Thanks to her Magic Circuit, Vera clearly sensed a wave of cold, sinister magic rising from the staff table—then vanishing just as quickly.
Without drawing attention, she caught Harri by the wrist and subtly angled her wheelchair so that it blocked the line between Harri and the teachers' table.
"Take a deep breath. Relax," she murmured.
Harri's fingertips were icy cold, and a fine sheen of sweat had formed on her forehead.
Vera could feel the restless magic beneath her skin—that lingering trace of the curse Voldemort had left on her in infancy, now stirring awake in response to the Dark Lord's proximity.
"Does it feel any better?" Vera asked softly. Her fingertips brushed lightly over Harri's scar, and beneath her skin the golden lines of the Magic Circuit flashed once, unseen.
Harri's breathing gradually steadied. She rubbed at the scar in confusion.
"That's strange… it suddenly stopped hurting."
"Maybe you're just tired." Vera withdrew her hand, her gaze flicking briefly toward the staff table. "Get some sleep early tonight."
Harri nodded and tightened her grip on Vera's hand, saying nothing more.
The feast soon drew to a close. Dumbledore stood once more to announce a few reminders, emphasizing in particular the danger of the Forbidden Forest and the fact that the corridor on the right side of the fourth floor was out of bounds.
After that, the entire school mangled its way through the school song, and then each house followed its prefect back toward its respective common room.
"First-year Gryffindors, with me!"
The shout came from a red-haired boy—Percy Weasley, the third Weasley son, with a prefect badge pinned to his chest.
Vera had just been about to wheel herself after the others when McGonagall came sweeping down from the staff table, her black robes billowing behind her. Her expression was stern, but there was a note of concern beneath it.
"Miss Black, a moment, please," she said, stopping Vera. "Before you return to the common room, I need a private word with you. The rest of you, please follow your prefect back to Gryffindor Tower."
Harri looked ready to protest, but Vera lightly pressed a hand over hers.
"Go on. I'll catch up in a moment."
In the end, with Vera insisting, Harri and Hermione reluctantly followed Percy toward Gryffindor.
Once the first-years had all gone, Professor McGonagall stepped in front of Vera, her expression softening considerably.
"Miss Black, Professor Dumbledore has already explained your situation to me. As your Head of House, it is my responsibility to make sure that your studies and daily life at Hogwarts proceed smoothly."
Vera nodded and waited quietly for her to continue.
McGonagall adjusted her glasses, then gave her wand a flick. A streak of silver light flashed.
"First, this—a reinforced Levitation Charm. It will allow your wheelchair to move freely at all times, without being hindered by stairs."
Vera inclined her head. "Thank you, Professor."
"And second…" McGonagall paused to think, then asked, "regarding your dormitory arrangements. In consideration of your condition, we have prepared a private room for you."
She paused again.
"However, if there are any classmates you would prefer to room with, you must tell me now, and I will have the house-elves make the necessary arrangements in advance."
As she spoke, she cast a meaningful glance toward the marble staircase.
Harri and Hermione were crouched behind the banister, peeking in this direction; the instant they realized they had been spotted, they both ducked back out of sight.
The corners of Vera's lips lifted faintly.
"They may be a bit… overprotective."
A trace of amusement flickered in McGonagall's eyes.
"Friendship is one of Hogwarts' most precious treasures."
Vera considered for a moment, then said softly, lifting her chin,
"If possible, I'd like to share a room with Harri Potter and Hermione Granger."
McGonagall nodded once. With a light tap of her wand, a sheet of parchment flew out of her sleeve and the names on it rearranged themselves automatically.
"It's already taken care of. The house-elves will make the necessary modifications to your room."
Then she paused, and some warmth entered her otherwise strict expression.
"Miss Black, Hogwarts will do its best to meet the needs of every student. If you encounter any difficulty in your studies or daily life, you may come to me at any time."
"Thank you, Professor." Vera's eyes curved slightly.
She wheeled after McGonagall through the brightly lit staircases.
Under the effect of the strengthened Levitation Charm, her wheelchair rose steadily without costing her any magic at all, floating effortlessly up the stairs.
They arrived at the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. The Fat Lady in her portrait eyed Vera curiously.
"Another Black? How unusual."
"The new password is 'Dragon Slag,'" said McGonagall. "Go in, then. Miss Potter and Miss Granger are waiting for you."
Vera bade McGonagall good night, spoke the password softly, and the entrance to Gryffindor's common room opened before her—
It was a comfortable circular room filled with squashy armchairs, with a fire crackling merrily in the grate. Red and gold decorations were everywhere.
The moment they saw her finally arrive, Harri and Hermione jumped up from the sofa and ran straight over.
"Our room's over there!" Harri said excitedly, pointing at a door in the girls' dormitory wing with a golden nameplate hanging on it. "The three of us are together! And the house-elves already fixed everything up!"
They went over to the door, where the gold lettering on the plaque bore all three of their names.
When they pushed it open, they found a spacious circular room, much larger than an ordinary dormitory—clearly enlarged and modified specially to accommodate Vera's wheelchair.
Three four-poster beds stood in a fan-shaped arrangement, each hung with deep crimson curtains, and each bedpost was carved with elegant lion motifs.
Vera's bed was in the middle. It sat slightly lower than the other two, and sturdy support rails had been installed by the headboard for convenience.
Along the opposite wall stood three desks in a row, each with a brass lamp set atop it.
Most delightful of all, in one corner there was a cozy sitting area, with a thick carpet, several armchairs, and a small tea table.
"This is even better than I imagined!" Harri cheered, flinging herself onto her bed and rolling across it. "A real four-poster bed! And so much space!"
Hermione had already begun organizing her books, arranging them by subject on the shelves. "Look! They even gave us bookcases!"
Vera wheeled herself over to her bedside and noticed a familiar potion bottle resting on the nightstand—Snape's nerve-calming draught. Beside it was a small note:
Take daily, usual dosage. — S.S.
She picked up the bottle lightly, her fingertips tracing the cool glass, and felt a complicated stir of emotion.
"What's that?" Harri asked, leaning in curiously, her green eyes bright in the candlelight.
"A calming draught," Vera answered briefly, setting it back down. "For easing the pain in my spine and legs."
Harri froze for a second and blinked awkwardly.
"Sorry…"
Vera shook her head.
"It's nothing. You don't need to apologize."
.....
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