Chapter 33: 3-3

The day after the Duelling Club. Justin Finch-Fletchley and Nearly Headless Nick had been Petrified. The students' fear was no longer just a matter of brewing suspicion; it had escalated into full-blown panic. As everyone scrambled to pack their trunks for the Christmas holidays, Harry looked as though he were carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

While he was somewhat shielded by the blatant rumors surrounding Draco, the fact remained—Harry still had no alibi for any of the attacks.

It was one thing for Draco. People avoided him anyway, so he was forced to be alone whether he’d done anything or not. But Harry... Harry was different.

"Harry?"

I sat down on the sofa in front of the fire, leaning against him.

"...Maria."

"...Is it something you can't tell me?"

Harry’s green eyes wavered uncertainly—and then he bit his lip.

"...I think... I can tell you."

"Then—"

"But I don't want to. I’d probably just be dragging you into it."

"Isn't it a bit late for that?"

"Yeah, it is. So... so, I will tell you. Eventually. I just haven't made up my mind yet. Will you... wait for me?"

His eyes spoke volumes where his lips remained sealed, telling me he was on the verge of being crushed by anxiety. I pulled my clumsy little brother into a tight, fierce embrace.

"Of course I will. Who do you think I am? I’m your other half. Don't underestimate me. Even if you stood up right now and said, 'Actually, I’m the Dark Lord,' I’d still be right here holding you."

"...Pfft, haha. What is that? Maria, your jokes are a bit extreme sometimes."

...Well, it’s not like I’m entirely wrong, though.

As Harry finally remembered how to smile, I felt a slight twinge of guilt, but I kept stroking his back nonetheless.

Hogwarts entered the Christmas holidays, leaving a daily-fretting Harry behind. I had been stuck to his side lately, but I planned to use this break to consult Draco about the changes I’d seen in Harry. Until now, I’d been so worried about Harry that I hadn't even considered meeting Draco properly.

So, while Harry was sleeping in and taking it easy since there was no need to wake up early, I decided to sneak off to see Draco—

But then, a situation arose that made "taking it easy" an impossible luxury.

"Draco."

"......Wha!? Maria?"

Using the Invisibility Cloak, I had successfully slipped into Draco’s bedroom using the password, which—luckily—hadn't changed since Halloween. Draco was still in his pajamas, a sight I rarely saw, and he clearly looked like he’d just woken up. So had I. I was in my pajamas too. But I was wide awake. I had to be.

"W-what are you doing here dressed like that? Have you no sense of propriety—"

"Make me a man. Right now."

"………………Hah?"

His cool, composed face crumbled into a look of sheer bewilderment. Draco was a series of "firsts" today. Oops, my brain is already trying to escape reality.

"...Er, no, I doubt it, but let me check just in case. Did you mean... 'Make me a woman'?"

"I’m saying this because I don’t want to be a woman anymore! Come on, you have them, don't you? Like... a Gender-bending Potion or something. This is the wizarding world! If Polyjuice Potion exists, a sex-change draught should be a piece of cake, right? You can make it, I know you can! Please, I’m begging you!"

Draco looked genuinely repulsed by my sheer intensity.

"Listen, this is serious! You can be disgusted, you can run away, just hand over the potion first!!"

"Calm down. Just... calm down. Let’s start by verifying the facts and understanding the current situation. Look, it’s not that such potions don't exist, but they aren't permanent... Hey, don't despair so quickly! What exactly is going on with you?"

As Draco patted my shoulder to soothe me, still in his pajamas, I whispered in a voice that was incredibly, painfully hoarse.

"…………od."

"What was that?"

"……………………I started my period."

"…………"

A silence fell over the room—the kind of silence that defies description.

"Do you get it? I woke up this morning and the bed was covered in blood. I thought it was a crime scene. Or that Scabbers had crawled onto my bed and died. There was this sticky feeling on my thighs, and at first, I thought I’d just stepped in the blood on the bed. But I was wrong—the blood was flowing from me. It makes no sense."

"...That’s, er..."

"I knew about it. I knew it’s something that follows you for life as long as you're female. Ginny and Lily suffered through it, and I even taught James and Albus to be considerate of their sister during her 'delicate times.' Well, mostly Ginny taught them. I had the knowledge—but—"

Draco guided me to the bed as I staggered in confusion. I was honestly grateful; I was finding it hard to even stand.

