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"If you're not leaving, Ethan... then I'm not leaving either!" Anthony suddenly declared, crossing his arms.
On his usually carefree, almost naive face, there was now a firm, determined look — making it clear he meant it.
"Well, then I'm staying too!" Terry said right after, with an equally resolute expression.
"Guess that makes three of us," Lisa joined in, staring at me as if daring me to argue with her.
And then, unsurprisingly, my other friends started speaking up too.
One by one, they took their stand beside Anthony, Terry, and Lisa, agreeing and backing that impulsive — and completely insane — decision.
Their expressions were firm and unshakable, as if making it clear that nothing would change their minds.
And somehow, their initiative was enough to trigger a chain reaction.
After my friends took the first step, most of the Ravenclaws simply couldn't stay silent.
Their loyal and selfless attitude seemed to awaken the Hufflepuff inside our other housemates.
And soon, the Common Room filled with voices — boys and girls declaring they would stay, stubborn and determined.
"I'm not leaving either!"
"Me neither!"
"And I—"
"Okay, stop!" I cut in, raising my hand to stop them before things got out of control.
Letting out a sigh, I brought a hand to my temples, rubbing them with a tired expression.
Still...
Even feeling exasperated — and, honestly, a bit irritated by the recklessness of these Ravens — I couldn't help the warmth rising in my chest.
I understood that this time, they weren't insisting on staying out of pride.
They weren't thinking about fighting, or trying to prove anything.
This time, they were doing it for a friend... for someone they wanted to protect.
They were doing it for me.
'Seriously... the Sorting Hat really owes Hufflepuff a few students,' I thought, holding back an affectionate smile that threatened to appear.
But no matter how much that meant to me... I couldn't let them go through with it.
I couldn't let them follow through with something that was practically suicidal.
So, I decided it was time to knock some sense into them.
"Listen," I began, lowering my hand and looking at all of them, "I know you're worried about me... and I know you don't want me to face all this alone..."
"But understand this: this isn't a game," I warned them.
"Yes... You-Know-Who is going to come after me — and probably my family too. Or he'll send one of his lapdogs to do it."
I shrugged, as if it were nothing.
"After all, I caused a few... small problems for them that day."
And as I thought about the damage I had caused that snake-faced bastard, a smile almost slipped onto my face.
"But anyway, I don't want you overthinking this," I added, waving my hand dismissively, "Seriously, look at me. I'm not worried at all."
My posture was relaxed, almost casual — as if I weren't the one at the center of all this chaotic mess.
"Even before coming here, I'd already thought all of this through."
"I've already considered dozens of ways to keep my family safe," I continued confidently, "I know exactly how to protect them... and I can guarantee they won't be in any danger."
"And if... or rather, when they come after me, I know I'll be able to deal with them... or at the very least, escape safely," I said with a reassuring smile.
"So, please... don't worry about me," I asked softly, "Worry about yourselves... and your families."
"And get this straight... running away isn't shameful."
"It's simply the most logical and safest decision. And it's the one you should make," I said, looking at them seriously.
Fortunately, my words had some effect. My stubborn — and unnecessarily reckless — housemates slowly began to reflect, realizing that I was probably right.
Even so, as I looked around, I noticed that some Ravenclaws — especially my friends — were still a bit hesitant.
They knew I wouldn't joke about my family's safety. They also knew what I was capable of and how powerful I was — something that had become even clearer during the tournament tasks.
But still... they couldn't just stop worrying.
And honestly, I couldn't blame them. It was natural to want to help and protect someone they considered a friend.
So, faced with that, I could only let out a quiet sigh.
"Look... if it makes you feel better, we still have three years ahead of us at Hogwarts."
"And until then, Headmaster Dumbledore will still be here... so the castle should remain completely safe during that time," I said, in one last attempt to convince them.
But as soon as I finished speaking, my lips twitched involuntarily.
'Wow... that's a complete bullshit lie,' I thought dryly.
