Chapter 28: 2-1

September 1st. Even though the Weasley family had looked perfectly satisfied, having finished all their preparations the day before, The Burrow was in an absolute state of pandemonium since dawn. People were sprinting up and down the stairs, dashing left and right. George took Ron’s place, Ron took Fred’s, and Fred swapped with Ginny in a dizzying blur.

I’ve seen this before. I’ve watched that movie several times during Christmas—the one where a kid is accidentally left behind by his family during a holiday trip and spends a "wonderful" Christmas dealing with burglars in various ways. This was the exact image of that movie’s morning chaos.

It was a performance so flawless it might as well have been a Muggle form of magic. ...Except this time, it wasn’t Kevin being left behind; it was Harry. Haha. Not funny.

We scrambled into the car, and as expected, the children began shouting about forgotten items one after another. Mr. Weasley was forced to drive back and forth repeatedly. Poor man.

However, I felt a private sense of relief because Ginny didn't scream about forgetting her diary.

...You don't have it, right? This time, you aren't risking your soul playing with something suspicious that can think for itself when you can't see where it keeps its brain?

"Maria?"

"Are you feeling car-sick?"

Looking at my future brother and sister-in-law, who were holding my hands with worried expressions—I must have looked quite pale—an explosion of affection welled up inside me, and I pulled them both into a tight hug.

Please, stay just as you are, my angels.

By the time we stood before the barrier at King’s Cross Station, we had less than five minutes left. Starting with Percy, the Weasleys vanished through the barrier one by one.

"Ron, you go first. Harry and I will go together."

"Okay."

I didn't want to drag him into a journey of being "grandly late" again, so I subtly guided things so that the damage would be contained to just us.

The problem with Dobby is that he’s doing "this" out of one-hundred percent pure goodwill, which makes it complicated. ...Since he's so obsessed with Harry staying home, I wonder if he actually knows about the Blood Protection.

"Let’s go, Maria."

"Yeah..."

Learning from last time, we pushed a single trolley loaded with both our trunks together.

CRASH!

I reflexively caught Hedwig as her cage toppled and managed to steady Harry as he stumbled. The luggage couldn't be helped. At least there was nothing breakable inside.

As I watched Harry standing there dazed and a station guard marching toward us to see what the fuss was about, my shoulders slumped. It was already past eleven o’clock.

Dobby’s "goodwill"... is honestly a bit life-threatening.

We reloaded the trolley and sat down with Harry in a corner of the car park, away from the crowds. Mr. Weasley’s Ford Anglia was already gone.

"What am I supposed to do...?"

"Let's have Hedwig take a letter for us."

"That’s it!"

I watched Harry busily spread a piece of parchment over his knees. Who should it be delivered to? Hagrid or Dumbledore? Professor McGonagall would be too busy assisting with the Sorting of the new students. The Headmaster can't exactly leave the Start-of-Term Feast, and Hagrid... well, his appearance is a bit "unsuitable" for the Muggle world. The same goes for Professor Flitwick. So, that leaves—that leaves...?

"I’m counting on you, Hedwig."

The beautiful Snowy Owl gave Harry’s finger and my ear an affectionate nip before taking flight with the plea for rescue Harry had entrusted to her. I hoped someone would come for us before the night grew too old. Otherwise, two children with heavy trunks would be mistaken for runaways and picked up by the police.

As insurance, I used a piece of enchanted stationery to send an explanation of the situation to Draco. With that done, we were left with nothing but time on our hands.

"Hey, Harry?"

"Yes, Maria?"

A light weight settled on my shoulder. Harry’s messy hair tickled my neck.

"What do you think of Ginny?"

"Ginny?"

His bright green eyes looked up through long lashes. They were beautiful, like jewels. —The eyes that used to be my pride.

"Hmm, I don't really know. I haven't really been able to talk to her properly."

"Oh, right."

"But... I’m a little lonely."

"Lonely?"

I tilted my head, puzzled by an answer that didn't seem to fit the question.

"...Because, Maria, you dote on her like she's your own little sister."

"............"