"Can I... can I give birth? Does this mean I'm the one who... carries them? That’s what this preparation is for, isn't it? Me? A baby? Me?"

"Maria, calm down."

"I mean—I mean—it's not like I wouldn't want to meet my own child. Ginny always said that no matter how hard or painful it was, she was happy. That childbirth was a wonderful thing—but—but—I’m a man!"

"HARRY!!"

His sharp, commanding voice made me snap my head up. Looking into his icy eyes, I felt my brain cool down, if only a little.

"Draco..."

"Calm down, Harry. Regardless of how you feel, that body is female. Do you understand?"

"...Yes."

"And everyone except me sees you as a girl. That is how you are perceived. Can you accept that much?"

"Yes..."

"Good. Then let’s process the rest slowly. You don't have to rush, and you don't have to accept everything at once. Just stay who you are, and let yourself coexist with 'Maria the girl.' And if... if it ever becomes truly unbearable further down the line, then—"

Draco pulled me into his chest. His body heat was calming. He patted my back in a steady rhythm, like one would soothe a child.

—Ah, I’m glad he was the first person I turned to.

"Then, I’ll use Dark Arts, Forbidden Magic, or whatever it takes to fix it."

"...Haha, that’s... quite something."

"I'm serious. I owe you for saving my life a few times. Annoyingly so. If it keeps you from falling into despair, Forbidden Magic is a small price to pay. Lighter than a school rule, even."

I finally burst out laughing at words that sounded like they’d come straight from Hermione. Draco stayed there, holding me and laughing along.

"...Feeling better?"

"Yeah. Thanks, Draco."

"I'm the only one in this world who can listen to 'Harry’s' problems, after all."

Draco gave a cynical, trademark smirk. As a thank you, I reached up and pinched his nose.

"Phew. Now that I’ve calmed down, my stomach is starting to hurt. To think this happens every month... I should have been nicer to Ginny and Lily."

"You can still do that from now on. ...Is it bad?"

I gave a small laugh at the awkward way Draco hesitantly stroked my stomach. I wonder if he used to do this for Astoria.

"I don't know... it’s not like I can't walk. I ran all the way here, after all."

"You seem surprisingly fine, then."

"My mental state is in shambles for the first time in a while, though. ...What do I do now? I don't think I can get by with toilet paper forever. How long does it last, about a week?"

"Yeah, usually............ Wait."

"Hmm?"

"...How are you... currently 'handling' the... the situation?"

Draco showed another rare flash of agitation, making me tilt my head in confusion.

"I just stuffed some toilet paper in there for now."

"...H-HAHHH!?"

This time his eyes nearly popped out of his head. Wow, another rare expression.

"What do you mean 'toilet paper'?! There are... things! Specific products for that!"

"I don't have any! Why would I have that? I didn't think this would happen!"

"You should have anticipated it!"

"If I’d anticipated it, we wouldn't be in this mess!"

Our shouting and heavy breathing echoed in the crisp morning air. Though, since the Slytherin Common Room is underground, there’s nothing "crisp" about it.

I was profoundly grateful that no other students besides Draco were currently in the dorms.

"Anyway, Granger. You need to talk to Granger about all of this. It’s useless asking me. If I were an expert on this, it would be a legal matter. Listen, just tell her you were neglected and weren't given proper knowledge—actually, you really weren't given any, were you?"

"Aunt Petunia thinks girls just grow on their own, like weeds in the garden."

I spat the words out, picturing that blonde, horse-faced woman. I bet Petunia just sprouted and bloomed all on her own, too.

"Ugh, even so... Hermione, huh? I feel... hesitant to talk about 'girly' things with her. She’ll probably give me a lecture starting from how to pick out underwear. I keep telling her it’s too early for me."

"Having the brightest witch in our year pick out your undergarments, top and bottom, would be... Wait, no. I hate this. I hate where this conversation is going. I’m fed up. But I suppose I have to ask; I’m always stuck with this role!"

"Wait, Draco. You’re being creepy."

I tried to subtly back away from Draco as he started shaking his head—but he grabbed both my shoulders with forceful grip.

"............Are you wearing underwear right now?"

