Lucien and Nicolas Flamel began exchanging letters regularly.
Not short ones.
Not shallow ones.
Pages filled with alchemical theory, symbols, corrections, and quiet praise.
Nicolas tested Lucien's thoughts.
Lucien refined Nicolas's assumptions.
Perenelle often added notes in the margins—
"Eat properly."
"You're too young to skip sleep."
"Visit us when you can."
Lucien replied politely.
And always listened.
Hagrid and Dragonite
At Hogwarts, Hagrid would not stop asking.
"Jus' one look, Lucien… please… I swear I'll be gentle…"
Lucien resisted at first.
"Dragonite doesn't like new people," he said calmly.
Hagrid nodded furiously every time.
Eventually—
"…Alright," Lucien sighed.
"But behave."
Hagrid nearly cried.
That evening, Lucien brought Dragonite to Hagrid's hut.
The door opened.
Dragonite waved politely.
Hagrid froze.
"…Merlin's beard…"
He slowly placed out dragon food he had carefully prepared.
Dragonite sniffed.
Tasted.
Eyes lit up.
She hugged Hagrid.
Hagrid made a strangled sound and hugged her back.
Lucien smiled faintly.
"She acknowledged you."
Hagrid wiped his eyes.
"Best day o' my life."
After some time, Lucien and Dragonite left quietly.
Observations
As Lucien walked the grounds later, he noticed something familiar.
Harry.
Ron.
Neville.
In the library.
Searching.
Lucien sighed inwardly.
Hagrid talked.
They were looking for the Philosopher's Stone.
Lucien didn't interfere.
Not yet.
Tonks
Later that evening, Lucien saw Tonks sitting alone, staring at the table.
Her hair shifted faintly.
She was thinking.
This isn't a joke anymore.
I'm not teasing.
I'm scared because I care.
Lucien approached calmly.
"Something wrong?"
Tonks shook her head.
He offered his hand.
She took it.
They walked the corridors together, silent, fingers intertwined, the castle watching but saying nothing.
By dinner, she seemed calmer.
Before leaving, Lucien said quietly:
"Be ready tonight."
Tonks blinked.
"…Ready for what?"
Lucien only smiled.
Night
Magic stirred.
Tonks felt herself pulled gently, not forcibly—guided.
She appeared in Lucien's room, startled.
Then relaxed instantly.
Lucien stood there.
He hugged her.
Pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"I know you have feelings for me."
Tonks froze.
Blushed hard.
"…You—how—"
"Do you love me, Dora?"
The nickname alone made her heart stumble.
She nodded.
Lucien hugged her tightly.
Nothing rushed.
Nothing forced.
They lay down together.
Tonks curled into his embrace.
For the first time in a long while—
She felt safe.
And she slept.