The Gryffindor common room was in chaos.
Everyone was celebrating their long-awaited championship in their own way, and every team member was being treated like a hero.
Fred, George, and Lee Jordan were huddled together, loudly singing some unknown song—their voices were more terrifying than bumping into Filch around a corner. Yet people still gathered around them to listen.
Angelina, Alicia, and Katie Bell stood in the middle of the crowd, blushing. The boys were chanting their names, swearing eternal loyalty to them.
Even Percy had forgotten the dignity a prefect was supposed to have. He was bouncing around like a madman, one moment standing on a table shouting with joy, the next moment jumping onto an armchair flailing his limbs, as happy as a child.
Compared to Percy, the team captain, Wood, looked even more like a child. He was squatting in a corner, sobbing uncontrollably, while his friends tried to comfort him. If you didn't know better, you'd think Gryffindor had just lost the championship!
Eda had never imagined that, after speaking the password and getting past the Fat Lady, she'd walk into such a chaotic scene. The sight was so overwhelming it stunned even someone as worldly as Eda.
But the others weren't stunned—they surged toward her the moment they saw her. They were so excited they could hardly speak, but from their stammered words, Eda could still make out their gratitude.
Especially the older students, who had waited even longer and thus understood better how hard-won this victory was. They couldn't even string a full word together—they could only smile at Eda, using their expressions to convey their thanks.
This might have been the most popular day Eda had experienced since arriving at Hogwarts—more so even than the day she was sorted into Gryffindor.
Surrounded by the students, Eda stood on the table in the middle of the common room. Everyone knew Eda could be difficult to get along with, but today she was Gryffindor's hero. All she needed to do was stand there and accept everyone's gratitude.
Looking at her excited classmates, Eda felt a little conflicted inside, but she didn't want to dampen anyone's spirits. A smile spread across her face—just like the one she wore back at the Leaky Cauldron.
Suddenly, Eda thought of the Sorting Hat's song:
"You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart."
From George's hand, Eda took a glass of chilled pumpkin juice. Raising it high, she said loudly:"We are brave and fearless, we act without hesitation—we are Gryffindor!"
Today, Hogwarts belonged to the courageous and fearless Gryffindor.Today, Gryffindor belonged to Esmeralda Twist.Today, she was the best witch in the world—bar none.
After years of waiting, they had finally reclaimed the Quidditch Cup. But the thrill of victory didn't last long—because final exams were upon them.
It was like gulping down a huge glass of chilled juice in sweltering June, only to turn around and find it snowing outside—a chill that seeped all the way into your bones.
Exams were nearly as dreadful as death itself. Even Fred and George were seen earnestly studying—so needless to say, everyone else was too.
Though the weather outside was inviting, the students had no choice but to stay inside the castle.
The library filled up rapidly, and Madam Pince's temper rose right along with the temperature.
It was under such circumstances that the Chosen One, Harry, was discharged from the hospital wing. He had missed the crucial Quidditch final—but, unfortunately, not the utterly unnecessary final exams.
This kind of decision was beyond the twins' comprehension. If they were Harry, they definitely would have stayed in the hospital wing until after finals. They'd rather face Madam Pomfrey than be stuck inside revising or sitting through exams in a classroom.
Aside from people like Eda and Hermione, probably no one liked exams—and Harry Potter was no exception. Maybe he just didn't want to pretend to be sick anymore… or maybe he regretted leaving the hospital wing as soon as he walked out.
Not long after leaving the hospital, Harry found Eda and the twins.
Because of the rumors going around the school about the Sorcerer's Stone, he apologized to Eda.
In Harry's eyes, Eda had clearly done more, yet all the glory had been credited to him, as if he'd been the only one to protect the Stone.
That was what made Harry Potter so admirable—he didn't hog the honor for himself, nor did he get lost in the flood of praise from others.
Harry still had his flaws, but Eda was beginning to understand why Dumbledore valued him so highly. Beyond the lightning-shaped scar, the boy himself was worthy of recognition.
Exam week arrived as scheduled, and despite having missed many classes, Eda wasn't the least bit flustered. It was her third final exam period at Hogwarts—by now she had figured out all the professors' patterns.
She was certain she would claim the top rank in her year once again, without suspense.
And sure enough, when the results were announced, the top spot in the year still belonged to Eda. Even the subject she had been most worried about—Potions—was marked with an "O."
Eda had always been good at Potions; she shouldn't have been worried. But considering she had just snatched the Quidditch Cup from Slytherin, wouldn't it have been perfectly reasonable for Snape to give her an "E"?
