As for Ron Weasley, he was probably the wizard who had adapted fastest to the changes at Hogwarts.
Death Eaters serving as professors.
Classes in dark magic.
Ron Weasley had accepted all of it very quickly.
Not only that, he was more enthusiastic than anyone else when it came to studying dark magic, showing none of his old carelessness.
He even asked those Death Eaters... those professors, questions about the lessons in class, turning himself straight into a model student.
Anyone who did not know better might have thought Hermione Granger had possessed him...
As for this, Draco and the others had all heard from Ginny about Ron Weasley's strange behavior and the changes in him.
In fact, if not for Ginny's request, Draco and the others would never have paid attention to how a stranger had changed, much less cared about someone they had already defeated.
While packing up the notes on her desk, Hermione whispered to Draco, "Draco."
"Mm. We'll have to set this matter aside for now. Right now, there are more important things to do."
"I understand. I'll explain it to Ginny."
After withdrawing her gaze from Ron Weasley, Hermione nodded to Draco, then looked again toward Professor McGonagall, who was walking toward the door.
Just then, Professor McGonagall, who was about to leave the classroom, suddenly looked over at Hermione and the others.
"Miss Granger, please come with me to my office. Of course, Mr. Malfoy may come as well."
"Eh... yes, Professor."
Although she did not quite understand why, after seeing Draco nod, Hermione immediately answered.
Come to think of it.
Draco and the others seemed to have forgotten something.
In truth, they still had a natural and steadfast ally at Hogwarts.
That was Professor McGonagall, who absolutely could not possibly be on the Dark Lord's side...
...
Although she was the Deputy Headmistress, Professor McGonagall still preferred, and most often stayed in, the Gryffindor Head of House office.
And at this moment, Draco and the others were sitting in that office, one that very much had Professor McGonagall's style.
Simple.
Orderly.
It was clear that there were no unnecessary decorations in the office at all, and everything was neatly arranged exactly where it belonged.
There was not even a single personal item in sight.
Compared with Dumbledore's office, this place truly looked more like somewhere meant for work...
As the door closed, Professor McGonagall took off the wizard's hat on her head and looked at Draco with a stern expression.
It seemed that calling Hermione over earlier had merely been a way to avoid drawing attention.
First it had been Snape.
Today, it was Professor McGonagall.
Could this be a coincidence?
And at that moment, Professor McGonagall said something that surprised Draco and the others.
"You... should be planning something, Mr. Malfoy."
"..."
"..."
Faced with Professor McGonagall's words, Draco and the others truly did not know how to answer for a moment.
Were they supposed to say that they had secretly established a hidden organization inside Hogwarts?
And that it had already grown to a fairly large scale?
And was even about to take action...?