"...Draco, I’m pretty sure that counts as sexual harassment. Don't ever do that to Hermione or Ginny."

"I'm asking you, you idiot!"

His shouting right in my ear made my head ring. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Draco this high-strung. Good to see he’s got energy.

"I changed into fresh ones because I didn't want blood everywhere, okay? Even my pajama bottoms, see?"

"...That’s not what I mean. You aren't doing this on purpose, are you..."

"What? Just say it clearly."

"I'm doing this because saying it would be bad...!"

Then, after struggling with something internally, Draco grabbed my chest with a look of utter exasperation. He just... reached out and grabbed it.

"...I knew it."

"I'm actually going to sue you, you know?"

I mean, I’m twelve, but I’ve still grown a bit, haven't I?

"Listen, Harry. No, Maria. Swear to me right now. Go with Granger and buy a full set of underwear—tops and bottoms. And you absolutely will wear them. Every day. Got it?"

"Ugh... I’m wearing a sweater and robes, it’s not like anyone can tell..."

"DO. YOU. UNDERSTAND!?"

"Yes, sir."

I caved under the intensity of his wide grey eyes. I mean, Draco looked like he was about to drop dead from sheer indignation...

"I'm exhausted... Give me a break... To think you were hugging me in that state... No, I’m fine. Everyone else is the problem. If Harry insists on being your older brother, he needs to handle this part of your education."

"Harry couldn't do it. 'I' didn't understand any of this stuff back then. Ron actually knew more because of Ginny."

And Maria, who is supposed to be the sister, is like this... you know?

I poked Draco with my finger as he slumped face-down onto the bed.

"Dracooo. While I’m here, I wanted to check on the Horcrux...?"

"...Tch. What a handful."

"Do you just... not know how to breathe without insulting me?"

"Right now, I am the one who deserves the most sympathy."

Or something like that. Despite his grumbling, the fact that he started undoing the seals on the side showed that Draco Malfoy is, at heart, a caretaker.

"Here, you wanted to check the Diary, right? It hasn't disappeared. The inside is the same, T.M. Riddle on the first page—"

Suddenly, Draco stopped, staring at the diary.

"...Draco?"

Next, he stared at me. I swallowed hard at the sudden change in atmosphere. The lighthearted mood from moments ago vanished in an instant.

"Draco? What’s wrong?"

"...Maria."

The way he climbed onto the bed reminded me of a snake. He stroked my cheek. It wasn't the usual affectionate gesture—it was something else—almost like—

"What... hey, you’re scaring me."

"Ah, sorry. ...I just thought I’d... check something."

"Check?" My voice failed me as it was stolen away.

"Mmph—!?"

Something slick. A raw warmth and sensation I hadn't felt in a very long time was forced into my mouth. My shoulders were pinned to the bed, my head tilted back, and a snake-like tongue invaded my open mouth, thrashing as it tried to reach the back of my throat. Cold fingers slid under the hem of my pajamas, stroking my stomach and ribs, tracing a path downward. His ice-grey eyes watched me, burning with a cold, flickering flame.

Don't mess with me.

"——Th...u...gh..."

"...That was more than just a prank."

Draco pulled his tongue back into his own mouth, watching me with eyes that seemed almost... clinical.

"...Is that all?"

"Oh? 'Is that all?' Were you checking to see if I’d have some maidenly reaction? Sorry to disappoint, but I’m not that naive. I thought you knew that."

"I suppose so. My mistake. ...Hmm, I see."

His attitude—acting like he was just conducting research—made my blood boil.

Kissing someone without permission, and a kiss like that... and then acting like that? Sure, he has a researcher’s temperament, but even so—don't mess with me, don't mess with me, don't mess with me!

"...Can you move now? I might not be able to use a wand, but I remember my martial arts. That’s something I 'carried over' too. You’ll let me get one slap in, won't you?"

"Don't be so angry, Maria. It's not like we have that kind of relationship, right?"

"We don't! Which is why you—! Ugh, forget it!"

I kicked him with all my might—which he dodged easily. God, he’s annoying! I grabbed the Invisibility Cloak and headed for the door. Just before closing it, I spat one last thing at Draco, who was still staring at me.

"Next year, when you look at Astoria, think about how shameless you’re being right now!"

Everything! Is just! So! Annoying!