Dinner in the Great Hall was loud, warm, and filled with the clatter of plates and excited first-years talking over one another.
Lucien sat comfortably among the Hufflepuff table, Alolan Vulpix curled lazily around his shoulders like she owned the place. Akeno sat beside him, quietly smiling, while Susan Bones listened politely to Cedric Diggory explaining how the staircases worked.
When dinner finally ended, students slowly began heading toward their dormitories.
Lucien stood, adjusting his robes, and turned toward the Gryffindor table.
Harry noticed immediately.
Lucien smiled and lifted a hand, giving his brother a small wave.
Harry blinked—then smiled back, lifting his own hand
🍃 The Hufflepuff Dorm Surprise
The walk to the Hufflepuff dorms was calm, the warm earth-toned corridors soothing after the noise of the Great Hall.
Professor Sprout stopped in front of a vine-covered door and smiled at Lucien.
"Mr. Lionhardt," she said kindly, "you'll be staying here."
She opened the door to reveal—not a shared dorm—but a private room.
Lucien stared.
"…Did I do something wrong?"
Susan gasped. "You got your own room?!"
Professor Sprout chuckled. "Of course not. Given your background and… special circumstances, we thought it best."
Lucien hesitated, then nodded. "Alright… thank you, Professor."
The door closed behind him.
The room was warm and earthy, soft light glowing from enchanted lanterns. Lucien lay down on the bed, exhaling softly.
Alolan Vulpix hopped onto his chest, curled up immediately, and let out a quiet prr.
Lucien smiled and gently patted her head.
"…Good night."
But after a few minutes, Lucien frowned slightly.
He was missing someone.
🦊 A Very Quiet Teleport
Lucien sat up, locked the door with a flick of magic, and closed his eyes.
His Nine-Tailed Sovereign bloodline stirred.
Space folded.
With a soft pop—
"A-AH—!"
Akeno appeared suddenly at the foot of the bed, wide-eyed and startled.
She froze.
"…Lucien?"
Lucien blinked. "Hi."
Akeno's shock vanished instantly. She rushed over, grabbed his hand, and hugged it tightly before climbing onto the bed and curling beside him.
"…Don't do that suddenly," she murmured, already half-asleep.
Lucien smiled softly, kissed her forehead, and hugged her gently.
Alolan Vulpix shuffled closer, curling up beside them.
And just like that, the room went quiet.
☀️ Morning Mischief
The next morning, Lucien carefully sent Akeno back to her dorm before anyone noticed.
After freshening up, he walked into the Great Hall with Akeno and Susan beside him—Alolan Vulpix perched proudly on his shoulder.
The moment they reached the Hufflepuff table, Nymphadora Tonks spotted them.
"Ohhh," Tonks grinned. "Look at you, Lionhardt. Already popular on day two?"
Lucien sat down calmly. "You're just jealous because my fox is cuter than you."
Susan nearly spat out her pumpkin juice.
Tonks gasped. "Excuse me?!"
Lucien leaned closer, eyes twinkling.
"…But you do look adorable today."
Tonks froze.
Her face turned beet red.
"I—I—SHUT UP!" she squeaked, covering her face.
Cedric laughed openly.
Susan giggled.
Akeno smiled quietly.
Lucien simply sipped his tea.
Hufflepuff, he decided, was going to be fun.