As he spoke, Nolan cast a discreet glance at Miss Granger's petite backside.
"I DO NOT!" Hermione shouted, her face darkening. "And why on earth would a hemorrhoid treatment require such a rare ingredient? I remember ordinary snakeskin being enough!"
"Because ordinary remedies can't permanently cure hemorrhoids, Granger. I thought you knew that."
Hermione was livid.
She was a twelve-year-old girl in the prime of her youth—how could she possibly have hemorrhoids?!
"Fine, Nolan…" Hermione took a deep breath, still fuming, then muttered under her breath, "I admit, I also need some bicorn horn…"
"Polyjuice Potion." Nolan's voice immediately turned cold. "Being a top student, of course you understand that it's a dangerous potion—highly regulated, Granger."
Hermione pleaded, "I know, I know it's dangerous, Nolan! But we need the Polyjuice Potion!"
"Oh, of course you do." Nolan's tone remained indifferent. He didn't even glance at her as he continued adding troll eyeballs and powdered Whomping Willow bark into his own bubbling cauldron. "I'm sure every Hogwarts student could use a Love Potion too—makes romance much smoother. And I bet plenty of young wizards wouldn't mind having their own batch of Polyjuice Potion. They'd just add a single strand of their crush's hair and admire themselves in the mirror—nothing would make them happier. Probably even more thrilling than the Quidditch World Cup."
"This is different, Nolan! You know I would never use it for anything bad!"
Hermione's voice was filled with urgency. "Please, Nolan! Harry's still buying us time—I have to get back to Potions class soon, or I'll get expelled! You know Snape's always looking for an excuse to do it!"
Nolan let out a long sigh, shook his head, and continued simmering his emerald-green concoction.
Hermione wasted no time. She quickly grabbed the ingredients she needed, then spun around and dashed toward the door. Just as she was about to leave, she whispered, "Thank you, Nolan."
"Don't use it for something we'd all regret, Granger."
…
Meanwhile, in the Potions classroom, Snape was treating a miserable-looking Goyle, whose face was now covered in festering boils.
"If I find out someone is behind this prank," Snape muttered darkly, "I will have them expelled."
At their table, Ron was growing increasingly frantic. "Hermione isn't back yet! What do we do? Something must've happened to her!"
"We can't let Snape find out she's gone," Harry muttered, frowning.
"Then hurry up and think of something!"
"I am thinking!"
"Think faster! Snape's about to notice Hermione's missing, Harry! Do something!"
"I've got it!" Harry suddenly shouted, jumping to his feet. Without thinking, he yelled, "Hey, everyone!"
The entire class—both Gryffindor and Slytherin—turned to stare at him.
"What?"
"Uh…" Harry hesitated, realizing he had absolutely no plan. His gaze darted around frantically before landing on Hermione's bag. His eyes lit up as he snatched a hardcover book from inside and held it up like a salesman presenting a prized item. "Have any of you read this book?!"
"...What?" The younger students exchanged confused glances.
Draco Malfoy smirked in that infuriating way of his. "Oh, I know what that is, Potter! That's Nolan's new book! It's been hailed as the definitive modern guide to Transfiguration—absolutely groundbreaking in the field. Though I had no idea you were interested in it, Potter. Given how dim-witted you are."
From the back, Pansy Parkinson sneered, "I doubt Potter can even understand it. I bet Granger has to read it out loud to him, word by word!"
"More importantly…" Snape finally turned his attention to Harry, his cold eyes narrowing. "You are advertising a Transfiguration book in my class? Care to explain, Potter?"
"Uhh, well, that's because… because…" Harry's voice wavered, sweat beading at his temple. "It's just really good!"
"And now we all know," the students deadpanned in unison.
Harry gritted his teeth and forced a smile. "Everyone should check it out!"
Draco scoffed, "So Potter is actually a fan of Nolan? That's odd, isn't it? A Gryffindor idolizing one of us? Maybe Gryffindors aren't as great as they think they are."
Snape, who was still dealing with Goyle's condition, exuded an air of pure displeasure. His voice was so cold it sent a chill through the room.
Just then, Hermione suddenly reappeared beside Harry, smoothly picking up the book. "Looks like Harry's finally realized how brilliant this book is!" She smiled brightly. "I think what Harry means is that everyone acknowledges how talented Nolan is. Perhaps, Professor Snape, you could even collaborate with him on a book about modern Potion-making. That would certainly be an enlightening read, don't you think?"
"Yes—exactly!" Harry hastily nodded, relieved beyond words.
Snape's expression remained icy. His lip curled slightly in disdain. "That hyperactive little show-off? I highly doubt Potions would suit someone so restless. He's not as talented as you imagine… Gryffindor, ten points deducted. I expect you to remember this is a classroom, not your personal circus, Potter." He paused before adding in a dangerously soft voice, "And if I discover that you were the one causing this—" Snape lifted his wand, flicking it toward the blackened remains of a string of exploded firecrackers— "you'll wish you had never set foot in my class."
…
That evening at eight o'clock, a wave of excitement swept through the student body as everyone flooded into the Great Hall.
The room had been completely rearranged—the four long house tables were gone, replaced by a thickly carpeted floor, and at the center stood a golden platform.
Nearly every student had shown up, including Neville Longbottom, who had only recently returned to Hogwarts and was still struggling to catch up with his lessons.
In one quiet corner, Nolan sat between Cho and Eve, each girl clinging to one of his arms, chatting happily.
The nearby students shot them irritated looks.
Few boys could witness this scene without jealousy gnawing at them. Even fewer girls could watch without envying the ones clinging to Nolan.
The sight of the three enjoying themselves so naturally made everyone's teeth ache with resentment.
"Let's just stay away from those three…" Miles grumbled, his voice dripping with bitterness. "I refuse to believe that Nolan is the only one who can find a girlfriend! And not just one—two gorgeous ones! I hereby declare: until I find a girlfriend, I am not speaking to Nolan again!"
Alicia rolled her eyes and shot him a frigid look. "Sure, Miles, whatever you say. I'm sure you'll find someone—like Millicent Bulstrode, perhaps?"
"Why is it always her?!" Miles yelped as if she had stepped on his tail. "Can we not bring her up?! I think Parvati and Padma Patil would be a much better match for me. If I manage to win them both over, I'll be just like Nolan—left arm, right arm, one girl on each side! Alicia, one day, you'll regret underestimating me!"
Montague, Alicia, Camille, and Laura exchanged a glance, then let out a simultaneous sigh, shaking their heads.
"Hopeless," they muttered in unison.
~~~----------------------
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