In fact, even before the start of this term, the booklists sent to the fifth-years had already emphasized the importance of course selection this year. It was clearly meant to remind those students who might not fully understand the situation.
Yes, especially the little lions of Gryffindor.
With that in mind, and worried that some students might still fail to take it seriously, every professor had made a point in class to go over their syllabus and future plans in detail.
Today's career consultation would not only help fifth-years clarify their future direction, but also give them a chance to adjust their course selections.
On a matter like this, even the recently high-profile Umbridge had little room to interfere, nor could she openly oppose it.
That alone was enough to show just how important this was to the wizarding world.
So when Draco mentioned it, Hermione, who had just been trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, instantly had her attention captured.
Even what Draco had done to her earlier was temporarily pushed to the back of her mind.
"You mean career consultation? The one Senior Penelope mentioned before?"
"I'm not sure which one you're referring to, but it does sound like career consultation."
Coming from a Muggle-born background, and knowing that not everything could be learned from books, it was only natural that Hermione would ask.
As a Prefect, however, she had heard a few details from Penelope.
Only...
Draco glanced toward a certain corner of the Hall and happened to catch a glare. He turned back with a faintly puzzled look.
"Senior Penelope? Sounds like you two are fairly close?"
Standing in the corner of the Great Hall, and having just shot Draco a look, was none other than the Head Girl, Penelope. At such an important occasion, her presence was only to be expected.
What she had not expected was to hear her name mentioned by Hermione.
And Draco certainly had not expected to receive that eye roll from her, one that left him full of question marks.
It was worth mentioning that ever since the incident at the exchange event, Penelope's partner, the Head Boy, seemed to have lost all momentum. He had not appeared in front of Draco since.
Perhaps he was too embarrassed to face the girl he admired.
Or perhaps Draco had dealt him too great a blow.
In any case, the Head Boy seemed to vanish whenever Draco was around, as though deliberately avoiding him.
Even at such an important event tonight, he was nowhere to be seen, leaving all the responsibilities to his partner.
Maybe that was why Draco had just earned that beautiful senior's glare.
...
Draco's undisguised gaze did not go unnoticed by Hermione and the others.
Taking the opportunity, Hermione excitedly began telling him how she had come to know Penelope.
"We met in the Hogwarts library. I was looking up the history of House-elves that day, and Senior Penelope happened to be there as well."
"Oh?"
"I have to say, her breadth of knowledge and the way she approaches things really surpass most wizards. That was also the day she gave me quite a bit of advice about what to do after graduation."
"I see. She is the Head Girl, after all."
After hearing Hermione's explanation, Draco finally understood what had brought the two of them together.
It was hardly surprising. If Ravenclaw did not have its own collection of books, and if Penelope had not happened to visit the main library that day, perhaps the two girls, who shared similar interests and mutual admiration, would have become friends even earlier.
Thinking back to the Sorting, Draco could not help but wonder why Hermione had not ended up in Ravenclaw.
After all, a person with kindness in her heart never lacks courage.
...
Off to the side, Pansy, who felt she was being ignored and had already grown suspicious of the subtle glances between Draco and Hermione, finally lost patience.
"Is this really the time to be talking about that? Professor Snape is staring right at us."
As she spoke, Pansy shot a pointed look at Astoria.
Caught off guard, Astoria paused for a second.
Compared to her complicated dynamic with Granger, Astoria usually preferred to stay out of things. She had never intended to step onto the battlefield herself.
Yet Pansy's move was completely unexpected. Even Hermione glanced toward her.
Astoria merely smiled faintly and waved a hand.
"Don't look at me. I'm not a fifth-year. If I weren't genuinely curious about the career consultation, I wouldn't have stayed."
That was true.
Although this event was mainly for fifth-years and had the nature of a small seminar, the school had never prohibited other students from attending.
In fact, the professors on stage seemed rather pleased to see younger students present. It was not a bad thing for them to listen in.
If there was anything unusual this year, it was that the career consultation had been made public instead of remaining a more closed session.
That was why quite a few lower-year students could be seen in the Hall tonight, their faces filled with curiosity.
...
Even though Astoria claimed she was not important, her remark drew Draco's attention to the change itself.
Yes.
What reason could there be for altering the format of a long-standing, widely recognized career consultation?
Was it Dumbledore, who had been absent for some time?
Professor Snape, who was now casting a dark look in their direction?
Or Umbridge, who had taken on the so-called cursed position this year?
The more Draco thought about it, the more serious his expression became. He lifted his gaze and carefully examined each professor at the staff table.
That, in turn, made Pansy and Hermione narrow their eyes at Astoria, who had said nothing more and now simply watched Draco with a small, knowing smile.
Pansy and Hermione exchanged a look.
It seemed they had both underestimated this Slytherin junior.