(AN: Leave a comment and a review, your feedback helps me a lot.)
If you want to support me and read ahead!
Patrë-on.com/Se7enX
Yeah! Here's the new chapter!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Dozens of uneasy, worry-filled gazes turned toward me — all waiting for some kind of answer.
Faced with that, I showed no sign of nervousness. I kept my expression calm, simply meeting their eyes.
I wasn't surprised they were looking to me for direction.
I had guided this conversation from the very beginning — and, in the end, I was also the reason it had even started. It was only natural that they would see me as someone who could give them answers.
Besides... I was also the only one there who had faced and survived the Dark Lord and his servants.
Even if it had only been a single clash — where none of us even used our full power — that alone was enough to put me above the others.
And considering that the closest they had ever come to a dark wizard was through our DADA and Potions professors... the gap in experience between us was huge.
While they were still studying, in the safety of classrooms, how to defend themselves against dark wizards, I had already faced that danger head-on.
Of course, that was only considering the graveyard disaster.
They had no idea that hadn't even been the first time I had fought a dark wizard.
Since I entered the wizarding world, I had already faced more than my share of dark wizards and witches... and Voldemort himself was among them — even if, back then, he had still been weak, bound to Quirrell's body.
Anyway, putting those thoughts aside, I turned my attention back to my housemates.
Feeling the weight of their gazes — and realizing the silent trust they were placing in me — a faint sense of satisfaction rose within me.
I couldn't deny it. From the very beginning, my words had a purpose beyond simply warning them.
I had made that entire speech so they would listen to me.
I wanted them, even without realizing it, to see me as someone reliable... someone worth following.
A leader.
But to be clear, I hadn't done that out of vanity or a desire for control.
I did it because, that way, they'd be more likely to listen to me and follow my lead when it mattered.
And as I had already pointed out, that kind of influence, in urgent or dangerous situations, could save lives.
And in a moment like this, someone had to take on that responsibility... and I chose to accept it.
'So this is what leadership feels like,' I thought.
Then, after a few seconds of silence, I let out a quiet sigh before finally speaking:
"Look, guys... if you want my opinion... If you really want to know what I think you should do..."
I paused briefly.
"I think you should leave with your families."
Hearing that, some Ravenclaws blinked, caught off guard.
"Go to another country — another continent, if you can," I continued firmly, "Anywhere far from here. Far from Britain... far from all this mess."
"The further you are from the reach of this conflict, the better."
"Wait! So you want us to run away?" a boy asked, incredulous.
"Well, I prefer to call it a strategic retreat..." I shrugged, "But if you want to call it running, go ahead."
"But that doesn't make sense!" he shot back, frowning in confusion. "You said it yourself that we should face this problem!"
"Yeah! And you also said we couldn't just stand around doing nothing!" another added, just as confused.
"Yes, I did," I nodded slightly, "But when exactly did I say you should jump into this war?" I asked back, raising an eyebrow.
"I said you shouldn't stand still, that's true... but that doesn't mean you should go around with your wands out, ready to fight a Dark Lord."
I rolled my eyes, a bit exasperated.
For a moment, that group of students had no idea what to say, stunned.
Some exchanged confused looks. Others seemed completely lost.
They didn't understand.
After that whole alarming — and slightly inspiring — speech, they were expecting a call to war.
They thought I was going to rally them — to fight at my side against evil.
But no.
In truth, I was telling them to run.
"So... that's your solution to all this?" someone asked hesitantly, "Just... leave?"
"At least for you, yeah," I replied bluntly.
Then, crossing my arms, I looked at them with a firm gaze.
"You're not Aurors. You're not even trained for this. And you're definitely not ready to deal with enemies like that."
"Besides, when I said you'd have to deal with this problem, I didn't mean it literally."
My serious gaze swept across the group.
"What I meant was that you'd have to find a way to survive... to stay safe."
"And what's a better way to survive than not getting involved in this mess?" I said simply, as if it were obvious.
The Ravenclaws didn't know what to say.
There was no real way to argue against that.
They just lowered their gazes. Some biting their lips, clearly uncomfortable with my suggestion.
I was right... and deep down, they knew it.
But that didn't make it any easier to accept.
For proud young witches and wizards like them, the idea of simply leaving... of retreating... was almost absurd.
They couldn't picture themselves running or hiding from a fight just because it was the safest and easiest path.
Even for them, who had a habit of thinking too much and acting too little, it felt wrong.
It felt cowardly... almost dishonorable.
They wanted to fight.
They believed it was their duty to protect their families... their country... their homes.
They might not be Gryffindors or Hufflepuffs... but bravery, honor, and loyalty weren't exclusive to lions and badgers.
Everyone had a bit of that inside them.
And these Ravens definitely did too.
But now, faced with a real threat, those same values were clashing with something far more basic.
Survival instinct.
"Ethan"
Sue's voice cut through the silence, snapping everyone out of their thoughts.
She was staring at me intensely, her brow furrowed.
"What did you mean by 'at least for you'?" she asked, having caught the issue in my words.
For a moment... I froze.
'Damn... I should've known she'd catch that,' I thought.
Looking back at her, I hesitated.
In my mind, I started wondering if I should lie or change the subject. Anything to avoid answering that question.
But when I saw the concern in her eyes — and in my others friends' eyes, who had realized it a moment later — I knew...
I wouldn't be able to lie to them.
'Damn guilty conscience,' I muttered internally.
Letting out a low sigh, I uncrossed my arms.
"That's exactly what I meant, Sue," I replied, my tone softening slightly, but without losing firmness.
"You can leave. And honestly... you should."
I didn't look away from them, completely serious.
"But I won't... and I can't do the same."
Hearing that, everyone — especially my friends — reacted immediately.
"What? Why?!" Anthony stepped forward, alarmed.
Terry, Lisa, Stephen, Padma... all of them stepped closer too, staring at me anxiously.
Seeing that, I let out a short, almost ironic smile.
"Because, Anthony... unlike you, who might never end up on the Dark Lord's radar or target list... I'm already on it."
"For me, getting attacked isn't a maybe... it's a certainty."
"And honestly, it might not even be that far off," I shrugged, "I could get attacked tomorrow morning at breakfast."
My tone sounded almost casual, as if I had already accepted that.
"Ethan, don't joke about that!" Padma snapped, making a face.
"Yeah, that's not funny at all!" Stephen said, grabbing my arms, "And even if that could happen, doesn't that just give you more reason to leave?"
"For what?" I gently pulled his hands away, rolling my eyes, "So he can hunt me across the world?"
"So I can spend the rest of my life running from him until I'm killed... or he is?"
My blunt, harsh words silenced my friends for a moment.
They understood... even if they didn't want to.
Living a life like that, in constant fear, running or hiding... wasn't really living.
That kind of life was desperate and miserable, and no one deserved that... especially not me.
Of course, some might think I was exaggerating. That I was thinking too highly of myself by assuming Voldemort would waste time and resources hunting me down.
But I knew Riddle.
I knew exactly how his petty, proud, and vindictive mind worked.
Normally, that kind of "attention" was reserved only for Headmaster Dumbledore and Harry.
However, I had provoked him.
I had mocked and ridiculed dear Voldy right on the day of his return, and right in front of his key followers — the members of his inner circle.
At that moment, his reaction — and the waves of fury and hatred I felt coming from him — made it clear just how furious he was.
And like any egocentric maniac, he wouldn't just let that slide.
That would be an affront to his pride.
So yes, I was certain he would try to eliminate me — whether to vent his anger... or simply to make an example out of me.
And compared to the Headmaster or Harry, he would probably see me as a much easier target.
End.
----------------------------------------------------------------------