Being a passerby in HP female protagonist fanfiction

I've been spending more time in the library with the three little ones lately, so much so that I can't pretend I didn't see them frowning and looking serious.

"Have you encountered anything lately?" I put down my book and asked hesitantly in Hermione's direction.

"It's nothing." Hermione thought for a second, her words not very firm, but it was enough to deal with me, because she knew I was very careful about my words and I wouldn't ask her anything she didn't want to say.

Ron seemed about to say something, but seeing Hermione and Harry's reactions, he withdrew.

They must have discovered that Professor Quirrell was being "threatened" by Snape, and now they're a bit undecided.

I sighed inwardly and reopened the book.

This was just a minor incident, and I didn't pay much attention to it. After all, I already had a lot of things to do besides the plot, and it would be difficult to keep track of the plot's progress without participating.

Forget it, the boat will naturally go straight when it reaches the bridge.

The library is just a routine part of my life. Even though it's almost the end of the semester, I still make time to go to the greenhouse. No matter what I'm planting or taking care of, it requires consistent attention. I record the latest data, observe the condition of the plants and leaves, and then I call it a day.

Just like today, after going through the usual procedures, I also chatted with Professor Sprout for a while.

“My goodness, Claire is such a good student, such a good child.” Professor Sprout’s voice was loud and clear, filled with an inexhaustible joy. She looked intently at the data sheets I had prepared for the seedlings. “It is rare to see such young students making such records.”

“If Claire becomes a herbalist, she will definitely be very serious and meticulous. Many senior students may not be as serious as Claire.” Professor Sprout’s tone was very enthusiastic, and her eyes always seemed to be smiling with encouragement. “Besides, humor is also a good quality for students.”

She pointed to the marks and notes I made under each plant, which included the date, plant condition, and possible solutions. To make them easier to see, I also gave the seedlings nicknames.

Seedling number one is called "Very Easy to Raise", seedling number two is called "Runs Fast", seedling number three is called "One Cut", and seedling number four is called "Grows Fast".

When I chose my name, I thought I was a genius. Now that the professor has seen it, I immediately want to be the non-existent number five seedling. My face is burning.

If these names are actually called out by others, especially professors, what's the difference between that and being called by your online name in public?

It's kind of embarrassing.

"It's clear you love them."

Professor Sprout gently patted my shoulder and burst out laughing.

"So, congratulations Claire for adding five points to Hufflepuff."

"Mm," I replied curtly, but blushed. "Thank you, Professor."

Damn it, is this the best headmaster in Hufflepuff? I can't help but want to slap my own face.

A few words of praise energized me and kept me focused for several days, which fueled my enthusiasm for planting for a long time afterward. Whenever I had free time, I would come to the greenhouse to work.

He rummaged around here and there, grabbing a wand to replenish his water.

Catch some bugs here, and fix them there.

Besides the few plants I was responsible for, I also used herbal medicine guides to identify other herbs and plants, so I managed to both review and complete the task.

What an ordinary yet happy day.

I sighed.

Normally, I rarely encounter the three little ones except in the dining hall and library, so I was a little surprised to meet Harry on the way from the greenhouse to the castle, as is customary.

"Hello, Potter." I waved to Harry and greeted him. There was no surprise on his face, only a little bit of inexplicable nervousness.

“Claire, it’s you.” Harry’s voice was muffled, his green eyes were a little dim, and he looked at me with a bit of restraint.

Hmm... this seems to be the second time Harry and I have been alone together. Without someone we know to help ease the tension, the atmosphere is a little awkward.

I patiently initiated the conversation by asking him where he was going.

“I just got back from Hagrid,” Harry explained, looking at me.

He wasn't relaxed. I noticed that Harry was still very nervous. It seemed that the pressure he usually felt was too much. I comforted him for a while, and then we walked to the castle together and parted ways.

As we approached the castle, Harry suddenly asked me a question.

“If… I mean, if Claire were to encounter something bad that might happen, but there’s no evidence…” Harry trailed off, but I listened patiently. “And she might be punished, or hurt someone else…”

"Eh?"

"It's nothing, it was just a hypothetical situation, I..." Harry quickly retracted his previous statement, unable to hide his nervousness.

...It seems I already know what he wants to say.

It seems he's really torn. He can't reach an agreement with Hermione and Ron. After what happened before, he's very unwilling to take any more risks. Although he appears indifferent on the surface, he's still struggling internally.

I thought to myself, since Harry could ask me, a classmate he didn't know well, such a question, he must be really looking forward to getting an answer.

The question is, can I give it to him?

“Oh, oh.” I shook my head, following Harry’s assumption. “If that’s really the case, then I don’t know.”

It was a very perfunctory and even somewhat stiff answer. Harry fell silent, unsure of what to say next. He looked up, seemingly trying to ease the awkward atmosphere.

But I quickly interrupted him and continued, "Just like you said, if something bad happens and no one else knows about it except me, I only have three choices: to stop it myself, to tell someone who is capable to stop it, or to let it go."

"I might not be able to stop it myself, I don't have the evidence, and even if I tell others, no one will believe me. I can choose to find evidence, but that's not the solution to this hypothetical situation."

"Letting things go is certainly the easiest option, but it's hard for us to just watch something bad happen."

Harry's eyes widened slightly. His green eyes were very beautiful, and I looked at them a few more times. It was those few glances that softened my heart a little.

Harry is very thin, quite different from the movie version. His gaunt body and dull green eyes show the suffering he endured at his uncle's house.

The scar on his forehead was half-covered by his hair, but the exposed wound still looked ugly and gruesome.

Harry is almost 12 years old.

Like Hermione, he was still a real child.

Thinking of the lovely and perceptive Hermione, I finally understand why so many time travelers want to create their own storylines and have a happy ending for everyone.

Given that it was originally a happy ending fanfic, if I had less empathy, I would have chosen to let it go. Unfortunately, I was a little soft-hearted and tried to comfort him outside of the plot.

Hermione is like that, and so is Harry.

Have you developed feelings for each other after about a year? (Just kidding)

Hmm... or rather, my sense of belonging to this world has increased.

"Potter, my friend."

My address was polite yet distant, and my tone was gentle.

"If I really encounter this situation, I don't know what to do. Many things won't be fine just because there's a solution. It might make me seem like I lack initiative, but once I start thinking about the problem, I'll take responsibility for it first."

“Responsibility…it’s a strange thing. As long as you think about it, it will follow you like a shadow.” I said slowly, “However, perhaps…”

"Rather than having to make a certain choice, I'd rather know what I can do."

"Am I capable? Do I care? Do I regret it? Should I... take this responsibility?"

"I probably can't give you a definite answer," I said, feeling unusually awkward with words. "These are all just empty words. The most important thing is, after all, the subconscious choice."

This means that from the very beginning of the choice, we have an inherent bias.

"After all, we've already started thinking about it."

I say.