Harry Potter and the Ambitious Girl

I dream of that gentle memory from a day that will never return.

Mirabel Beresford was isolated.

It was likely due to her surroundings, as well as her own inability to adapt to the Muggle environment.

But above all, the biggest reason lay in her own high pride and her narrow-minded tendency to look down on everything but herself.

Wizards enter magic school at the age of 11.

Some first learn they are wizards at that point, while others know in advance.

But one thing that is true for all of them is that, until they turn 11, they cannot pass through the gates of the magical world.

So, where do they receive their education until then?

It generally falls into two categories: attending Muggle schools or homeschooling.

Unusually for a member of a pureblood family, Mirabel fell into the former category.

At the time, Mirabel, still a little girl, was constantly covered in cuts and bruises.

It was a humiliating period when, although her magical talent had yet to fully bloom, she displayed enough potential to be seen as the next successor.

Her parents had been abusing her.

The Beresford couple would surely deny it, but their actions were nothing short of abuse.

The number of times she had been knocked unconscious by magical blows was countless — too many for her to count on her fingers.

The number of times she was trampled while collapsed in pain, kicked in the stomach, whipped, forced underwater in a bathtub, or branded with hot metal was also beyond counting.

Her only brother, Simon Beresford, never extended a helping hand.

On the contrary, he joyfully participated in this "gifted education."

To Simon, Mirabel was nothing more than an obstacle threatening his position.

Out of pride, she never cried or begged for mercy, but there were times when she wept alone, overcome by suffering and humiliation.

There was no one in the house who would stand by Mirabel.

And there was no one outside the house who would stand by her either.

A girl who was always covered in wounds — she was creepy, and everyone kept their distance.

Perhaps some approached her out of curiosity, and teachers might have initially tried to sympathize with her.

But Mirabel rejected them all.

To be pitied was the greatest humiliation of all — an intolerable disgrace.

Her growing, rigid sense of pride did not permit her to accept others, so she rejected them all.

"I don't need anyone else."

"I don't need anyone's pity."

"I'll be fine alone."

She bit at anyone who approached her. Eventually, no one dared come near her anymore.

…Except for one person.

"Good morning, Mirabel-san!"

"...You again."

While eating the awful lunch at the cafeteria, Mirabel glanced to her side to see a silver-haired girl naturally sitting next to her.

Like Mirabel, the girl had long, straight hair that reached her waist and shimmered fantastically. Her well-formed face bore a smile that mysteriously put people at ease.

Her name was Lettice Valentine Grosseteste.

A classmate of Mirabel's and, for some reason, someone who had been persistently trying to talk to her since the day they met.

To Mirabel, she was an utterly incomprehensible existence.

The first time they met, Mirabel had coldly dismissed her friendly greeting.

The second time they met, she was surprised that the girl approached her again, but she still treated her coldly.

The third time, still smiling, the girl approached Mirabel as usual, and this time Mirabel grew irritated and was even colder.

Then the next time, and the next, and the time after that…

No matter how many times she drove her away or insulted her, the girl would just shrug it off and speak to her as if nothing had happened.

Mirabel couldn't understand it.

"Does this idiot not understand language or something?" she wondered.

In her short life, she had never experienced someone directing pure "kindness" at her.

Of course, she understood what "kindness" was, thanks to the "legacy of her previous life."

But that was not her. It was someone else's experience.

No one had ever offered pure kindness to Mirabel Beresford herself.

Her parents gave her excessive "expectations," her brother gave her "jealousy," her teachers gave her "sympathy," and her classmates gave her "contempt."

Those emotions surrounded her and twisted her into the person she was.

"I don't get it… Why do you keep talking to me? I've told you countless times that I have no use for you."

"That's true. But I've also told you countless times that I do have a use for you!"

"..."

Mirabel silently put down her spoon and drank some water.

This country's food was terrible. It wasn't surprising that people from other countries made fun of it.

But Mirabel didn't really care about that.

Eating was just an act of consuming nutrients. Taste held little meaning.

Once it was in her stomach, it was all the same.

"...Fine, say it."

"Huh?"

"Tell me what 'use' you have for me. If I'm satisfied, you'll leave me alone."

At this point, Mirabel was tired of the persistent silver-haired girl.

If she could just hear this so-called "use" and be done with it, the girl would leave her alone. That was the plan.

"Huh? You'll actually listen? Yes! Persistence pays off!"

"...I literally just told you to leave. Why are you so happy about it?"

Mirabel was baffled. This girl was completely incomprehensible.

Perhaps she was a fundamentally different kind of being.

