Harriet

After the award ceremony ended, Edmund was pulled aside by a group of old wizards. That left Fudge, who had wanted to come over and build a relationship with him, standing awkwardly nearby.

Edmund was happy to let it happen. Fudge had the look of a professional politician. He could greet you with smiles today and turn on you the moment interests conflicted tomorrow.

Edmund only wanted to raise his reputation high enough that Fudge would hesitate to target him later when moving against Dumbledore. He had no desire to build a real relationship with the man.

He talked with the elders until late at night. For the sake of their health, he finally persuaded them to leave one by one. Before they departed, each exchanged contact information with him for future letters.

After smiling politely at everyone for an entire day, Edmund felt as if his face had nearly stiffened.

Rubbing his sore cheeks, he dragged his tired body back to Ravenclaw Tower. Pop! The moment he stepped into the common room, Edmund was startled.

The room was packed with students. Even Harry and Ron from Gryffindor were there. Cho and Hermione held wizard fireworks, and the bang just now had come from them.

"Congratulations, Edmund!"

As Cho spoke, thunderous applause erupted through the common room. Almost every Ravenclaw had stayed awake to wait for him.

"Amazing! Order of Merlin, Third Class!"

"You were incredible when you talked with those people. I have only seen half their names in books!"

"You broke Ravenclaw's record for youngest recipient of the Order of Merlin!"

The young witches and wizards spoke over one another, turning the scene noisy and lively. Everyone was genuinely happy for Edmund, and after a full day of polite smiles, a real one finally appeared on his face.

Then came a small party.

The house-elves had prepared a generous late supper for the occasion. Cho somehow produced Butterbeer contributed by Fred and George and handed it out to everyone.

They sang, laughed, and danced, letting their joy spill freely. Even Edmund, exhausted as he was, found himself drawn into it. The party lasted until after midnight before ending in a rush.

Looking at the messy common room, Edmund snapped his fingers and summoned Barr to help clean. Then he returned to his dormitory and fell asleep soon after.

As Halloween approached, Edmund's popularity gradually cooled. Only then did he breathe a little easier.

During that period, he received all sorts of fan letters every day. Some were from young witches at Hogwarts, asking whether he would mind having one more girlfriend.

Unfortunately, those letters were all destroyed by Miss Cho Chang with a single Fire-Making Spell. Edmund regretted that for several minutes.

Harry's days were not especially pleasant either.

Because of Edmund's Order of Merlin, Dumbledore added another two hundred points to Ravenclaw. Combined with Edmund's usual performance, the House Cup this year was almost certain to belong to Ravenclaw again.

Snape's mood suffered because of it. In every Potions lesson, he found all kinds of reasons to deduct points from Harry.

"He is trying to kill me."

Harry sat beside Edmund with a lifeless expression and muttered his complaint.

"One point from Gryffindor," Snape said instantly. "Do not talk while your professor is teaching, Potter."

Harry no longer reacted. Edmund looked at Harry's numb face and sighed. That was what happened when one was James Potter's son.

Then Edmund remembered he had not claimed today's sign-in reward. Out of habit, he opened the panel and tapped the button.

[System]

Daily sign-in reward acquired: Gender-Switching Potion.

Gender-Switching Potion (Purple): Temporarily changes the drinker's sex. No side effects.

Edmund looked at the unclaimed potion, then looked at Harry. The System was trying to cause trouble. Harry noticed Edmund's strange gaze and looked back in confusion.

Edmund hesitated. Curiosity finally defeated his friendship with Harry.

He lowered his voice and asked, "Do you want to try one of my methods? It might make Snape treat you a little better."

Edmund did not know whether Harry would look more like Lily after drinking this potion, or whether it would produce a special attack on Snape.

Harry's eyes brightened. There was such a good thing?

Edmund had always been reliable enough to give him confidence. Harry nodded firmly, indicating that Edmund should do whatever he needed.

Quietly, Edmund took out the Gender-Switching Potion and handed it to Harry along with a piece of gum.

Harry looked at the two items doubtfully. Could these really make Snape friendlier?

After hesitating for a few seconds, Harry followed Edmund's instructions, drank the potion, and chewed the gum.

Snape noticed the movement and was about to reprimand them when he saw Harry begin to change.

Harry's features softened. His Adam's apple disappeared. His body gradually shifted into that of a girl.

"Lily..."

Snape murmured the name so softly he seemed to forget what he had been about to say.

Harry felt extremely uncomfortable under Snape's stare. He had never seen the professor look like that.

All this time, Snape had looked at him with disgust, as if Harry Potter had no right to exist in the world.

But now, what was in Snape's eyes? Gentleness. Memory. Regret. And tears.

Seeing Harry's helpless confusion, Snape's heart was struck hard. He forced himself back to the present and told Harry to stand.

"Harriet, repeat what I just said."

Snape subconsciously changed Harry's name.

"Professor, what did you call me?"

Harry answered, then startled at his own voice. Why did he sound like a girl? He quickly realized Edmund must have done something with the items he had given him.

Harry glared at Edmund. Then he noticed everyone was staring at him strangely. There was no time to worry about that. He hurried to answer Snape.

"Sorry, Professor. I did not hear you clearly."

Snape almost deducted points from Gryffindor out of habit. But when he looked into those green eyes, and at a face that was not James's hated face, he struggled for a long moment.

At last, he said, "Pay attention in class. Your eyes should remain fixed on your professor."

"However, your honesty is worthy of praise. Five points to Gryffindor."

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