The Hogwarts Express finally screeched to a halt at the station. Hermoine quickly left for her compartment, leaving Lucien, Akeno, Cassandra, Daphne, and the little Alola Vulpix perched comfortably on Lucien's shoulder.
Lucien tapped Akeno lightly. "Remind me later to change these robes," he said, gesturing at their Hogwarts uniforms. "They're older than some of the treasures in the mansion."
Akeno nodded obediently. "I'll remind you, master."
Penelope and Angelina, already dressed in their school uniforms, waved goodbye and hurried off to their respective compartments. Lucien, Akeno, Cassandra, and Daphne followed the sound of a booming voice calling first-years.
It was Hagrid, of course.
Lucien strode forward and greeted the half-giant for the first time. "Hello, Hagrid," he said politely.
Hagrid's eyes widened with recognition when he heard the name. "Lucien! Welcome back, lad!" he exclaimed, scooping Lucien into a warm, hearty hug. "Always a pleasure to see ya! Come by my hut whenever you like, eh?"
Lucien smiled and nodded.
From behind, Hermoine returned, this time accompanied by a young woman with an air strikingly similar to Yuria Harudera from Grisaia no Kajitsu. Lucien internally groaned. What is wrong with this world? he signed, shaking his head in disbelief.
Hermoine introduced her friend. "This is Susan Bones," she said.
Susan's cheeks flushed bright red when she saw Lucien. He gave her a polite nod, hiding a faint smile at how easily flustered she was.
Lucien's attention, however, was drawn elsewhere. He spotted his twin brother, Harry, standing with another boy—a red-haired, freckled fellow—gesturing excitedly. Lucien's eyes narrowed instantly. That must be Ron Weasley… he signed silently to himself. No wonder Harry survived all those years.
Ron, puffing out his chest as if the world revolved around him, started bragging loudly to everyone nearby. "…and Harry here, the famous Boy Who Lived, did this and that—"
Lucien sighed internally. Is there a limit to how annoying some people can be?
Through subtle eye contact, he communicated with Harry: Brother, this idiot is wasting your time. I'm your twin. Don't even bother with him.
Harry's face turned crimson. He stammered nervously, finally blurting out, "Lucien… this is my twin brother."
The revelation hit Ron like a thunderbolt. His mouth flapped open, eyes wide, completely shocked. All the girls in the compartment—Akeno, Cassandra, Daphne, Hermoine, and Susan—watched the scene unfold, some trying to hide their amusement, others blushing from Lucien's adorably calm and handsome demeanor.
Ron, flustered and embarrassed, could barely get a word out as Lucien calmly stood there, arms folded, clearly unimpressed. Harry's embarrassment deepened, though secretly he felt relieved that his brother had arrived.
Lucien glanced at his twin and gave him a small, reassuring smile. Harry's heart warmed instantly, the tension from years of loneliness dissolving in that simple gesture.