Chapter 20: Maria Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 【End】

The end-of-term exams had, for the most part, concluded without a hitch. Harry and Ron, who had relied almost entirely on last-minute cramming, looked utterly drained from the sudden wave of relief. Beside them, Hermione was busy driving them further into a state of exhaustion and dread by chirping, "It was actually quite simple, wasn't it?" At this rate, there was no doubt Hermione would top the year again. ...As for us, well, we were holding back just a little.

Draco and I had agreed that since our very existence was a form of cheating, it would be terribly unsporting to use our "knowledge" to crush the potential of the other children. Besides, the exams were only easy for now. Someone like me, who was perfectly average to begin with, would likely be overtaken by Hermione’s sheer talent by the time we reached our fifth year.

The young leaves had fully matured, and midsummer was fast approaching. I was watching the trio rush out toward the sun-drenched grounds, moved by a lingering sense of fatherly affection, when I felt a light tap on my shoulder. Recently, I’ve reached the point where I can identify who it is by that single gesture alone.

For instance, the one who places a hand as gently as if he were handling a delicate girl is Cedric. The one who swings an arm around with reckless abandon is that boy from Ravenclaw. Harry’s touch is as light as a feather, while Ron is a bit clumsy—usually followed by Hermione scolding him with, "That’s no way to treat a lady!" as part of their routine. Hermione herself tends to pounce before she even taps. And when she wants my attention during class, she pokes me with a finger. It’s rather endearing.

But this particular tap—one that feels genuinely casual, yet lacks any sense of "treating me like a girl"—could only be...

"Draco."

The "Cunning Prince of Slytherin," without a doubt.

"And how were the exams, Princess of Gryffindor?"

"Exactly as you’d imagine, Prince of Slytherin."

I gave a snort of derision at the ridiculous nicknames we were rarely called anymore, now that the "Potter Siblings" were collectively the most disliked pair in Hogwarts. Without looking back, he fell into step beside me as if it were the most natural thing in the world. We exchanged our daily dose of irony while watching the children sprawled under the shade of a tree, holding their secret "war council."

A brief silence followed—our thoughts were in perfect sync.

"Tonight, then."

"Tonight."

Even though the greatest hurdle for most students—the final exams—was over, the tension between the two of us was mounting, as if the real trial was only just beginning.

Leading up to the exams, Harry and I had spent every night curled up under the same blanket in the Common Room. It wasn't because we were up late studying. It was because Harry’s scar would throb with pain, regardless of time or place. How could I possibly leave my brother alone while he suffered from a curse he couldn't control?

Of course, my presence didn't actually change anything for Harry. There were no convenient miracles; the pain didn't vanish just because I held his hand, nor did the nightmares stop. I still don't know the full truth of what happened on that fateful night for the Potter family—but I likely never received the Killing Curse. Because of that, I, Maria, cannot shoulder Harry’s pain.

And yet—'I' know this pain all too well.

Tonight is the night. If we can ward off those dark hands tonight, peace will return to Harry’s sleeping face. ...At least for a while.

"I’m counting on you, Draco."

"Yeah."

I offered a small smile to Draco, who replied with his usual cool, nonchalant air to my repeated confirmations. I had asked Draco a while ago to "chaperone" the trio—to keep an eye on them in my stead as they went to protect the Philosopher's Stone.

There was no need for overprotection. If it’s Harry, he will protect the Stone no matter what. It’s something even the 'old me' managed to do. There’s no way I could fail to believe in Harry, who is far more talented and kind-hearted than 'I' ever was. But that doesn't mean I can stop worrying. One can never have too much insurance, after all.

Draco, who had taken on this heavy burden solely because of my selfishness, had simply nodded as if it were a trivial matter. Even though staying close to Harry increased the risk of catching 'His' eye... Truly, a show-off with the skills to back it up is the most troublesome kind of reliable ally.

So, what was the task I had to accomplish tonight while entrusting the "field" to Draco?

I moved toward the Whomping Willow, distancing myself from the students running across the grass with their exam papers in a post-exam frenzy, and the red-haired twins who were busy tickling the Giant Squid’s tentacles with a quill.

I hadn't specified a meeting place with him. I simply trusted that she would lead me to him—the bird as white as snow, soaring through the summer blue.

"Good afternoon—Professor Dumbledore."

"Good afternoon, Maria. And how did the examinations treat you?"

