The following days after the battle on the Quidditch pitch passed in a haze for Evan. The once-familiar halls of Hogwarts seemed both comforting and alien, as if the magical world he had known was slowly colliding with something far darker and more dangerous. The sight of Decepticons tearing through the stands, Bumblebee fighting by his side—it was a secret too big for Evan to hold onto alone any longer.
But tonight, he wouldn’t have to.
It was well past curfew when Evan, Clara, and Leo snuck out of the Ravenclaw common room. The castle was quiet, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the tall windows. Shadows stretched across the floor, and the occasional flutter of a ghost drifted through the walls, but otherwise, the trio moved silently, making their way toward a secluded spot by the Black Lake.
“Are we seriously doing this?” Leo whispered, trying to contain his excitement and nerves. He had been bugging Evan for days, ever since the battle, about the need to finally sit down and “spill the beans.”
Clara, more serious and concerned, kept her eyes on Evan. “We need answers, Leo. This is important.”
Evan led them toward a cluster of trees near the lake, far from prying eyes and the reach of professors. The night was still, the lake reflecting the starry sky above. He stopped near a low wall, turning to face Clara and Leo. The relic, still hidden beneath his robes, felt like it was burning against his skin.
For a moment, there was only silence, save for the gentle lapping of water against the shore. Evan swallowed hard. This was it. He had to explain everything.
“Alright,” he began, his voice low but steady. “I think it’s time you guys knew the truth about what’s been going on. About the battle, the relic… and Bumblebee.”
Clara’s eyes softened, and she nodded encouragingly. “We’re listening.”
Leo crossed his arms, trying to act casual, but Evan could see the curiosity burning in his eyes. “Yeah, mate, we’re all ears. Especially after the whole giant robot thing.”
Evan sighed and pulled the relic from beneath his robes. Its faint glow pulsed gently in the darkness, casting a soft, otherworldly light on their faces. Clara’s eyes widened at the sight of it, and Leo let out a low whistle.
“So, this is the relic,” Evan explained, holding it out so they could see. “I found it two years ago, hidden in my aunt’s attic. At first, I didn’t know what it was… but then I started having these visions.”
“Visions?” Clara echoed, stepping closer. “What kind of visions?”
Evan hesitated, searching for the right words. “They were… flashes of another world. A world where these metallic creatures—like the ones we saw during the battle—were fighting. I didn’t understand it at first, but then I met Bumblebee.”
Leo’s eyes lit up. “That was the yellow robot, right? I knew he was cool.”
Evan nodded. “Yeah, that’s Bumblebee. He’s an Autobot, one of the good guys. He told me that this relic is connected to their world, and it’s powerful—so powerful that the Decepticons, the bad guys, are hunting it. They’ve infiltrated the magical world, and now they’re coming after me because I have it.”
Clara’s breath caught in her throat, her concern deepening. “Why you? Why is it connected to you?”
“I don’t know,” Evan admitted, the weight of the truth heavy on his shoulders. “I wish I knew. Bumblebee said it was my responsibility to protect the relic, but I don’t even know how to use it properly. That day during the battle… I just reacted. I didn’t know what I was doing.”
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Leo scratched his head, processing everything. “So let me get this straight. You’ve been walking around Hogwarts with an alien artifact that giant robots want to steal, and you didn’t think to tell your best friends?”
Evan grimaced. “I didn’t want to put you two in danger. I thought I could handle it on my own.”
Clara stepped forward, her expression serious but full of understanding. “Evan, you don’t have to carry this alone. We’re your friends. We’re in this with you, whether you like it or not.”
The words hit Evan harder than he expected. For weeks, he had been weighed down by the responsibility of keeping the relic a secret, of trying to navigate this dangerous new reality without dragging his friends into it. But now, hearing Clara’s quiet strength and Leo’s unwavering support, it felt like a burden was being lifted.
“Thanks,” Evan said, his voice thick with emotion. “I don’t know what I’d do without you two.”
Leo, always quick with a joke, grinned. “Probably get blasted to bits by a giant robot, mate.”
Clara shot him a look, but even she couldn’t help but smile. “Don’t listen to him, Evan. We’ll figure this out. Together.”
Evan nodded, feeling a warmth in his chest that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He trusted them with everything now, and that trust felt like a lifeline.
They sat together under the stars, the cool night air wrapping around them. For the first time in what felt like ages, Evan allowed himself to relax, if only for a moment.
“So what’s next?” Leo asked, breaking the silence. “Do we fight off more Decepticons? Save the world before exams?”
Evan chuckled, though the seriousness of the situation wasn’t lost on him. “I don’t know. Bumblebee said the Decepticons won’t stop until they have the relic. And that means they’re coming back.”
Clara frowned, her brow furrowed in thought. “Does Dumbledore know about any of this?”
Evan shook his head. “I told him a little bit. He knows there’s something going on, but even he doesn’t fully understand the relic’s power. And… I don’t think Hogwarts has ever faced anything like this before.”
Leo’s grin faded slightly. “Well, that’s very reassuring.”
“But we have an advantage,” Clara said, her voice steady. “They don’t know we’re working together. If they think it’s just you, Evan, then maybe we can use that to our advantage.”
Evan looked at her, a sense of admiration swelling inside him. Clara’s sharp mind was already strategizing, figuring out how to stay one step ahead of their enemies. He had always known she was brilliant, but seeing her so determined now, it made him realize just how much he needed her.
“That could work,” Evan agreed. “But we need to be careful. The Decepticons can blend in. They’ve been disguising themselves as students, maybe even teachers. We can’t trust anyone.”
Leo nodded seriously. “Right. So, if Professor Snape suddenly grows metal claws, we run.”
Clara rolled her eyes, but Evan laughed despite himself. Leo’s humor, even in the face of danger, was exactly what they needed to keep their spirits up.
They sat in silence for a while after that, the gravity of the situation settling in around them. The danger was real, and it was growing. But they weren’t alone anymore. Together, they were stronger.
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Far away from the peaceful shores of the Black Lake, a figure stood in the shadows of the Forbidden Forest, its eyes gleaming with malice.
Megatron.
He had sensed it—the brief surge of energy from the relic during the battle. His lips curled into a cruel smile. The boy, Evan Holloway, had the relic in his possession, and now it was only a matter of time before he claimed it.
“They’re growing closer,” Megatron rumbled, his voice a deep, metallic growl. “But they are no match for me.”
He watched the distant lights of Hogwarts twinkle in the night, the ancient castle standing as a beacon of magic and knowledge. But even Hogwarts, with all its protections, would not stand in his way. The relic was powerful, and once it was in his grasp, no force—magical or otherwise—could stop him.
Turning away from the castle, Megatron’s massive form disappeared into the forest, plotting his next move.
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Back by the lake, Evan felt a shiver run down his spine. The night was growing colder, but it wasn’t just the chill in the air that made him uneasy. Somewhere, out there, Megatron was waiting. And the next time they faced him, Evan wasn’t sure if he’d be ready.
But as he glanced at Clara and Leo, sitting beside him in quiet solidarity, he knew one thing for certain: whatever came next, they would face it together.
Leo stood up, brushing off his robes and grinning down at them. “Well, that’s enough world-saving talk for one night. We better sneak back in before Filch catches us.”
Clara got up as well, giving Evan a warm smile. “We’re with you, Evan. Don’t forget that.”
Evan rose to his feet, slipping the relic back into his robes. The weight of the world might be on his shoulders, but with Clara and Leo by his side, it didn’t feel quite so heavy anymore.
As they made their way back to the castle, the trio’s footsteps echoed softly in the quiet night, and the bond between them grew stronger with every step.....