The Evil Thoughts of Hogwarts and the Genie

That's true, but in Edmund's view, only the first part is true.

How could she not be heartbroken?

Edmund still remembered that time on the Hogwarts Express, she was sitting in her box, intently wiping away her tears, when her dark-skinned companion popped in and said, "We're off! We're off to Hogwarts!" which made her smile.

She must really want to be a witch.

But she wasn't welcome here, and the reason was simple and harsh: they despised her background, which she could never change.

...How annoying.

"Don't be sad! What's the big deal? Why bother with those idiots?"

"In my opinion, you are far superior to them. You are a powerful witch, talented in many ways. Do you know how they looked at you when you looked away?"

"They're insanely jealous, grinding their teeth in anger! But even so, these guys cling to the beliefs they inherited from their parents, they're convinced you should be inferior to them, they think you stole their talent... Isn't it a waste of time to argue with such idiots?"

"I admire you—I mentioned it on the train, my father and Dumbledore didn't get along. Now I can tell you, that's because he also believed in other things; he was a staunch believer in 'Society'... though I'm not sure if he was truly fanatical about it or just casually believed it because it was profitable."

"Of course, I'm not saying this to tell you: Don't be sad, there are also extreme ideologies that support talented, Muggle-born witches like you. The Ulster Party, with its slogan of elitism, is a perfect organization for you. Write to my father and get him to join—that's not what I mean."

"Furthermore, I am not saying that I am like Avery and others, refusing to think independently like animals. I will never simply perpetuate the old and outdated ideas from my parents."

"I admire you because you just had the courage to face the truth, even though you knew I would never say anything nice. You're a 'new wizard,' not used to all this yet, and you can still think independently."

"I could tell from the beginning that you wanted to help Avery; you didn't want to pretend you didn't know, nor did you want to maintain a state of misunderstanding. You can face all of this—that's admirable, Lily, you're a good person."

Edmund spoke earnestly, his tone firm yet gentle.

"Therefore, I can't help but feel that if you are someone like me, the wish you make will definitely come true... because you are willing to pay the price for it, and you have a level of awareness that fools don't have."

A strange, thick gold flowed and twisted, like diluted paint, as "living gold" emanated from Edmund's blue eyes.

Lily didn't look up; she didn't see it.

"So, do you have a wish?... Make a wish, Lily Evans. What do you desire?"

His voice became muffled, as if he were speaking to someone from a closed space, through something.

……

The girl sobbed, tears welling in her green eyes. She sniffled childishly.

"...I don't want to just 'desire'."

By the time she stood up, Edmund's expression had returned to its usual coldness. The gold that had once flowed in his eyes had vanished. He had failed.

"I want to do something, no, I have to do something."

She spoke with conviction, but the expression on her face betrayed her bewilderment.

But this only confirmed that she had not been tempted. Although Edmund had expected it, he couldn't help but snort inwardly with a sense of dissatisfaction.

"What are you going to do? You don't have to do anything, you're just a thorn in their side. No one can deny that you're a talented little witch, but you need to make sure you grow up safely before you start thinking about using your fists... or your wand to talk."

Edmund coldly spouted nonsense he himself didn't believe, trying to get Lily Evans to back down.

...It would be best if she lived a long time, at least long enough for him to discover her weaknesses and obsessions, to break her spirit, and to win her soul.

Lily had wiped away her tears and forced herself to calm down. The still-childish girl put on a serious face, her eyes resolute.

"Then what's the difference between them and those 'loud people' you mentioned? Whoever has the stronger magic is right?... Is this really the only way?"

She glared at Edmund, who looked away in annoyance, refusing to meet her gaze.

"How will I know it won't work if I don't try? I... I'm not afraid of them!"

Edmund scoffed at this.

"Fine," he shrugged indifferently. "Looks like you're destined to die young."

"...I'm not afraid."

You're lying.

Lily remained silent, and Edmund's expression remained cold. He shook his head indifferently.

"But even if you're terrified, you still have to try, you have to change all of this... Okay, okay. I understand."

"Remember my words: You will fail 100%, and you will most likely die."

"But you don't care, that's fine, humans are always like that, I'm used to it—but it's okay, don't worry. If I have time, I'll go and collect your body, to make sure you haven't turned into some kind of magical artifact or alchemical material. If I can bury you successfully, what kind of coffin would you like? Traditional? Plum blossom? Gothic?"

He thought she would be angry, and she should be angry.

But Lily laughed and shook her head with a familiar air.

"Don't hold a grudge, Edmund."

"Excuse me, what are you talking about?" Edmund asked, puzzled. "Who's sulking?"

Judging from Lily's lip movements, it seemed like she was saying "you boys..." Edmund belatedly realized that the strange girl's childhood friend was also a master of yin and yang, quite adept at making others uncomfortable.

"...To be honest, I'm starting to dislike you," Edmund said desperately. "Shouldn't you dislike me a little too?"

Lily shook her head readily, her eyes red and her face streaked with tears, but her expression remained lively.

"You are indeed more scathing than I thought... but don't be shy, Edmund. I appreciate it."

Lily's expression was somewhat complicated.

"I'm in a bad mood right now, so I might not be able to express myself clearly... Everyone is deliberately keeping it from me, not wanting me to be sad about it; some people have helped me without letting me know, focusing on doing what they think is 'right'."

"...Only you believed I could bear it, only you told me the truth."

The little girl looked up and gave a smile that was anything but bright and instead looked utterly disheveled.

"I should thank you, Edmund. Thank you for making me realize... that those vague unease wasn't because I was too insecure. It turns out those strange gazes really were there, and I really was disliked."

"And now, I know what I'm facing."

"Thank you, don't worry, I won't misunderstand."

I know you want to be friends with me.