In this place where neither student nor teacher could easily approach—if not for the man before me, the Whomping Willow would have surely flattened me without question. That is what "restricted access" truly means. The eyes behind the half-moon spectacles, perched precariously on his crooked nose, sparkled as he held the white, fluffy bird in his arms.

"This one... is an exceptionally clever bird. I found myself offering her a few treats from Fawkes’s bowl. I only hope Fawkes isn't brooding over it."

"Then, please give these to Fawkes. I’m sure he’ll like them."

I handed a small pouch of Hedwig’s favorite treats—which I’d kept hidden in my pocket even during exams—to the man I had come to meet: Dumbledore. My reliable partner, having fulfilled her role as messenger perfectly, pecked my finger indignantly as she hopped from Dumbledore’s arm.

"Ouch! Ow, ow! Sorry, Hedwig. I’ll give you yours properly later."

Hoo. My flying lady puffed out her white chest to show her displeasure, yet showed the magnanimity to forgive her master’s folly. She gave Dumbledore’s beard one last peck before returning to my shoulder. Wait, has her coat gotten shinier? It seems Dumbledore really did dote on her without restraint.

"Thank you for looking after Hedwig, Professor Dumbledore."

"Not at all, not at all. She waited patiently outside the Headmaster's office until I emerged. I have a great weakness for such devoted creatures. ...Now then, Maria. Might you tell me why you went to such lengths to send me this?"

Dumbledore’s wrinkled, gentle fingers drew a plain envelope from his robes. I was the sender, and the contents were a simple request for a meeting. I had put Hedwig through a lot of trouble, as she had no way of knowing Dumbledore’s schedule, but there was something I absolutely had to tell him today.

"First, thank you for the Invisibility Cloak."

"...I see."

I gave a wry smile as Dumbledore stroked his beard with exaggerated innocence. The Cloak had supposedly been thrown somewhere by Peeves after the incident at the Astronomy Tower, yet it had found its way back to Harry’s room with a note: 'Just in case.' Harry had been utterly baffled, wondering who could have delivered it or if the Cloak had a mind of its own, but I knew the answer.

"And why do you think it was I?"

"Because that... is a Deathly Hallow."

Upon hearing my certain declaration, the smile finally vanished from Dumbledore’s face. The deep, unfathomable blue eyes shed the guise of the "kindly old man" and fixed upon me.

"...You..."

"You’re leaving Hogwarts today, aren't you, Professor? And you will return—at the appropriate time. I’ve come to ask a favor of you for when that happens."

"...I am listening."

"When you go to Harry, please take me with you."

To my sudden, desperate plea, Dumbledore gave neither a yes nor a no. He simply remained silent, watching me for a very long time. The playful old man was gone; those blue eyes were now unmistakably the eyes of a wizard who could see through the deepest secrets of the heart.

It was chilling. My stomach felt like it was turning over from the sheer pressure of standing before a Great Wizard. A mixture of respect and awe hammered against my chest in time with my heart. I felt like shrinking back, but if I let him overwhelm me now, nothing would ever begin. Maria Potter would never move forward. So—

"You know what is to happen tonight?"

"Yes."

"Then why... do you not go there with Harry?"

"Because only one person can reach the Mirror of Erised. That is how Professor Snape’s trap is designed, isn't it?"

Dumbledore didn't respond to my blatantly provocative, knowing remark. He just kept watching me... intensely.

"I need to confirm something. And I have to be the one to do it. Not Harry—me."

"...Then may I also confirm something with you, right here and now?"

"Yes. Anything."

The wizard blinked slowly—testing, judging, observing. His glowing blue eyes almost looked like the flash of a blade about to deliver judgment. In truth, this man is someone who could do just that, without hesitation—or perhaps after much agonizing. That is why I could not afford to get this answer wrong.

"Are you on Harry’s side?"

"More than anyone else in the world."

I nodded clearly, faster than I could draw breath. There was no hesitation. No doubt. Because in all the world—'I' am surely on 'my' own side.

"Stay awake in the Common Room tonight."

The wrinkles finally softened around the wizard's eyes as he finished his appraisal of the girl. Adjusting his glasses and scratching his crooked nose, my former mentor gave that single instruction, gently patted Hedwig’s head, and departed from our secret meeting.

"...I suppose that means the first hurdle is cleared. What do you think, Hedwig?"

Hoo. My legs finally gave out and I slumped to the ground. Hedwig rubbed her head—the one Dumbledore had just patted—against me in comfort. Her feathers were indeed silky and felt wonderful.

