Chapter 92: 92: The Start of Winter Break

As winter break approached, Nolan doubled down on training Eve, drilling her in dueling techniques that could give her an edge in the upcoming Wizard Dueling Club competition. Nolan didn't think much of wizard dueling. But if Eve wanted to compete, he didn't mind helping her secure a win. On the day of the break, Nolan and Eve boarded the Hogwarts Express, heading home for the holidays. Harry and his friends opted to stay behind at Hogwarts. Not surprising—where else would the Boy Who Lived spend Christmas? He's not going back to the Dursleys, that's for sure. The train was packed with students returning home, filling nearly every compartment. Nolan and Eve wandered the length of the train, searching for seats. Miles was already squeezed in with older Slytherins, and Alicia had disappeared somewhere, probably off with friends. Finally, at the very last compartment, they found two empty spots. But there was a catch—this compartment already had one occupant. Cho Chang. The atmosphere instantly thickened. Cho's eyes narrowed slightly as Nolan stepped inside with Eve. She hadn't quite forgiven him yet. Seeing her crush spending all his time with her "rival" didn't exactly improve her mood. Cho greeted them with a chilly glance before resuming her whispered conversation with Marietta. "Well, don't just stand there," Cho said stiffly. "Sit down." The entire journey passed in awkward silence. Eve curled up by the window, reading a book, while Nolan fiddled with a Rubik's Cube, trying to shave his solving time down to under ten seconds. It was only when Eve tapped his arm gently that he looked up. "Nolan, will you come watch my match?" she asked, her voice soft but hopeful. "I know dueling isn't really your thing... but I'd really like you to be there." Nolan paused, then shrugged lightly. "If I'm free, I'll be there." Cho's ear twitched slightly. Her gaze flickered toward them, though she kept her eyes on Marietta, who was rambling about winter fashion trends. "What match?" Cho asked suddenly, unable to hide the edge in her voice. "Quidditch?" "Oh, not Quidditch," Eve replied patiently. "It's the dueling competition. I'm hoping to win some prize money. Then I can finally buy a better broom." Cho's brows knit together. "Believe me, Eve," Cho said, eyeing her skeptically. "You don't need a new broom. That old Cleansweep of yours—somehow—already flies faster than half the school's Comets and Shooting Stars." Her expression grew even more perplexed. "How does that happen, by the way? There's no way a standard Cleansweep flies that fast." Eve blinked, genuinely puzzled. "I don't know... It just feels faster than everyone else's." "That's odd," Cho muttered. "All Cleansweeps should perform the same. Unless..." Her eyes narrowed sharply as she turned to Nolan, gaze piercing. "Nolan," she said slowly, "you didn't—by any chance—illegally modify Eve's broom, did you?" Nolan smirked but didn't answer. "Merlin's beard! You did!" Cho shot up in her seat, exasperated. "You modified a broomstick? Are you insane?! If the Ministry finds out, they'll throw you straight into Azkaban!" Nolan waved dismissively. "Relax. I just... tweaked it. Eve's flying is already excellent. I just gave her an extra boost." "That 'boost' could get her killed if you messed it up!" Cho snapped. "I won't mess it up," Nolan replied calmly, twirling the Rubik's Cube lazily in his fingers. "No one at Hogwarts knows more about broom construction than I do. Not even Madam Hooch. Half of my Ancient Runes projects have been applied to broom mechanics. I understand them better than anyone." As Nolan spoke, the three girls stared at him as if he'd just declared himself the next Merlin. Cho pressed her palm against her forehead, clearly restraining herself. "Eve," she said slowly, turning to the younger girl, "don't you have anything to say about this?" Marietta chimed in, leaning closer. "Honestly, Eve, it's obvious. Nolan doesn't take your safety seriously at all. If he really cared, he wouldn't let you ride some souped-up deathtrap!" Eve calmed down surprisingly fast. "It's nothing. I'm just a little surprised," she said softly. "Just surprised?" Cho's eyes widened. "Eve, if I were you, I'd be terrified! Don't use that strange broom again!" "I trust Nolan. He won't make mistakes," Eve replied suddenly. She ignored the incredulous looks from the two girls across from her and turned to Nolan. "But... if you're going to surprise me next time, I'd prefer to know beforehand," she added with a small pout. Marietta's expression