Chapter 39: Chapter 39: She Must be Expelled
Thestrals are a unique magical creature, visible only to those who have witnessed death. Typically, a Thestral resembles a skeletal horse with a dragon-like head. Their bodies are skinless, exposing black, scraggly fur over their bones, and they possess large bat-like wings, exuding an aura of terror.
Nolan's Animagus form was a juvenile Thestral. It was the size of a foal, lacking the fangs of its adult counterparts, and looked more awkward than frightening. It was scrawny, with some flesh still covering its bones, and its skin was covered in black hair.
Professor McGonagall crouched down, meeting the young Thestral's gaze. "Are you all right, Mr. Von Draugr? Can you maintain your rationality?"
The young Thestral let out a low growl and began thrashing violently. McGonagall, seemingly anticipating this, waved her wand and transformed him back into his human form.
Nolan wiped the cold sweat from his face and retrieved a few blood-flavored jellybeans from his pocket, eating them quickly. "This isn't an ordinary animal. I nearly succumbed to the aura of death."
McGonagall nodded thoughtfully. "It's remarkable. However," she hesitated before continuing, "I must inform you, Mr. Von Draugr, that wizard Animagus forms don't typically manifest as magical creatures. There was once a wizard who attempted to transform into a dragon, but he ended up as a Blue-Tongue Skink, a rather unattractive lizard. Another student aimed for a unicorn but became a pitiful Shetland pony instead. Perhaps, because you are a vampire, your Animagus form took on the shape of a Thestral."
Nolan found this intriguing. Thestrals were swift flyers and, unlike other flying creatures, they were formidable in combat.
He attempted the Animagus transformation a few more times, but each attempt ended in failure. The transformation into a Thestral imposed a heavy burden on him, forcing him to use all his rationality to remind himself that he was not dead and had not been claimed by Death.
After his final unsuccessful attempt, McGonagall, her face stern, firmly forbade him from continuing. She kindly handed him an O-negative blood pack and personally escorted him back to the Slytherin common room.
"There's no need to feel discouraged, Mr. Von Draugr," she said. "You must understand that assuming the form of a magical creature presents immense challenges for anyone, even a vampire. Since such forms inherently possess magical abilities, mastering the transformation involves not only controlling the beast's instincts but also commanding its magical powers. It will take time—perhaps a year, maybe two. But we have plenty of time."
"I understand, Professor McGonagall," Nolan said softly. "There's something I should tell you, which might interest Professor Dumbledore. The forest elves in Ireland are restless. I believe they're plotting something. Over Christmas, I encountered some elves there. They shot arrows at anyone they saw, and I came across a few wizards and Muggles who had been killed."
"Oh, Merlin…" McGonagall sighed. "Fudge won't be pleased to hear this. I fear his Aurors aren't as well-trained as the forest elves. Let's hope this doesn't escalate into an interspecies conflict. Well, Mr. Von Draugr, I wish you a good start to the new term."
"Goodbye, Professor McGonagall."
…
Nolan spoke the password to the Slytherin common room's entrance, "Mobius Snake," and stepped inside. The atmosphere within was noticeably tense.
Several adult wizards he didn't recognize were present, and Professor Snape was among them, engaged in a heated argument.
"Severus, you must admit—" began a blond-haired wizard leaning on a cane, his tone sharp. "This is a disgrace. Slytherin House has stood for a thousand years, and in all that time, there hasn't been a single filthy Mudblood among its ranks. You should demand that Dumbledore expel her or have her transfer to another house. Allowing her to stay tarnishes Slytherin's reputation!"
Nolan noticed that Professor Snape's hair was once again oily, and his thin lips moved slightly as he replied in his usual icy tone, "I regret it as well, Lucius. However, you should know that the Sorting Hat's decisions are final and unchangeable. Even Dumbledore cannot override them."
The blond wizard took a deep breath and said coldly, "Severus, next year, my son Draco Malfoy will be attending. I don't want him living in a house contaminated by Muggle-borns." His gaze shifted to the young Slytherins present, and his icy tone sent chills through every student. "Who is Eve Stock? Step forward. This is the last stronghold of pure-blood wizards, not a place for someone like you."
Eve was terrified. She didn't want to step forward. She feared being expelled and dreaded returning to her increasingly cold home.
Even if there was no place for her at Hogwarts, even if all of Slytherin hated her, it was still better than the house filled with constant arguments. Being insulted by people she didn't care about was entirely different from watching those she loved quarrel endlessly.
But things rarely went as one hoped. Though Eve didn't want to move, all eyes were on her.
"It's you, Eve Stock," the blond wizard said coldly, stepping forward and grabbing the collar of her robe. He seemed disgusted by the idea of touching her skin directly. "Come, we're going to see the headmaster. I trust Dumbledore will provide a fair answer."
Eve felt despair sinking in. No one would help her.
That was expected. In the pure-blood wizarding world, no one dared defy the Malfoy family.
Even Professor Snape, the Head of Slytherin, remained silent. How could he? Was he really going to watch as one of his students was expelled?
Eve's desperate gaze swept across every face in the room before landing on Nolan, who had just entered. His expression was as calm as ever. Overwhelmed, Eve burst into tears.
"Nolan! Help me! I don't want to be expelled!"
Nolan nodded slightly, his voice soft. "Alright."
Lucius Malfoy snorted and drew a wand from his cane, pointing it at Nolan. "Boy, I don't care what this Mudblood is to you, but I'll tell you this: don't meddle in things that don't concern you."
Professor Snape clicked his tongue. "Ignore him, Lucius."
But before Snape's words could reach him, Lucius Malfoy watched in astonishment as the boy before him moved with extraordinary speed. Nolan drew his wand and cast a Disarming Charm with a fluid motion. Lucius's wand flew out of his hand, caught mid-air by a Summoning Charm that brought it to Nolan's hand.
Snap!
A crisp sound echoed as the wand that had accompanied Lucius for most of his life was snapped cleanly in two.
"Don't point your wand at me, you idiot," Nolan said softly, his voice calm and steady as he looked at Lucius.
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