"...Speak quickly. If you have nothing to say, I'm leaving."

"Ah, wait, wait! Let me think for a second… uh, um… uhh…"

"...Hey."

"Yes? I'm thinking as hard as I can right now!"

"...Don't tell me you didn't have anything in mind from the start?"

Is she an idiot? Is she mocking me?

Annoyed, Mirabel pressed her further, her voice tinged with anger.

The girl averted her gaze with an awkward expression.

"Because… if I didn't say I had a 'reason,' we wouldn't be able to talk. And Mirabel-san always walks away so quickly."

"...I have nothing to say to that."

"Ah! W-wait! Please don't go!"

As Mirabel stood up to leave in exasperation, the girl grabbed her arm.

But Mirabel had no patience left for this irritating girl.

"Let go. Or I'll kill you."

Her glare sharpened, and with that simple declaration, an oppressive aura erupted from Mirabel's entire body, filling the cafeteria with an overwhelming presence.

This was Mirabel's unique, innate talent, a regal pressure that asserted dominance over others, embodying her very being as a tyrant.

It was a manifestation of her distorted pride — the belief that she needed no one, that she alone was enough, and that all other beings should exist beneath her.

Faced with that oppressive presence, the entire cafeteria froze. Some of the weaker students even fainted.

Once she reached this state, nobody dared speak to Mirabel.

Not classmates. Not upperclassmen. Not even teachers.

But Lettice didn't care at all.

"Wait! I just thought of something! So, please don't leave!"

"...…"

"Why doesn't it work on her?"

As Mirabel eyed Lettice with suspicion, the silver-haired girl, now full of confidence, declared her "brilliant" idea with a beaming smile.

— I see a dream. A gentle memory of that day, one that will never return.

Mirabel Beresford was isolated.

There were many reasons for this: the environment around her, her own unfamiliarity with the Muggle world, and above all, her towering pride and unyielding narrow-mindedness that led her to look down on everything and everyone but herself.

Wizards begin attending magic school at the age of 11.

Some discover they are wizards for the first time upon entering, while others know in advance.

But one thing is true for all of them: until the age of 11, they cannot step into the magical world.

So, where do they study until then?

There are two main options: attend a Muggle school or be homeschooled.

Unusually for a pureblood family, Mirabel was in the former category.

Back then, as a little girl, Mirabel was always covered in bruises and wounds.

It was a humiliating time for her — not yet having fully blossomed into her magical potential but showing enough talent to be seen as the family's next successor.

Her parents subjected her to what they called "education," though it was abuse in all but name.

The Beresford couple would likely deny it, but that didn't change the reality.

The number of times she was struck with magic until she passed out was beyond counting — far more than her fingers could tally.

They would trample on her while she lay in pain, kick her in the stomach, whip her, push her head underwater, and even press hot iron against her skin.

Her only sibling, Simon Beresford, never extended a hand to help her.

In fact, he actively joined in this "elite education" with glee.

To Simon, Mirabel was nothing but a nuisance — a threat to his position as the heir.

Mirabel, with her stubborn pride, never cried or begged for mercy, but there were times when she wept in solitude, overwhelmed by pain and humiliation.

There was no ally for Mirabel in that house.

Nor were there any allies outside.

The eerie girl who was constantly battered and bruised was avoided by all.

Some, perhaps out of curiosity, had tried to approach her at first.

Even the teachers initially showed compassion and concern.

But Mirabel pushed them all away.

To be pitied was an unbearable humiliation. It was intolerable disgrace.

Her already rigid pride, which was beginning to solidify even at that age, refused to accept others, rejecting them all.

"I don't need others. I don't need pity. I am enough on my own."

With that mindset, she lashed out at anyone who tried to approach her, until eventually, no one came near her anymore.

No one—except for one person.

"Good morning, Mirabel."

"…It's you again."

As Mirabel sat eating her tasteless lunch in the cafeteria, a silver-haired girl casually took the seat next to her.

Like Mirabel, her straight hair reached down to her waist and shimmered in a way that felt almost otherworldly.

Her face, neatly composed and adorned with a gentle smile, had a calming effect on those who saw it.

Her name was Lettice Valentine Grosseteste.

A classmate of Mirabel's, and for some reason, ever since their first meeting, she had persistently spoken to Mirabel.

To Mirabel, she was an incomprehensible anomaly.

When they first met, Lettice had greeted her with a smile, and Mirabel had coldly brushed her off.

The second time, Lettice approached with the same smile, and Mirabel, though mildly surprised, dismissed her coldly once more.

