"I'm not sure how long I'll be in Britain," Lucifer said, "but at least until I get a reply letter, I won't be leaving. I expect Newt's letter will arrive by the end of this month."
"Then come to my house first," Daphne said quickly, eager to stake her claim, "Astoria's been wanting to thank you in person for ages. Every letter she writes, she mentions inviting you over."
"No way," Hermione cut in instantly, she was here first, she would take his all firsts, lasts, and in between of course, "If Lucifer goes to your house, will you even let him leave? The next time I see him would probably be at the start of term."
Daphne pouted, wanting to retort--but everything Hermione had said... 'was exactly her plan.'
She intended to lure him in, then when it was time for him to go, use coyness and pleading to keep him there. If one person wasn't enough, she'd bring 'Astoria into it.'
With Lucifer's gentle nature and tragic backstory, he'd never be able to harden his heart against her delicate, 'soft-spoken sister's pleas.'
That way, she could keep him until right before his trip to America.
'How hateful'-this Granger had seen straight through a plan she'd been plotting for half a month! Truly her lifelong rival.
"No comeback?" Hermione said, seeing Daphne struck speechless. Satisfied at having anticipated her move, she turned to her best friend, "Stay in London for a month first. We can work on homework together, go shopping---and becoming a wizard doesn't mean you can ignore 'changes in the Muggle world."
"At least when it comes to fashion," she added, "I think Muggle clothes are far better than what 'wizards' wear."
Lucifer suddenly felt a strange sensation-as though Hermione and Daphne were bidding against each other, and the prize up for auction... was him.
Truth be told, Lucifer really wanted to shout, 'Darcy's invited me to France too, you know! And over there, there's a certain mischievous, adorable Alexandra-soft, fragrant, and cuddly.'
But in the end, he chickened out and let the two girls divvy up what was left of his free time.
France could wait. Better to hold off until Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel had their little talk--then he could conveniently drop by to visit the 'Veela sisters.'
"Um... I just want to say, I can't spend every day with you two. I still have my 'own job' to do," Lucifer said in a weak protest.
The two little witches waved him off in perfect unison, ignoring his words and continuing to haggle over the schedule.
Finally, they reached a mutually satisfactory arrangement:
....Lucifer could stay in London until July, but Daphne was free to visit him there. After July, he would go as guest to the Greengrass estate for a couple of days, her Mum had 'insisted' he stayed there even if just for a day, better--- until it was time to head to New York.
If he came back early, he couldn't return again---he'd have to stay in London so they could "compete fairly."
Once "battle for the man" was over, the two were back to being good friends again, holding hands and chatting about which Muggle clothes were the prettiest.
Since Daphne was a girl, she could understand the precise direction from where Hermione's thoughts came from, she could easily ease her worries by stating, girl was 'not' interested in 'boys' at all, but chose to, finding it fun to keep the Muggle born girl on her toes.
Lucifer's mouth twitched. 'Even at eleven or twelve, little girls can't escape the eternal cycle of clothes and handbags?'
They did also have idle conversations about next year while eating food from the Trolley.
"Meow...." Oh, there was also Eve, Lucifer's black cat lying on her master's lap, "Yeah, I won't forget you.... here." then he started to rub behind her ears.
Under the lighthearted mood, Hogwarts Express seemed to speed up. Before they knew it, the train had pulled into London, stopping at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Before getting back to King's Cross Station, they all switched out of their robes and into appropriate clothing.
After they all safely exited the train compartment, and onto the platform quarters (Rowena safely and reluctantly back in her cage).
The young witches and wizards lined up to get off, but the moment the doors opened, order dissolved, everyone was eager to see their parents.
Everyone except Harry, who stepped off with a long sigh. Leaving the paradise of Hogwarts, he was about to return to the prison that was the Dursleys' home.
Lately, Harry had been feeling like a complete failure compared to Lucifer. If he wanted to improve, he'd have to stick close to excellence... Since he'd be spending most of his summer locked in his room anyway, he might as well study--and ask Hermione or Lucifer for help when he got stuck.
As for Ron... yeah, maybe not. His exam scores had been worse than Harry's across the board.
