Chapter 137: 2-3

Encountering him was purely a coincidence. A complete accident. With students in their third year and above heading to Hogsmeade Village, we found ourselves standing dumbfounded, facing each other in the middle of a deserted corridor.

"Professor Snape."

"...If my memory serves me right, it seems you spend most of your free days here at Hogwarts. I am truly astounded by your devotion to this school."

I replied to his usual, top-notch sarcasm with a sloppy, goofy grin. Professor Snape quietly averted his eyes from me.

"You're running away after all, Professor Snape. If my eyes were the same as Harry's, would you have looked at me?"

"Do not say such dreadful things."

He cut me off instantly. I know. The more I resemble my mother, the more this man's wounds reopen. To him, the existence of Maria Potter is nothing but the embodiment of his sins. ...Even though my mother has long since forgiven you.

To you, Lily Evans must be a demon of mercy who gives you the hope to live, and a cruel angel who grants you your punishment.

He truly is a hopelessly cowardly person. —And a brave one.

"Take Malfoy out with you once in a while. The two of you... despite being a Slytherin and a Gryffindor—"

"Draco went to Hogsmeade today. He's on an elegant date with Miss Pansy."

Halt. The scuffed leather shoes dragging his heavy robes came to a sudden stop.

"—He is not at Hogwarts right now?"

"Huh? No... is something wrong?"

"......"

I felt the atmosphere around Professor Snape shift from lethargic and gloomy to a sharp blade. —Professor Snape was on high alert.

"Excuse me."

"Please wait!"

I reflexively grabbed the robes in front of me. —Slap.

"...."

My eyes widened. Those eyes, like the bottom of an abyss, also opened wide as they looked at me. Silence. Both of us had astonishment plastered across our faces.

"Um—I—"

"—Severus!"

As I cradled my swatted hand and somehow squeezed out a voice in the unbearable atmosphere, both Professor Snape's and my attention was drawn to a voice calling from ahead. It was Professor McGonagall.

"Severus, there is something I need you to look at immediately—Miss Potter! Oh, my word... Please calm down and head to the hospital wing. That would be best."

My heart grew restless at the sight of Professor McGonagall, whose typically sharp, mature features were contorted with pity. The hospital wing—something must have happened to someone close to me, something serious enough to make Professor McGonagall panic. Harry, Ron, or—

Inside the hospital wing, there was only the sound of a girl sobbing. Pansy Parkinson. On the bed lay a sleeping boy whose usually pale skin was even paler than normal. ...See? He looks just like a vampire.

"Draco."

Pansy, her eyes swollen, looked at me.

"Potter."

And then she declared.

—You're the only one left. Maria Potter.

"You're the only one. Save Draco, Maria."

Casting aside all of her hatred, Pansy Parkinson grabbed Maria Potter's hand.

"...What do you mean? What happened? —Is this why you stayed by Draco's side?"

I pulled up a random chair and sat down next to Pansy. The honest girl frowned for a moment in a very Slytherin-like show of distaste, but she managed to swallow it down.

"That's right. Draco is being targeted."

"By what?"

"I don't know. But—there's someone who is seriously trying to kill him."

In front of the boy, whose breathing was the only sign of life, the air felt as heavy as if it had physical mass, weighing down on the girl's shoulders.

"What's happening to Draco?"

"His life isn't in danger. Madam Pomfrey said so. She said he's just in a coma—but, he could have died!"

Pansy let out a loud sob. Her complexion was just as terrible as Draco's, the actual victim. The girl was completely backed into a corner.

"It started with some sweets that arrived right at the beginning of the new term. They were addressed to Draco. It was chocolate. I was annoyed by it. After all, the wrapping looked like something a girl would like! I thought some presumptuous girl making eyes at Draco had sent it—so I opened it. And then, I threw the chocolate away. Into the trash can. When I did that—"

"I don't know whose pet it was, but a rat ate it. The chocolate. —That rat died. It was foaming at the mouth, dead inside the trash can. —It was poisoned chocolate."

She hunched her back tightly and gasped for air. How terrified she must have been. What a shock it must have been. And yet, she didn't run away.

