The weeks after the Flint scandal brought a strange calm to Hogwarts.For most students, the memory of "Yaksha" — the cold, unyielding side of Roy Valvas — faded into rumor and half-believed legend. What they saw now was a different Roy: the one walking the corridors with Hermione, Daphne, Astoria, Cassandra Vole, Penelope, and Cho Chang, laughing quietly as he sketched notes for new prank devices alongside the Weasley twins and Cedric Diggory.
Fred and George were delighted."Honestly, Roy, mate, your brain is a gold mine," Fred said one afternoon, watching a tiny prototype hiccup purple smoke.George added with a grin, "If these ever reach Zonko's, Lockhart's gonna be the face of embarrassment across Britain."
Which, as it turned out, was precisely the plan.
Together, they perfected harmless but spectacular pranks — a self-inking quill that wrote only embarrassing compliments about its owner, a mirror that exaggerated smiles to absurd degrees, and the "Lockhart Luster," a charm that made anyone too vain temporarily sparkle like a Christmas tree. Naturally, the first "victim" was none other than Professor Gilderoy Lockhart himself.
It began during breakfast when Lockhart's hair suddenly shimmered gold and silver under enchanted sunlight, while his robes glowed bright pink. The man assumed it was "a natural aura of fame," posed for several photographs, and became — unintentionally — the talk of the week.No one ever traced the prank back to Roy and the twins, though the Hufflepuffs swore they saw Roy wink at breakfast.
To his housemates, Roy was once again the gentle senior who helped them with charms and transfiguration. Yet, deep down, they could feel something more tempered in him — a quiet weight behind his smile. He still carried himself like someone who had seen too much for his age, but he let his warmth show to those he trusted.
The Journey Home
Snow fell thick and soft over the castle when the holidays began.On the morning of Christmas Eve, Roy and the girls packed their trunks and boarded the train, their compartment alive with laughter and teasing.
Hermione, seated beside him, looked up when Roy leaned back with a playful smirk."You still owe me a lap pillow, remember?" he said casually.
Her quill froze mid-stroke. "W-What? That was a joke! You can't possibly—"
Roy chuckled. "A Valvas never forgets a bet. You said you'd find who Nicolas Flamel was before January second last year."
Hermione turned scarlet, burying her face in her book as Daphne and Cassandra exchanged knowing glances. Astoria puffed her cheeks, half jealous and half amused, until her sister gently reminded her, "Roy already promised all of us a turn someday."
That only made Astoria blush harder, earning laughter from Cho and Penelope.
Moments later came a knock. The Weasley twins poked their heads in, followed by Ginny and Cedric. With a snap of Roy's fingers, the compartment subtly expanded under a Traceless Spatial Charm, and soon the room was filled with chatter and laughter that drowned even the rhythm of the train.
By the time they reached King's Cross, the compartment felt like a second home. Outside, the winter sun gleamed against snow-dusted roofs as students stepped onto the platform.
Parting and Promises
Roy walked out with the whole group — Hermione, Daphne, Astoria, Cassandra, Penelope, Cho, Cedric, and the Weasleys. Parents waited at the barrier, smiling and waving, while the platform hummed with warm reunions.
He greeted them all with his usual composed grace:"Good afternoon, Mrs. Granger. Mr. Granger. Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Diggory, Madam Greengrass, Lord Greengrass, Mrs. Vole, and Madam Chang."
Even the adults seemed slightly dazzled by the young man's poise — his silver-white hair gleaming against the faint mist, diamond-blue eyes calm and bright. Hermione's mother whispered to her husband, "He's so polite, isn't he?"
After farewells and promises to write, Roy turned as two familiar figures approached — Rem and Ram, his twin attendants. Dressed elegantly in winter coats with the Valvas crest, they bowed slightly to the gathered parents and greeted each one courteously before ushering Roy toward a sleek black carriage.
"Master Roy, the manor is ready," Rem said softly.Ram added with her usual teasing lilt, "And Lady Narcissa has been waiting quite impatiently."
Roy raised an eyebrow. "Narcissa Black? It's been a while."
With a last wave to his friends, he stepped into the carriage. Snow swirled past the windows as they left the city behind, the sound of distant bells fading into silence.
The Valvas Mansion
By the time they arrived, twilight had fallen. The Valvas Mansion in England rose from the snow like a piece of living architecture — tall spires and silver stone, windows glowing amber against the cold. The gates opened silently at their approach, enchanted lanterns lighting the path as the carriage rolled to a stop before the grand entrance.
Narcissa Black stood waiting inside the marble foyer, elegant as ever in dark velvet robes, her pale hair pinned neatly behind her head. Her poise was perfect — too perfect — but her eyes softened slightly when they met Roy's.
"Roy Valvas," she greeted, voice smooth and composed. "You've grown into your grandfather's bearing. Darius would be proud."
Roy inclined his head. "It's been some time, Lady Narcissa. I hope your family is well."
Her smile faltered — just for a heartbeat — before she answered, "As well as it can be in uncertain times. But I believe fate arranged this meeting for a reason."
Roy's eyes flickered with quiet curiosity. "Then let's find out what that reason is."
The mansion doors closed behind them with a soft echo, sealing the warmth inside as the snow fell quietly over the frozen gardens — and the next chapter of the Valvas heir's winter began.