After that, the Stock family didn't go to Finland to see the aurora, nor did they visit Switzerland to ski.
Instead, the Stock household became a battlefield of arguments and cold silences between the parents. Eve and her older brother didn't understand what was happening, but whenever a conflict erupted, the two innocent children could only retreat to their rooms in fear.
As time went on, her brother, now slightly older, seemed to have pieced something together. His attitude toward Eve started to change, becoming wary and distant. To her dismay, Eve found herself missing Hogwarts—the very place she had once wished to leave behind, even going so far as to dream of not being a witch at all. Her home, once her sanctuary, had become scarier than even the Slytherin common room.
She wanted to ask her parents to stop fighting, but her father's gaze no longer held its previous warmth. Instead, it was filled with a complicated mix of emotions, distant and conflicted. Her mother, fragile and unable to protect even herself, now resembled a frightened deer, rarely leaving her room and no longer cooking meals.
On the night before Hogwarts reopened, Eve sat at the table eating cold pizza with her father and brother. The pizza was dry and salty, and Eve struggled to swallow it, finally washing it down with a glass of cold milk. Her father didn't remind her to heat it in the microwave.
The next day, she left for Hogwarts with her luggage. Though most people there disliked her, Nolan's presence made her feel safe. Compared to her home, Hogwarts now felt like a refuge.
On the Hogwarts Express, Eve caught sight of Nolan—someone she had missed dearly. The Slytherin prince seemed intent on spending time with Cho Chang from Ravenclaw.
Eve recalled her first encounter with Nolan four months ago: he had been sitting in a compartment playing a Muggle video game, while the beautiful Cho sat across from him, chatting incessantly.
Now, things were different. Cho was no longer across from him; she sat beside him, resting her chin on his shoulder as they watched the game together. Occasionally, they bickered over its content.
Eve couldn't help but feel envious of Cho.
…
When Nolan returned to the Slytherin dormitory, he noticed a new poster on the wall.
It featured a woman with an enchanting smile, wearing a loose plaid shirt that slipped off her shoulder, exuding a seductive charm directed at Nolan from the poster.
"Her?" asked Miles Bletchley, munching on a hot dog. "That's Sophie Marceau. She's been called the most beautiful woman in France. My whole family is obsessed with her right now!"
Nolan glanced at the poster and commented fairly, "She is quite charming."
In the corner, Malcolm Baddock was quietly organizing his books, his ears turning red. Every so often, he cast furtive glances at the poster—and, occasionally, at Nolan.
Miles noticed Malcolm's behavior and smirked. With a mocking tone, he said, "Sometimes you have to admit, Muggle things can be interesting. It's hard to find witches as captivating as they are. Speaking of witches..." Miles gave Nolan a mischievous grin. "I heard you spent the holiday at Cho Chang's house?"
Nolan tilted his head slightly and asked softly, "How did you know?"
"Oh, Merlin's beard, you actually did go to her house!" Miles said with a sour tone. "Everyone knows by now. It's all over Hogwarts because someone spotted the two of you arriving at King's Cross in the same car. The girls don't want to believe it—they can't stand the idea of you already having a sweetheart. You're incredible, Nolan. Cho's the most attractive girl in our year, and you've already won her over."
Nolan shook his head. "Don't be ridiculous, Miles. Cho is still so young."
"But when she grows up, she's bound to be a stunning witch," Miles replied with a sly grin.
"Maybe I'll find her interesting once she's older, but for now, she doesn't have an ounce of feminine charm," Nolan said. Grabbing the robe tossed on his bed, he threw it over his shoulders. "I need to head out—Professor McGonagall is looking for me."
After Nolan left, Miles clicked his tongue, glancing at Malcolm. "Hey, Malcolm, how was your holiday?"
Malcolm's hands paused mid-motion as he arranged his books. His voice was muffled as he replied, "Don't talk to me, you impure-blooded half-breed."
Miles shrugged nonchalantly. "Figures. Malcolm, you die-hard pure-blood loyalist, you can cling to your ideals all your life. I hope your future wife is a flawless pure-blood aristocrat."
Malcolm stood up, a proud smile on his face. "Of course she will be. Only a pure-blooded witch is worthy of being the wife of the Baddock family."
…
"Nolan, given your… personality, I feel obliged to ask: you didn't practice Animagus transformations on your own over the holiday, did you?"
Professor McGonagall's unexpected question broke the silence as she and Nolan prepared for a Transfiguration experiment in the classroom.
Nolan froze for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I must say my holiday was quite eventful."
"I hear you visited Miss Chang's home," McGonagall said, her usually cold gaze tinged with amusement.
Nolan blinked in surprise. "Why does everyone know about this? Who's next, Professor Snape? He always seems far too interested in his students' personal lives. Honestly, he should have switched careers to The Daily Prophet. He'd probably be the most famous wizarding journalist of the century."
McGonagall's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Would he question uncooperative wizards with Veritaserum?"
Nolan shrugged. "I wouldn't be surprised. That man has never been shy about using potions."
McGonagall chuckled softly before her tone became slightly gentler. "That's good, Nolan. Both Professor Dumbledore and I hope you'll enjoy a pleasant and normal school life. I think you should take some time to savor your budding relationship with Miss Chang."
"Is that really appropriate?" Nolan asked curiously. "Professor, you must know that vampires traditionally offer their mates the First Embrace, turning them into our kind. Recommending Cho to me… that could harm her."
"I don't believe becoming a vampire is a bad thing," McGonagall replied, her words surprising him. "Though I wouldn't seek it out myself. Now then, Nolan, let's see your Animagus form. It's a challenging transformation, but I doubt it will trouble you."
Nolan raised his wand and cast the Animagus spell on himself. The process was entirely different from the vampiric shape-shifting he was accustomed to. He felt the magic gradually strip away his primate instincts, altering his bones and muscles. By the end, a jet-black horse stood in his place.
McGonagall gasped sharply, adjusting her glasses. "Oh, Merlin's beard—Nolan, your Animagus form is a Thestral!"
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