If someone came up to me and said I wouldn't need to worry — that I'd have a calm, danger-free year at Hogwarts... I'd probably beat the crap out of them.
In the original timeline, during the seven years Harry was at Hogwarts, he went through assassination attempts practically every single year.
And yet, people still had the nerve to call Hogwarts "the safest place in the world."
Safest place, my ass!
If it weren't for my interference in this timeline, half the disasters and dangerous situations that were supposed to happen would've already blown up in everyone's faces.
If Harry was considered the savior of the wizarding world... then I could very well be considered the one responsible for keeping his problematic ass out of trouble — which, honestly, was harder than it sounded.
'Heh... is it too late to send the Headmaster a bill for my services?' I wondered, letting out a sarcastic huff.
'Because the way things are, I've done more for this castle's safety than half the staff.'
And now that I thought about it... that didn't say much, considering that most of the problems in canon had been caused by a professor... and some, by the Headmaster himself.
'Who would've thought Anthony was right? The real threat really is the studies...' I shook my head.
Despite the almost unsettling irony behind my words, they had the desired effect.
Just mentioning that the Headmaster was still at Hogwarts was enough for my friends — and the other Ravenclaws — to finally relax a little.
The hesitation and worry on their faces eased, giving way to relief.
They felt calmer knowing that, at least until I graduated, I had a safe place to stay. Under Headmaster Dumbledore's protection, I wouldn't be in any danger.
And it wasn't hard to understand why they thought that.
After all, for them — and probably for the entire wizarding world — there was no safer place than under the same roof as the man known as the "greatest and most powerful wizard of the age."
"Well..." Anthony began, scratching the back of his neck, "If you put it that way... I guess it should be fine."
He then looked at our friends, still uncertain.
"Right...?"
"I... think so," Stephen replied slowly.
The others nodded as well, still not fully convinced — but judging by their expressions and emotions, they already seemed more inclined to accept my decision.
"I still think you're taking a huge risk," Sue muttered, crossing her arms.
But after giving me a look and noticing my calm posture, she let out a sigh.
"But... since you seem to have everything planned out, I won't argue with you anymore."
She paused briefly, biting her lip before continuing:
"Just... be really careful, okay? I've already gone through way too much stress with all your crazy stunts. I don't know if I can handle another year like this."
Despite her complaining tone, there was a faint, playful smile on her lips.
"Yes, mom," I replied, rolling my eyes with a hint of affection.
Our banter seemed to lighten the atmosphere in the Common Room.
The tension didn't disappear completely, but it was no longer as suffocating as before. I'd even say the room was slowly returning to its usual comfort and calm.
The Ravenclaws no longer looked as tense or afraid — they seemed to have mostly accepted the situation.
There was still concern and a bit of nervousness, of course — but it was no longer mixed with that earlier skepticism.
They were beginning to trust me.
And little by little, they also began to seriously consider my suggestion of leaving with their families.
Interestingly, none of them even tried or thought about using the same argument I had — that the Headmaster could protect them while they stayed at school.
They understood.
They knew Hogwarts was, for me, more of a necessary refuge — since I didn't have the option of simply running away like they did.
They also knew that staying here, relying solely on the Headmaster's presence, was far too risky... maybe even a little foolish and naive.
For them, leaving was the easier choice — and, above all, the safer one.
After all, it was unlikely Voldemort would waste time and resources hunting down ordinary students in other countries. But if they stayed in Britain... that would be a different story.
Of course... that ignored one key detail.
What if Voldemort actually managed to take control of Britain?
If he fulfilled his obsessive desire to place the entire country under his rule, he wouldn't just settle... and he definitely wouldn't be satisfied.
Controlling just one region would never be enough for him. His megalomaniacal mind wouldn't allow it.
Voldemort was never the type to stop halfway. He always wanted more... much more.
And so, inevitably, he would turn his attention to his true — and most ambitious — goal.
He would try to conquer the world.
And if that happened... then yes, these Ravenclaws and their families would truly be in danger.
But that was still a concern for the future...
A future I would never allow to happen.
End.
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