The third time, Lettice came with her usual smile, and Mirabel grew irritated, dismissing her even more coldly.

The fourth time.

The fifth time.

The sixth time.

No matter how many times she was driven away or insulted, Lettice didn't seem to care. She continued to greet Mirabel as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Mirabel couldn't understand it.

"Does she not understand my words?" she wondered.

In her short life, Mirabel had never experienced anyone offering her pure kindness.

Of course, thanks to the "knowledge" from her past life, she knew what kindness was supposed to be.

But that knowledge belonged to someone else, not her.

No one had ever shown pure kindness to Mirabel Beresford.

Her parents' "high expectations," her brother's "jealousy," her teachers' "sympathy," and her classmates' "disgust"—

Those were the only feelings she had ever received.

They surrounded her, twisted her even further, and filled her with hatred.

"I don't understand you… Why do you keep talking to me? I've told you so many times I don't want anything to do with you."

"Yes, you have. But I've also told you that I have a reason to be here."

"…"

Mirabel fell silent, placed her spoon on the table, and took a sip of water.

The food tasted terrible, but she didn't care.

Food was nothing more than a means to acquire nutrients. Taste held no value.

Once it entered the stomach, it was all the same.

"…Fine, then. Tell me."

"Huh?"

"You said you had a reason, so say it. If I find it even slightly worth my time, I'll consider letting you stay. But if it's nonsense, leave and never come back."

She had grown tired of being hounded by this silver-haired girl.

If she listened to her "reason," the girl would surely lose interest and leave.

That was Mirabel's plan.

"R-Really?! You'll hear me out?! I knew it! Persistence pays off!"

"…I just told you to explain yourself. Why are you so happy?"

Her grin was baffling.

Lettice's eyes sparkled as she gazed up at Mirabel, as if rejection had never even occurred to her.

Mirabel opened her mouth to tell her off.

Her mind whispered, "Just say it. Break her spirit and leave."

It was what she had always done.

But for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to say it.

"…Do whatever you want."

It wasn't like she wanted a friend.

But now that she'd heard the "reason," this girl had no further excuse to cling to her.

She would eventually get bored and leave.

"Then that means we're friends now, right?! Yes, I'm taking that as a yes!"

"…Sure, whatever."

Lettice grabbed both of Mirabel's hands with excitement, her face beaming.

She swung their arms back and forth, her whole body radiating joy.

"That settles it! We're friends now, Mirabel! Oh, should I stop calling you 'Mirabel-san' and just call you 'Mirabel'?"

"…"

She's incomprehensible, Mirabel thought.

Her first "friend" was gazing up at her, eyes shining with happiness.

Six months later

Before she realized it, they were always together.

Despite having other friends, Lettice would still seek Mirabel out every day.

Today, she was passionately ranting about the poor quality of their country's food.

"Look at Italian, French, or Japanese cuisine! Our country's food is so bad it's practically a joke!"

"…Who cares? Eating is for nourishment. Taste is irrelevant."

"You just don't get it, Mirabel! Not at all!"

"That's why I made this! I used ideas from foreign cuisine!"

"…You can cook too?"

Lettice pulled out a homemade lunchbox.

She laid it out before Mirabel with pride.

Mirabel skeptically took a bite…

Her eyes widened.

"…!"

It was her first taste of genuine flavor.

Her knowledge had misled her.

She thought she "knew" foreign cuisine, but experiencing it firsthand was something else entirely.

"How is it? Tasty, right?"

"…Yeah."

Her answer was quiet but sincere.

For the first time, Mirabel realized that maybe, just maybe, not everything had to be "alone."

And the sight of Lettice's radiant smile didn't seem quite so irritating anymore.

"Hey, Retis... Why did you decide to become friends with me?"

"Hmm...? I wonder why."

In a nearly empty clubroom, Mirabel asked the question while looking at a pamphlet featuring dishes from various countries.

As for why she was doing this, it was because Retis had somehow made her a member of the "Gourmet Appreciation Club" she founded. Of course, it was all after the fact. By the time she realized it, her name had already been added to the member list. Utterly incomprehensible.

That being said, Mirabel had recently become somewhat interested in cooking, likely due to Retis's influence. Since she had no other clubs to join anyway, she figured she might as well make the most of it.

"Is 'I was just curious' not a good enough reason?"

"No, it's not."

While looking at pictures of various Chinese dishes in the pamphlet, Mirabel replied bluntly. Retis scratched her cheek awkwardly before giving in with a small sigh of resignation.

"You reminded me of my little sister, Mirabel."

"...I resemble your sister?"

"Nope, not even a little."

