"This table has been brought back into service because we, Lady Augusta and I, understand it will take time to get you back to behaving according to what is considered civility in this world. The table has gone by many names over the centuries but is always used for students who have disgraced themselves in some manner or another. We expect you to behave as well bred young ladies and gentlemen displaying proper manners at all times. You can be assured the table won't be used for such things as too many unfinished homework assignments or late night excursions in the Halls after curfew. But it will be used when circumstances show us it is needed. Now let us eat our supper."
Two days later, while Draco was still suffering from the effects of his Godfather's nasty soap and with two more mouth washings still to endure, Lucius arrived at the Castle with an appropriate token for Draco to give Mr. Creevey. And once again dinner in the hall was delayed while Draco gave Denis the token and re-issued his formal apology. This time, under the very stern and unforgiving gaze of both his parents, he did it correctly. He didn't dare not to. Draco was absolutely miserable, in more than a little bit of physical pain and highly ashamed as his Mother and Father as well as his Godfather all let him know very pointedly how ashamed of him they were. But there was nothing he could do or say to excuse himself as he knew he'd been caught in the act and the adults involved knew him far too well to buy any of his attempts to divert the attention away from himself.
Lady Narcissa explained to the students what the token gift meant while Draco was holding it out to Denis. The token was a replica of Colin's camera made of black onyx stone and decoratively trimmed in 18 karat gold at the places where a normal camera would have silver trimming or attachments. It even had a Gryffindor red silken lanyard attached to it as Colin's favorite camera was often worn around his neck. It was engraved with Colin's name, his birth date and the date he'd died.
She explained it was appropriate for Draco to gift it to Denis because Draco had pulled the manner of Colin's death into his insult to Denis knowing full well that doing so would make his insults hit Denis harder as it was well-known Denis was still grieving for his slain brother. She also walked Denis through the proper manner of accepting the token and told the children how they could properly refuse such a token should they not wish to accept the apology of a person who had given them offense. Because not everyone wants to accept apologies and no one should be forced to do so. Especially as not all apologies are sincere. It was an eye opening and informative instruction for the student body after having dealt with Mr. Dumbledore for all their schooling years.
As for Ron and Ginny, without Hermione around to stir up their anger and resentment, they were finally beginning to come to terms with the truth of their situation. The discussion with their father in the Headmistress' office had really helped them put things into perspective and they'd come away from it fully understanding they truly had deserved the punishment Harry had given them. Nor did they have the former Headmaster around to call them to his office where he could confuse them or give them new orders that would allow him to manipulate their patron into a dangerous situation of his own devising while making them feel as if they were doing nothing wrong or that Harry deserved or wanted what he was asking them to do.
Classes were their new focus and almost all their waking hours were spent trying to bring their grades up. The detentions they'd been laboring under finally came to an end, much to their relief, as the Professors came to understand they truly had come to terms with their punishment, place and responsibilities now. But classes were nearly impossible for Ron because he'd spent far too many years slacking off and barely studying. Ginny was also struggling but not nearly as badly as her brother who was facing his Owls at the end of the year.
"You should go to McGonagal and ask to be moved down a year, Ron," said Ginny one night about a week after the Yule Holiday. "Your previous behavior and attitude towards your schoolwork created this mess but honestly, you can't do the work expected of a fifth year student because you never did the work in any previous year. Ask her if you can take placement exams and join the classes appropriate to those exam results."
"But. .. I'm a fifth year."