Chapter 165: 6-3
Red hair flutters. It tickles my neck and flows down my shoulders. Perhaps it isn't as beautiful as hers—and it isn't quite like my beloved Ginny's, either—but for just a moment, it should be enough to shake him.
I understand just how cruel this appearance is to him.
"I'm sorry, Mum. Please, give me a good scolding when I join you there."
A black-clad back. Pitiful, as if bearing the sins of the entire world—a back crushed under the weight of a selfish love. Desperately, I try to recall the voice of that person I saw in my memories.
"────Sev."
"────"
I thrust the borrowed wand toward the eyes that turned back to look at me.
"Stupefy!"
"—Protego!"
The flash of light was easily deflected. A failure. Yeah—I didn't actually believe for a second that it would succeed. Lowering my wand, I smile maliciously at Severus Snape. Gently, so gently, I embody his ideal. This is sheer malice. After all, I know—just how much pain the sight of Lily Evans inflicts upon him.
"Just as I expected, Sev. I suppose you're quite used to surprise attacks."
"You have the same dreadful taste as your father, Potter."
"What, you won't even pretend to be fooled?"
I brush away the fluffy hair that was tickling my ears. While I'm at it, I idly straighten out the schoolgirl uniform I borrowed from Lavender. Professor Snape's expression as he looked down at me in silence was more contorted than I had ever seen it.
"When did you realize I was at Hogwarts?"
"You were distributing the healing potion I modified to those reckless fools. That is an altered recipe known only to me."
"Ah, I see... It was a mistake to use the Prince's textbook, then."
This also explained why the stockpile of potion ingredients I had been borrowing from him hadn't diminished at all. This man had been deliberately adjusting it. Knowing full well that he wouldn't honestly acknowledge it even if I thanked him, I keep it to a mere smile. The crease between Professor Snape's eyebrows deepened further.
"What is your business, Potter? Why reveal yourself now? You should have just stayed sneaking around, trembling miserably."
"I wanted to persuade you."
"Oh? And this is the result of squeezing your empty head for this supposed persuasion? It seems you resemble your good-for-nothing father in intellect as well."
"Perhaps I do. After all, look—with this appearance, I might at least be able to appeal to your emotions, right?"
Professor Snape falls entirely silent. He stares into my green eyes, his lips trembling as if he wants to say something. However, no words come. A spectacular failure. But I had nothing to lose anyway.
"Would you let yourself be defeated by my hand, Professor Snape?"
"...Potter."
"Just for a little while—this will definitely be settled soon—I want to keep you captured until then."
"──Is Hogwarts going to become a battlefield?"
"Yes."
I affirm it without hesitation. There is probably less than a day left. If Hufflepuff's Cup was stolen as planned, that should be the trigger for Voldemort. Voldemort—will notice Harry.
"Harry will win."
I declare. It is neither a hope nor a prophecy. Yes—history has already set its course.
"Harry will win this war. So──"
So, I want you to stay somewhere safe until everything is over. ──I couldn't bring myself to continue with that. Because I knew it would anger him. It was a pathetic hesitation, like a child trying to hide a blunder from a parent.
"Miss Potter, you should not voice things you do not believe you can achieve. It is merely unpleasant."
Professor Snape remained ruthlessly strict with me, as I faltered despite knowing he would never agree. I know. I understand perfectly well. There is no way this man, who was entrusted with the students by Dumbledore, would ever take my hand, especially knowing that Hogwarts itself will become a battlefield. He will not choose a coward like me.
That is why.
"This is a warning. You-Know-Who will definitely make contact with you. ──Beware of the snake."
I will be selfish too. Following the example of the selfish you—for my own sake, to save my own heart, I will save you. I will force my hypocrisy upon you.
"Potter."
After undoing the pointless disguise of Lily's appearance and turning my back to him, Professor Snape stopped me with a voice that was almost a whisper.
"──Does your scar hurt?"
Naturally, my wandless hand moved to stroke the scar carved into my chest.
"Yes. It hurts very much."
This pain────I will carry it with me even beyond death.
"Harry!" "Maria!"
Even though I had expected it, the moment I opened the door and saw my other half, we held each other tightly. There was no time for this at Shell Cottage, so seeing Harry so thoroughly battered once again made my heart ache intensely.
"Seeing as it's been almost a year, there's something deeply moving even about your lover-like physical affection," Seamus noted.
"What are you talking about, Seamus?"
"We're blood siblings, you know? There's no way we're lovers."
"That's right. Even if it's you, Maria, if you took Harry away from me, I'd have a hard time figuring out which one of you I should be jealous of."
"I'd be in trouble too. I don't feel like I could ever win against a sibling bond."
A burst of laughter erupted at the teasing from Ginny and Draco. The resistance headquarters was completely overflowing with people. Sensing the impending final battle, the Weasley siblings, including Ginny, had rushed over. Furthermore, Cho Chang, who should have graduated, along with several other alumni, were smiling at Harry with their wands in hand. Regardless of whether they were current students or alumni, everyone had solidified their resolve to stand together with a single purpose. I pat Harry's back as he trembles with emotion.
"Welcome back, Harry."
"I'm back, Maria."
I reach out my hand to Ron.
"Welcome back, Ron."
"Yeah—I'm back, Maria."
I catch Hermione in a hug.
"Welcome back, Hermione."
"Yes—yes, I'm back! Maria."
He is watching me.
"Welcome back────Draco."
"I'm back. My Maria."
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