For the next few days, Hogwarts unofficially entered what many students later called "The Hoverboard Era."
Lucien barely had time to sit.
Everywhere he went—
"Lucien, can I try it?"
"Just one lap!"
"I swear I won't crash!"
"Lucien, please—"
Harry, Ron, Neville, Hermione.
Daphne and Cassandra (who argued over who went first).
Evelyn (trying very hard not to look excited).
Katie, Clara, Angelina.
The Weasley twins (who immediately tried to race each other).
Susan, Tonks, Cedric.
Lucien gave up resisting.
"Fine," he sighed one afternoon, pinching the bridge of his nose. "But if anyone breaks it, you're cleaning the greenhouses with Professor Sprout for a month."
That threat worked. Mostly.
The Quidditch pitch became chaos—but fun chaos.
Laughter echoed. Students cheered.
Some muggleborns compared it to a skateboard mixed with a broom.
Even Ron, somehow, managed not to fall off immediately—which everyone considered a miracle.
Cho Chang's Courage
Cho Chang watched from a distance.
Every time she thought of approaching Lucien, her heart beat too fast, her face heated up, and she turned around.
Get a grip, she told herself.
It's just asking to try a hoverboard.
Finally, she marched up to him, hands clenched.
"L-Lucien… c-can I— um— try it?"
Lucien turned, smiling easily.
"Of course. You don't have to look like you're facing a dragon."
That made her laugh—nervous, but genuine.
When she stepped onto the board, she flew beautifully. Graceful. Natural.
Lucien blinked once.
She looks exactly like Zhang Chunhua…
He shook the thought away.
Appearance aside, Cho was kind, shy, and surprisingly witty once she relaxed.
By the end of the afternoon, they were chatting like old friends.
Cho walked away smiling—and Lucien quietly added her to the ever-growing list of people he cared about.
Christmas Arrives
Snow fell softly as Christmas approached.
Lucien packed efficiently, placing everything into his pocket dimension without effort. Akeno watched fondly, then casually took his luggage and stored it herself.
Vulpix slept curled in Lucien's arms, warm and fluffy.
Before leaving, Lucien found Harry.
"You're staying for Christmas?" Lucien asked.
Harry nodded. "Yeah."
Lucien handed him the hoverboard.
"Use it. Carefully."
Harry's eyes lit up.
He hugged Lucien tightly.
"Thanks, brother."
Lucien patted his head. "Don't crash into the towers."
Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
The train ride back was lively.
Lucien stepped into a compartment already filled with Hermione, Katie, Clara, Susan, Daphne, Angelina, Cassandra, Penelope, Evelyn, and Tonks.
Penelope casually adjusted a bag that was clearly far too big.
Lucien paused. "Undetectable Extension Charm?"
Penelope blushed. "Y-Yes."
"Well done," Lucien said sincerely.
Penelope nearly short-circuited.
Laughter, gossip, teasing—by the time they reached King's Cross, it felt like no time had passed.
Family Meetings
On the platform:
Hermione's parents smiled warmly.
Daphne's mother teased her mercilessly.
Cassandra's mother joined in.
Katie and Clara's mother laughed as both daughters turned red.
Lucien greeted each politely—calm, respectful, and effortlessly charming.
Then came Amos Diggory.
"My son Cedric," Amos said proudly, "top student, excellent Seeker—"
"—and terrible at handling praise," Lucien added.
Tonks joined in. Cedric turned crimson.
Later, Narcissa Black approached with Evelyn.
Amelia Bones followed close behind Susan.
Lucien greeted them politely.
Internally, his mind short-circuited.
Why does Narcissa look like Leonara Nakiri…?
And Amelia like Irisviel…?
Outwardly, he remained composed.
Both women felt their hearts beat faster—though neither understood why.
Leaving for Home
Finally, Lucien departed with Akeno, Angelina, and Penelope.
The Lionhardt carriage awaited.
As Hogwarts faded behind them, Lucien leaned back, relaxed.
Christmas had arrived.
And somehow, life kept getting more complicated—and more precious—at the same time.