Lucien stepped out of the Transfiguration classroom with Akeno on one side and Susan on the other, Alolan Vulpix perched lazily on his shoulder.
Susan was still riding the high of the lesson.
"That was amazing," she said. "Professor McGonagall looked like she wanted to steal you for the staff room."
Lucien shrugged. "She'd regret it. Too much paperwork."
Akeno smiled knowingly.
They didn't get far.
"Ohhh, look who it is," a familiar voice chimed.
Nymphadora Tonks leaned against the corridor wall, arms crossed, grin sharp. "Did the little prodigy enjoy showing off today?"
Lucien stopped.
Turned.
Looked at her.
"…Breakfast payback?" he asked calmly.
Tonks blinked. "Huh—?"
Too late.
Lucien stepped forward and placed one hand against the wall beside her head.
Tonks froze.
He leaned in.
Close.
Very close.
There were barely ten centimeters between them now.
Tonks's hair shifted instantly—from its usual shade to a bright, panicked pink.
Her face turned red.
Lucien tilted his head slightly, eyes calm, voice dropping so only she could hear.
"…You know," he murmured, "you're really adorable when you tease people."
Tonks swallowed.
Lucien leaned just a bit closer.
"Honestly," he whispered, amused, "it makes me want to take a bite."
Her brain shut down.
Lucien straightened, stepped back, and walked away like nothing happened.
Tonks tried to follow.
Her legs gave up.
She slid down the wall and sat there, stunned, heart hammering like it was trying to escape her chest.
Crimson hair… amethyst eyes…
That smile…
"If this keeps happening," she thought weakly, "I'm going to fall for him."
Students passing by slowed, staring.
"…Was Tonks always that cute?"
"Since when did she look like that?"
Tonks did not hear them.
Akeno and Susan did.
They stopped in front of her.
Susan crouched slightly. "You okay, Tonks?"
Akeno smiled sweetly. "You're very red."
Tonks groaned. "…Don't."
📖 Quiet Corners and Fox Favoritism
Later, Lucien walked into a quieter area of the castle and spotted two familiar figures.
Angelina Johnson sat at a table, reading, with Penelope Clearwater beside her. Books were stacked neatly, notes written with careful precision.
Lucien walked over and sat down silently.
He didn't say anything.
Just… watched.
Minutes passed.
Eventually, both girls finished reading and looked up at the same time.
"How long have you been sitting there?" Angelina and Penelope asked together.
Lucien blinked. "A couple of minutes."
Both nodded, accepting that without question.
At that moment, Alolan Vulpix hopped down from Lucien's shoulder and curled up neatly in Penelope's lap.
Penelope froze.
"…She chose me."
Angelina gasped. "She chose you."
Lucien nodded gravely. "You've been accepted."
Soon, both girls were gently petting Vulpix, who purred happily, tails flicking contentedly.
Lucien watched quietly.
He already knew.
Aside from a very short list of people—Grayfia, Gamma, Velgrynd, Nagini, Sylpha Langis, Yasaka, Akeno—
Vulpix only liked Penelope and Angelina.
Trust like that wasn't given lightly.
Lucien leaned back. "Transfiguration went well."
Penelope smiled. "We heard."
Angelina smirked. "Word travels fast."
Lucien added casually, "Tonks tried to tease me again."
Both girls leaned in instantly.
"And?" Penelope asked.
Lucien smiled faintly. "She turned red and collapsed."
Angelina burst into laughter.
Penelope covered her mouth, giggling.
"Oh, we have to tease her," Angelina said.
Penelope nodded eagerly. "Absolutely."
Lucien watched them fondly.
Hogwarts was chaotic.
But moments like this?
Worth it.