CHAPTER TEN

During their return to Hogwarts, Nova continued to keep her distance from any individuals associated with Albus. In doing so, she inadvertently strained her already fragile relationship with Rose, leading to them completely avoiding each other's presence in the common room.

While it was a lonely journey, Nova eventually found solace in solitude, even going as far as forging new friendships through genuine connections. Any association with the Weasley and Potter clans was intentionally avoided.

Nova's third year at Hogwarts represented a rollercoaster of experiences and emotions, bringing about significant highs and lows in her personal life.

The twins held themselves accountable for their mother's passing, believing that if they hadn't been born, her weakened state wouldn't have resulted in such a swift and tragic demise.

While the twins harboured guilt for their mother's death, they knew that her fate was ultimately inevitable. The family blood curse still hovered over Nova, a looming possibility in her twenties.

She witnessed the erosion of close friendships, and the impact of these losses left a deep and lasting impression on her psyche. She found it difficult to imagine ever reclaiming her former position in her social circle again.

As Nova navigated her third year at Hogwarts, a defining moment, she finally made a decision. Her initial action was to address a critical flaw in her behaviour, a mistake she should have corrected from the beginning.

"Hey, is it all right if we talk for a moment?"

The male, who had developed a huge crush on Nova years earlier, turned at the sound of her voice, a smile forming on his lips. Tobias Nott had never expected the day would come when Nova, whom he had been fond of for quite some time, would acknowledge him.

"Hello, my Starlight, of course, you can," Tobias replied, his voice melodic as he looked at her.

Nova offered a genuine smile, a stark contrast to the fake ones she frequently wore. She couldn't deny the fact that she did find him someone she would have seriously considered courting, yet her heart yearned for something different entirely.

She took a seat next to the male, barely able to utter a word before Tobias bumped his shoulder gently against her own. He spoke first, "I know exactly what you want to say, and I'm fine with it. I know you don't fancy me."

Nova looked at him apologetically while managing a forced smile. "I'm truly sorry, Tobias," she began, "I just really don't see us working out."

"No need to explain further, my dear," Tobias interrupted her, taking her hand and giving it a soft pat. "Perhaps, in another life."

Nova nodded thoughtfully, acknowledging the truth in his words. "If I hadn't experienced all that happened to me, I might have been strong enough to reciprocate your feelings," she admitted.

The male gently interrupted her, shaking his head and chuckling softly. "Don't say that, my dear," he advised, his tone gentle. "The difficulties you've faced shouldn't influence your choices. In reality, your heart longs for someone who can see a part of you that I could never understand. Throughout all your challenges, the only person who occupied your thoughts was that one special person."

Nova leaned her head forward, resting her face in her hands as she explained, "Until I mature more, I'll understand my mistakes better."

Tobias looked at her puzzled and worried by her statement about being alone. "What do you mean, exactly?" he inquired.

"Well, it's just that... I think I need some time to figure things out on my own," Nova elaborated, keeping her face hidden.

Tobias furrowed his brow, concerned by her reasoning. "How so?" he pressed, wanting to understand her thoughts better.

"I guess it could come off as fleeing," Nova admitted, offering a small smile. "But for me, it feels more like having the freedom to be my genuine self. It's about not feeling bound to pretend to be someone I'm not all the time."

"Ah, I see what you mean," Tobias nodded, finally grasping her perspective. "The need to find your authentic self rather than living up to expectations or a false persona."

"Exactly," Nova affirmed. "Finding my genuine self and stepping away from the persona others expect of me is what's on my mind right now."

"It's a journey of self-discovery and authenticity," Tobias remarked, encouraging. "It takes guts to make that decision, so I respect it."

"I appreciate that, Tobias," Nova responded appreciatively. "It's not an easy path, but the potential for personal growth is significant."

"Well," Tobias queried, regarding her with a tilted head, "care to share your specific plan for this self-discovery journey?"

Nova sat up straight and sighed, revealing her intention, "I've chosen to transfer to Beauxbatons next year."

"Beauxbatons," Tobias repeated quietly, contemplating the significance of her announcement. "Quite a change of scenery."

Nova chuckled softly, "Well, it was my grandfather who first proposed the idea." She then sighed dejectedly, "I had a long discussion with both him and my father. I've come to the stark realization that Hogwarts is not the right place for me at the moment. Given the burden of my family's legacy and the strain it's placed on my identity, it's making it nearly impossible for me to be my genuine self. Instead, I'm just... a Malfoy."

"Don't get me wrong; I'm not ashamed of my heritage," Nova clarified. "However, the expectations that come with it can be overwhelming. I feel like I need a break from it all. I want to be around people who don't know about my family's past to find myself."

"That's a valid desire," Tobias admitted, understanding her need for a change of perspective. "It's crucial to disconnect from certain influences sometimes."

"Yes," Nova agreed. "I feel like I need some space away from the weight of my family's legacy to truly be myself."

"It's important to have space for personal growth without the shadows of the past weighing on you," Tobias sympathized. "I understand that."

"It's hard dealing with the weight of expectations and the legacy of our family," Nova admitted, a tinge of frustration in her voice.

"True, I mean being a Nott comes with its own challenges," Tobias acknowledged, forcing a faint smile. "Luckily, my father didn't have to bear the burden of my grandfather's actions since he was apprehended before the Hogwarts battle. And Of course, the weight of my father's legacy can't compare to the immense responsibility your father had to shoulder," he sighed, recognizing the unique difficulties each of them faced.

"Still, there's no denying the pressures and expectations that come with being a Nott and a Malfoy," Tobias added, acknowledging the shared burden of their family legacies.

"That's right," Nova acknowledged, "The pressures and expectations tied to our name can be stifling sometimes."

Tobias nodded in agreement. "It's a heavy load to bear, especially when others have high expectations."