Because they had Apparated straight into Hogsmeade, Lynn and the others reached Hogwarts on foot with Headmaster Dumbledore long before the rest of the students.
They arrived at the Great Hall ahead of everyone else. Seated in the vast, empty space, Maranhao and Marietta beside Lynn looked around in curiosity, as though seeing the Hall they had known for two years for the very first time.
It was as if they had never laid eyes on the Hogwarts Great Hall before.
Or rather, they truly hadn't—never seen it so deserted.
Between her two seniors, Lynn mentally reviewed the textbooks she had memorised for the year, paying no heed to their eager glances about the Hall.
Hermione and Harry were at the Gryffindor Table, deep in discussion.
Penelope had been whisked away by Professor Flitwick; the Professors had preparations to finish before term officially began.
With one of his own students back early, Professor Flitwick did not hesitate to enlist her help.
It wasn't until after lunch that Penelope re-entered the Hall, wiping sweat from her brow.
Only seven people were present, herself included; the Professors were still in their offices.
The house-elves had sent just enough food for them.
Penelope slid onto the bench beside Maranhao, bit into a large slice of pie, and kept dabbing at her forehead.
Seeing her usually composed senior in such a state, Maranhao blinked in surprise and offered her own handkerchief so Penelope could eat unhindered.
'Senior Penelope, what on earth did you do? You're drenched.'
Marietta stared at the fine beads of sweat still forming on Penelope's forehead.
'Don't ask,' Penelope sighed after swallowing. 'Professor Flitwick had me clean Lady Ravenclaw's statue in the Ravenclaw Common Room.'
'A whole holiday's worth of dust—nearly impossible to scrub off.'
Maranhao and Marietta nodded in understanding; no wonder.
As the founder of Ravenclaw House, Lady Ravenclaw's statue was always polished by students, never by house-elves.
After a summer's neglect it had grown filthy; fearing younger students would tire, Professor Flitwick had always done it himself.
But with Penelope around he decided to let her try.
It turned out the Young Wizards were sturdier than he'd thought.
Head lowered over her plate, Lynn listened and pondered.
The stone of Lady Ravenclaw's statue was indeed difficult to clean.
She reached that conclusion with perfect calm.
After lunch the seven of them lingered in the Hall all afternoon.
Only then did the other students finally stream through the doors.
Many Little Lions gaped when they spotted Hermione, Harry and Ron, swarming them to ask how they'd arrived so early and why they hadn't been seen on the hogwarts express.
The Little Eagles surrounded Penelope, Maranhao and Marietta. Noticing Lynn's lips moving silently, they assumed she was revising and left her undisturbed.
Immersed in her textbook, Lynn failed to notice Draco's venomous glare from the Slytherin table.
She might have missed it, but Penelope did not. Frowning, she motioned the boy opposite to shift left, blocking Lynn from Malfoy's view.
The boy obeyed without question; if the Prefect said it, he would do it.
'What's going on? Why's Malfoy staring at Lynn like that?'
'What does he think he's playing at?'
Draco had made no effort to hide his malice, confident the name of House of Malfoy shielded him.
Several Little Eagles caught the look and now narrowed their eyes at the Slytherin table.
Lynn had been instrumental in winning Ravenclaw the House Cup last year.
Though her face was cold and expressionless, a year together had taught them the truth beneath.
Behind that icy mask she was endlessly patient.
Call her name and she would answer, courteous if formal.
Her knowledge was vast; she could explain the most advanced topics without complaint.
Such an excellent, studious, polite junior had long since become their darling.
And now a serpent dared to glare? Had he asked their permission?
Maranhao and Marietta exchanged glances, then looked at Lynn.
Finding her unmoved, they relaxed and, with Penelope, recounted the scene in Diagon Alley.
'How dare he!' The boy who had shifted seats slammed the table, eyes blazing toward Slytherin.
He had called Hermione a mudblood and insinuated that Lynn might not even be human.
How dare he? Lynn had all of Ravenclaw at her back.
She need only study and live as she wished; the rest they would handle.
Whispers swept the entire table. The first-years had not yet been Sorted, so only second- to seventh-years sat there.
The Little Eagles plotted dozens of ways to teach Malfoy a lesson.
That look had been unmistakable hatred; they would not stand by while he targeted their treasure.
Neither the female Prefect Penelope nor the male Prefect voiced any objection to their schemes.
Instead, drawing on their knowledge of the Professors, they suggested ways to avoid detection.
With Prefects adding fuel, Maranhao and Marietta joined the conspiracy.
While the action plan was being discussed, only Lynn at the entire Ravenclaw Table was left out of the loop; Maranhao even considerately covered her ears with both hands.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!