Hermione nodded.
"So, the first section."
"Acknowledge that the training and textbooks have indeed improved some abilities."
Ron grimaced.
"That sounds awful."
"But it's true."
Harry spoke.
"We can't pretend those things don't exist just because we oppose her."
Neville spoke quietly.
"I don't want to pretend, either."
"I just wish the Lower Years didn't have to tremble while getting stronger."
Hermione looked at him.
"We can write that."
Ginny spoke at once.
"Put it more firmly."
"Improvements in students' abilities should not come at the cost of prolonged fear."
Ron blinked.
"You lot sound more and more like Percy."
Ginny glanced at him.
"As long as it works."
A Lower Years girl timidly raised her hand.
"Can I write about the white list?"
Hermione softened her voice.
"Yes."
"But don't write, 'I felt humiliated.'"
"Write what happened after it was posted."
The girl lowered her head.
"People read my name out in the corridors."
"And some asked whether I couldn't understand the textbooks."
Harry's fingers tightened.
"Who?"
The girl shook her head.
"It doesn't matter."
"It does."
Neville spoke.
His voice wasn't loud, but it silenced those around him.
"The names don't have to go in the open letter."
"But we need to record the facts."
"If it happens again, we'll know who to find."
The girl nodded.
She began to write.
Her quill scratched softly across the parchment.
Ron spread out a schedule.
"The second section should cover the schedule."
"I've got evidence here."
"Last Wednesday, we still had to hand in corrections to our mistakes after evening study."
"Then, during the morning run the next day, Seamus nearly crashed into a suit of armour."
Ginny spoke.
"Don't write 'nearly.'"
"Be specific."
"He lost his balance in the east corridor on the third floor and was caught by