"HP: Too Late, System!"Chapter 358: When Study Schedules Smack You in the Face, No One Escapes!
The week-long exams had finally come to an end.
It was Saturday—the last weekend before summer break.
No more morning runs, no more classes. Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows of the Hogwarts Great Hall, painting the long tables in a wash of color.
Owls swooped in, delivering the latest issue of the Daily Prophet.
With so few students left, those from different houses gathered together—well, everyone except Slytherin and Gryffindor. Those two would never share a breakfast crowd.
Ministry of Magic Launches "Werewolf Friendship Program": Register Now for Triple Benefits—A New Era of Coexistence for Wizards and Werewolves
[The Prophet has learned that last night at 9 p.m., the Ministry of Magic drafted its "Werewolf Friendly Coexistence Act" and supporting policies—the so-called "Werewolf Friendship Program." The Ministry claims it aims to "replace prejudice with tolerance, and safeguard equality with sound institutions." At the press conference, Minister Fudge stressed, "This reform is not a compromise, but a milestone for magical civilization."]
A student munched on a fried breadstick and muttered, "Has the Ministry grown a conscience? Tolerance? What a caring word. Maybe they should care about how we can't use magic in our dorms."
[Voluntary Registration: Werewolves may now register anonymously at the Werewolf Registration Office, with information protected under the highest level of the Statute of Secrecy… The office is being transferred from the Beast Division to the Being Division and merged with the former Werewolf Support Services.]
"From 'beast' to 'being'—well, that's a step up," someone said.
"Not every werewolf is like Professor Lupin..."
[Triple Benefit Program: Potion Subsidy—Registered werewolves receive a monthly supply of basic Wolfsbane Potion (valued at 80 Galleons per bottle), and get a 50% discount on the improved version; Employment Support—In partnership with several companies, the Ministry is creating 'Full Moon Friendly' jobs (such as night security or potion ingredient gathering); Safe Full Moon Zones—'Moonlight Sanctuaries' are being established in the Scottish Highlands, staffed by professional wizard teams to ensure registered werewolves can transform safely each month…]
"Eighty Galleons? Are they mad?"
"The Professor would never charge that much for a potion. Did the Ministry jack up the price?"
"Maybe they're just trying to push werewolves into registering. You get half off if you do."
[Ministry spokesperson Umbridge said registration is voluntary, but unregistered werewolves… well, they'll find it even harder to earn society's trust…]
[Special Notice: The Prophet has learned that the Ministry is working with Gringotts to develop 'werewolf-friendly vaults.' Unemployed or solitary werewolves can apply for potion loans at Gringotts after registering…]
[Editorial: When an owl delivers your registration form, is it a new beginning—or a new kind of shackle? Is the Ministry's 'goodwill' true progress, or just a velvet chain of power? The Prophet will continue to follow the undercurrents behind the "Werewolf Friendship Program."]
After reading the article, some students couldn't shake a strange feeling.
"Why does this feel so… familiar?" one wondered.
"I know, right? It doesn't feel like the Ministry's usual style. Something's off."
—
Gryffindor common room.
The sunlight hadn't yet chased away the chill from the castle's stone walls.
Harry, Ron, and Neville stumbled out of the boys' dormitory, hair wild and yawns wide.
They shuffled over to stand before the ever-energetic Hermione.
Ron scratched his head and groaned, "I think all those potion recipes ironed my brain smooth… Morning, Miss Granger."
Hermione arched an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "My, my, such advanced knowledge about brain wrinkles! The great Mr. Weasley actually knows about that?"
She glanced at Neville and Harry, smiling. "Gentlemen, any feedback on my wake-up service?"
Neville immediately ducked behind Ron, wearing the universal look of 'if you scold him, you can't scold me.'
Harry noticed the sly grin on Hermione's face—and the stack of parchment in her arms. He immediately perked up.
"I just meant—good morning, Hermione! Have you eaten? Want me to pop down to the kitchen and bring you some of the Professor's new specialties?"
He nudged the sleepy Ron, who suddenly looked like he'd seen a ghost.
"Yeah, yeah, thanks for waking us up early. We'll go fetch you breakfast, right, Neville?"
Neville seemed to catch on and pointed to the parchment in Hermione's arms. "Hermione, did you really stay up all night organizing all the exam highlights?"
At this, Ron and Harry slapped their foreheads in unison, then collapsed at the nearest table, shooting Neville looks of pure despair.
Neville realized he'd stepped in it and flashed a sheepish smile.
Hermione gave a chilly snort and slammed the stack of parchment down on the table.
"Neville, don't just stand there—sit. Neville's picked up all your bad habits…"
Harry and Ron pointed at themselves in shock. As if anyone could corrupt Neville with his reaction time.
Hermione divided the parchment into three piles, pushing one to each of them. Her expression was as stern as if she were handing out Ministry wanted posters.
"These are all the key points from last week's exams—every subject, every tiny detail that could be overlooked. I've marked everything."
Ron weighed his stack, face falling. "Hermione, we just finished exams…"
Hermione rolled her eyes and snorted, "You call that taking exams?"
Neville, eyes glued to the dense script, asked, "Ron, didn't you and I both have our exams next term?"
Ron looked like he wanted to crawl under the table.
Harry grinned at Hermione. "He didn't take exams, but I did! Why do I need to review?"
Hermione pulled the bottom sheet from each pile. "Summer is for consolidating and previewing, Harry. I've drawn up detailed study plans for all of you."
The sight of those jam-packed schedules snapped the boys wide awake.
"Harry, you need to work on your Transfiguration and Charms. Ron, you…"
Hermione paused, choosing her words with care.
"…you need a comprehensive review—especially History of Magic and Potions. I'll owl you every week to check your progress."
Ron's jaw dropped as if he'd been hit with a curse.
"Every week? Hermione, if my mum finds out you're helping her keep me in line, she'll give you the Order of Merlin herself! My summer's doomed!"
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