Morning came quietly.
Lucien woke first.
Tonks was still asleep, her hair a soft pink, her expression peaceful in a way he rarely saw her wear in public. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
Her eyes fluttered open.
"Good morning, Dora," Lucien said softly.
Tonks blushed instantly—but she leaned up and kissed him back anyway.
Lucien cupped her cheek, resting his forehead against hers.
"You will be my lover from now on."
Her heart skipped.
"…Yes," she replied without hesitation, cheeks burning red.
They stayed like that for a few moments—no rush, no words—before Lucien carefully sent her back to her dorm, unseen, untouched by rumor.
Before heading out, Lucien wrote a short, precise letter and handed it to Dragonite.
A list of materials.
Rare.
Specific.
"Give this to Nagini and Gamma," he said.
Dragonite nodded firmly.
Lucien hugged his Alolan Vulpix, earning a pleased purr, and headed for breakfast.
The Great Hall
Tonks sat beside Akeno.
Akeno glanced at her once, smiled knowingly, and whispered:
"Congratulations."
Tonks nodded.
No jealousy.
No tension.
Only acknowledgement.
It made Tonks unexpectedly happy.
Nearby—
Susan, Hermione, Katie, Clara, Daphne, Cassandra, and Evelyn exchanged confused looks.
They felt… something had changed.
But didn't know what.
Angelina and Penelope, however, knew exactly.
They smiled quietly.
Another sister, they thought.
Another heart protected.
Lucien entered the Great Hall, calm as always, greeting his friends as if nothing in the world had shifted.
But those who knew him well could tell—
Something had settled.
Something had become certain.