Chapter 96: 2-2
No matter the era, the lively voices of students never failed to quicken the heart.
"Well? Harry, Draco. Is there anything different from your time?"
Lily whispered softly. It was neither a yes nor a no, but when I nudged her arm with just the tip of my finger by way of a reply, she let out a delighted giggle.
True to her declaration that she would stay with us all day, Lily, who had returned clutching the Invisibility Cloak she'd obtained, was planning to skip all her remaining classes. We had managed to persuade her otherwise, telling her that we would wait quietly under the Cloak so she should go to class, and not to waste her time for our sake. That was how we ended up here. Next was Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class.
"Even so, it really is fascinating. To think that the sons of Lucius and James are such good friends!"
To avoid the foolish mistake of letting a heel slip out from under the Cloak, we were pressed so close together that our arms were almost linked, and we exchanged a silent look.
Unfortunately, the truth was that when we actually looked this age, we were the bitterest of enemies. Those words should really be directed at your grandsons, Albus and Scorpius.
"Lily! I've been looking for you. Can you make it to the next class?"
"Mary!"
A schoolgirl ran up to Lily familiarly. To ensure she wouldn't accidentally bump into us, I gently pushed Draco against the wall, leaning back with him.
"Why didn't you come to Herbology? I made up a random excuse to the professor for you."
"Thank you, Mary. I knew I could count on you. I had a bit of trouble, but everything's fine now."
"Well, it's you, Lily. Unlike those troublemakers, I can't imagine you skipping class without a good reason."
"That's sweet of you, Mary."
The girls chatted brightly. ...This feels a bit like we're eavesdropping. When I caught Draco's eye to convey this, he gave a rather complicated nod. In his case, though, it was probably his pride getting in the way rather than awkwardness.
"Oh, Lily? Why are you going that way? This way is shorter."
"I feel like taking the long way today. I'm actually giving a tour of the castle right now."
"To whom?"
"To invisible children."
Lily feigned playfulness. Even though I knew it was pure coincidence, my heart skipped a beat when her eyes locked straight onto us. Her friend, Mary, looked puzzled but said, "Well, I want to get there early, so I'll go this way," and split off.
"...Are you sure about this, Lily?"
Leaving Draco to keep watch on our surroundings, I whispered to Lily. Lily was popular; whenever she was alone, so many friends would come up to talk to her. Yet she had turned them all down. For our sake.
"It's fine. Honestly, I'd love nothing more than to show you around the castle openly. You've come all the way from the future, after all. But that will have to wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow is Saturday, you see."
"We aren't as young as you think we are," I said, unable to help myself, letting the words sink in.
The truth was, we were already adults. —Older than the future version of you.
"As long as we have the Invisibility Cloak, we can manage—"
"No. What if someone catches you? No one knows you here. No one can protect you. —Not a single soul."
It hit me. We had intended to take the Invisibility Cloak and hole up in the Room of Requirement until classes started and the corridors cleared. I finally understood why Lily had insisted on showing us around the castle during this era.
"You might think I'm being meddlesome, but knowing that you... that you are actually old enough to be my children, I'm not cold-hearted enough to cast you out into a world where you have neither allies nor acquaintances. Even if we look the same age—you are our 'children.' We have to be very careful even about consulting the professors. I, Lily Evans, will take full responsibility for you."
The girl making this dignified declaration to our invisible selves was beautiful. She radiated a nobility and brilliance from within, truly like a white lily.
"Thank you... Lily."
Words that had long lost a place to be spoken finally reached their destination now.
Thank you—Mum.
We saw Lily off outside the Transfiguration classroom. Having promised to wait in the corridor until class ended, we waited for the hallway to empty before speaking.
"Your mother..."
"Yeah."
"...is a beautiful person."
"I know, right?"
Out of embarrassment, I gave an exaggerated, theatrical nod. It only made me feel more self-conscious. A tactical error.
"Of course, my own mother is a wonderful woman as well."
"Wow, you really never change... Alright, alright, I'm listening."
"Why is it that mothers possess... such a profound capacity for love?"
I couldn't help but burst out laughing. After all—to think that the Draco Malfoy would speak of love with such absolute seriousness.
"Why do you—why do you have to be so adorable sometimes?"
"That's a novel way to pick a fight, Potter."
He glared at me with those cold, blue-grey eyes, so I quickly held up my hands in surrender.
"Well... it's because their love is so profound that they become mothers."
I muttered, then let out a wry smile, thinking how shallow it sounded out loud. Come to think of it, if only he had known a mother's love, even Tom Riddle might have————No, stop. This line of thought is completely futile.
The conversation died down, and we listened to the distant voices of students echoing from somewhere. —It was peaceful. It felt impossible to believe that a dark era was about to deepen.
"Normally, I'd want to use this time to go to the library or something."
"...It seems we cannot break our promise to Miss Evans."
"Troublesome, isn't it?"
I smiled faintly at the bittersweet comfort spreading through my chest. The students and the school seemed completely unchanged—yet this was a past that not even 'I' knew.
"...It's a strange feeling."
I idly shifted the Invisibility Cloak. The wall opposite us formed strange, distorted patterns.
"Because right now, I'm Harry Potter. ...It feels so bizarre not having Ron and Hermione by my side."
If the two of them were here, we might not have even kept Mum's promise. Hermione would be torn between keeping her word and utilizing her time, while Ron would eventually get bored, say something careless, and get scolded by her. In the end, Hermione would choose the library. They were 'my' best friends. I knew exactly what they'd do, even if they weren't right in front of me.
"Sorry that it's Draco Malfoy standing next to you instead," he spat out irritably.
Startled by his sour tone, I instinctively turned to look at him.
"What are you talking about? Having Ron and Hermione by my side is a given—but having you right here in front of me is just as natural, isn't it?"
I stared at Draco. Draco stared back at me.
"Harry Potter's rival is Draco Malfoy. That's something—anyone who knows 'me' would take for granted."
Draco stared at me. He stared—his ice-grey eyes brimming with unspoken emotion.
"It's natural for you to be close by, too. After spending all those years constantly getting in my way, you choose now to say that?"
I held his gaze, refusing to back down. I fought desperately to read the emotions of a man whose greatest talent lay in closing off his mind—a task that felt as though it required more intensity than even performing Legilimency. —Because his eyes were speaking volumes.
How could you possibly forget? Wherever I went, whatever I did, you would always appear, making your presence known, irritating me to no end—permanently etching the very existence of Draco Malfoy into my life.
"After all this time?"
"Yes, after all this time."
He lowered his eyelids over those burning eyes, the ice within them melting away. Draco stopped looking at me. Once again, conversation ceased.
Silence. There was only one difference from before—he brushed his hand against mine. That was all.
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