Morning After — Quiet Parting
Lucien woke to the soft, even rhythm of breathing beside him.
One silver-white tail was gently wrapped around Tonks, who was hugging it like a pillow, completely at peace.
Lucien smiled.
He carefully leaned down and pressed a light kiss to her forehead.
"Good morning, Dora."
Tonks stirred, her hair shifting to a faint rose color as her eyes fluttered open.
"…Lucien," she murmured, still half asleep, then smiled and returned the gesture with a brief, innocent kiss to his cheek.
Lucien chuckled quietly.
Before anyone could notice her absence, he helped her up, dispelled the fox traits, and returned fully to his human form—his bloodline sealed and hidden once more.
With a final smile, he sent Tonks safely back to her dorm.
Great Hall — Trying to Be Normal
Breakfast was… difficult for Tonks.
She sat beside Lucien at the Hufflepuff table, trying very hard not to stare at him—or think about fluffy tails.
Her hair flickered between pale pink and light blue.
Lucien sat calmly, as if nothing unusual had happened, chatting casually.
To his left, Susan and Akeno were already engaged in conversation, occasionally glancing at Tonks with knowing smiles.
Tonks cleared her throat and focused intensely on her plate.
Act normal. Act normal. Act normal.
Lucien leaned slightly closer and whispered, just loud enough for her to hear:
"You're doing great."
Her hair immediately turned bright pink.
Susan noticed.
Akeno noticed.
They said nothing—but their smiles widened.
Dragonite's Delivery
A familiar shadow passed over the Great Hall.
Dragonite descended gently, landing near Lucien with a soft thump, holding a reinforced box.
Lucien's eyes lit up.
"Good work," he said warmly, handing Dragonite several treats.
Dragonite beamed, hugged Lucien briefly, then waved and took off again.
Susan leaned forward. "What's in the box?"
Akeno tilted her head. "It feels… mechanical."
Tonks finally looked at him. "Lucien?"
Lucien stood up, lifting the box.
"For now," he said calmly, "it's a secret."
All three nodded, sensing that pressing further would ruin the moment.
Lucien left the Great Hall, carrying the box carefully.
The Secret Project Begins
Back in his room, Lucien spread parchment across his desk.
He closed his eyes briefly.
Then began to draw.
Lines formed with precision—layers, balance points, runic circuits blended with mechanical structure.
A hoverboard.
Sleek. Stable. Magical propulsion integrated with alchemical reinforcement.
A design inspired by something he once watched—Ben 10—but adapted for the wizarding world.
Over the next few days:
Lucien slept less His hands were often smudged with ink, metal dust, and runic chalk His magic fluctuated in controlled, careful pulses
Worry Spreads
People began to notice.
Hermione frowned every time she saw him rubbing his temples.
Katie and Clara whispered about how tired he looked.
Angelina crossed her arms. "He's overworking himself."
Daphne and Cassandra exchanged worried glances.
Evelyn watched silently, recognizing the focus of someone building something important.
Penelope and Susan tried to bring him food.
Akeno and Tonks were the most concerned—but respected his silence.
Whenever asked, Lucien only replied with a soft smile:
"Just wait."
Observers
Harry noticed his twin disappearing more often.
Professors noticed Lucien's unusually precise magical residue in corridors.
Snape narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
Dumbledore watched from afar, fingers steepled, curiosity growing.
Whatever he is building…
…it is not ordinary.
Lucien continued working.
Carefully. Quietly.
Building something Hogwarts had never seen before.