Mhm, I agree with you on this. Many knew Hogwarts was going to hell while Dumbledore was missing, but it was all secret and not everyone is supposed to know things.
It was rather annoying, certainly for new players who try to get involved or try to rp. I have noticed this and it has pained me greatly to see just how pathetic it was to rp out of the "popular secret circle". While some were getting interessting rp between themselves in their own secret groups, others were making clothing and drinking tea...
I think the problem was, new characters suddenly appeared and the old characters had all these "secrets" and couldn't share info etc etc...
But we get a new start now so I guess we can try a different approche.
But really it depends on the characters. If indeed they are sneaky they will sneak around Hogwarts for info... and if they are just lonly then I guess not much will happen.
Character involvement gives more interessting rp and things to work with.