Chapter 100: 3-2
The Room of Requirement really is incredibly convenient. I thought so from the bottom of my heart as I looked at the king-sized bed that had materialized the moment the door opened.
"Did you speak with them?"
Looking at the aristocratic boy lounging there, a sudden wave of exhaustion washed over me. It was an incredibly elegant sight, like a swan resting its wings. —Why on earth can this guy be so relaxed in this situation? It feels like I'm the only one panicking.
"I did. Though I didn't say anything about the future... I told them about myself."
Shucking off my robes and kicking off my shoes, I collapsed onto the bed on my back. I found myself aimlessly staring at the face of my partner right next to me—though it felt strange to call him my partner as Harry, rather than Maria. He really had a beautiful, aristocratic face. When it came to good looks, Sirius was the one who usually came to mind (even as a boy, his handsome features were completely flawless), but Draco's features possessed a delicate quality, like fine glassware.
"What is it?"
Only when he smiled did he feel like a flesh-and-blood human being. I see—when his face was expressionless, he looked exactly like an exquisite doll. His pale skin, along with his light hair and eyes, only accentuated that impression.
"I was just wondering if you're okay with this."
"Hmm?"
"It looks like Narcissa is still here in her final year... Don't you want to see her?"
Draco's eyes, which could look pale blue depending on the light, narrowed thoughtfully. The way his golden eyelashes brushed over his eyes called to mind a veiled gemstone.
"I don't mind. Unlike yours, my father and mother are alive. I can see them anytime. Even in that battle, they prioritized survival... even if they were branded as traitors for it."
Narcissa, who lied about Harry Potter's death for the sake of her child. Lucius, who rushed to his son's side amidst the flames of war, even without a wand. —Everything they did was so they could "live" with the family they loved.
"...I envy that."
"I imagine so. —The adults around you have been nothing but terrible."
Draco’s fingers brushed away my bangs and traced my forehead, lightly tickling my lightning-bolt scar with his fingertips.
I closed my eyes. The time in this world was infinitely kind to 'me'.
"Goodnight, Harry."
It was a world so sweet—it made it impossible to think about anything else.
It was pure coincidence that I spotted him in the library. Draco, who had taken off the cloak because there was no one around, was staying close to Lily, while I was browsing another bookshelf, still holding the cloak. Not many students used the library on a Saturday holiday unless exams were around the corner. That was why—he caught my eye.
"Snape."
He turned around. Our eyes met clearly. An indescribable silence stretched between us.
"...Do you still want something, Potter?"
—'Still'? What did he mean by still? ...Don't tell me my father did something?
"I've told you repeatedly that I won't tell anyone what I saw yesterday—oh, so you're the one."
"Yes. Um—I'm Harry Potter."
I could see his dark eyes, hidden behind his greasy hair, narrowing in displeasure. His glare was sharp. Even if I hadn't been able to see his eyes, it would have been painfully obvious: he hated me—he hated this appearance of mine.
"Sna—"
"I don't know who or what you are, but you were clever to win Lily over. Is it hardcoded into the blood of every Potter to stalk her?"
A contemptuous gaze. I knew it. Being hated. Being resented. —I knew this look all too well.
"I'm not James."
The words slipped out like a gasp. I am not the James Potter you hate... Professor Snape.
"...I won't thank you."
"Fine. I don't want you to, anyway."
When I fired back defiantly, he clicked his tongue in irritation. Has this man always been like this?
He really is... alive. In this place. In this world.
There are no marks of death on his neck.
"—Sev!"
Lily seemed to have spotted the young Snape as well, and she ran over, beaming with joy. Draco pulled the hood of his robe down low over his face.
"Sev, why are you—oh... wait, he's not Potter. Well, he is a Potter, but..."
"I know. He's probably a relative of that man's. Since he's an only child who grew up being completely spoiled."
"Sev, don't say it like that..."
Lily's eyes darted anxiously between me and Snape. It was obvious she was worried about me, the son of the person they were talking about.
"It's okay, Lily. I was thinking the exact same thing."
"Oh, Harry. Please don't despair, alright? I mean, he does have his good points. He cares about his friends, and he has great leadership qualities. There are plenty of people who look up to him and admire him. Really!"
I offered a hollow smile to Lily, who was desperately trying to smooth things over. Please stop, before Snape's eyes actually cast a hex on me.
"So, who is this?"
"This is Harry."
"............"
"Ha-rry. Call him by his name properly."
Snape yielded to Lily, who had placed her hands on her hips in a thoroughly familiar scolding posture. (It must have been because my angry mother looked incredibly cute.)
"...Harry."
You should have seen me at that moment! It felt like I'd been struck by lightning. Because Snape—that Snape—just called me Harry?!
"Did you thank Harry for yesterday? Who knows what would have happened if he hadn't been there."
"...I could have handled something like that on my own."
"Don't be so stubborn!"
Lily gently pinched Snape's cheek. It was a thoroughly heartwarming sight. Meanwhile, Draco slipped back to my side, and together we gripped the cloak. I felt bad for Lily, but we should probably use this chance to—
"Ah, there you are, my white lily! —And, well, what do we have here? Pests ruining the flowers, I suppose?"
"How about aphids?"
"Brilliant, Sirius."
Voices I absolutely loathed from the people I loved so dearly echoed out. Once again, I found myself standing in front of James and his lot. Why on earth did you all scatter malice so innocently?
When I glared directly at him, James offered a bright smile. —A bright smile?
"Harry! I've been looking for you. I figured you'd be with Evans. You've got the cloak with you, right? Come along then."
"Huh? Um... James?"
"Harry."
Draco grabbed my arm. A face identical to mine looked at Draco. His face shouldn't have been visible thanks to the hood. However, if James knew the name Draco Malfoy, he would easily figure out who was standing there.
"Oh, you're fine where you are. Why don't you stay with that crybaby over there, like a good little Slytherin? Come on, Harry?"
"I'm afraid you're out of luck. These two are under my protection right now. What are you thinking, after what happened just yesterday? Shame on you. Do you have any idea what you did to him—"
"We've already made peace on that front, my lovely Lily. I'm sorry, a library date with you sounds wonderful, of course... but today, the invitation is for Harry alone. You'll come, right? Harry."
James extended a hand toward me, his face wearing an expression that took it completely for granted that I wouldn't refuse.
"It seems the great Gryffindor hero remains just as arrogant, even toward his own kin."
"Oh, look at that, can aphids speak?"
"Potter, stop insulting Sev."
Although no wands had been drawn yet, an ominous tension was beginning to drift through the air. It was a powder keg. Deciding that getting them away before the spark caught was the best solution for now, I turned back to Draco and Lily.
"I'll be right back."
"Harry!"
"It's fine, Lily. It's true that we made peace. ...I'm counting on you, Draco."
I whispered to him, his beautiful blonde hair completely hidden beneath the hood. Even without the Invisibility Cloak, he would manage just fine. Brushing past Lily's protest-filled gaze, I headed for the library exit, while James lightheartedly flirted with Lily behind me.
"My beautiful princess! I love you!"
"I absolutely loathe you!"
—I thought to myself from the bottom of my heart how glad I was that the librarian of this era wasn't Madam Pince.
Comments (0)
Please login or sign up to post a comment.