"Lucifer, it's so good to see you again."
On the platform, Mrs. Greengrass greeted him with a warm hug. Lucifer at this point, had controlled his body's stiffness, but still it didn't mean he was comfortable doing it.
Back at Christmas, her friendliness had merely been polite courtesy. Now, Lucifer wasn't just her elder daughter's close friend-and possible future partner---but also the hope for her younger daughter's 'survival' and the key to breaking the Greengrass family curse.
She was not aware of Daphne's preference of taste just yet.
"Madam, you look even more beautiful than before," Lucifer said smoothly, earning a pleased smile.
"I have a suggestion," she said gently, "Why don't you come home with us now? Astoria has been talking about you non-stop."
"Sorry, Madam. I've already arranged with Daphne to visit in early July."
"I see." Mrs. Greengrass didn't press the matter. She knew Lucifer's precocious nature--once he had a plan, he rarely changed it.
After a few more words, Lucifer and Daphne said goodbye with her lifting the skirt upwards, passing an elegant wink and he stepped off the platform to find Hermione waiting, in Muggle part of the King's Cross.
Lucifer out there saw Ron's parents had already came over to collect him first. On the way to them, a girl who he believed to be his younger sister was pointing at Harry and acting a little too obsessed with him.
"Be quiet, Ginny, it's rude to point," Mrs. Weasley said, while smiling down at Harry.
"Mum, this is Hermione, my other friend at Hogwarts," Ron just started to open his mouth stupidly, very daring, it caused Mrs. Weasley to look in the bushy-haired girl's direction.
"Delighted to meet you, I'm Molly Weas---"
But an incredibly large man came over, "Ready to go boy?" He asked Harry.
This guy's face was a shade of purple that Lucifer had never seen before on any kind of disgusting human.
"You must be Harry's guardian," Molly decided to talk with this alien first.
"Unfortunately," were his only words, making Lucifer, feel red signals all over his head, "Hurry up, boy, we haven't got all day!"
And, with that he walked away.
Lucifer didn't say anything, but it got him wondering, if that was who Harry lived with, as famous as he was, why? Couldn't he just apply for a magical guardian, surely Professor McGonagall or even Dumbledore wouldn't mind? It just didn't make any sense, but he would get nowhere, trying to figure it out at the mean time.
"I would say I hope you have a good summer, but if that's your family... Owl me if there is trouble, okay?" Lucifer offered to him, in a polite manner, it's not the right time for holding a grudge.
"Hopefully there shouldn't be," Harry said, with an evil grin spreading across his face, "They don't know I can't use Magic at home. So, I'm going to have a lot of fun over the summer," his grin stayed the entire time, his face was in view.
Harry eventually disappeared and the Weasley's too, soon after once the Twins and Percy arrived.
Both Lucifer and Hermione didn't see her family anywhere, "Mum told me about getting held up at the office," she just sighed, then went to sit on a bench, "What about your Mazikeen?"
Lucifer also sat beside her, "They really don't let you keep the House Cup... 'Slytherin', seven times, not even for them."
"....." Hermione's nose scrunched, really tired of explaining the answer, for the 9th time, "Ugh! Don't tell me, you are still bitter abou-"
"Hermione, it's not a small thing!"
"Lucifer, you are just being childi---"
"Snape at least should have told me about the passage to the Kitchen!"
It was not like he didn't already know,
but the sentiment of getting something in return was more valuable to him. She in question had no idea where the kitchen was, or how to even locate it.
'Hannah and Susan had been quite stern in not telling to me a Gryffindor in potential of betraying their own house', Hermione thought with a dark expression. She had been practicing her board skills in their dorm instead, "You know Mum is a dentist, she has a private office, and a staff of employees, but sometimes, it gets really late... happened back in Primary School more than once.."
She looked very saddened after revealing her dark history.
"....." Lucifer. 'If that's her way of trying to not answer me...'
Sigh, even his good mood was ruined,
causing Lucifer to throw an arm around her shoulders, "..It's alright, at least you have me to pass the time," then smirked at her.
"Yes, there is that," Hermione smiled away from him, she didn't want him to see her reddened cheeks, "Um, Lucifer....who is that person? He's looking at b-both of us...."