If they don't look alike, then how could she "remind" her of her sister?

Seeing the puzzled look on Mirabel's face, Retis offered a wry smile and continued.

"She's a little sister not much younger than me… I'm always wondering if she's doing alright in her new environment.

Maybe that's why. Seeing you all alone reminded me of her, just a little."

"…Are you living apart from her?"

"Yeah… It's been that way ever since my parents got into a huge fight and divorced. My middle name, 'Valentine,' comes from my mom's family name."

Normally, that would just make Retis a typical overly-concerned older sister.

But for Mirabel, the phrase "new environment where she's all alone" felt oddly familiar.

Placing the pamphlet down on the table, Mirabel's tone turned cold as she spoke.

"By 'new environment,' do you mean… the world of magic?"

"! Wha… How do you know that?!"

"My mother knew your mother. She told me about a witch from a pure-blooded household who married a Muggle, but the marriage didn't work out, and she begged for help finding a decent place to stay. That was about six years ago."

"Ah… so that means, Mirabel, you're a witch too?"

"Yes. Technically, female magic users are called witches."

Retis's eyes widened in surprise, and she stared at Mirabel. Judging from her reaction, it seemed she genuinely had no idea.

Scratching her cheek, Retis smiled wryly as she confessed,

"Well, since we're being honest… yeah, my mom could do some pretty mysterious things.

But she and my dad divorced when I was three, so I barely remember it. Half of me didn't even believe it was real."

"I see."

"But honestly, I never really felt it myself. I mean, I can't use magic, and my dad's just an ordinary, boring salaryman."

With a carefree laugh, Retis spoke.

Given her situation, it made sense that she wouldn't believe she had "magical blood."

However, for Mirabel, it was a small relief to know Retis wasn't a Muggle.

"…Wizards and witches attend a magic school starting at age 11.

Most likely, you'll receive a letter inviting you as well."

"Huh?"

"If… if you're okay with it… would you like to go with me?

You'd make a fine witch, I'm sure of it.

And… you might even see your sister there."

After speaking, Mirabel glanced at Retis, almost as if sneaking a peek at her reaction.

How unlike her.

The great Mirabel, of all people, was worrying about "what if she says no?"

She feared rejection.

This was an emotion she had never experienced before.

"Mirabel!"

"Huh?!"

"I'm so happy you invited me! Of course, I'll go!

I mean, magic is so cool!"

Mirabel's fears were completely unnecessary.

Retis grabbed Mirabel's hands with both of her own and shook them wildly, her face glowing with joy.

Looking back, Retis had always been the one to take action first, while Mirabel stayed on the defensive.

She never voiced it, but Retis must have been feeling anxious too.

Thinking that, Mirabel felt a little guilty for not realizing it sooner.

"Ah, but… will I be okay? I mean, I can't use something like 'Ionazun' or whatever.

If they ask me to use it during an interview, all I can say is 'Sorry, I'm out of MP'."

"Don't worry, nobody can use that."

Until now, Mirabel had thought of magic school as nothing more than a stepping stone.

A place to hone her skills and expand her knowledge for the sake of her ambitions.

But if she was with this girl…

If she was with Retis, maybe… just maybe…

For the first time, she felt like she could enjoy it without thinking of it as "a stepping stone."

She had grown to genuinely like this girl, Retis.

…Seriously, how unlike me.

"Hehehe… As soon as I start to show my talents, all of them come crawling to me, turning their palms and trying to get close.

I wanted to show you the sight of that Karukaro, Lettis."

"Please, Mirabelle, you shouldn't say things like that.

If you keep saying things like that, you won't be able to make friends at Hogwarts."

"I don't care about that. As long as I have you, that's all I need."

Inside Lettis's house, while relaxing on the couch, Mirabelle was talking to Lettis.

Well, to be precise, she wasn't relaxing on the couch. She was resting her head on Lettis's lap while sitting on the couch.

It was what you'd call a "lap pillow."

And while exposing such defenselessness, what was she doing? She was getting her ears cleaned by Lettis.

"However, this proves your sharp observation skills."

"...?"

"It's a continuation of last year's question. 'Why did you approach me?'

Looking back, you were unusually friendly from the start. If I say it now, maybe you came close because you knew I was the next successor of the Bellesford family. That would explain that unnatural fondness."

With a wicked smile, Mirabelle continued.

"Or maybe you came to get rid of the troublesome Bellesford? My father has many enemies.

If that's the case, then it was a success. Here I am, exposing myself without even holding a wand, completely defenseless, and at your mercy.

Right now, I could easily take this neck, you know?"

