She shook her head, forcing herself to snap out of the beauty before her.
"So, Draco, just tell us what you plan to do."
"Yeah... but are you really sure you can get these people to live peacefully together? Even if you can convince the people on our side, the wizards from the other houses won't think the same way."
Pansy's concerns were not unreasonable.
Even if they used force... or reason, to convince everyone, it would only be temporary.
After all, the relationship between Slytherin and the other houses, along with all the old grudges, hatred, and tangled history between them, was not something that could be erased in a short time. Even if they were reluctantly brought together, that kind of relationship would only become an unexploded bomb.
No one knew when it might go off.
Draco, who understood the core of the problem just as well, had actually thought of an answer long ago. Or rather, a solution.
"When a powerful common enemy appears, as long as everyone can calm down and think clearly, they'll make the best choice for the moment. So Gryffindor House will be left to the two of you."
"Me?"
"Huh?"
When they noticed Draco's gaze, Hermione and Ginny, the two Gryffindors present, cried out in surprise at almost the same time.
They had no idea where to even begin, let alone any confidence that they could do it.
Without giving them a chance to refuse, Draco stated his thoughts directly. "Of course, although we urgently need strength that can stand against the Dark Lord, that doesn't mean we need just anyone. You'll have to judge that for yourselves."
"You mean..."
"The wizards we need are the ones who can understand us, and who can recognize exactly who the enemy we should be facing right now truly is."
Better to have too few than the wrong ones.
Hermione and Ginny both understood what Draco meant.
But not giving them any chance to refuse at all was far too overbearing...
...
Looking outside at Goyle and Crabbe, who were working with their bodies instead of using magic, Pansy turned to Draco with some curiosity.
"What about the other houses? Who are you going to send to persuade them? Or are you planning to go yourself?"
"No... I've already chosen someone for that."
"Someone?"
Just then, a nearby door was pushed open. Astoria came in carrying bottles and jars of potions in every color, followed by the former Head Girl, whom they had not seen in a long time.
"That would be me. Let me persuade Ravenclaw House."
"...Clearwater?!"
"I believe you should call me Senior Penelope, or simply senior, dear Miss Parkinson."
Even Pansy and the others had never expected to see the former Head Girl, Penelope Clearwater, here.
Although Penelope had graduated last year, she had been kept on as an assistant professor because of her excellent grades and outstanding performance while at school.
And now Draco had drawn her into his camp.
"It's been a long time, Granger, Parkinson, and Miss Lovegood."
"Senior."
"Senior."
Only when Penelope spoke did Hermione and the others finally come back to their senses and hurry to greet her.
At that moment, Astoria set down the bottles of potions in her arms and walked over to Draco. "My potions lab is finished. If you plan to make potions that can actually be useful, you'll have to give me some assistants."
"I will. I think most of the Ravenclaw students should be capable of that kind of work."
Draco's words made Penelope roll her eyes in exasperation.
She knew exactly what Draco meant.
"Don't worry. Even though I graduated a year ago, I can still speak with some authority in Ravenclaw House, as long as everything you told me is really going to happen."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"Mm... but I need to remind you that this cooperation is entirely built on opposing the Dark Lord. I'll use that angle to persuade the people in Ravenclaw House. As for anything else, don't even think about it."
"Of course. I wouldn't expect more than that."
"I hope everything is exactly as you said."
"By the way, I should be able to ask you to handle Hufflepuff too, right?"
"...You really do know how to make use of your seniors, don't you? Fine, I understand."
After leaving those words behind, Penelope Clearwater, who had the gentle air of an older sister, hurried away.
After all, if things were truly as Draco had described, then she did not have much time left.
...
After Penelope left, Pansy and the others could no longer contain their curiosity.
Ginny Weasley in particular had only just learned that Draco was so familiar with this beautiful senior. At the same time, she felt that Draco's move really was a brilliant one.
What student would not believe the words of such a gentle and beautiful senior?
But what made them curious was how Draco had managed to persuade this former Head Girl.
"So the person you chose was Penelope? If she's the one stepping in, she really could convince quite a few people."
"But are you really that certain the Dark Lord will attack Hogwarts? Or rather, are you really that certain Hogwarts will become the next battlefield?"
After struggling with it for a few more seconds, Ginny still could not bring herself to believe Draco's analysis and judgment of what was coming next.
Avoidance and self-deception.
They were always people's first choice.
Even the brave Ginny Weasley instinctively chose disbelief at first.
However, Draco had no intention of persuading her so easily.
Because the result would tell her everything.