When Laughter Turns Dangerous
For the next few days, Lucien Aurelius Lionhardt was all Hogwarts talked about.
Students reenacted his upside-down kick in corridors.
First-years argued whether it was legal.
Upper-years debated whether Slytherin had ever been humiliated that badly.
And Marcus Flint?
He avoided eye contact.
So did Graham Pike and Derrick Vance—now officially known as "the beaters who knocked out their own captain."
Slytherin pride was wounded.
And wounded pride often looked for someone weaker to blame.
A Snake with Borrowed Fangs
His name was Varian Selwyn.
A fourth-year Slytherin.
Backed by the Malfoy family.
Backed by the Selwyns.
A distant cousin of Lisana Selwyn.
Varian wanted attention.
Wanted relevance.
Wanted Slytherin's fear to turn back into obedience.
And he chose the wrong target.
🏛️ The Great Hall Incident
Breakfast had ended.
Students were standing, gathering bags, chatting as professors prepared to leave.
Lucien rose from the Hufflepuff table with Akeno and Susan, Alolan Vulpix hopping lightly after him.
"Lionhardt."
Lucien didn't stop.
He didn't even turn.
That alone made Varian's face twist.
"HEY."
Still nothing.
Varian sneered.
"Leave the woman," he said loudly, pointing at Akeno,
"and leave, you mud—"
He never finished the word.
Killing Intent
The air dropped.
Not magically.
Existentially.
Breath vanished from Varian's lungs.
Marcus Flint collapsed to his knees.
Pike and Vance hit the floor like puppets with cut strings.
Students froze.
Some screamed.
Others felt it—deep in their bones.
Killing intent.
Pure. Ancient. Controlled.
The temperature plummeted.
Candles flickered violently.
Varian clawed at his throat, eyes wide in terror, unable to breathe.
Around him, his followers collapsed as well—gasping, choking, their magic completely suppressed.
Susan felt her legs shake.
Akeno's hand tightened in Lucien's sleeve.
Lucien had stopped walking.
Slowly, he turned.
His amethyst eyes were calm.
Too calm.
The Adults React
Professor Flitwick staggered back a step.
Professor Sprout's face went pale.
McGonagall's wand was half-raised.
And Snape—
Snape looked ready to kill.
If Lucien hadn't already beaten him to it.
🐍 A Lesson Without Words
Lucien took one step forward.
The pressure increased.
Varian whimpered.
Lucien spoke softly—quiet enough that only those near him heard.
"Never," he said calmly,
"speak about her again."
Another step.
"Never insult my house."
Another.
"And never," his voice dropped colder than ice,
"borrow power you don't understand."
He stopped.
Released it.
The pressure vanished.
Students collapsed, coughing.
Varian vomited on the floor.
Flint stared at Lucien with pure fear.
The Great Hall was silent.
Lucien turned back to Akeno and Susan.
"Come," he said gently.
Akeno nodded.
Susan swallowed and followed.
They walked out as if nothing had happened.
What Hogwarts Learned That Day
Later, whispers spread.
Not about Quidditch.
Not about tactics.
But about something far more important.
Lucien Lionhardt was kind.
Lucien Lionhardt was calm.
Lucien Lionhardt did not start fights.
But if you crossed the line—
Hogwarts itself would feel it.