"Next was a book that drags you into a nightmare. A cursed book. Anyone who opens it gets trapped in a nightmare and never wakes up. Eventually leading to death by debilitation. That was inside Draco's bag. —I genuinely just happened to know about that book. If I hadn't known—this was already way beyond a prank... At this rate, Draco was going to be murdered..."

"...Why didn't you tell a teacher?"

"I did tell them! I told Professor Snape! But—"

Pansy clenched her fists, her black hair in disarray. The girl had been enduring it. She had endured so much.

"I'm sure he won't help us. —Because Draco is a 'traitor'."

It was a painful answer. A child who cannot rely on adults is always a tragic thing.

"So, you've been worrying in Draco's place, suffering, and standing up against the dangers facing him. —Thank you."

The gratitude slipped from my lips before I could think. Pansy glared at me fiercely. Her eyes spoke of suffering a terrible humiliation.

"I don't need you thanking me. Even now, I really don't want to rely on you. It pisses me off. I absolutely hate you."

She was right. Pansy Parkinson despises Maria Potter. Everyone knew that. —Even so.

"But I hate the idea of Draco dying even more."

Her voice dropped, filled with earnestness. Soaked in emotion, I thought she had started crying again. But Pansy wasn't crying.

"So, it's a temporary truce. When he's out of my sight, you are going to protect Draco."

I took a breath. I let out a small chuckle at the girl forcing such extreme selfishness upon me.

"Hey, Pansy. Don't get mad... though that's probably impossible, but you—you really loved Draco, didn't you?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Unlike before, Pansy looked away like a child pouting after being scolded.

"Because I thought you were just after the 'Malfoy' name. But with Draco in this state—a 'traitor', as you all call him—even still, you..."

For example, the Pansy I knew would have abandoned Draco without a moment's hesitation. A girl who loves herself more than anyone in the world. By staying by the side of Draco, who is apparently being called a traitor, I can't imagine she hasn't faced any unpleasantness. Of course, I won't deny that's a prejudice on my part, but I'm probably not wrong.

Pansy twisted her mouth, scrunching up a face that was already hard to call pretty, and spat out her words.

"Hmph, you're right. I was after the status. After all, if I married Draco, I'd have a member of the House of Black as a mother-in-law. That's a huge deal. Though a Muggle-raised girl like you wouldn't understand."

Acting tough. Cursing. Putting up a brave front with all her might.

"But I ended up falling in love with him."

The girl surrendered. I was overwhelmed with a sudden, intense urge to slap the sleeping face in front of me.

What should I do with this pretty boy? Why, of all things, am I the one listening to a bittersweet confession from Pansy of all people? And what are you doing sleeping so carefree—ugh, it's infuriating!

"Okay, save the teenage romance for later. Keep it for when this guy wakes up. —Can I sort through the information one more time? The one being targeted is Draco, not me or anyone else, right? That much is clear?"

I somehow tried to get the conversation back on track. I couldn't allow myself to think this pug-faced girl was even a millimeter cute. —Because the one who should be receiving her feelings is Draco Malfoy.

"Yes, exactly. There was a letter addressed to Draco."

"A letter?"

I repeated. Pansy wrinkled her nose as she squeezed her memory.

"It was tucked inside the chocolate wrapper. I threw it away with the wrapper, so it isn't here anymore, but—um, it said something about an Augurey."

"—An Augurey?"

A chill ran down my spine, like needles sliding across my back.

"There was also a drawing of a bird on it. The drawing of an Augurey, actually. Sending an omen of death—it's despicable."

Thump. My heart began to race wildly. I felt like a small animal that had just spotted the beast about to devour it.

The Augurey, targeting Draco. —Delphini the Augurey?

"Ah—"

Leaving a bewildered Pansy behind, I stood up. I have to move. If the Augurey is involved—then I must be the one to stand in the way.

I left the hospital wing. My destination was—

The cold heat on my back froze my heart as well. It dropped ice into my soul. It stirred up terror in the pit of my stomach.

The Augurey is in this world.

"This is the worst."

Pansy had said it. She said he wouldn't help.