Saying this, she grabbed her collar, exposing her neck and collarbone.

For anyone who knew her usual self, this was hard to believe.

She never exposed such defenselessness in front of others... not even in front of her parents.

But seeing this, Lettis twisted her face into a sad expression, as if something in her heart had shifted.

"…Mirabelle... I'm getting angry."

"..."

Hearing those words, Mirabelle wiped away the smile on her face and closed her eyes.

A few seconds passed before she softly and almost apologetically spoke.

"…I'm sorry… I didn't mean to make you look like that.

…I said something horrible... Please, forgive me."

She covered her eyes with her palm and exhaled softly.

She understood. This girl didn't approach her for such reasons.

That was why she was exposing herself so defenselessly now.

"…I'm scared... I never knew how comforting it could be to be with someone else like this."

Mirabelle whispered quietly.

Her voice, so fragile, like a lost child, was unrecognizable to anyone who thought of her as the usual confident and proud girl.

"That's why I'm afraid. If I let go of this warmth, can I remain as I am?

Can I stay strong, as the 'me' I am? When I think of that, it becomes unbearably terrifying."

She removed her hand and looked up at Lettis's face.

Mirabelle's golden eyes and Lettis's blue eyes met, staring at each other.

"In that case, it might be better if I keep a distance from others, just like everyone else, to feel safe.

…Since meeting you, I've become weaker.

Once I've known this warmth, I can never let it go."

"Lettis."

Lettis gently touched Mirabelle's golden hair and began to stroke it.

Mirabelle didn't resist.

She narrowed her eyes in comfort, allowing Lettis to do as she pleased.

"That's not weakness. I truly think that's strength."

"...Strength?"

"Yes, strength in being able to be with others. Mirabelle, you've gained that strength.

That's why it's not weakness."

Mirabelle closed her eyes again, placing her hand over the one Lettis was using to stroke her hair.

She couldn't let go. She didn't want to let go of this warmth.

"I see…"

"Do you not believe me?"

"No, I believe you. It's your words, after all.

I think… that's probably true."

Right now, there was no smile of mockery or sarcasm on Mirabelle's face.

No cold grin or mad laughter, just a peaceful, satisfied smile from someone whose heart had finally found peace.

If this girl said it, Mirabelle could believe that walking with someone else wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

"Hey, Lettis."

"What is it?"

"I know I'm like this. I'm not honest, and I say horrible things—I'm a terrible person.

Maybe, I'll make you sad sometimes.

...Even so, will you stay with me?"

Lettis had said that Mirabelle was getting weaker, but that was an undeniable fact.

After all, they were born with different attributes.

Mirabelle Bellesford was, from the start, an inherent "evil."

She considered herself supreme, without hesitation in hurting others, and without caring for the pain of others.

Even more than that, deep inside, she had a twisted nature that took pleasure in causing pain to others.

No matter what people said or how she appeared, she was undeniably born as "evil."

That was why she excelled when committing wrongdoings or spreading malice, becoming stronger with each act.

Just like how a lion can never become a cat. The current Mirabelle was simply pretending to be a cat, though she was a fierce lion at heart.

"What a silly thing to say. I'm Mirabelle's best friend, after all."

"I see... You're right... Thank you."

But right now, Mirabelle was the complete opposite.

She was drowning in warmth, becoming soft, slowly changing.

She was slowly letting her innate talent as a tyrant wither away.

But she didn't mind.

She thought to herself that it was fine. Even if a lion was tamed and ate cat food, it was okay... so long as she could be with Lettis.

"…Hey, Mirabelle…"

"What is it?"

The hand stroking her hair felt so pleasant.

She could confidently say that this was her "happiness."

If a god existed and heard her voice, she didn't know if it would respond, but if it could, she wanted to express her gratitude.

"Thank you," she would say. "Thank you for bringing me to Lettis."

"I won't go anywhere. I won't leave your side.

From now on, we'll always be together, Mirabelle."

"…Yeah… You're right."

The gentle sleepiness overtook her, and she allowed herself to drift into drowsiness.

Maybe it wasn't so bad to grow weaker and decay like this.

As long as she could be with this girl, she would hide her true nature for life and discard her claws and fangs.

She no longer needed to be outstanding or live in a world where the superior ruled.

All she needed was her. If this peaceful time could continue forever, she wouldn't need anything else.

Please.

Please let this "now" last forever…

Let time stop, right here...

"…We'll always be together… Lettis."

With her most trusted girl in the world, Mirabelle fell asleep on her lap, a peaceful expression on her face.

(End of Chapter)

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