McGonagall scanned the list of names, her eyes widening as she paused on one in particular. She leaned in closer, double-checking, and the moment her gaze settled on Lucien Aurelius Peverell Lionhardt, a wave of recognition and nostalgia hit her—Lily's reflection stared back at her in his features, though the amethyst eyes were uniquely his own. A small smile graced her lips as she called out his name.
"Lucien Aurelius Peverell Lionhardt!"
The name echoed through the Great Hall, instantly drawing every eye. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the students. Many were from the Muggle-born world, unfamiliar with the legendary weight of the Lionhardt family, while the wizarding students recognized the Peverell legacy immediately. A few whispered to Harry, asking if he was truly related to this astonishingly handsome and striking boy. Harry simply nodded, and the revelation hit like a thunderclap—Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, had a twin brother no one had known.
Girls across the hall clutched their chests in awe at Lucien's striking appearance, his crimson hair, amethyst eyes, and the small white Vulpix perched gracefully on his shoulder only adding to his charm. Even Nymphadora Tonks, sitting at the Hufflepuff table, blushed scarlet at the sight.
Lucien stepped forward, calm and composed, as the Vulpix leapt lightly from his shoulder. The Sorting Hat descended, settling on his head, and a voice boomed in the minds of everyone present:
"Ah… a Potter and a Peverell… let us see where you truly belong."
Time seemed to stretch. Ten minutes passed, and the hat fell silent. Lucien tilted his head slightly. Are you all right? he thought.
"Ah, yes… but this is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever faced. You possess the courage and bravery of Gryffindor, the cunning and ambition of Slytherin, the intellect and strategy of Ravenclaw, and the kindness and loyalty of Hufflepuff. But… you are lazy when it comes to ambition."
Lucien chuckled softly in his mind. Well, I have everything I need right here, he thought. Send me to Hufflepuff.
The Sorting Hat hummed approvingly. Very well… HUFFLEPUFF!
The hall erupted. Cheers and applause shook the room as Hufflepuff students shouted in excitement: "We have the Potter brother! The Peverell heir!"
At the staff table, Snape's gaze softened slightly. He exhaled, relieved that Lucien had not gone to Gryffindor like his father. Dumbledore, observing quietly, nodded approvingly.
"You have a remarkable student this year," he commented to Professor Sprout, who replied with a satisfied smile, "Indeed, Headmaster. Indeed."
After Lucien was sorted, Professor McGonagall called out, "Akeno Lionhardt!"
Gasps spread throughout the hall. Many of the Muggle-born students whispered among themselves, thinking, Another Lionhardt? Could they really be related? Meanwhile, boys of the same age in Hogwarts couldn't help but glance at her with admiration, secretly wondering which house their "goddess" would be sent to.
Akeno approached the Sorting Hat, which immediately began its assessment.
"Ah… loyalty, intelligence, a strong bond, and… a little mischievous streak," the Hat noted in her mind.
This made Nymphadora Tonks smirk and the Weasley twins whisper excitedly to each other.
"Hufflepuff!" the Sorting Hat declared.
Akeno's eyes sparkled as she made her way to the Hufflepuff table. The students' whispers turned into a mixture of awe and excitement at the presence of another Lionhardt in their midst.
Next, it was Harry Potter's turn. As in the original timeline, the Sorting Hat deliberated only briefly before shouting, "Gryffindor!" The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers: "We have a Potter!"
When Gregory Goyle name was called, the Sorting Hat muttered in exasperation, "Why do kids these days piss their pants so easily?" Goyle's cheeks turned crimson, and laughter spread throughout the hall as he was sorted into Slytherin.
When Vincent Crabbes name was called, the Sorting Hat muttered in exasperation, "Why do kids these days piss their pants so easily?" Crabbe's cheeks turned crimson, and laughter spread throughout the hall as he was sorted into Slytherin.
Then came Ron Weasley. The Sorting Hat's voice rumbled with barely restrained irritation: "You too, kid… from the Weasley family? Signed by your own mishap!" Ron's embarrassed flush and the laughter it caused made even the Muggle-born students giggle. Finally, he was sorted into Gryffindor.
At the Hufflepuff table, Lucien settled into his seat. To his right sat Akeno and Susan Bones, while to his left were Nymphadora Tonks and Cedric Diggory. Cedric, with a friendly grin, began explaining about Hogwarts professors, the dynamics of each house, and warning them gently about the third-floor restriction, just as Dumbledore had in the canonical timeline.
Dinner began, and Lucien sampled the feast while feeding the white Vulpix perched on his shoulder. The little creature purred contentedly, occasionally taking bits from his plate. Tonks and Cedric even shared a morsel with the Vulpix, which it devoured happily on the Hufflepuff table.
Across the hall, students couldn't stop staring, hearts melting at the sight of Lucien laughing and the adorable white fox. Even the professors and Dumbledore at the staff table leaned forward, smiling at the wholesome scene. Snape, observing Lucien's bright smile and laughter, felt a warmth spreading through him, slowly erasing the lingering regrets of the past.
However, Harry, observing his twin's growing popularity and charm, felt a flicker of envy—he couldn't help but notice that Lucien's presence, even at his age, drew attention from every corner of the hall, including older students.