Chapter 42: The Ailment Lies in the Heart

"I'm very glad you're here to keep me company. Although, in my opinion, you're not exactly in a great condition, Professor Snape." In the Hogwarts hospital wing, Nolan Von Draugr, clad in patient robes, looked teasingly at Severus Snape. The professor looked far worse off than Nolan did. His whole head was wrapped in bandages. Only his two eyes, two nostrils, and a few strands of his perpetually greasy hair were visible. The unfortunate Professor Snape was unable to speak. He could only glare at Nolan with an icy, serpentine stare. What Snape truly wanted to do was grab one of the foul-smelling bottles of skelegro potion and dump it all over the smug vampire's face before shoving him out of the infirmary. Nolan observed Snape for a moment, studying his look of pure hatred. After a pause, he asked softly, with surprising seriousness, "Why didn't you protect Eve? Are you like those other brainless wizards, thinking she has tarnished Slytherin's reputation?" Snape, naturally, did not respond. Nolan continued, almost as if talking to himself, "Reserved and proud. Confident and noble. Willing to do anything for victory. Preferring self-preservation when faced with adversity. Slytherin traits, like those of the other houses, have their strengths and flaws. But Slytherins tend to believe they are more special than the others. It's that sense of superiority... stemming from their insistence on pure-blood status, something the other three houses don't emphasize. Eve's presence disrupts that sense of superiority. She's done nothing wrong, yet she's made into a scapegoat. Don't you think that's absurd, Professor Snape?" Beneath the layers of bandages, Snape's lips curled into a faint sneer. He couldn't bring himself to believe that a vampire—an immortal creature capable of living hundreds, if not thousands, of years—could genuinely feel compassion for a young witch or pity her plight. Vampires, Snape thought, had simply witnessed so much of the world's coldness and cruelty that they were numb to it. Besides, being inherently creatures of the dark, vampires weren't exactly brimming with empathy or kindness to spare. Nolan stared at Snape, unwavering. Then he sighed softly and said, "When you're discharged, please protect her, Professor Snape. You're my Head of House. I don't want to be too disappointed in you. And right now, I'm still very angry with you." With that, Nolan turned and left, leaving behind Snape to contemplate the cryptic message. It was Nolan's third day of confinement in the hospital wing. Around midday, Madam Pomfrey came to check on Nolan Von Draugr's condition. Nolan wasn't particularly fond of her, primarily because she insisted he consume high-calorie foods—an absolute torment for a vampire. "Oh no, Madam Pomfrey, you know I don't like chocolate..." Nolan muttered, staring dejectedly at the oversized piece of chocolate and the full glass of chocolate milk on the tray before him. Madam Pomfrey, unbothered, reassured him, "Drink it, child. I must remind you, you were subjected to the Cruciatus Curse. Even adult wizards are often pushed to the brink of madness by it. You need sweets. Eat up." "If only you could get me some blood-flavored lollipops or a glass of O-positive, that would be much better..." Nolan mumbled under his breath, his voice tinged with grievance. Nonetheless, under Madam Pomfrey's encouraging gaze, he reluctantly took a small bite of the chocolate. "It's truly remarkable how quickly you're recovering... I still can't believe someone dared use the Cruciatus Curse within Hogwarts' grounds. I'll make sure Professor Dumbledore ensures that vile dark witch ends up in Azkaban. My students can't endure this kind of torment." Once the talkative nurse left, satisfied, Nolan stuck out his tongue with an audible blech before muttering, "I'm going to vomit... Here, you eat it, Eve." He pulled back the curtain, revealing none other than the silver-haired princess, Eve Stock. Eve had been confined to the hospital wing for three days. She had been unconscious for the first two days and had only awakened today. However, she was still incredibly weak—her lips pale, her face bloodless, her entire being frail and pitiful. Nolan moved the tray in front of her. The young girl tried anxiously to sit up, but her body wouldn't cooperate. The Cruciatus Curse seemed to have damaged something within her. When she reached out for the chocolate, her hand trembled so much that Nolan gently took it from her and held it to her lips. "Thank you, Nolan," the little witch said sweetly, her smile radiant with sincerity. "You're welcome," Nolan replied politely. After finishing the chocolate, Eve began to doze off, clearly needing rest. Nolan was about to draw the curtain closed to let her sleep peacefully when he felt his clothing being tugged. "Don't go, Nolan," Eve whispered, burying her face in the blanket, her luminous eyes peeking out. Nolan found himself helpless against her pleading gaze. Scratching the back of his head, he sat down by her bedside. "You can let go of my sleeve. I'll make you a promise—I won't leave your side until you fall asleep." "I don't want to..." "Then hold my hand instead." Nolan extended his hand, and after a moment of hesitation, Eve stretched out her still-trembling fingers. Nolan clasped them firmly. "Your hand is so cold..." Eve murmured softly. "Not warm at all." Feeling the warmth of the young witch's hand, Nolan spoke quietly, "My body temperature is very low. Creatures with low body temperatures aren't great at feeling emotions because their hearts lack warmth. They don't experience much joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness." "But I think you're a good person, Nolan..." Eve insisted stubbornly, her voice growing quieter until it was barely a whisper. "Thank you for saving me." "You're welcome," Nolan responded courteously. "And... thank you for saving me during Flying class, too." "You're welcome," he repeated, nodding seriously. Seeing his earnest, almost silly demeanor, Eve's lips quivered, as though she wanted to laugh. But instead, tears welled up and spilled over. "Nolan, you're the only one who's kind to me!" she cried. "Everyone in the House hates me. Even my family hates me now! I don't want to go to school anymore, but I don't want to go home either. What am I supposed to do?" Nolan remained silent for a long time, listening to the little witch's sobs. "Nolan, what should I do? I don't want to stay at Hogwarts. I don't want to go back home. I want to go somewhere no one knows me. Will you come with me? I want to go with you..." Looking into Eve's tearful eyes, Nolan asked softly, "You want me to leave Hogwarts, too?" Eve fell silent. Nolan spoke gently, "Eve, you're too fragile. Strong people don't need anyone's approval; they thrive on their own." "But I'm not strong..." "You can be," Nolan said seriously. "You were sorted into Slytherin. That House is despised by the other three, yet its members don't let that discourage them. They do what they believe is right. Eve, you're a Slytherin now. Do you understand? The Sorting Hat doesn't make mistakes. If you think it did, it's because you're only seeing the surface, while the Hat saw your soul." ~~~---------------------- Patreon Advance Chapters: patreon .com / HPdreame