Chapter 61: 61: The Grand Duchess Felicia's Other Identity

Bond Street, London, England... Bond Street was a renowned shopping destination in London, known for its understated yet opulent atmosphere. The area was home to numerous Victorian-era classical buildings, and you wouldn't find cheap markets here—only luxury boutiques catering to the elite. It was a haven for high-end shopping enthusiasts. Among its highlights was the largest Victoria's Secret store in the world, a magnet for young, stylish women who often strolled out with pink VS-logo bags, chatting excitedly with their companions. On this particular afternoon of July 31st, a sleek black Bentley rolled up along Bond Street. While Bentleys were not uncommon sights on this posh avenue, the individual stepping out of this car was anything but ordinary. A boy, no older than twelve or thirteen, emerged first. He wore polished silver boots and carried a silver-topped cane with a serpent's head. His pristine white shirt was free of a single blemish, and his alabaster skin paired with his strikingly handsome features could make any woman swoon. Though he was just a child, his regal demeanor made it difficult to associate him with his tender age. The aura of icy sophistication surrounding him was palpable, and several girls holding their Victoria's Secret bags began whispering amongst themselves, debating whether to approach the enigmatic young gentleman. However, as their chatter continued, the next passenger stepped out of the Bentley, leaving everyone momentarily breathless. It was a giant—a man towering over eight feet tall! The crowd collectively gasped. How on earth did someone that size fit into a car? This question rippled through the onlookers as they gawked. The giant was dressed in a tattered, mildew-stained leather coat, an odd choice for the summer weather. The smell of his attire was so pungent that it seemed almost visible. His unkempt beard was matted with remnants of cheese, greasy bits of chicken, and even a few crawling insects navigating the mess. Nolan shot Hagrid a sidelong glance and sighed, speaking softly. "I understand that your mother's side of the family didn't care much for bathing. When they were too filthy, they'd just roll in the mud like pigs, but still..." "Don't bring up my mother!" Hagrid snapped, clearly offended. Nolan shrugged. "Fine, whatever makes you feel better," he replied dismissively before addressing the chauffeur sitting in the driver's seat. "After today, send the car for a full interior cleaning. I suspect Hagrid may have left some dirt or bacteria behind." "Don't talk about Hagrid like that, Nolan, please," came a sweet, angelic voice from the car. Eve hopped out, her silver hair catching the sunlight as she lightly reprimanded Nolan. She seemed fond of Hagrid, perhaps because he was one of the few individuals at Hogwarts who treated her kindly. Eve might not have chosen such an unconventional friend under normal circumstances, but her limited social circle had left her little choice. Following her, a silver-haired woman stepped out of the car, her mature elegance contrasting sharply with the lively youth of her daughter. Lastly, a frail, younger boy climbed out—a few inches shorter than Eve, his movements hesitant and unsure. The bystanders were now utterly baffled. How had so many people fit inside a single car? What they didn't know was that Nolan had used ancient runes to modify the Bentley's interior, doubling its capacity. Without this magical enhancement, Hagrid alone would have been enough to overload the vehicle. As Harry stepped out of the Bentley, his face full of curiosity, the car gave two soft honks before driving off. Nolan watched the tail lights disappear into the distance before turning to the bewildered group and saying in his usual detached tone, "Follow me." They arrived at the front of a storefront on Bond Street. It was another luxury flagship store, its name "BlazeSilver" glinting on the polished sign above. BlazeSilver—Shining Silver, Burning Silver—was a jewelry and fashion brand that had risen to fame about sixty years ago. It now boasted around a dozen branches across the UK, but the Bond Street location was the crown jewel. The store spanned three floors, with massive display windows showcasing dazzling items—trinkets so exquisite they could make any young woman swoon. Even real princesses would have trouble resisting these sparkling treasures. Eve let out an amazed "Wow!" and scampered over to the display window, pressing her tiny face against the glass as she stared, wide-eyed, at a delicate silver tiara inside. It was the kind of piece that seemed to have been plucked from a fairytale. A small crowd of young women lingered nearby, unable to afford anything from the store but drawn like moths to its glamorous glow. They watched enviously as wealthy patrons strode out with their purchases, adorning their aging faces with the shimmering beauty of BlazeSilver's treasures. Eve's mother also gazed longingly at the display. She too had once dreamed of owning a piece or two from such places. It took her a moment to snap out of her daze. Finally, she turned to the enigmatic boy beside her and hesitantly asked, "Nolan, why are we here?" Nolan cast her a fleeting glance and answered casually, "This is my sister's store." "Professor Von Draugr!" Eve exclaimed in shock. "The Professor Von Draugr who taught us Defense Against the Dark Arts last year? But she's so young!" "I can assure you, Felicia is much older than you think. And stop shouting about Defense Against the Dark Arts in a Muggle area," Nolan admonished, his voice calm but firm. "Muggles don't have any Dark Arts for you to defend against." With that, Nolan pushed the door open with a faint click, leading Eve and her mother inside. Two shop assistants were seated behind the counter, idly chatting. It was a common sight—they rarely had many customers since BlazeSilver's prices were so high. During slow seasons, hours could pass without a single buyer walking through the door. When they saw Nolan, however, both froze. The older of the two women quickly stood and greeted him with a bow. "Your Highness, what brings you here today?" Nolan nodded faintly in acknowledgment. "Just browsing." "Felicia has just designed a stunning new tie clip. I think it would suit you perfectly," the woman said with enthusiasm. "Bring it here." Delighted at his interest, the assistant dashed upstairs to retrieve the item. The scene left Eve and her mother speechless. They had known Nolan came from a privileged background, but this was beyond their imagination. Eve tugged on Nolan's sleeve, whispering, "Nolan, why does your sister run a Muggle business?" Picking up a necklace from a display, Nolan examined it idly, the polished silver catching the light as he spoke. "Perhaps you don't realize this, but pounds are far easier to earn than Galleons. There are fewer than twenty thousand wizards across the UK, but nearly sixty million Muggles. The numbers alone mean that the Muggle market offers three thousand times more opportunities. The wizarding world is far too narrow, with little room for real business potential." "I thought wizards didn't like Muggles..." Eve said softly, her mind drifting to the discrimination she faced in Slytherin. Her voice grew even quieter. "That's a foolish prejudice," Nolan said with a dismissive scoff. "Only the truly idiotic wizards see themselves as a superior species." ~~~---------------------- Patreon Advance Chapters: patreon .com / HPdreame