I blinked rapidly. Something swelled up from my chest and started racing through my mind.

"Oh—Harry, Harry, Harry! Are you perhaps—! My brother is the cutest thing in the world! I love you, Harry!"

"Whoa, Maria, I can't breathe... and I'm the older brother!"

"I love Ginny too—but you’re my only real sibling!"

"Honestly, Maria. That’s obvious, isn't it?"

"Hehe, hehehe."

...It’s not obvious. It’s not obvious at all, Harry.

There are worlds where you, Harry, are all alone.

We bumped our foreheads together, giggling softly. I thought this would be a tedious wait, but just having a sibling by my side made me feel happy anytime, anywhere.

"I love you, my one and only Maria."

"I love you, my one and only Harry."

I love you—my precious people.

It was night. Using our trunks as chairs—having already returned the trolley to the station—I looked up at the stars from a secluded park. Harry’s head was in my lap, his breathing soft and peaceful as he slept. I enjoyed the feeling of his messy hair sliding through my fingers.

The stars, drowned out by the city lights, looked somewhat pitiful. I missed the night sky of the Great Hall, which glowed with magical brilliance even if it wasn't "real." I had wanted to see Ginny’s Sorting this time, and my stomach was yearning for the masterpiece of a feast prepared by the House-elves.

"Harry..."

Giving up on the starlight, I gazed at his innocent sleeping face, which shared its warmth with me. I playfully tickled his cheek. Thanks to Mrs. Weasley, his face was starting to fill out, feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. I teased his lips with my finger too. They were bouncy and soft. He was still such a child.

"Look at that peaceful face. ...Even I’m starting to get sleepy."

"—That would be most inconvenient. Two twelve-year-olds camping out with more luggage than they can carry. A lamentable display of poor risk management, I see."

My fingers, still touching Harry, froze along with the rest of my body. —No, wait, I had a feeling this would happen. By process of elimination, I figured it might be him.

But—seriously—really—?

"Professor... Snape..."

"Your sister... and your brother... have made the bold and audacious request to use an honorable Professor of Hogwarts as a personal chauffeur. And it seems the parties in question have been spending their time quite meaningfully. Splendid, splendid. It appears my efforts in wandering the streets of London were not in vain. ...Wake that arrogant dunderhead at once and stand up."

"Y-Yes! Harry, Harry, wake up! The Professor is here!"

Under eyes as cold as a gun barrel, I frantically shook Harry. He was in a terrifyingly foul mood. His face practically screamed "points will be taken." Had some Gryffindor already caused trouble? At this rate, he looked ready to kick the drowsy Harry.

"Harry... hey..."

"...Mmm, yeah? Maria? Good morning."

Harry has low blood pressure. He can't wake up instantly. I knew this. That’s why in the mornings, even if we woke at the same time, we usually spent time cuddling until Harry was functional.

Let me repeat. —Harry was half-asleep.

Mwah.

First on the nose. Then the forehead. The eyelids. And finally, a kiss on the cheek. For us, it was a familiar display of affection—

CRACK.

I didn't want to think about who had just made that sound from right in front of us.

"Harry! Wake up! This is usually fine, but not today! The Professor is watching—it's Professor Snape!?"

"Indeed... 'Usually,' you say. So, waking up to such a 'charming' display of sibling affection is a daily occurrence. I fail to recall when Hogwarts began offering nursery services for infants. —Oh, Miss Potter? There is no need for such haste. A child who cannot be weaned is bound to be fussy. I presume you are quite exhausted from juggling your studies with your daily babysitting duties? Allow me to offer my humble assistance in waking him."

"Eep... N-No thank you!"

"Don't be modest. I am more than willing to brandish my wand if a student is in need."

I almost reflexively shouted "Liar!"—but Harry’s sudden bolt upright silenced both me and Professor Snape.

"Um, er... Good morning, Professor... Snape."

"............Fix that twisted bird's nest you call hair and make your filthy face presentable this instant. There will be detention once we return to Hogwarts."

""............YES, SIR.""

For once, I couldn't bring myself to scream that it was unfair.