Harry Potter: The Vampire Prince

This happened on the day of the holiday departure.

At the morning feast, Dumbledore announced Slytherin as the winner of this year's House Cup. The Great Hall was adorned with silver snakes and green banners, and every Slytherin was basking in their glory. This year, they had truly excelled—not only did they gain the exceptional first-year student Nolan Von Draugr and secure the House Cup for the sixth consecutive year, but they also narrowly defeated Hufflepuff by ten points to claim the Quidditch Cup!

Snape was delighted—this was perhaps the happiest he had been all year. He displayed his twisted, shriveled smile to the professors of the other three houses, which naturally irritated them. Professor McGonagall's face was stiff with displeasure, and Professor Flitwick slumped onto the table in defeat.

The younger Slytherins were no less thrilled. They were eager, just like their unsporting Head of House, to flaunt their victory and unique talents to the other houses. Though, to be fair, sharing the joy of triumph with those who lost is every victor's prerogative. That said, this kind of behavior doesn't tend to win much favor, and unsurprisingly, Slytherin once again became the target of universal disdain.

Furthermore, the Quidditch Cup sparked a particularly heated conflict. Slytherin Quidditch Captain Marcus Flint and Gryffindor Captain Oliver Wood got into a fierce brawl. Wood accused the Slytherin team of biased refereeing and claimed their Beaters frequently used their bats to strike players rather than Bludgers. Marcus responded in his own way—by demonstrating that, like it or not, Gryffindor would just have to endure it. Naturally, their clash escalated into a full-on fight.

The duel was brutal, leaving both captains battered and bruised. According to Madam Pomfrey, the troublemakers might not even make it to the Hogwarts Express that afternoon. However, not a single student seemed inclined to pity them.

After the feast, Nolan finished packing his luggage and was gently stroking the white snake coiled around his wrist while chatting with Miles.

Each professor had assigned an overwhelming amount of homework, and Miles earnestly hoped Nolan would "collaborate" with him to tackle the assignments over the break.

"Actually," Nolan said quietly, "figuring out how to handle the homework is good for you, Miles. I don't care much for Hogwarts' rules—rules never constrain the truly clever. But I also don't want to see you blundering into second year like an idiot who knows absolutely nothing."

After being chastised by the top student, Miles wore a look of utter despair. He declared that he wouldn't speak to Nolan for the next month.

At that moment, Alicia appeared, glancing around nervously. She gave Miles a half-hearted greeting—likely because Miles had recently been pursuing her—before turning to Nolan.

"Have you seen Eve?" she asked.

"Eve's gone missing again?" Nolan raised an eyebrow in surprise. "We're supposed to head to the station soon. Why is she running off now?"

Alicia hesitated before answering. "Eve's upset. I don't think she really wants to go home."

"Is she okay?"

"She's not," Alicia said, her voice tinged with concern. After shooing the clingy Miles away, she confided, "I saw her crying over a letter last night. You should look after her more, Nolan. She's being ostracized by everyone—she's really lonely."

"Eve cries a lot. It's not that big a deal," Nolan replied, his tone indifferent.

Alicia frowned, displeased by his cold attitude. But what she didn't know was that, despite his words, Nolan spent the little time he had left before departure searching for Eve.

He eventually found her by the lake. The silver-haired girl was crouched down, her eyes red and puffy, looking listless and emotionally fragile.

Nolan stood quietly beside her for three or four minutes before finally deciding to dirty his robes and sit down. He handed her a handkerchief and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

"I don't know…" Eve whispered, her voice hoarse as she wiped her tears. "I don't know where to go. My parents are separated. I don't know if I should go back to my dad or my mom. What if neither of them wants me…?"

Nolan sighed. He had anticipated this but hadn't expected it to come so soon.

This was a family matter, something beyond his understanding or intervention. The truth of the situation was a mystery to him, and there was nothing he could do but let things unfold naturally.

What Eve was going through was something she would inevitably face sooner or later. Nolan couldn't save her from it.

"You can go to your mother," Nolan finally said.

"Then… we might not see each other again," Eve whispered, her tears falling again. She hurriedly wiped them away. Over the past year, Eve had grown from a girl who would cry at the slightest provocation into someone with a bit more strength. At the very least, she was no longer willing to let this boy see her tears so easily.

"Why not?"

"Attending Hogwarts… it costs a lot," she said softly. "My mom is a full-time housewife. She doesn't earn any money. This year might be my last year at Hogwarts. Today could be the very last day."

Nolan stayed silent, gently taking hold of her small hand. "I see."

"Nolan, I'm so grateful to you. Sometimes, I've regretted coming to Hogwarts. Here, I've been insulted, excluded, and bullied. But at the same time, I'm glad I came. I met Alicia, and I met you, Nolan. I've never once regretted knowing you."

Eve had never been a strong child, but her vulnerability today felt different. Nolan could already see the signs of her transformation. Only a child who had endured profound upheaval could grow up so quickly.

Using a tone of gentleness he hadn't shown in all his twelve years, Nolan said, "I feel the same, Eve. I recognize you as my friend."

Eve wiped away her tears, leaned in, and kissed Nolan on the cheek.

"Don't forget me," she said, as if this really was their last meeting.

"Eve!" Nolan called out, stopping her as she turned to leave. The little vampire's voice carried an unusual sincerity. "I said I recognize you as my friend. That means you can rely on me when you need to. If it's just money, you can't even begin to imagine the wealth I possess. Don't let pride get in your way. There are always things more important than pride—for both you and me."

Eve's eyes flickered.

In this world, Eve was the only wizard Nolan had ever acknowledged as a friend. This alone gave her a privilege that set her above the rest. Yet, she remained unaware of the extent of what this meant.

The holidays had begun. The students' luggage was automatically loaded onto the train, and each prefect sternly reminded them that magic was not allowed during the break. Soon, they were all aboard the Hogwarts Express, bound for London.

When Eve arrived at the station, it was indeed her mother who came to pick her up.

Her mother was a fragile-looking woman, one who seemed as though she could be blown away by a gust of wind. The two embraced tightly, crying in each other's arms.

As for Nolan, Miss Theresa arrived as usual in her beloved little car to fetch him.

"Your Highness, welcome back," she greeted.

Nolan accepted Miss Nancy, the black cat, from Theresa's arms and tickled her chin. "I'm back, Miss Theresa, Miss Nancy," he said softly.

Glancing out the window, his gaze followed the silver-haired mother and daughter. Their figures appeared desolate as they gradually disappeared into the distance. Without a car, it seemed they would have to rely on public transportation to get home.

Nolan sighed almost imperceptibly, then said in a quiet voice, "Let's go. This holiday… will be a busy one."

The first year had come to an end. The story of the Philosopher's Stone was about to begin.

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