twisted into something between disbelief and exasperation. After a long pause, she muttered under her breath, "Merlin's beard... they're both mad. Honestly, they do suit each other." Cho's scowl deepened. Sensing the tension, Eve quickly steered the conversation in another direction. "I heard the Gryffindors are accusing Professor Snape of trying to curse Harry Potter. Do you think it could really be him?" At the mention of Snape, Cho's face contorted with disgust. "Your Head of House? Honestly, half of Hogwarts' hatred toward Slytherin is because of him. He's absolutely vile. I know I'm hopeless at Potions—whether it's cooking, potion-making, or anything involving a cauldron, I can't seem to get it right—but does he really have to keep rubbing it in every single lesson?" Marietta giggled. "Did you know? Snape was once voted 'Most Insufferable Professor in England.'" "That sounds about right. You should get him a certificate for it," Nolan said casually, shaking his head. "Look, I don't know how much Snape hates Potter, but I doubt he's an idiot. Only a complete fool would try to kill the 'Boy Who Lived' under Dumbledore's watch. The wrath of the White Wizard isn't something anyone wants to experience." "So, you don't think Snape cursed him?" Cho raised an eyebrow, challenging him. "How about we make a bet, then? If it does turn out to be Snape, you lose." Nolan smirked faintly. "And if I win?" Cho hesitated, clearly not having thought that far ahead. After a brief pause, she tossed her hair over her shoulder and said, "If you lose, you'll owe me one. A favor—no questions, no arguments. You have to do whatever I ask." "Gold Galleons would be simpler," Nolan replied dryly. "Who wants your filthy Galleons!" Cho huffed, crossing her arms. "Honestly, Eve, I have no idea how you put up with him. He's completely hopeless when it comes to romance." Eve's face turned bright red. She lowered her gaze, biting her lip, and whispered shyly, "Actually... Nolan isn't as hopeless as you think. Sometimes... he can be pretty bold. But... that's usually at night." "At night?" "Late at night..." Eve's blush deepened, her voice barely audible. Marietta's mouth dropped open in shock, while Cho squinted suspiciously at the two of them. "You two meet up at night?" Cho's eyes flicked between them, as if trying to decode their relationship. After a moment of contemplation, she added, "Alright then. If I win the bet, you have to meet me late at night next time. I want to see just how 'bold' Nolan can be. Surely, he wouldn't disappoint me, right?" Nolan shrugged nonchalantly. "Sure. Whatever you want." He paused, tilting his head slightly. "But if Snape is innocent, and I win..." "Do whatever you want!" Cho cut him off, clearly flustered. --- As the Hogwarts Express chugged to a halt at King's Cross Station, Nolan stepped off the train, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. Families reunited with tight embraces and joyous laughter filled the platform. Among them, Eve Stock's mother caught his attention. Her striking resemblance to her daughter was undeniable, but it was her expression that stood out—a radiant smile, brimming with newfound freedom. She exuded an air of confidence and happiness, as though shedding the weight of a past life. As Mrs. Stock led Eve away, Nolan watched them go, noting the lightness in their steps. They looked like a family finally finding their footing. He turned and found Miss Theresa waiting by the car, Miss Nancy nestled comfortably in her arms. "Ready, Your Highness?" she asked, her usual formal tone intact. "As ready as I'll ever be," he replied, taking the cat and stroking its fur absently. The car ride back to Randall George was uneventful, the familiar countryside rolling by under a pale winter sky. Nolan leaned his head back, his mind drifting, but the sight of the palace's towering gates jarred him from his thoughts. Randall George stood as imposing as ever, a fortress steeped in history and shadows. When they arrived, Nolan climbed out of the car and stretched, but his moment of peace didn't last long. A voice came from the shadows near the gate. "You've been keeping busy, haven't you, Your Highness?" Nolan's head snapped toward the source, his eyes narrowing. A man stepped forward, his dark trench coat blending into the evening gloom. "Leonard," Nolan muttered, his tone sharp. "What are you doing here?" Leonard smirked, unperturbed. "Came to talk. I wouldn't show up uninvited if it weren't important." ~~~---------------------- Patreon Advance Chapters: patreon .com / HPdreame