Chapter 51: 4-1

Due to Sirius Black’s break-in, the Great Hall was turned into a "giddy-and-bashful" school-wide sleepover that night. Of course, Maria was the only one poking fun at it with such a description.

Bundled in their squishy purple sleeping bags, the Trio whispered together. Before long, nearby Gryffindors joined in, and the hushed gossip grew louder. Percy, taking his duty to settle everyone down very seriously, was bustling about, busily reprimanding anyone who spoke.

"Black was a fool to choose tonight for a raid," Ron whispered. "The Common Rooms were completely empty during the Halloween feast."

That’s exactly why, Maria thought, her eyes closed as she answered only in her mind. He thought he could pick off Scabbers in secret while the students were gone.

"How do you think he got in?"

"He must have used a disguise."

"If there’s a disguise that can fool a Dementor, I’d certainly like to see it," Hermione countered. "And Filch knows every single one of the secret passages."

Maria countered Hermione’s argument internally. Disguise? Close, but not quite. It wasn’t a disguise—it was a Transformation. And as the original Marauders, they know the secret passages far better than Filch ever will.

She felt her lips starting to curl into a smirk and fought to suppress it. Suddenly, someone patted her head. She knew the touch instantly—it was Harry’s hand.

"Everyone, let's stop. Maria looks like she can't sleep."

"Maria? She’s already asleep, isn't she?"

"No, she’s just got her eyes closed," Harry answered matter-of-factly.

It was so typical of him to notice that Maria couldn't help but open her eyes, amused.

"Harry, you don't have to worry about me."

"Whoa, she really was awake," Ron said, his eyes widening.

"I do worry," Harry said. "Besides, Percy will have his eye on us."

Harry pulled her into a hug—sleeping bag and all—while one hand continued to stroke her hair like he was soothing a child.

I used to be the bigger one, able to tuck him right into my arms, Maria thought. Now, it’s completely the other way around. Boys grow up so fast. I know that better than anyone, having been one myself. By next year, he’ll be crying from growth pains.

"Watching the two of you makes me forget all about gender roles," Hermione remarked.

"Gender what?" Ron asked blankly.

Behind him, the twins—the "troublemaking ones," according to Hermione—started making a racket. "We can’t let them beat us! Let’s show some brotherly love, Fred!" "Right you are, George!" they shouted, only to be immediately scolded by Percy. Listening to them, the group huddled closer and laughed.

"This is nice."

"A bit inappropriate, given the circumstances," Hermione whispered.

They pressed a light, affectionate kiss to each other's foreheads.

"Goodnight, Harry."

"Goodnight, Maria."

Goodnight... Sirius.

The following day, Harry was plagued by the tightened security and the constant surveillance placed on him. Wherever he went, Percy or a teacher seemed to follow.

It was only natural. Aside from Maria and Draco, everyone was convinced that Sirius Black’s target was Harry. They couldn't afford to lose Harry—the symbol of hope.

The chances of Harry getting permission to visit Hogsmeade—already near zero—drifted even further away. As if reflecting Harry’s mounting frustration, the weather took a turn for the worse. Amidst a legendary storm, the day of the Gryffindor Quidditch match arrived.

Their opponent was supposed to be Slytherin—but when Maria saw the flash of yellow uniforms, she felt a wave of exhaustion. So it’s happening this way again.

"Cedric."

"Hi, Maria. Terrible weather, isn't it? Make sure you don't catch a cold."

"You should be telling yourself that, Cedric."

"In that case, pass the message on to Harry for me."

He ruffled her hair. His fingers felt pleasant, and she giggled until he reached out to smooth her messy hair back into place. He was a natural at looking after others.

Maria had become something of a "little sister" to Cedric. She felt a slight sting from the gaze of Cho Chang, Cedric’s girlfriend. Even if it was just a faint, past admiration, it was awkward to be the object of jealousy from a woman she had once had a crush on. If I were still 'Harry' the boy, this wouldn't be happening... though, if I were Harry, I probably wouldn't have become this close to Cedric.

"Why the sudden swap with Slytherin?" Maria asked.

This time, the Slytherin Seeker's arm was perfectly fine. She had seen Theodore in Potions, and he seemed completely unscathed.

"Apparently, every single one of them suddenly 'fell ill,'" Cedric said, shrugging with a look of pure disbelief.

Maria looked back at him with an identical expression of exasperation. They locked eyes for a moment and shared a small, conspiratorial laugh, much like they had when a prank succeeded in the past. Cedric was often called the "strong, silent type," but once you got to know him, he was incredibly humorous. Very Hufflepuff.

