Chapter 10: 5-1

Under a cloudless sky, the children lined up at the training grounds with a diverse range of expressions—some clutching their own prized broomsticks, others holding a broom for the first time, and some wielding hand-me-downs from parents or older siblings. The day had finally arrived for the joint flying lesson between Gryffindor and Slytherin, a day filled with both excitement and nervous energy.

Since it had been a long time since I could enjoy the sky without having to hide from public eyes, my mood had been at an absolute high since morning.

I glanced around at the faces surrounding me. While soothing my younger brother, who looked anxious despite his anticipation, and Hermione, who looked like she wanted to cling to a book for dear life, my eyes drifted toward the Slytherin line where Draco stood.

In the "previous" timeline, that git Malfoy—and please forgive me, because Draco really was a total brat back then—had teased Neville and even resorted to theft. I’m talking about that poor Remembrall, which, incidentally, had found its way to Neville this time as well. In the past, "I" had gone to get it back... and just when I thought I was about to be expelled, I landed an unexpected chance: the position of the youngest Seeker in a century.

In short, Malfoy’s harassment had inadvertently become the catalyst. However, the current Draco had no reason to engage in such childish behavior. In this world, the fact of a rivalry between Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter simply doesn't exist.

...Well, Harry has started to become a bit distrustful of Draco after that recent incident in their joint Potions class. If I had to guess, I’d say his heart wants to believe in him, but he’s being jerked around by Draco's own attitude and the prejudices of those around them.

That’s likely part of Draco’s calculation, so I’m currently just observing, unable to decide whether I should defend him or play along with his game.

Now then, with the "villainous foil" to the hero Draco Malfoy currently missing, I wonder what will happen to Harry?

As for me, I eventually lost the luxury of playing Quidditch anyway. Looking back, I see more disadvantages—like being slightly brainwashed by the Quidditch-obsessed Oliver Wood and having my sleep schedule shredded. At the time, I had so little self-confidence that my skill on a broomstick was the only thing I had to hold onto...

The fact that I naturally weigh the academic pros and cons of a mere sport makes me feel like I’ve truly been ground down by society; it’s an indescribable feeling. Once you have a home and a job, you can’t remain the reckless child that was Harry Potter.

So, while I, Maria, have no intention of becoming a Quidditch player—I wonder what Harry will do.

Under Madam Hooch’s command, we called our brooms with a shout of "Up!" Only a few students managed it easily; as expected, Hermione’s broom simply rolled on the ground, and Neville’s broom didn't move an inch. It goes without saying for me, Harry, and Draco.

"Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground. One, two—HEY! Come back here!"

"Oh boy..."

"Not again..."

I had a feeling this would happen, but Neville had once again soared into the air before the whistle blew. He isn't actually that clumsy when he isn't nervous. He’s truly a capable boy deep down.

Sure enough, Neville was easily bucked off his broom and began falling from a considerable height. Knowing it would happen, I felt bad letting him get hurt, so I reached for the wand hidden in my robes. ...Please, just for once, listen to me when a life is at stake, okay?

"—Neville!"

However, before I could cast a Hover Charm on him, Harry took the lead and soared up on his broom toward Neville—with perfect control, unlike his previous self.

"No, Harry!"

"Come back down, Potter!"

Amidst the renewed screaming, I slipped through the commotion to stand next to Draco.

"...Was it like this 'before'? Hey, Draco?"

"Don't ask me. I don't remember much either."

"Well, I remember very clearly that you committed a theft against Neville."

"Ugh..."

Taking the opportunity to poke at what he calls his "dark history" as a small act of revenge, I watched the two shadows in the sky along with the panicked crowd.

Now, Harry... what do you plan to do with only one broom?

The conclusion: Neville was saved by Harry, and the rescue was incredibly acrobatic.

It wasn't complicated. He simply caught Neville’s arm in mid-air and held on. Only the person involved doesn't realize that the simplest things are often the most difficult.

