Chapter 88: What Happened Here!?

"Who the hell are you?!"

Marcus Flint was trembling, his wand lying forgotten on the ground. He didn't dare to pick it up.

Terror gripped him. That wind blade—that damn wind blade—was a nightmare. His courage had all but vanished.

He desperately wanted to know: Who was Noah? And how could he wield such terrifying magic?

"You talk too much," Noah said coolly. "Are you going to admit defeat or not? Never mind, I don't have time for this. Draco, you can stop running—I'll be keeping an eye on you. But before that, I'm feeling a bit sleepy."

Noah had no patience for Marcus's questions. He glanced at the surrounding students. Their stunned expressions—some even filled with admiration—told him that he had accomplished his goal.

There was no need to continue. He hadn't even been ruthless. If he had, Marcus—who had practically no real combat experience—would have been in serious trouble.

At least it was just his wand that had been broken. It could have been much worse.

With a simple wave of his wand, Noah cast a nonverbal spell. Marcus, who had been about to protest, suddenly found his eyelids heavy. His mouth hung open, but no words came out. Within seconds, he collapsed to the floor, snoring loudly.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Noah's magic is unreal..."

But Noah didn't spare Marcus a second glance. As if everything had played out exactly as he had expected, he stepped over the unconscious Slytherin and approached Draco Malfoy.

Draco was shaking. He had just witnessed Noah's magic firsthand.

"Mr. Malfoy," Noah said, a smirk playing on his lips. "Do you remember what I told you before? What I said in front of your father?"

Draco swallowed hard, nodding stiffly. "I—I remember."

"Good. Then repeat it."

Draco hesitated, then stammered, "Y-you said… you told me to stay away from you at school, otherwise… otherwise you couldn't guarantee that there wouldn't be an 'accident' when I went home for Christmas or summer break."

"Very good. And do you remember what you said to Hermione before?"

Draco's face paled. "S-sorry! I'm sorry! I shouldn't have insulted you!"

He nearly wailed as he pleaded for forgiveness, his pride shattered. His father's reputation, his own sense of superiority—none of that mattered now. Noah was terrifying.

The watching students were speechless. The once-arrogant Draco Malfoy was now groveling.

Even the Slytherin Quidditch team, who prided themselves on loyalty, didn't dare to step in. Marcus Flint's downfall was proof enough—Noah was not to be trifled with.

Noah sighed. "You're apologizing to the wrong person, idiot."

Draco's lips quivered. He knew exactly what Noah meant. He had to apologize to Hermione Granger.

But a pure-blood wizard bowing to a Muggle-born? The idea made his stomach turn. Even if he saw Noah as a fellow 'mudblood,' he didn't dare voice it now. Not after what he had seen.

Noah's magic was beyond comprehension. Was he even human?

Draco hesitated too long.

"What? You've got a problem?" Noah's voice was sharp, cutting through Draco's thoughts.

Noah continued, "If that's the case, Mr. Malfoy, why don't you take out your wand? Or do I need to slap you across the face with a white glove to make it official?"

Draco froze. His breath hitched.

A duel?

If he refused, he would lose all respect in Slytherin. But if he accepted…

He glanced at Marcus, still unconscious. He swallowed thickly.

No. There was no way he could win. If he fought Noah, he might lose more than just his pride.

Taking a deep breath, Draco turned on his heel and slowly walked toward Hermione. Every step felt heavier than the last. He reached her and, after a moment of hesitation, bowed deeply.

It was, without a doubt, the most humiliating moment of his life.

"Miss Granger," he said stiffly, "I sincerely apologize for the insults I directed at you. I was wrong. I will not speak like that again. Please forgive me."

The crowd was silent.

Hermione stared at him, stunned. Just minutes ago, this same boy had hurled insults at her with the same arrogant sneer he always wore.

And now, he was apologizing.

Because of Noah.

She clenched her fists, her heart pounding. She had made the right decision in joining Noah's group—the Mage Alliance. She wasn't alone anymore.

Taking a steady breath, Hermione met Draco's eyes and said, "I accept your apology. But that doesn't mean I forgive you, Malfoy. You should know this—your so-called 'noble' bloodline doesn't make you superior. And I will prove, just like Noah has, that you are not better than me in any way."

Silence.

Then, slow clapping broke through the stillness.

It started with the Gryffindors but soon spread. Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs joined in. The Slytherins, however, remained stone-faced.

But it didn't matter.

Hermione turned and walked back toward Noah and the others. Her heart was still racing, but she felt stronger than ever.

"Thank you, Noah," she said quietly.

Noah shrugged. "Don't just thank me. Kenn and the others were ready to back you up. And it was Hannah who told me what was happening. But remember, we're all part of the Mage Alliance. We look out for each other."

Before Hermione could respond, the crowd suddenly parted.

The applause died instantly.

A tall figure strode through the students, his black robes billowing ominously.

Professor Severus Snape had arrived, his face like a thundercloud.

His cold, piercing eyes landed on Noah and the others.

His voice was low and menacing.

"Someone. Explain. What. Happened. Here."

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