Ever since reading Percy's letter, Harry felt that nothing Percy did would surprise him too much.
He was only a little shocked—if Percy could even push away Penelope, whom he had once liked so much, then how much of the old Percy was left now?
He suddenly felt that a place like the Ministry of Magic was rather terrifying. It was like another kind of invisible Dementor, gnawing away at those who pursued it bit by bit until they were unrecognizable.
Harry shuddered at his own imagination.
Then he thought of Arthur Weasley, who had worked at the Ministry of Magic for years without turning into a cold-blooded political animal. Clearly, Percy's transformation was only an exception.
"Sugar quill."
When they reached the Common Room entrance, Ginny had already given the password before Neville could rack his brains to remember it.
A resentful yawn came from the portrait.
"Disturbance after disturbance... Can't you children come back together for once?"
The Fat Lady opened her bleary eyes, squinted at the people standing outside, and slowly opened the door.
Harry and the others slipped inside and saw Ron and Hermione, who had returned earlier after organizing the younger students.
They sat on the sofa in front of the fireplace. Ron leaned sideways against the backrest, his eyes half-open and half-closed, while Hermione was reading that morning's Daily Prophet with a deep frown.
There were not many students in the Common Room. After sitting on the train all day, everyone was aching and exhausted, desperate to lie down on the soft beds in their dormitories.
Hearing the door open, Hermione turned around. When she saw the three of them, she waved them over.
Harry said, "You haven't gone to rest yet?"
Hermione said, "Why are you back so late?"
They spoke almost at