Chapter 215: 216: The Girls' Night Chat

Words : 1172 Updated : Oct 10th, 2025

"Well then, Eve, maybe I really am curious about the true nature of your relationship," Hermione straightened up and carefully asked, "Everyone's been saying that Nolan is two-timing..." "He absolutely is." Eve answered effortlessly. "And I've made it clear that I'm tolerant and generous about it. That made Nolan happy, so Cho became my sister, and in the future, she'll be family—was that what you wanted to ask?" "Merlin's beard, you actually admitted it!" "Alright, alright." Eve chuckled. "It's not as bad as you think. In fact, it's quite wonderful. Nolan's situation... isn't exactly what most people imagine? While I don't believe love is something you can trade for material things, Nolan has indeed given me a life I could never have dreamed of before. And all I had to do was accept his views on relationships—to become part of his world." "I... I don't think I understand what you mean." "I mean, Nolan himself isn't particularly greedy, but his family... You know his family holds an ancient noble title, right? For thousands of years, the descendants of his lineage have been allowed to have multiple wives. From the beginning, Nolan's perspective has been different from ours. In fact, he finds the idea of monogamy difficult to comprehend—he thinks we're the strange ones." As Eve spoke about Nolan, her silver eyes gleamed with warmth, as though she were reminiscing about the sweetest dream she had ever had. The cold, untouchable image that people had of her was nowhere to be found. "I fell in love with him, so I adapted myself to his beliefs. Maybe some people look down on me for it, but I don't care about their opinions. Hermione, you're one of the few friends I have—besides Cho and Alicia, it's just you—so I wanted to explain it clearly to you." Hermione seemed to struggle with all this new information but slowly nodded. "I see... but I never imagined you and Cho would actually become friends. It's a little surreal." "Well, if you share a man with someone, and your lips touch indirectly through his, maybe your relationship naturally improves?" "Oh, Merlin! I can't even imagine that." Hermione clutched her flushed face in embarrassment. "So, once a week, the three of us have a picnic by the lake. It's our way of bonding." That night, while Hermione was reading, Eve sat beside her, casually recounting stories of her love life. The studious Gryffindor had never been in love before, and she found Eve's shifting mindset fascinating. Perhaps, in her own way, she was studying Eve as an unusual case. Who could say? "It's easy to get along with Cho," Eve continued. "She's grown much quieter this year, rarely expressing strong opinions. She seems to think that following Nolan's every wish makes her appear obedient and well-behaved. I don't deny that, but it's just not my approach. She has her own role in Nolan's life, and I have mine. Maybe we're like rulers of different territories within the same kingdom? I don't know. What I do know is that we're not enemies—we're allies." Hermione sighed dreamily. "I hope my future relationship goes as smoothly as yours..." Eve chuckled. "Well, that's the thing. You were trying to prove that the Boy Who Lived isn't a Parselmouth, weren't you?" "I wish that were true, but the problem is... he is." Hermione rubbed her temples in frustration. "Why in Merlin's name did the Sorting Hat put a Parselmouth in Gryffindor? That's what I really want to understand right now." Eve just smirked. "But weren't you supposed to be a Ravenclaw? And yet, here you are." "I thought Gryffindor was the best house at the time... Alright, fine." Hermione sighed. "I just don't know how to stop people from believing Harry is the Heir of Slytherin. If this keeps up, things are only going to get worse." "Genius, have you heard of Murphy's Law?" "Oh, for the love of—ugh! I hate psychologists." Hermione rolled her eyes. "I bet Murphy was also secretly a Seer... Anyway, Eve, what do you think of Malfoy?" At the mention of Malfoy, Eve's face twisted in unmistakable disgust. She still remembered how, back in their first year, that arrogant brat had tried to force her to withdraw from school. "Are you talking about the older one or the younger one?" she asked. "Draco Malfoy." Eve's silver eyes gleamed with mischief. "Are you suspecting him of being the Heir? I have to say, it's not very likely. He doesn't seem that smart. But I can ask him for you—just don't get your hopes up. If he were the Heir of Slytherin, he'd definitely be more mature than he acts. And if he really were capable of such a thing, he wouldn't be dumb enough to tell us the truth." "That's what I thought too. So I found another way." "Another way? Veritaserum?" Eve's voice lowered in alarm. "You know Professor Snape would never allow that!" "Don't worry about it," Hermione said evasively. She had no intention of revealing the plan involving Polyjuice Potion. The fewer people who knew, the lower the risk of their secret getting out. Just then, Cho appeared out of nowhere. "Good evening, Eve. I have something to tell you... Oh, and—Granger?" "Clearly." "Oh, forgive me, Miss Granger." Cho's soft voice carried the elegance of a well-bred lady. "We don't interact much since we're in different houses, but I've heard you're very knowledgeable." "I don't mind at all. Would you like to join us?" Hermione asked, a bit hopeful. She had nothing against forming friendships with Ravenclaws. In fact, academically speaking, she sometimes felt she had more in common with them than her own housemates. "I would love to. But... oh, that's right." Cho frowned, as if she had almost forgotten something. Then, glancing at Hermione, her expression darkened slightly. Lowering her voice, she said, "A third victim was just found." "What victim?" Hermione immediately stiffened, a terrible premonition creeping into her mind. "The Chamber of Secrets?" "Yes..." Cho nodded solemnly, brows furrowing as she hesitated, as if unsure how to phrase her next words. After a long pause, she finally said, "The victim is Justin Finch-Fletchley, a second-year Hufflepuff... And he wasn't alone." "...What do you mean?" Eve narrowed her eyes. Cho hesitated a second longer, then sighed. "He was found with Harry Potter. And Peeves has already spread the news everywhere. People are saying... he was caught red-handed." "Merlin's beard..." Hermione slumped back in her chair as if all the energy had drained out of her. Then, suddenly, she grabbed her hair in frustration and groaned like a madwoman. "This—this is exactly why I hate psychologists!"

Chapter 215: 216: The Girls' Night Chat

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