By dinner, everyone knew.
"Did you hear?"
"Lucien Lionhardt slept through Defence Against the Dark Arts."
"Like… actually slept."
"With a fox."
"And no one woke him."
The story spread faster than house points gossip.
Some said it was confidence.
Some said it was arrogance.
Most agreed it was impressive.
🦡 Hufflepuff Table – Immediate Consequences
Lucien sat at the Hufflepuff table, calmly eating, Alolan Vulpix curled beside his plate.
Tonks slid into the seat opposite him with a grin far too smug to be safe.
"So," she drawled, "I hear someone found Defence Against the Dark Arts… boring."
Lucien looked up slowly.
"…I was conserving energy."
Tonks laughed. "You fell asleep!"
Lucien leaned forward, reached out, and pinched her nose gently.
Tonks froze.
He smiled.
"You know," he said casually, "you're really adorable when you're teasing."
Tonks's hair instantly turned bright pink.
Her face followed.
"I—y-you—!"
Lucien released her and went back to eating like nothing happened.
Susan choked on her drink.
Cedric laughed.
Akeno just smiled knowingly.
Tonks buried her face in her hands.
"…I hate him," she muttered.
No one believed her.
🐍 Open Competition
Across the table, Daphne Greengrass and Cassandra Vole watched the exchange.
At the same time.
Both frowned.
"…You're enjoying this too much," Cassandra said coolly.
Daphne smiled sweetly. "I was thinking the same about you."
Lucien glanced between them. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing," they said together.
Akeno leaned closer to Susan and whispered, "They're competing."
Susan nodded seriously. "Oh. Definitely."
Evelyne Malfoy, sitting nearby, watched quietly—heart racing, cheeks warm, but smiling. For once, she didn't feel scared.
She felt… included.
🧑🏫 The Adults Who Know Better
In the staff room, the mood was very different.
Professor Sprout laughed softly. "Honestly? I'm just impressed."
Flitwick nodded. "To fall asleep means he assessed the lesson completely."
Snape scoffed. "Quirrell reads from a book."
McGonagall sighed, rubbing her temple. "And repeats himself."
They all paused.
"…Still," McGonagall admitted, "sleeping in class—"
"—means the class failed to engage him," Snape finished coolly.
Sprout smiled. "Exactly."
Flitwick adjusted his glasses. "A child capable of advanced Transfiguration and Potions doesn't need… that."
McGonagall straightened. "We'll speak to Quirrell."
Snape's mouth twitched. "Good luck keeping him awake."
🌙 Back in the Hall
Lucien leaned back comfortably, Vulpix yawning beside him.
Tonks peeked up at him, still pink.
"…You're dangerous."
Lucien smiled.
"I know."
And somewhere in Hogwarts, Professor Quirrell sneezed—completely unaware that his teaching ability had just been judged… and found wanting.