An Unusual Side

Lucretia closed her Charms notebook and packed her schoolbag with Emma.

The consolidation practice for Professor Flitwick's Levitation Charm had just ended.

Emma had finally succeeded in keeping the feather steadily suspended in the air for a full one minute.

She hugged Lucretia, ecstatic. "You know, I was really worried at first that I wouldn't be able to keep up with the course, but that little trick you taught me was just so effective!"

Helena pushed up her glasses and said with a smile, "This is only the beginning. Didn't Professor Flitwick say that we have to learn at least six basic spell variants before Christmas?"

Sophia nodded quietly as always; her sketchbook was already filled with drawings of feathers and the trajectory diagrams of wand movements.

Lucretia glanced over and was surprised to find that those patterns seemed to capture the flow of magic—a level they couldn't see.

"Are you guys hungry?"

No sooner had Emma asked than her stomach let out a timely protest, causing the girls to laugh.

Sophia smiled and opened the classroom door. "Let's go. I heard there's roast beef and Yorkshire pudding today."

The four girls walked through the corridor toward the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was bustling during lunch, with plates clinking on the tables and the air filled with savory aromas.

The girls found empty seats at the Ravenclaw long table and sat down.

Lucretia swept her gaze over the Slytherin long table.

Green and silver ties were lined up neatly, but she didn't see the familiar figure she was looking for.

Helena noticed her line of sight. "They might still be in Herbology class. I heard the older students in the common room say that the fourth-year schedule is very tight on Wednesdays."

Her explanation was natural, yet Lucretia still felt a hint of disappointment.

Emma had already started piling food onto her plate.

Feeling that wasn't enough, she went to grab two more plates and started loading them with desserts. "You need to eat more, especially after you saved me. I owe you a big meal."

Lucretia's face warmed slightly. "Don't say that. Anyone would have done the same."

Emma insisted, "That's not true. Not everyone can control a broom without using their hands; that was just amazing!"

Helena and Sophia exchanged a gaze, and Lucretia felt a wave of unease.

Although her roommates were friendly about her special ability, she still worried that too much attention would invite trouble.

After lunch, they cleared their tableware and prepared to head to their afternoon classes.

Just as she stepped out of the Great Hall, Lucretia heard a familiar voice coming from the other end of the corridor.

Sirius's voice carried a distinct note of amusement. "You really should have seen him, Fork! Seven fractures! Madam Pomfrey said she'd never seen anyone fall down the Stairs so badly."

James laughed heartily, one hand resting on Sirius's shoulder. "That's what he gets for his own stupidity. Who told that brat to brag about doing high-difficulty flying maneuvers when he can't even walk straight?"

The two turned the Corner and ran straight into Lucretia and her group.

James stopped in his tracks immediately, a suspiciously brilliant smile spreading across his face.

He raised his voice deliberately. "Well, look who it is! The little hero of our Flying class!"

Sirius looked somewhat uncomfortable. His gaze lingered on Lucretia's face for a fleeting moment before shifting away, quickly recovering his usual air of careless elegance.

James drawled, dragging out his words. "Have you heard, Miss Lucretia? Isn't it a coincidence... that Jasper, the one who nearly crashed into your friend, fell down the Shifting Stairs last night?"

He leaned in with a mischievous smile, his eyes sparkling.

"He's lying in the Hospital Wing wailing right now. Seven fractures, mind you."

The implication in his words could not have been more obvious.

Lucretia looked calmly at James's face as he leaned in close.

His eyes were full of anticipation, waiting to see her shocked reaction.

But Lucretia merely nodded, the corner of her mouth curving into a small arc.

"I imagine it was just a coincidence, Mr. Potter. The Stairs at Hogwarts have always had a strong sense of... justice, don't they?"

James widened his eyes in an exaggerated display, feigning a shudder as he took a step back, clutching his throat and looking toward Sirius. "Did you hear that, Padfoot? It seems someone's Elder Brother has taught her quite a few hidden tricks!"

Lucretia couldn't help but laugh. "Relax, Mr. Potter. I only dispense justice to those who bully my friends, and my brothers are the same."

James's smile froze for an instant.

His expression shifted from teasing to genuine concern, his eyes darting quickly around the Corridor, searching for any sign of green ties.

James swallowed hard, his voice trembling slightly. "Merlin's beard. Don't say another word. If Crouch were to suddenly appear... I'd be finished."

Sirius was amused by Lucretia's reaction, the corner of his mouth curling into that lazy smile of his.

The girl, who was usually gentle and polite, now had a glint of mischief in her eyes and had even learned how to scare James.

This contrast made his gaze linger on her face for a few seconds longer.

She noticed his stare and tilted her head slightly.

Sirius shook his head and offered Lucretia a smile.

He gave James a shove, his tone filled with mirth. "Don't mind him, this guy is always like this. One moment he's acting like a Gryffindor hero, and the next he's scared out of his wits."

"Hey! It's not like you don't know how fast Crouch's wand is!"

James, mid-protest, realized there were three outsiders present. He quickly looked left and right, then snuck a glance at Lucretia's reaction.

"Er, I mean, we should go find Lupin."

Sirius's gaze lingered on her face a little longer than a polite stare would warrant, wanting to take in this rare side of her.

"Have a pleasant afternoon, Miss Crouch."

James was dragged away, but he still couldn't help looking back, muttering with a grin, "Miss Lucretia, I hope the next time I see you, I'm not in the Hospital Wing."

Lucretia turned to face her roommates, only to find Emma staring at her with wide eyes.

"Wow! You looked so cool just now! I bet that poor sap definitely got taught a lesson by your brother, didn't he?"

Helena immediately looked around, alert, and said sternly, "Emma Clark! Watch your volume."

Sophia looked up and said calmly, "A few people have turned to look at us, and those Slytherin girls over there are listening, too."

Only then did Emma realize they had indeed attracted attention. She suddenly looked uneasy, a complete change from her earlier excitement.

"Oh, did I say something wrong?"

Helena stopped looking at Emma and led them forward. "Let's talk as we walk."

Once there was no one else around, Helena stopped and spoke in an unusually severe tone.

"Emma, at Hogwarts, there are complex relationships between the houses, especially Gryffindor and Slytherin. Openly discussing the... private affairs of upperclassmen could draw unnecessary attention."

This time, there was clear anxiety in Emma's voice. "I, I didn't mean to. I'm sorry, I just..."

Lucretia sighed, not offering her usual comfort to Emma. "Crouch is a surname with... political influence. Barty is already under a lot of scrutiny."

Helena's voice was even harsher than before. "Emma, if Crouch knew that what he did for Lucretia was being spread by you, drawing the attention of professors or other students, it would cause him a great deal of trouble."

She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in, then continued in an even more serious tone.

"Mr. Crouch's position at the Ministry of Magic means that any rumors about his son will be amplified. And have you considered that, given how much he cares about Lucretia, the fate that befell Jasper... might shift to you?"

Emma's eyes slowly widened, and her face turned pale.

She lowered her head in dismay, her voice beginning to tremble. "I never thought it was that serious! I was too careless. Before coming to Hogwarts, my parents always reminded me to think before I speak, but I..."

Sophia had been listening quietly the whole time and now looked up. "School and Ministry of Magic affairs are intertwined. Especially in the current climate, we should all be more cautious."

Her words made the atmosphere in the corridor even heavier.

Emma looked at the three of them and promised again, "I, I will definitely be careful with my words from now on! Really, keep an eye on me!"