Thus, as the elongated shadows descended slowly, I looked up and laughed with Draco, thinking my brother is absolutely reckless. Even I wouldn't do something that dangerous. ...No, wait, the "Harry" I used to be would do that. So this is how it feels to be a spectator. Sorry for making you worry so much back then, Ron and Hermione. Though in Hermione’s case, I think we’re about even. You really are a woman of immense courage.

Gradually, the noisy crowd on the ground settled into a mode of pure relief. And then—slip.

"Hm?"

Neville’s robes fluttered. Unlike Neville, who was held aloft by Harry, "it" naturally began accelerating toward the ground.

I recalled Neville’s joyful voice at breakfast this morning. A gift from his scary but beloved Gran... it must be precious to him.

"—Harry!"

"—!"

With just one word—his name—Harry nodded. And then—he let go of Neville.

Screams erupted, far louder than before. Everyone’s eyes were fixed squarely on Neville. —Which meant, I could do it.

"Wingardium Leviosa."

My wand responded to the whispered incantation. While Neville’s face was a mess of tears and snot, he stopped in mid-air again, suspended by his robes. Since the Hover Charm works on objects, it doesn't work on humans or living creatures. Therefore, I shifted the target to his robes. Using Levicorpus here would... well, it would probably cause problems.

Slowly, Neville’s trembling feet returned to the ground. Meanwhile, Harry descended at high speed, pulling out of a dive just before hitting the ground. And, as expected, the Remembrall was in his hand.

Sorry, Harry. I left the difficult part to you. Casting a spell on a tiny ball that’s barely visible at that speed is quite hard. In that regard, I’m glad Neville had such an easy shape to target.

I felt a boundless sense of happiness at the existence of a twin where perfect communication is possible with just a single name. My brother is amazing. ...Much more than I am.

The scene erupted as the hero made his return. Madam Hooch gave a stern reprimand, but then followed it with a faint smile, awarding ten points to Gryffindor and five points to Slytherin.

Why were five points given to Slytherin? That was because—

"That was wonderful magic and quick thinking—Mr. Malfoy."

I had quickly tucked my wand away, while Draco, who had instinctively pulled his out, was frozen with it still pointed at Neville. ...So that's how it looked.

As I feigned ignorance and joined the crowd in clapping innocently, Draco glared at me with an incredibly bitter expression. It felt great.

After sending Neville to the Hospital Wing just in case—Madam Pomfrey, the school matron, must have been surprised to see a student from the Potions incident back so soon—the lesson resumed. No further problems occurred, and I, having taken up a position where I could easily watch troublemakers like Harry and Ron, floated peacefully on my broom.

The sky was high. Thanks to my recent haircut, the wind tickled the back of my neck, and it felt wonderful.

"—I bet Harry complained about this, didn't he?"

His hand, naturally beside me, suddenly and gently stroked the nape of my neck. Even though he’s the one who constantly nags me about being a "lady," he never actually treats me like one. His touch is always sudden. ...Then again, I’d only be troubled if I were treated like a girl, so his lack of hesitation is just right.

"He did. He sulked so much, saying I went and cut it without him knowing. But when I muttered that I was tired of washing and brushing it, he just laughed and said, 'That’s just like you, Maria.'"

"I expect so."

"As his older sister, I’m slightly offended."

I feel like my pure-hearted brother has been getting tougher lately. It’s likely the influence of Ron and the Weasley twins. ...I remember that feeling, so I understand.

"Why did you cut it?"

"I thought you’d understand, Draco."

"...A declaration of war against that person?"

"See? You do understand."

I lightly bumped my shoulder against his as we flew side-by-side.

"—I didn't intend to make him make a face like that."

"Maria."

"I was getting ahead of myself. When I was Harry, I learned about the history between my father and Professor Snape. I thought, if only I looked like my mother instead of my father... and that’s exactly what happened. —It’s worse than when I was Harry."

