"I'm fine. The new rules are driving me mad, and the rest of the Prefects, too. I expect they'll tell me that I'm dismissed as Head Girl at any moment and give the badge to Pansy Parkinson." Padma gave him a slight smile. "But it's nothing important or. . . it's not like you. I really am so sorry. For everything. It's unfair, and I wish I could do something to help. And that I didn't have to enforce ridiculous rules, but I just thought it was better that Ernie and I stay where we are, as long as possible. So at least we know all the Prefect and Professor's schedule."
It came out in a rush, and then Padma flushed a little. She hadn't meant to just blurt things, but she wasn't especially good at subtle lead up. And she didn't know how long they'd get to talk, either, she reasoned to herself.
"How are the classes? The ones they're making you take instead? Some of the D.A. were saying McGonagall was helping you with wandless magic?" Padma dropped her voice at the last, even though there was no one within airshot. Just in case.