"Gilderoy Lockhart? I think I've read one of his books… something about a voyage with vampires?"
It was early August when Nolan and Eve finally received their Hogwarts book lists. Scanning through the required textbooks, they found a new Defense Against the Dark Arts book—an utterly ridiculous, pitiful, and wildly fantastical collection of stories.
It was obvious. The author of these books would also be their new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this year—a novelist by the name of Lockhart.
"Oh, I don't know…" Eve said gloomily. "Maybe he has some real skill, but I have my doubts. I've read his books, and they don't feel… real."
"Libera said the same thing. But why do you doubt their authenticity?"
Eve ducked her head, suddenly bashful. "Because I don't think there's another wizard that powerful… except for you, Nolan."
Well, that was Eve's opinion.
In her mind, if someone was as impressive as Nolan, they had to be cheating.
"Besides Professor Lockhart's books," Nolan murmured as he scanned the list, lazily using his wand to levitate a quill and mark off the required texts, "we also need A Comprehensive Guide to Ancient Runes—I already have that one. And Numerology and Grammatica: The Connection Between Arabic Numerals and the Future… I think I've seen a copy in the library. We only need one set. Should we head to Diagon Alley today?"
"Why not?" Eve stretched, sliding out of bed completely bare, before rummaging through her wardrobe for stockings and a dress. "My Famas needs some dried lizard tails, and I need Silver Arrow broom polish. My broomstick could use some maintenance."
"I've always wondered… where exactly do you apply broom polish?"
"Oh, Nolan, don't be silly," Eve giggled. "Obviously, on the tail of the broom."
…
Eve knew that Nolan wasn't particularly interested in Quidditch.
Maybe it was because vampires were naturally athletic—wizards, in comparison, were about as physically capable as newborns.
Why would someone like Nolan waste his time sweating on a Quidditch pitch with fragile little wizards?
However, she suspected he had some fascination with broomsticks.
After all, Nolan owned a lot of them. Even his maid, Miss Fi, casually used a Nimbus 2000 to sweep the floors.
Eve once asked Fi, "Is there any real difference between sweeping with a Nimbus and using an ordinary broomstick?"
Fi had smiled slyly. "Oh, none at all. That is to say… I simply enjoy the feel of this charming broom. If I can't fly it, at least I can hold it while I clean."
See?
Forget hunting down Dark wizards—maybe Aurors were better suited for domestic work. Fi certainly seemed to have a talent for it.
In the spirit of picking up broom polish—and maybe igniting some interest in Quidditch—Eve dragged Nolan to Quality Quidditch Supplies.
"We were here last year," Nolan remarked casually as they approached the shop. "With Cho."
"We didn't invite her this time," Eve grinned. "She's going to be furious when we get back to Hogwarts. She's a jealous little thing."
"You're not wrong," Nolan admitted.
"You never planned on telling Cho your real identity, did you?" Eve asked teasingly.
"I didn't plan on telling anyone," Nolan answered smoothly. "You finding out was just an accident."
With that, he took Eve's hand and led her into the shop.
…
"Welcome to Quality Quidditch Supplies, sir, miss!"
A young wizard with round glasses and an England Wimbourne Wasps jersey practically bounded up to them. "Looking for a new Beater's bat? A broomstick? Quidditch merch? We just got in the Golden Snitch from the third match of the English National Cup! Our beloved Seeker, Christopher Stark, held this very Snitch in his hands—it sealed the Wasps' victory!"
The shop clerk proudly held up the Snitch for them to admire. "Look, it even has his signature on it! Isn't it a beauty?"
Nolan impatiently flicked his wand, stopping the Golden Snitch midair as it buzzed around annoyingly.
"We're not here to shop, sir. This is my Silver Arrow. I want it serviced, and I also need to restock my polish."
Eve handed over the wrapped broomstick to the shop assistant.
"Thank you very much for your business, miss! Here at Quality Quidditch Supplies, every broomstick is top-tier! A full maintenance service costs one Galleon and eight Sickles!"
Eve paid for the service and then hooked her arm around Nolan's, leading him through the shop as they browsed.
Near the display of the latest Nimbus 2001, they spotted a striking blonde woman with a curvaceous, athletic figure, dressed in a particularly revealing outfit.
What was odd, however, was the way she was rubbing the broomstick between her thighs, shifting back and forth while making rather… suggestive expressions.
Being a fully grown young lady, Eve immediately understood the implication. Her face darkened with anger.
"They're actually using Muggle marketing tactics? This is an insult to Quidditch!"
Nolan stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Perhaps you've forgotten, Eve… this was actually our idea."
"Wait, really?" Eve blinked, genuinely struggling to recall.
Even after they left the shop, she was still ranting, her frustration bubbling over.
"I know Muggles use car models to sell their vehicles, but this is different! A flying broom isn't just a means of transportation—it's an athletic tool! It should be displayed alongside cooler things, not… not some cheap, posing floozy!"
"Yet you have to admit—it's a brilliant strategy," Nolan said indifferently. "There were twice as many young wizards outside the shop today compared to usual. And you can bet the moment they get home, they'll start pestering their parents to buy them the latest broomstick."
Eve scoffed. "Not everyone can afford a Nimbus 2001!"
"Who knows? I just saw Malfoy buy seven of them," Nolan said dryly. "And we both know what that means—seems like our team is about to get a new Seeker."
Last term, Draco Malfoy had tried to join the Slytherin Quidditch team, aiming for the coveted position of Seeker.
But Snape had brushed him off, using the excuse that first-years weren't allowed to join the team.
Draco hadn't taken it well. After all—why was Potter allowed to break the rule?
This was yet another reason why Slytherins despised Harry Potter. He never followed the rules, constantly flaunting his so-called special status.
But was he really that special?
Draco had asked himself that very question, and the answer, it seemed, was no.
If Potter could bend the rules, so could he.
And so, now that he was in his second year, Draco had decided to buy his way onto the team—by donating seven brand-new Nimbus 2001s to Slytherin.
The only problem?
Draco never stopped to consider one very crucial detail…
Did Slytherin even need a new Seeker?
~~~----------------------
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