Whether yesterday's exchange meeting was a failure or a success was hard to say.
Strictly speaking, there was no definitive answer that applied to everyone.
A failure?
At the very least, the meeting had allowed everyone to truly understand what the Patronus Charm was, to see a Patronus clearly and up close, and to personally experience just how difficult this Defensive Charm was to cast.
But a success?
Not everyone would agree.
During the exchange, Draco's actions had completely thrown the focus and original purpose of the event into chaos.
What's more, if it hadn't gotten so late that Draco, eager to return and rest, had voluntarily dispelled the magic, no one might have dared leave the Room of Requirement while that massive dragon was still there.
Naturally, after that day, the incident caused quite a stir among the wizards.
Patronus.
Dragon.
Draco.
These became the hottest topics among the young witches and wizards.
For Draco, however, someone who frequently made the "trending topics," it hardly seemed worth caring about.
Compared to the dark magic Fiendfyre Curse, a mere Patronus really didn't amount to much.
Instead, the ones who truly gained fame were the Gryffindors who had acted as Draco's opponents, the very spark that set everything off.
If the now-ridiculed Head Boy and his companions were counted as well, then they too had become famous overnight.
Though it was certainly not the kind of fame they had hoped for...
...
During break time, Draco arrived at the Enchanted Garden with the others.
Located in the castle courtyard, this beautiful garden was well known throughout the school. For young couples in particular, it was practically a sacred dating spot.
But perhaps because of Umbridge, it was far quieter than in previous years.
Quite a few of the students punished by Umbridge were couples, and this garden happened to be one of the places she frequented most.
So now, instead of pairs of boys and girls strolling together, the garden held only a few upper-year students passing through in a hurry, along with Draco and his group who had just arrived...
As mentioned before, because of the deal between the Ministry of Magic and the Malfoy family, Draco enjoyed advantages at Hogwarts that other wizards did not.
One of them was Umbridge's noticeably different attitude and treatment toward him, which even extended to those close to him.
In fact, even Hermione had sensed that she seemed to be receiving special treatment from Umbridge.
That was why, even when they ran into Umbridge on their way here, she did not make trouble for them. It also explained why she had turned a blind eye during the previous The Quibbler incident.
In short, compared to yesterday's astonishing experience, Draco and the others had already set it aside by the time they woke up this morning.
That was because they had discovered something else, something far more worth paying attention to.
And it was precisely this new discovery that prompted Draco to come to this nearly empty garden.
"Did you notice something? Since this morning, I've felt like you've all been acting strange. Even Goyle skipped breakfast."
"…They, cough. Granger, the ones acting strange aren't us."
"What do you mean? Did I get it wrong? That's impossible. If I did, then why are we here?"
Hermione's self-questioning earned a roll of the eyes from Pansy, who had only spoken once.
Draco, having taken a seat on a nearby bench, explained on Pansy's behalf.
"Their attitude has changed."
"Isn't that only natural? After all, yesterday you showed everyone the gap between wizards."
"No. I mean students from all houses."
"…Slytherin too?"
The pride in Hermione's voice faded as she blinked, suddenly realizing the issue.
All houses?
That included Slytherin.
Everyone knew Slytherin valued strength above all else.
Power was what gave you the confidence to walk its halls.
Normally, as long as you proved yourself stronger than anyone else, those little snakes would acknowledge you as their leader.
Draco, who embodied that truth more thoroughly than anyone, naturally became exactly that kind of figure, even earning the title of Slytherin Prince.
As for who started that nickname, it was very likely the young Miss Parkinson now seated beside him, secretly spreading it around.
It was only when that thought crossed her mind that Hermione noticed something was off. From the expressions on Draco and the others' faces, and the tone in their voices, the situation did not seem simple.
"What exactly happened? It sounds serious."
"Yes… it seems someone has been influencing the students behind the scenes."
"So?"
"So we're being distanced. Or rather, targeted."
"So what? Do you really care about… that…?"
Halfway through her sentence, Hermione gradually grasped what that implied. Her expression shifted, uncertainty and alarm flickering across her face.
If it was truly what she was thinking, then this was something that absolutely needed to be discussed properly…
Seeing that Hermione had realized the seriousness of it, Astoria withdrew the hand that had been idly playing with a flower.
"For now, the only Slytherin students still standing on our side are your followers, Draco."
"Hm… Should I call that good news? At least it's not all of them."
If anyone was the most displeased, it was undoubtedly Miss Parkinson.
But knowing just how complicated the situation behind the scenes was, she could only vent her frustration through a bit of self-mockery.
Noticing the troubled looks on the three girls' faces, Draco finally spoke.
"I have to admit, this happened sooner than I expected. I thought it would take a bit more time."
"So you saw this coming, Draco?"
"Of course. No one understands Slytherin better than I do."
"…"
Pansy and the others, being Slytherins themselves, did not find anything strange about that statement. Hermione, on the other hand, shot Draco a rather odd look.
Especially when she thought about the outside world's opinion of Slytherin, her expression turned faintly conflicted, almost adorably puzzled, as if she could not quite decide how to react.
It was enough to make someone want to pinch her cheeks.
As a Slytherin, Draco certainly sounded convincing when he said that.
But was he absolutely sure he was not insulting himself in the process?