Chapter 58: 6-2

Neville’s round face was crumpled in tears. He was also a little angry. Why did you cover for me? he seemed to be asking.

"I wasn't covering for you. I really did lose my notes, too. So, if you don't mind, could you go through the portrait hole with me from now on, Neville? You know—Professor McGonagall forbade me from writing down the passwords, right?"

I smiled wryly at the boy who was sobbing and dripping snot.

The truth was, Sirius really had managed to break into Gryffindor Tower using Neville's notes. But it wasn't Neville's fault. After all, the one who actually took Neville's notes was our brave collaborator, Crookshanks.

My conscience simply wouldn't allow Neville to be punished when he was entirely blameless. That was all there was to it.

Honestly, Sirius, why resort to such a forceful approach now...? Did Crookshanks perhaps tell him about Scabbers's escape? Is that why he panicked?

"Maria, Maria, I'm going to tell Professor McGonagall after all. Even Professor McGonagall knows you wouldn't make a mistake like that. I mean, she looked right at me back then."

"You're overthinking it. Besides, you overestimate me, Neville. You know Hermione is always scolding me for being absent-minded, right? Plus, in situations like this, whoever speaks first wins."

"It's not about winning!"

"I suppose you're right."

As I laughed out loud, Neville looked over at Harry as if begging for help. Harry, on the other hand, was shaking his head with a philosophical expression.

Stop looking at me like I'm a lost cause. Your big sister is sad.

"Give it up, Neville. This is just how Maria is. You understand how I feel now, right? Because Maria is like this, I'm always left fretting over her."

"Harry..."

Leaving me out of it... no, using me as bait, Harry and Neville's friendship deepened. Wow, I'm not entirely thrilled about this.

"Let's just let such trivial things slide."

"It's not trivial..."

"Is Ron caught up with another nameless student again? He's become quite the hero."

I asked Harry, noting the absence of the tall redhead who rarely left his side.

Ron had become a celebrity overnight. He was acting all high and mighty, as if he had fought off Sirius Black himself. Whenever anyone asked about that night, he would gladly recount the tale to anyone who'd listen. In agonizing detail, no less.

The fact that the story grew more detailed with every telling... was it because he was remembering more, or was he just exaggerating and adding things on? ...Pressing the issue wouldn't make anyone happy, so I decided to leave it be.

"Ron seems to be enjoying himself."

I giggled at Harry, who looked as though he wanted to say it was inappropriate.

"Guess what Ron said to me? 'Sorry, Maria, I'm clocking out of the sidekick club first.' Can you believe him?"

"Oh, Ron..."

"It's so like him."

Neville and Harry both looked exasperated, but that was exactly what made Ron so interesting. His childishness, for better or worse, always managed to shatter any stagnant atmosphere.

"...Hey, Maria."

Suddenly, a thoughtful Harry looked at me, and then at Neville.

"Neville, is it okay if we borrow your dormitory again?"

"A secret meeting, huh? I don't mind, Maria, Harry."

Neville nodded knowingly. Thanking him, I retreated into the boys' dormitories with Harry.

"I told you I saw Black, right?"

Though he hesitated, Harry brought it up, his eyes entirely serious.

"He was standing over Ron holding a knife. I was absolutely sure Ron was going to be murdered. I didn't think I could draw my wand in time."

"But, you were wrong."

"...Yeah. Black wasn't looking at Ron at all."

As if trying desperately to squeeze out the memories, Harry sat on his own four-poster bed and stared at Ron's bed next to it.

"He was looking all around. I think he was staring at the floor. At first, I thought he was looking for me. But... our eyes met—he looked a lot cleaner than his photo in the Daily Prophet—and he said it. He said, 'Harry.'"

"......"

"It wasn't a 'I finally found you' kind of look. He looked incredibly surprised. ...For a second, I thought he was going to burst into tears."

Harry rested his forehead against his interlaced fingers. He seemed profoundly confused by the disconnect between the information he had and the reality he'd witnessed.

"It's weird, isn't it? Even though he's a mass murderer who's after my life."

"Is it?"

I gently patted his hunched back beside me.

"I think things you see with your own eyes and investigate yourself are far more trustworthy than information handed to you by others. Test things from all sorts of angles. Preconceptions are the most terrifying things because they always cloud the truth. Take it from your big sister's personal experience."

Harry remained silent for a few seconds, then gave a firm nod.

"I think I'm going to look into Sirius Black. I suppose you won't help me, Maria?"

"...Because I already know the answer."

I averted my eyes slightly, feeling a bit awkward.

You'll get there. After all, you're far, far smarter than foolish 'me'.

"Besides, don't you have the most reliable brain out there in the form of your best friend?"

When I narrowed my eyes mischievously, Harry offered a broad grin in return.

"Aye aye. I shall gladly assist you with your reconciliation."

