Winter Dreams

While keeping watch at the entrance to the Great Hall, Nathaniel established a fifty-meter perimeter with detection spells to ensure that nothing could pass unnoticed by him. These conditions were already much better than what he had to endure during the battles he fought, where closing his eyes for a few seconds ensured a one-way passage to meet the creator of the famous relics. On the battlefield, every second, every breath, every action is essential to staying alive.

Nathaniel still maintains a handsome appearance despite having been born so long ago. His blue eyes possess great coldness but also a charming and hypnotic allure, while his snow-white hair completes his noble aura.

'Truly the appearance of a worthy Lord of a now-forgotten Noble House,' he contemplated as he cast the last protective spell to ensure the safety and a good night's rest for the young students.

He had many things to organize at the moment: the invasion of a fugitive murderer, potential treachery from someone within the castle who might have aided Sirius Black's entry, the students he was gathering information on for the possible reopening of the Dueling Club, the invitation from his old friend for a demonstration in France, his classes, his spells, his lineage, and many other matters.

"Truly very different from before," at this moment, a rare smile appeared on his cold face. Many of his acquaintances wouldn't believe it if it were told to them now.

Touching the pendant he always carries on his chest, other memories clouded his mind.

'Someday, I will fulfill our promise, my dear friend,' this would be a long night, like many that Nathaniel had already lived through.

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{WinterHeart Manor}

The year is 1923, on a secluded hill away from the community, a grand mansion of a noble family of wizards majestically stands. The once verdant dominance of the lawns surrounding the mansion is now filled with the white of the snow that had been falling incessantly in the past days.

The sounds of hurried footsteps and the screams of a woman in labor filled the serene hill with commotion.

The birth of a great wizard was announced by the heavens, amidst the sounds of thunder and lightning that the snowstorm brought to the peaceful hill.

"Yes... it's a boy. Today will be a day for us to celebrate," shouted an old wizard upon learning that his grandson had been born healthy.

"Yes, a beautiful boy... he looks like his father," the woman, still weak after childbirth, commented with the child in her arms. The newborn child, despite having just been born, let out a light laugh upon hearing the melodious voice of the woman.

"Even though my son is no longer with us, we'll ensure the boy is well raised," memories of her son's death flooded the mind of the elderly man, but seeing the smile of the newborn grandson made his thoughts turn to the bright future ahead for his family.

Thus time passed, and in 1934, an eleven-year-old young man with hair as white as snow looked out of the window, awaiting the summons to study at the wizarding school and bring glory to his forgotten family.

"Grandfather, when will it arrive?" The young man asked the old man who was sitting in a chair on the other side of the room.

The old man took his eyes off the book he held in his hands to answer the boy. "Soon, little Nat... soon," returning his attention to the book.

The young man got irritated with his grandfather after being called by the nickname he had received since childhood, "Nathaniel, grandfather... Nathaniel! That's my name," the boy, trying to show anger in his face, corrected the elderly member of the WinterHeart family.

"Anything you wish, Nat," the old man smiled upon seeing his grandson's expression, and the argument between the two was only interrupted by the sound of tapping on the windows and a hawk carrying a letter.

"It finally arrived, grandfather!" the young man shouted in joy. And his grandfather just smiled, knowing that this was the beginning of the magical adventure his grandson would have in life.

The first few years at the wizarding school were the most magnificent for Nathaniel. All the knowledge he had always dreamed of obtaining about magic, as his grandfather and mother didn't allow him to read the books from the family library. He managed to form a friendship with a young half-blood wizard from a small house, Edgar, who became a great companion in adventures.

But as always, all happy stories have unhappy moments in their narratives. Upon finishing his third year at the school in 1936, on his return home, there was the death of his mother, which devastated the heart of the once smiling and radiant young man, who now kept his face always icy and expressionless.

His family now became smaller again, and it seemed that future times would be filled with more darkness and pain for the remaining WinterHeart members.

Around 1938, two years after the death of his beloved mother, his grandfather was now lying very weakened, awaiting the call of death.

"Nat, my precious grandson, I know seeing your family depart fills your heart with sadness, but our name will remain alive as long as you stand firm and carry our legacy," the old man managed to convey the message to a young Nathaniel as his strength left his body.

Even being called by the childish nickname he despised so much, this was not a moment to argue with his grandfather as he used to do; pain filled his heart for seeing another loved one depart. "I will keep our name alive, grandfather," he assured, clenching his fists in frustration.

"From today, you will be the Lord of the WinterHeart family, my boy, the responsibilities are now yours... cough cough... use the grimoire that I have always been reading to help you on your path to becoming a great wizard," leaving these last words, the light disappeared from his eyes forever, leaving a Nathaniel increasingly emotionless standing beside his deceased grandfather.

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{Unknown Location in 1943}

The night sky seemed even more terrifying on this day, a snowstorm obscured the view of everything it touched.

Shouts were heard in the middle of the storm on a deserted street.

"Why! Tell me why this massacre, Nathaniel... tell me why," a distraught Edgar screamed, hoping to get an answer from the person who had been his best friend for many years.

"He said it was necessary for our dream! Grindelwald promised that our dream would be fulfilled this way," Nathaniel uttered to his friend, yet his expression, his voice, and his whole being only transmitted emptiness. Emotions had already left the once smiling wizard.

"That doesn't justify anything," Edgar shouted, still outraged by his friend's actions. But there was no response, only the sounds of the storm were heard.

Nathaniel no longer cared about relationships or emotions; he had only one desire now, and Grindelwald was the only one capable of helping him fulfill it.

"Just don't stand against me! The past means nothing now. Anyone against our cause will be eliminated," leaving these words, he disappeared into the snow, leaving Edgar shaken by witnessing what his best friend had become.

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{Hogwarts - Entrance to the Great Hall}

The day dawned at Hogwarts as Nathaniel stood firm at the entrance to the Great Hall, guarding the young wizards sleeping there.

Footsteps were heard approaching the entrance.

"Good morning, Professor McGonagall," he cordially greeted his colleague who came to check on the students.

Nathaniel WinterHeart's long night had been filled with reflection, but the important thing at the moment was that he kept the students safe from any danger. He was the exemplary teacher that Hogwarts needed at this moment.