"In the end, we're the only two Slytherins who chose Ancient Runes," Nolan muttered with clear disappointment. "Why don't they understand the beauty of runes? I refuse to believe that ridiculous Muggle Studies class is of any use to them."
Eve furrowed her brows—not because she disagreed with Nolan, but because she had the nagging feeling she had forgotten something.
Hearing his complaint, she replied absentmindedly, "Ancient Runes is the hardest elective to score well in, while Muggle Studies is the easiest. I think that pretty much answers your question."
"I never realized Miles and the others cared so much about their grades," Nolan sneered. "Maybe they should put in more effort, at the very least, so Slytherin doesn't fall too far behind Ravenclaw."
"That's impossible," Eve sighed. "No matter what, the other three houses can't beat Ravenclaw in academics..."
She suddenly stopped walking, her expression shifting.
"Damn it! I knew I was forgetting something!" she groaned. "The translation chart you made for me over the summer—I left it on my desk! I swear, I was studying it until I fell asleep last night… How could I forget it?"
Without another word, she spun around and rushed back toward the dorms.
"I'm going to grab it! You go ahead to class, Nolan!"
The little witch's footsteps echoed rapidly as she darted away.
Nolan sighed.
"Great. My first-ever elective class… and I'm going alone."
It was the first elective class for third-year students. Ancient Runes and Muggle Studies were scheduled at the same time.
Most students had chosen Muggle Studies, eager to unravel the mysteries of telephones and movies—despite the fact that understanding them would be a challenge.
Only a handful had opted for Ancient Runes. If Ravenclaws weren't counted, the number of students in this class could be counted on one hand.
The classroom for Ancient Runes was inside Ravenclaw Tower. To reach it, they had to climb a long, spiraling staircase.
"Ravenclaws really do live in a nice spot," Nolan mused as he ascended the steps. "No wonder they're called the knowledge-hoarding eagles. Unlike us Slytherins, stuck under the lake in that damp, slimy dungeon…"
As he climbed, he unexpectedly crossed paths with a younger girl.
"Luna Lovegood," Nolan said, recognizing her immediately.
The little blonde girl blinked, then turned to him dreamily.
"Hello, Von Draugr. Have you seen my shoes?"
"Your shoes?" Nolan asked, puzzled. "I know people wear shoes to walk around, but I've never heard of shoes walking off on their own. Or are witches' shoes different from what I imagined?"
"Maybe they are?" Luna mused, tilting her head. "Or maybe some fairies took them. They love playing tricks, you know."
Nolan glanced down at her feet.
One was snugly fitted into a shoe. The other was bare, her toes pressing lightly against the cold stone steps. Her pale, delicate foot looked as small and soft as a kitten's paw, twitching slightly with each movement.
"I hope you find it soon," he said simply, stepping past her.
Luna watched him go, her silvery eyes narrowing slightly.
She murmured under her breath, so softly it was almost impossible to hear—
"He really doesn't seem like a wizard… Why hasn't anyone else noticed?"
As Nolan climbed another two flights of stairs, he caught sight of a group of Ravenclaw girls huddled together, whispering and giggling.
They were hiding Luna's missing shoe.
He barely spared them a glance. It had nothing to do with him.
Instead, his attention shifted toward a familiar figure waiting ahead—
Cho.
Without hesitation, he strode toward her.
"Where's Eve?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you two were inseparable."
"Why would you think that? Hogwarts dormitories are strictly separated by gender."
"Uh…" Cho chewed over his words, sensing something off about them, though she couldn't immediately put her finger on it.
It wasn't until they had entered Professor Babbling's classroom, settled in the front row, and begun waiting for class to start that it suddenly hit her.
She turned to Nolan, furious.
"I don't know what you meant by that, Mr. Von Draugr, but are you suggesting that if dormitories weren't separate, you'd be sharing a bed with Eve?"
"You're overthinking things, Miss Chang," Nolan replied coolly, then glanced around the room. "This classroom is tiny."
The Ancient Runes classroom was half the size of a regular classroom, with only three rows of desks.
"The tower doesn't have much space," Cho murmured. "Our common room is just as cramped. Besides, there are rarely more than ten students who choose this class, and every year, a few of them drop out. This is the hardest subject at Hogwarts."
"That's odd," Nolan frowned. "It's far easier than History of Magic."
Cho sighed.
"Only you would think that."
Eve rushed in, breathless, just in time before the professor arrived.
She plopped into the seat on Nolan's right and immediately turned to Cho.
"You might want to know this—there's a Ravenclaw first-year who's being bullied. Her classmates keep hiding her shoes!"
"Really?" Cho's expression darkened. "Who is it?"
"I don't know her name—"
"I do," Nolan interjected. "Luna Lovegood. But I doubt anyone calls her that. The Ravenclaws prefer to call her Loony Lovegood."
"Oh, her," Cho instantly understood. "The girl with the radish earrings and those strange necklaces."
It was clear she knew exactly who Nolan was talking about. But then, she turned on him with accusation in her voice.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"What does this have to do with you?"
"I'm a Ravenclaw!"
"But you're not a prefect," Nolan countered, waving his wand casually to dry the sweat from Eve's forehead. "It's a prefect's job to handle disputes, not yours."
Cho looked like she wanted to argue, but just then, Professor Babbling entered the room.
The respected old witch immediately waved at Nolan, her demeanor unusually playful.
"Everyone here?"
After counting heads, she nodded in satisfaction.
"Ten students. That's quite a crowd this year."
She surveyed the room.
"Now, how many Ravenclaws do we have?"
Half the students raised their hands.
"The rest of you… two Slytherins, two Hufflepuffs, and one lone Gryffindor—Alicia Spinnet."
Alicia gave an awkward little wave.
"You might think ten students is a small number," Professor Babbling continued, "but I'm not surprised in the least. In fact, students who choose this class have always been few. And those who can truly grasp the depths of Ancient Runes? Even fewer."
She perched elegantly on her tall stool, radiating an air of refined sophistication.
"By the time we reach the later years, perhaps only two or three of you will remain in this class. Maybe even just one.
"But would that disappoint me?"
She shook her head.
"No. Not at all.
"Even if only one student truly understands the mysteries of Ancient Runes, I would be content.
"And this year—"
Her sharp gaze settled on Nolan, and she beamed proudly.
"We are fortunate to have him."
It was not subtle. She was clearly showing off her prized student.
Nolan gave a cool nod.
"I'm honored, Professor."