The weekend of the Hogsmeade visit arrived. As usual, Harry and Ron seemed to be plotting to use a secret passage with the Marauder's Map, leaving me feeling deeply conflicted about taking their side.

I understood, because I'd been there myself. Being the only one left behind from a wonderful place like Hogsmeade was unbearable. I completely understood feeling that way.

However, as an adult who had raised a child (in a past life), their childish short-sightedness also made me feel somewhat pathetic. While the adults around him were so desperately on edge trying to protect him, the boy in question was effortlessly slipping through their protective grasp. And willingly, at that! How could I not feel exasperated by it?

"You should come too, Maria! We're using the Invisibility Cloak this time. The two of us can hide perfectly. You haven't even seen Honeydukes or Zonko's yet!"

Seeing their eyes sparkling, completely devoid of any hesitation, made me want to clutch my head in despair.

Thirteen... they were only thirteen. It's an adult's job to worry about children. It's a child's privilege to make adults worry. A child's ignorance isn't a sin. However—oh, perfect timing.

Spotting a tuft of bushy brown hair failing to hide completely behind the corner, I smiled wickedly.

"Sounds good, Harry. Maybe I'll tag along today. We absolutely won't get caught, right?"

"That's the spirit!"

"There are sweets I just know you'll love, Maria. But first, Butterbeer!"

Just as Ron threw an arm around my shoulder and Harry unfurled the map with a beaming smile, she leaped out, her face red with fury.

"I don't believe it—I'm so disappointed in you, Maria! I thought you, of all people, would definitely stop them!"

"Ugh... were you eavesdropping?"

"I-I just happened to overhear! Listen to me. If... if even you are going to do something so foolish, Maria... I'll tell Professor McGonagall about that map."

Sparks flew sharply between Ron and Hermione. Even Harry looked as if to say, What a busybody.

"Why are you so angry, Hermione? This doesn't actually harm you, does it? As long as we don't get caught, it's fine."

"—Maria, are you being serious?"

Rising perfectly to my provocation, Hermione trembled with rage and finally exploded.

"I don't believe it—I just can't believe it! Maria, you're out of your mind right now! Aren't you worried about Harry?! He could be k-killed! Black is after Harry! He managed to break into the dormitory—and R-Ron—Ron was almost killed!"

Large tears spilled from Hermione's brown eyes. At this, Ron, Harry, and I all gaped in utter shock.

"And you too, Ron! Getting carried away like that—you, you could have easily not been here today! W-We might have... we might have found your dead body in the dormitory! Do you have any idea—any idea how terrifying that is—"

When Hermione finally covered her face and began sobbing, Ron was the first one to rush to her side.

"H-Hey—don't do that, not here..."

"...Maria."

"...Alright, this one is on me."

Following Ron's lead, I gently rubbed Hermione's back.

"I'm sorry. I was lying, Hermione. I just wanted them to know—just how much you care about them. I told you before, didn't I? Whenever you get angry, it's always for someone else's sake. Now then, Ron. If you can hear all of this and still feel nothing, I'll have no choice but to despise you."

Ron hastily pulled his hand away from Hermione and looked down at his feet.

"You too, Harry. I'd like to think my little brother isn't so childish that he can't understand how much the people around him agonize over him?"

"...I'm the older brother."

"I don't need such a pathetic older brother."

"...I'm sorry."

Following Harry, Ron also muttered a small apology. Hearing that, Hermione opened her tear-filled eyes and threw herself at Ron.

"Oh—Ron! I'm so, so sorry about Scabbers. You were grieving the loss of your pet, and I should have been there for you."

"Y-Yeah... well, he was old anyway. And a bit useless."

Seeing Ron awkwardly patting Hermione, Harry and I couldn't help but smirk.

"Oh, look at the time. Well then, you two play nice and enjoy Hogsmeade."

"We'll go have some quality time of our own. We're counting on you, Ron."

I grabbed Harry's hand and left Ron behind, even as he shot us a look practically begging for help. As they say, a lovers' spat is best left to the lovers.

"Hey, Maria. ...Were you worried too?"

On the way to his office, Harry peeked at me tentatively, causing my face to break into a wide smile.

"Do you really think I wouldn't be? My dear other half."

More than anyone else in this world—I am always watching over you.

Holding the Marauder's Map, we stood before Professor Lupin's door, a room we had visited before.

"I'll go in. I think Professor Lupin will be better than McGonagall. ...For a punishment, I mean. Wait here, Maria."

"You don't want me to come with you?"

"You didn't use the map. Besides, if you're not waiting for me, I don't think I'll have the courage."

At Harry's endearing words, I pressed my lips to his forehead—a spot I now had to tilt my head up just to reach.

"I think you're full of courage. Though some might call it recklessness. Let's see—about as much as Neville."

I'm not sure if I should be happy about that. Offering a weak smile, Harry hugged me tightly before stepping into Professor Lupin's office.