Snape's heart seemed to be growing out of his armpit, and he constantly showed shameless favoritism toward Slytherin—so it was no wonder Eda had those little worries.
But Snape hadn't tampered with the final grades. That sort of thing was beneath him.
Lately, Snape genuinely didn't want to see Eda. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to stop himself from strangling the Gryffindor Seeker.
Even the "salary" he owed her was delivered by the house-elf Winnie.
Eda, for her part, was sensible enough not to hang around Snape and make herself an eyesore.
The 1991–1992 school year had been full of events: Harry Potter's arrival to the Wizarding World, the conspiracy surrounding the Sorcerer's Stone, the return of the first Dark Lord, Grindelwald, and the Quidditch Cup.
Without even realizing it, Eda had somehow become one of the most talked-about figures in Gryffindor—something that would've been unimaginable just a month ago.
From the disheartened start of the year, to the disappointment only a month prior, to now finding her own path in life, this had arguably been Eda's fastest-growing year yet—not in magical skill, but in mindset.
If her first year had taught her how to think in magical terms, and her second year had taught her how to survive, then this year had taught her how to face herself—and how to strengthen her heart.
There are many who possess talent, but whether they can truly live up to that talent often depends on the strength of their spirit. It seems like just a step away, but it's a step that has caused countless prodigies to fall short and fade away.
Today marked the final day of this tumultuous school year. Eda had packed her luggage early and made her way to the ever-renamed "Twilight Cottage."
By the way, the cottage now officially belonged to Eda.
She was no longer just an intruder taking over someone else's nest.
The afternoon sunlight always had a way of making people lazy. Eda set down her magazine and curled up lazily on the sofa.
A fan floated gently in the air, wafting away the summer heat in the room.
No one knew how much time had passed before the twins, having had enough fun outside, finally came in. Garlon wagged his tail enthusiastically to welcome them.
Drenched in sweat, the two brothers first poured themselves glasses of chilled apple juice. Only after the refreshing drink slid down their throats did they feel alive again.
George clutched his apple juice tightly while fanning himself to cool down. Fred, on the other hand, walked over to Eda, gently picked up a quill from the table, and held it close to Eda's nose.
The quill's gentle tickle made Eda's nose itch. Her eyelashes fluttered—she was clearly about to wake up. Seeing this, Fred quickly put the quill back down and obediently sat to the side, pretending to be too hot to move.
Being woken up mid-nap was an unforgivable offense. So when Eda woke, she was a bit irritable. Rubbing her nose, she asked, "Which one of you did it? Or was it both of you together?"
Fred looked at her with an innocent expression and said, "What did we even do? We just walked in. Can you at least be specific?"
George, still chugging his drink, nodded in agreement to support his twin brother.
"Which of you moved the quill on the table?" Eda asked. She'd noticed its position was different from before and decided to trap the twins another way.
Unfortunately, George didn't fall for it. Finally setting his cup down, he said, "Didn't touch it. Might've been Garlon—you know how hyper he always is."
Just moments ago, Garlon had been wagging his tail happily, but now he had stopped. Tilting his head, the creamy-white pup stared at the twins with his big round eyes.
Though he didn't understand what they were saying, some animal instinct told him these two weren't up to anything good.
And so, Eda and the twins watched as Garlon, with his tail tucked between his legs, bolted out of the room like a puff of smoke—faster even than when he saw Mrs. Norris.
"See? He ran off because he's guilty," Fred said, pointing toward the door.
Watching the dog vanish like the wind, Eda could only shake her head helplessly.
Merlin could bear witness—she didn't believe a word of the twins' nonsense, nor did she have any intention of "boiling a pot of water" for revenge.
She let the prank slide without a fuss. Taking the chilled fruit juice George handed her, Eda walked over to the piano and sat down.
As her wand tapped the piano, a bright and cheerful melody rang out in the little cottage. Eda began to hum softly along with the tune, clearly content with the life she was living now.
It wasn't the first time Fred and George had heard Eda humming softly, but it was the first time they truly understood what she was singing:
♫~Something in the wind has learned my name~ And it's tellin' me that things are not the same~~♪
In the leaves on the trees, and the touch of the breeze~~ There's a pleasing sense of happiness for me~~
There is only one wish on my mind ~~ When this day is through, I hope that I will find
That tomorrow will be, just the same for you and me~~♪
♫~All I need will be mine if you are here
I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found, ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world~~♫..."
Life is bright, everything is lovely, and the world is worth it.
(Highly recommended: the Carpenters' "Top of the World")
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