The next few weeks passed quickly.
Lucien settled into a comfortable routine.
Some days he went to class—answering questions, sleeping through the boring ones, occasionally terrifying professors with how much he already knew.
Other days, he was simply… everywhere.
He could be found walking the corridors with Penelope and Angelina, discussing books and Quidditch in equal measure.
In the library with Hermione, quietly debating spell theory while she excitedly introduced him to her Ravenclaw friends.
At the Hufflepuff table with Akeno and Susan, laughing softly while Alolan Vulpix basked in attention.
Or sitting with Cassandra, Daphne, and Draco—a combination that made half the school stare.
Because yes.
Draco Malfoy—the brother of Harry Potter's enemy, according to rumor—was now openly good friends with Lucien Aurelius Peverell Lionhardt.
People were awe-struck.
Whispers followed them everywhere.
"How did that even happen?"
"Is Malfoy… smiling?"
"Is that allowed?"
Evelyne Malfoy didn't care.
She was laughing more than she ever had before.
🌙 Night Reading and Red-Haired Chaos
At night, Lucien often slipped away to the library.
Sometimes to the regular shelves.
Sometimes… deeper.
The Restricted Section welcomed him quietly, old books whispering as he passed. He read by wandlight, absorbing knowledge with calm focus.
On one such night, he ran into unexpected company.
"Oi—are you supposed to be here?"
Lucien turned to find Fred and George Weasley, grinning like they'd just discovered a new explosive.
Lucien blinked. "…Probably not."
They stared at him for a moment.
Then—
"Brilliant," Fred said.
"We like him," George added.
From that night on, Lucien became an honorary accomplice.
The twins sometimes dragged him aside to ask questions about their prank products.
"What if the fizz lasted longer?"
"Could this charm stabilize the explosion?"
"Would it still be funny if it screamed?"
Lucien listened patiently.
Then offered suggestions.
Their inventions improved dramatically.
Filch's stress levels did not.
🧡 An Older Brother Checking In
Despite everything, Lucien never forgot Harry.
He checked in often—watching from a distance, occasionally sitting nearby, making sure his brother was smiling.
Harry was happy.
That was enough.
One afternoon, Lucien spotted Harry studying with Ron.
Lucien paused.
Ron was reading a book.
Lucien stopped walking.
"…Interesting."
He leaned closer.
The book was upside down.
Lucien stared for three seconds.
Then rubbed his forehead.
"…I'm not dealing with this today."
He turned and walked away.
Harry looked up just in time to see Lucien leaving, completely unaware that his friend had narrowly avoided an intervention.
🍃 Hogwarts, Settling In
Life at Hogwarts settled into a strange but comfortable rhythm.
Lucien had friends.
Enemies were unsure what to do with him.
Professors watched him carefully.
And Alolan Vulpix remained curled at his side—warm, fluffy, and very pleased with herself.
Somewhere deep in the castle, ancient magic stirred quietly.
Lucien didn't notice.
Not yet.