"Huh...let me...????"
"L-Lucifer? What's going on?!"
"Amenadiel... It's time for me to go."
During Christmas break, he hadn't gone with Hermione to meet the Grangers. But this time, there was no getting out of it. What a coincidence, her own family came same time.
In the Wizarding world, polygamy wasn't particularly scandalous, many pure-blood families facing heir shortages took 'multiple wives' or lovers to boost their odds.
But the Grangers were firmly rooted in modern values. If they found out he was planning to... well, man multiple ships, no wait, he already had so many, Mr. Granger might just "exorcise the demon" in the most literal way possible.
Fortunately, he hadn't said anything yet---and could meet them with a clear conscience.
The Grangers, Jane---her mother was a widow, after Dan's unfortunate death, Wendell, slightly older was Hermione's grandfather, both were warm and welcoming, thanking Lucifer for looking after their "Cute Pumpkin" at school.
Lucifer figured he'd earned that thanks---not just academically, but in helping her personality soften. Having a strong character wasn't bad, but the sharp edges needed to face outward, not cut into your own side.
And the Granger way of expressing gratitude... was to take him to the dentist.
Under Mr. Wendell Granger's insistence, Lucifer agreed to come to the dental clinic tomorrow afternoon.
To make room, Wendell had even cleared his entire schedule, rescheduling all other appointments.
Before Lucifer could go away from her sight, Hermione yelled at his back, "Hey, wait?!....You will talk with me using that mirror, right? Don't even think about ghosting me over the summer!"
"Of course I will," Lucifer replied hurriedly, only before stepping further, he felt arms wrap around him from behind, "I'll see you soon, let's also spend time in August 'together' when we get 'our' school list," he heard Hermione say.
Lucifer was tense in her embrace, just like he was the other times, it happened. He didn't want to be tense, and even tried to get familiar with this kind of contact, "O-Okay, Hermione."
He turned around, when she let him go and smiled at her. The bushy-haired girl returned it, showing her enlarged front teeth again.
Lucifer still thought they were cute, but he didn't have much time now, other issues needed to be dealt with such as going to Flourish and Blotts to find any books he could on Merlin.
He wanted to know everything he could about why Dumbledore thinks, of him being Merlin's heir.
He had some theories of who could be this Wizarding Merlin, but it needed to be more polished.
The Restricted section only had the details about him using Wandless, Elemental magic, and other powerful stuff, even his glowed Red.
'Could it be one of the Fallen? Turned into a human....just like Anael?'
....Laws of the Universe...there'll other variants...Even Hermione's....
After watching Grangers' car disappear into the distance, Lucifer found a quiet corner.
xxxxxx
"Sorry we are late, I got held up with two emergency Root Canals, twin brothers who were unfortunate enough to get one at the same time." Jane explained quickly as she adjusted seat belt more comfortably.
"So, did you have fun this past year at School, pumpkin?" Wendell asked, with a gentle look on his face.
"Yes, it was far better than I could've believed it to be," Hermione said with a toothy grin, and looked towards the direction, from where Lucifer just left, "I also want to tell you something!"
"Tell us what?" Wendell asked in a slightly irked tone, he was having a bad feeling.
"Yeah, go ahead," Jane also nodded, while exchanging a glance with her father-in-law.
Hermione looked back at them, "Well, Lucifer found out something incredible and life altering over the past couple of days!" she said and her grandfather's face softened when he realized, this only involved Lucifer and not his granddaughter.
"Well don't keep us in suspense, what is it?" Jane asked, getting impatient.
"Lucifer is related to the greatest Wizard to ever live, Merlin!" Hermione said quietly but excitedly.
"Merlin? He really existed?" Wendell asked in disbelief.
"Yes!" Hermione was almost jumping on the car's backseat like a trampoline.
"Well how about that? My daughter befriended a famous Wizard," Jane said, with a smug look on her face.
xxxxxx
This is where the First Year ends!
I'll start writing about their Second from tomorrow onwards.
Thank you for the continued support and reading this Fanfic.
1 Extra Chapter - 200 Power Stone's!
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Author's Note
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