"Neville, shouldn't you go to bed?"

Hermione was the one who spoke to the boy, sounding somewhat troubled.

While everyone else was celebrating the end of exams, the trio had eaten dinner in silence and brooded in the Common Room. Once the curfew arrived and the other students headed to bed, they waited for Percy and Professor McGonagall to finish their rounds before moving to protect the Stone. That was when Neville, who was supposed to be asleep, appeared. I watched from behind a pile of books someone had left on a table.

Oh, Neville. You are always so full of courage. At this moment, 'Harry' thought of you as nothing but an inflexible nuisance, but your sense of justice is always right.

"I—I’ll fight you! You can't go out at night anymore!"

"Neville, don't be daft."

"You can't break any more rules!"

"Neville... you were the one who comforted us when we lost points. Me and Maria. Please, get out of the way. We have to do this."

Harry tried to soothe the bristling Neville with a pained expression. But hearing Harry’s words only made Neville’s eyes widen further. Though his arms and lips were trembling with tension, the boy’s eyes held a resolve stronger than anyone else's in the room.

"I have to do it too! Maria—Maria said so! She said she respects me! That I have courage! I believe in the 'me' that Maria believes in! I won't betray the Maria who trusts me!"

"..."

I instinctively covered my mouth. I felt that if I didn't, I would scream. Neville, Neville, you are just so—

"Neville... I am so, so sorry."

A flash of light erupted from Hermione’s wand. Neville, caught off guard, froze in an unnatural position and fell flat on his face. The Full Body-Bind Curse. The trio apologized to him one last time with heavy guilt before disappearing under the Invisibility Cloak and hurrying out of the Common Room.

After a short wait, once the sound of their three sets of footsteps had faded, I pulled a piece of Charmed Stationery from my pocket. Draco’s handwriting appeared: 'Waiting below Gryffindor Tower.' If all went well, the four of them would rendezvous shortly.

"...Neville."

I crept quietly toward the boy who had been left on the floor like a piece of luggage—the boy who was every bit as brave as Harry. The Petrificus Totalus isn't painful; it just binds the body. It doesn't take away consciousness. Neville understood everything. The faint tears visible even as his jaw was locked tight were proof of that.

"Finite Incantatem."

The wand responded to my command. The invisible bonds vanished instantly.

"Ma-Maria! The three of them—ah, thank you, but the three of them!"

Neville was completely bewildered—having been cursed by one friend only to have another appear out of nowhere. I wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.

“Neville. You were amazing. Your sense of justice is always radiant. —I respect you for that. From the bottom of my heart… truly.”

"Maria..."

"Please, be proud of yourself tonight. ...Goodnight."

I stroked Neville’s back in a slow, steady rhythm—the way one might soothe a child who couldn't sleep, the way I once did for my own. Eventually, the tension left his shoulders. I caught his head on my shoulder as he drifted off. I listened until I confirmed his peaceful, healthy breathing. It took some effort to move him, but I managed to get him from the floor to the sofa and covered him with the shared blanket Harry and I had been using for the past few days.

Look at that. You only listen to me at times like this, don't you?

I waved my wand—which was being uncharacteristically obedient—and cast a Dreamless Sleep charm on him. Once I was sure he was safe, I noticed Hedwig, whom Harry had brought back to the room, holding out her leg. She had a letter. No, not a letter—just a scrap of parchment. In Harry’s handwriting.

Dearest Maria,

I hope that when you wake up, it’s morning.

But if you wake up in the middle of the night (because you always wake up when I do!), please don't come looking for me, Ron, or Hermione.

We are going to protect the Philosopher's Stone. (Since it’s you, I bet you already know what’s going on without me explaining. You’re always like that.)

Maybe I won't make it back alive. And even if I do, I’ll probably be expelled. If that happens, Maria, please stay at Hogwarts. Write to me and tell me about yourself, and about magic.

Please forgive me for keeping this a secret. Pray that I can come back to you. I love you.

Your only brother, Harry

"...Honestly, Harry."

I carefully folded the note and tucked it into the pocket opposite my communication parchment. I told Hedwig, who was still dutifully holding out her leg, "Good girl. There's no reply, so you're free to go," and gave her a treat, smoothing her feathers.

"Your master is quite the sentimental one, isn't he?"

Hoo—

The owl cried out into the night.

Harry. My only sibling.
Whether it’s the first time or the second, you are my one and only brother.

No matter what lies ahead... I will protect you.