boy standing beside her, his expression openly irritated....
...
Although Penelope was surrounded by others, she was still carefully observing everyone in the compartment.
At the same time, she used this chance to assess the personalities of the Prefects....
Most of the ones gathered around her were either eager to get to know this beautiful and intelligent Head Boy, unwilling to offend her position, or harboring thoughts of currying favor.
Setting aside those fools who approached her out of curiosity or vague expectations, these wizards were at least people who could cooperate well with her work.
As for Cedric, he was likely thinking ahead to life after graduation this year. Using this final stretch to build connections and establish a network among the Prefects was both prudent and confident.
Wizards like Cedric might have strong opinions when it came to assigning work, and might even step forward to showcase their abilities, but they weren't the sort to give Penelope a headache....
The truly troublesome ones were those who stayed silent from the very beginning, quietly watching the others gather together.
Whether out of disdain, introversion, or some hidden agenda, these Prefects were the hardest to read and the most difficult to approach.
Especially Draco, who hadn't even looked at her properly once. He was the real thorn that left Penelope unsure where to start.
Still, Penelope hadn't become Head Girl by giving up easily on difficult cases....
And so, she took the initiative and came straight to them.
"Especially you, Granger. Connections are extremely important if you want to find a good job after graduation."
Penelope's tone was gentle and composed, never making anyone feel talked down to or lectured. Even Draco couldn't find a single fault with it.
Hermione could also see the sincerity in Penelope's expression, which made her feel a little embarrassed.
"I... I'll try, Miss Clearwater."
"Just call me Penelope. Such a cute little junior."
It had to be said that while Hermione was confident she wouldn't lose to anyone academically, even Draco, she knew she couldn't match Penelope when it came to conversational finesse.
After giving Pansy a brief nod, Penelope turned her expressive, seemingly speaking eyes toward Draco, who had finally looked her way.
"Then I won't interrupt you while you bond. Do your best, handsome junior."
"...."
"...."
Pansy and Hermione both snapped their heads toward Draco at the same time. Their perfectly synchronized reaction made Draco's eye twitch uncontrollably. As for Penelope, the instigator, she only let out a soft laugh before turning and leaving.
As the faint scent of jasmine faded, what lingered were those unforgettable sapphire-blue eyes, along with the furious glare of the male Head Boy.
He likely felt that his goddess shouldn't have been so kind to Draco.
As for Draco, he finally understood just how vindictive this senior could be…
…
Compared to last year, Draco and the others were no longer part of the crowd of little wizards.
As Prefects, they now had to work alongside Rubeus Hagrid, guiding the incoming first-years so they could board the boats smoothly and make their way into Hogwarts Castle.
It was certainly a fresh experience, but also a rather trying one. After all, these young wizards were bursting with energy, nothing like how they themselves had been as first-years...
"I'm starting to feel a bit sorry for Granger, having to work with that guy."
If the atmosphere on Draco's side was relatively harmonious and relaxed, then the mood over on Hermione's side was the complete opposite, heavy with tension.
It was obvious that Hermione had no intention of responding to Ron Weasley, who kept trying to strike up a conversation with her.
Meanwhile, the more outgoing Gryffindor first-years were boldly and curiously observing the odd dynamic between these two seniors...
After leading the young wizards into the Great Hall for the Sorting Ceremony, another major difference this year became apparent. Not only were many familiar faces missing from Draco's memories, but there were also a number of new Educational Decrees that immediately made one uneasy.
And all of it could be traced back to the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor standing on the stage.....