"I’ll be cheering for you. Though, obviously, Harry is my number one. But I’m rooting for you too."

"Thanks, Maria. I'll give it my all, regardless of the weather."

They shared an encouraging handshake before he headed onto the pitch. Maria had already given Harry his "good luck" kiss and hug that morning, along with a Impervius Charm on his glasses. Now, all she had to do was find the seats Draco was holding. A green robe buried in a sea of red was quite easy to spot.

She reached inside her robe and pulled out the Invisibility Cloak she had been hiding.

"Well then, let’s go pick him up."

By now, seeing a green robe in the Gryffindor stands during a match had become such a common sight that Draco and those around him acted as if it were perfectly normal. However, a small, respectful gap was still maintained around him—another unofficial tradition. Maria slipped into the seat beside him. Today, she was grateful for the extra space.

She wondered if Draco ever got flak from his fellow Slytherins for cheering for Gryffindor. Then again, Draco is an expert at navigating social waters. It's not something I need to worry about.

"The Omnioculars seem completely useless in this," Maria remarked.

"Tomorrow will be a repeat of last year's flu epidemic," Draco grumbled.

Maria used her hood and charms to deflect the bullets of rain. They only stopped the water, though; the biting cold was still prominent. However, she didn't feel confident enough to control wandless warming charms as a third-year, so she simply had to endure it.

"Professor Lupin was out of DADA yesterday. Professor Snape took over as the substitute."

She felt a slight stir. Not from Draco.

"Professor Snape completely ignored Lupin’s lesson plan and started teaching us about Werewolves. Hermione was furious. When he asked about the difference between a werewolf and a true wolf, she kept her hand up as usual, but he ignored her. So, I raised my hand too. Eventually, he gave up and called on Hermione... apparently, he’d rather talk to a 'shameful know-it-all' like Hermione than have a conversation with me."

She thought she heard a low, soft growl and patted the "empty" space beside her.

No. You promised, remember? No barking, no fussing, no moving. Sirius.

"I wonder what kind of 'illness' Professor Lupin has," she mused.

Having delivered the information she wanted Sirius to hear, she smiled at Draco. Draco, realizing there was "something" invisible where her hand was resting, looked at her with a suspicious, dubious expression.

Remus Lupin and Severus Snape are both here. So please, be more careful... Sirius.

A massive crack of thunder shook the air, and lightning tore through the dark clouds just as the red and yellow blurs took flight. The rain made it almost impossible to see; without Lee Jordan’s commentary, they wouldn't have known what was happening. Even the commentary was often drowned out by the wind and thunder. It was the worst possible conditions for a match.

After several timeouts, the players were barely clinging to their brooms. Then—a chill that didn't come from the weather began to drift through the air.

Maria gasped, clutching herself. She gripped her wand. Someone’s arm wrapped around her shoulders. His body temperature was always low, but in this freezing air, it was the only thing that felt like heat.

The Patronus... I have to call a Patronus... no, calm down. A third-year shouldn't be able to cast one. It would be bad if I used it—bad, but—

She saw the horrific shadows swarming the pitch, reaching out for Harry as he fell from his broom like a gift from the heavens. Something snapped in her mind.

I will not let Despair touch Harry.

"Expecto Patronum!"

A burst of silver light erupted from her Cypress wand, taking the shape of a Stag. The stag charged toward Harry. Below, Dumbledore was also brandishing silver light, driving back the Dementors.

Harry’s fall slowed. The stag pulled alongside him, as if catching him on its back. Sirius watched. He simply stood there and watched.

After delivering Harry safely to the ground, the stag nuzzled his face several times with concern before vanishing like mist. Cedric caught the Snitch, and the final whistle echoed against the thunder. Harry was carried away on a magical stretcher summoned by Dumbledore. The Headmaster was livid. And so was Maria.

"Maria."

She leaned her weight against Draco, her magic completely drained.

"...Can we pretend you did that?" she whispered.

"Don't be stupid."

"But everyone thinks you're brilliant. It’s more believable coming from you than from me—someone who's supposedly 'bad' at Charms."

Supposedly being the operative word.

"...Even so, we won't be able to fool the teachers."

"Yeah... yeah, that's fine. For now."

As long as Harry didn't freeze, that was enough.

She reached out to touch the "invisible" figure crouching beside her. He wasn't crouching, though. He was stretching his neck out toward the pitch.

She stroked him from his neck to his back through the cloak.

"Please, keep it a secret. Mr. Black Dog."

And I’ll keep it a secret that you cried.