In the distance, Harry was waving his arm at me. Beside him, Ron was grabbing Harry’s raised arm and shouting something—probably telling him not to fly one-handed. Or maybe it was a threat directed at Draco. —Either way is fine. It’s just so... peaceful.

"I am not my mother. I am not the person you should have protected. I am not the person you failed to save. —I’m going to make him understand that."

How much I appreciate you. How much I regret. How much I hold you in high esteem. —He died without knowing a single bit of it. He didn't even let me say thank you. ...That’s just not fair.

He’ll have to accept at least two lifetimes' worth of "my" gratitude, or it won't be a fair trade.

"That sounds like Harry."

"Which Harry?"

"Both."

Letting my lightened hair play in the wind, I bumped my shoulder against his again. ...Ah, Harry is coming over here. He looks a bit annoyed. Ron looks completely furious. Hermione, who had been struggling near the ground, was looking up enviously at the two of us flying so easily.

"...You'd better come up with the excuse."

"Excuse for what?"

"Tch, this is why Potters are..."

"Eh? Why am I being picked on now?"

After this, Harry and Ron were caught for speeding, and Draco and I were held collectively responsible; Madam Hooch gave us a lengthy lecture on the importance of safety. I don't get it...

"Potter-Sister!"

"Hi, yes, I'm Harry’s sister."

Today, as usual, I was caught in the corridor by a student whose name I didn't know, so I gave a casual wave in response. His house color was blue... a Ravenclaw.

"I heard about your brother."

"The Potter-Brother?"

"Exactly, the Potter-Brother."

I didn't know his name, but this Ravenclaw boy apparently had a taste for banter, as we shared a chuckle.

Lately, for some reason, not just Harry but even the previously unknown Maria has gained a strange kind of recognition at Hogwarts.

It all started with the incident where Professor Snape threw a "charming" tantrum—I repeat, Maria is the only student in the entire school who thinks Snape’s temper fits are charming. The Gryffindors who were present found it hilarious, and the nicknames for the Potter twins spread with the speed of light.

Maria is "Potter-Sister," Harry is "Potter-Brother," and together they are "The Potter Twins." It was a very simple, yet ridiculous, set of nicknames.

"Is the rumor already out? —About Harry becoming Seeker."

I anticipated the words that would come out of the boy's mouth next and gave him a mischievous smile.

—Yes, I wonder who was watching. After being called away by Professor McGonagall regarding the incident with Neville and his Remembrall, Harry was once again selected as the youngest Seeker in a century. I suppose this is what you call the self-correcting power of history.

"Well, it is a 'secret,' after all."

"Hmm, well then, it can't be helped."

The boy continued with a mischievous tone, and I responded with a shrug.

In Hogwarts, "secret" means "everyone knows."

"Aren't you going to be a player?"

"I'm a first-year, you know. Besides, I'm not as good as Harry."

"Madam Hooch said the first-years this year are excellent, though."

"She was probably talking about Draco."

"Ah, your boyfriend you're always with... Yikes, speak of the devil. See you later, Maria!"

The nameless Ravenclaw "John Doe" hurried away. In his place, Draco arrived from behind and put an arm around my shoulder.

"Draco, was that guy just now an acquaintance of yours?"

"Aren't you the one who knows him? He called you by name."

"Not at all. I don't even know his name."

"............I see."

Wait, why does he look a little annoyed?

"Draco?"

"More importantly. About Harry."

"Oh, yeah. You saw it too, didn't you? He's successfully become the Seeker."

"No, not that. Not something obvious like that—"

...Draco, do you think it's "obvious" that "I" would become the Seeker? That... might actually make me happy. Just a little bit.

"By the look on your face, you don't know? That guy—well, 'you'—accepted another duel. During dinner after you left."

"Huh?"

"Tonight, in the Trophy Room. A duel. With Weasley as his second. ...Do you remember now?"

"..................WHAAAAAT?!"