I don't think so. I, Draco, and Dumbledore probably wouldn't think so.

"Professor Snape."

Because he is the protector who sacrifices himself for love.

"Is that the very thing that harmed Draco?"

In his office, Professor Snape was tracing something on his desk. His face was as close as it could get, and he was slowly stroking it with his wand as if caressing it. It looked like a pendant.

"You were protecting Draco, weren't you."

"It seems that being insolent is customary for anyone bearing the name Potter."

Tapping the pendant with his wand, Professor Snape slowly straightened his back like a haggard bat. His lank hair belatedly fell from the desk back against his cheeks.

"What happens if you touch that?"

"You die."

It was a monotonous answer. —Draco probably knew that. That's why he accepted it.

"Draco didn't touch it, right?"

"Indeed. That boy is blessed with nothing but sheer dumb luck."

I closed the door behind my back and gave a dark laugh. What an idiot. He saw through it at first glance. He knew it was a Dark Magic object. And then—to prevent anyone else from touching it, he thought he could handle it himself. Truly—Malfoy is a complete idiot who always misses the most crucial point.

"I know you'll want to deny it, Professor, but unfortunately, I don't hate you, so I'll just thank you on my own. Thank you for watching over Draco."

"A shameful leap in logic."

I was sharply rebuffed. His features were contorted into an expression of profound annoyance.

For example, his gaze during Defense Against the Dark Arts. For example, the snake he vanished before it could touch Draco. Severus Snape, who watched over Harry Potter even as he hated him, had spread his weary arms to take Draco under his wing as well.

"Do you want to try touching it?"

The words slipped out suddenly. Professor Snape naturally ignored them—most likely, he never intended to answer.

"I do not care for such inelegant things. I... if I could choose my death, I would want it to be by your hand."

"...."

He didn't mean to say that. I'm sure of it. Professor Snape immediately closed his mouth. He was surprised by his own voice. —It was too late.

With my soft, weak arms, I slammed Snape against the desk.

"Don't screw with me... You people always do this, trying to find the easy way out for yourselves! The moment you get a justifiable cause, you bravely march to your deaths! You try to be set free as if it's some sort of reward. I won't—I won't forgive that!"

His eyes were pitch black. Eyes like the bottom of a pit. That is why—I, Maria, could see myself clearly in them.

"Ah, it was a lie. Saying I didn't hate you was a lie. I despise you. I completely despise people with a death wish! As if I'd ever kill you. I'll make you live, even if you have to crawl miserably on your hands and knees—I won't forgive you until you laugh and say you've had enough of it all!"

I screamed. I just couldn't forgive it. Even though I was exactly the same. But, he has worth in living. —I wished for it!

"I won't let you win and run away—a loser should struggle for their life like a loser!"

Snape's eyes were wide in shock. Naturally. It was completely irrational. Even though he could make such an—alive expression. Even though you are alive. Even though your eyes are right here. A person who only looks into the darkness, who only chases the dead, who is cursed by love.

Why are kind people always such idiots?

"You need to properly accept the gratitude of two people from Harry."

I gritted my teeth. My Snape had overwhelmingly won. He refused to accept anything and went somewhere completely out of reach. He sneered that he would never accept a single thing from a Potter. It frustrated me to no end.

Apologies and gratitude with nowhere to go have no choice but to rot.

"I will chase you to the depths of hell. Severus Snape."

Perhaps it was a bit of a grudge, or lashing out, or frustration—or an affection that had rotted and smoldered.

With hazel eyes that melted and blended it all together into a chaotic mess, I thrust my demand for atonement upon the man with a death wish.

Swaying. My footsteps were unsteady. I had spouted some ridiculous, tough words. But it was far too late to worry about that now.

I stopped walking. I could hear someone's voice from beyond the window. There was everyday life. There was a time that everyone loved.

I have to protect it. As if I'd let it be taken away. That is my role. I—was born for that purpose.

I will die for Harry.

"...Haha. As if that makes any sense..."

I dropped to my knees on the ground. I realized it. Somehow, it was just naturally there.

Something that shouldn't naturally be there was inside me.

I had realized it.

"Whose emotion is this?"

Who am I?