Outside the Quidditch pitch.
Today was the big Quidditch match: Gryffindor versus Slytherin.
Young witches and wizards were gathering in small groups, heading toward the stands.
"Lucien, about Malfoy studying with us… isn't that, well…" Ron rubbed his hands together, puffing out a cloud of frosty breath, cautiously glancing at Lucien beside him.
A while back, they'd gone to Hagrid's for dinner—mostly for Lucien's amazing Chinese food. To their shock, Malfoy was there too.
Ron and the others were floored. Never in a million years did they expect to see the insufferable Draco Malfoy at Hagrid's.
Even more surprising? Malfoy started joining their tutoring sessions afterward!
"What, is he bothering you during lessons?" Lucien asked.
"Er, not exactly. He's been pretty quiet. It's just… weird, you know?" Ron scratched his head. He couldn't stand Malfoy's usual high-and-mighty attitude.
But during Lucien's tutoring, Malfoy had been oddly well-behaved, with none of his usual arrogance or snark.
At least for the past few days.
Lucien shook his head, glancing at the Quidditch pitch and the distant snow-capped mountains.
November had brought a biting chill. The mountains were dusted with ice and snow, and the young students were bundled up in gloves and scarves.
"As long as he's not disrupting your studies, it's fine. Focus on preparing—I've got an exam planned for the end of term," Lucien said.
Ron barely reacted, but Hermione's eyes lit up. "Lucien, what's on the exam?" she asked eagerly.
"Everything. Charms, Potions, Transfiguration, and History of Magic—all the first-year subjects. Keeps it fair for everyone," Lucien replied.
"There'll be written questions and practical magic tests. I'll also throw in some bonus questions from different topics."
Lucien adjusted his Ravenclaw starry-blue scarf and pulled a book from his pocket, waving it in front of Ron and Hermione. "This is the prize for the highest score on the final exam."
Ron squinted at the title. "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them? I mean, we'll use it as a textbook later, but…" He trailed off, unimpressed.
Catching Ron's tone, Lucien tossed him the book. "Check the first page."
Ron frowned, confused. Wasn't this just like the copy he'd borrowed from Percy? It even had the same standard Flourish and Blotts cover.
Still, he flipped it open, his eyes landing on the foreword—and the signature above it.
"Newt Scamander…"
"Newt Scamander!" Ron yelped, drawing curious glances from nearby students.
What was he shouting about? Everyone knew Newt Scamander, the world-famous magizoologist. Why make a fuss? Was it a new book or something?
Embarrassed, Ron clapped a hand over his mouth and snapped the book shut.
A few seconds later, he peeked inside again, double-checking the signature.
It hit him. He remembered seeing a signed copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them at Flourish and Blotts, locked in a glass case—a collector's edition, marked as "not for sale." Ron's memory of it was vivid because he'd overheard someone trying to buy it once when he was at the shop with his brothers. The bidder kept raising the price, but the shopkeeper wouldn't budge.
The amount offered? Enough for centuries of pocket money, assuming Ron lived that long.
Newt's signed books were incredibly rare. They only surfaced occasionally with new editions, and the man himself never held public signings.
"Hermione, Hermione, look! This—this looks real!" Ron, buzzing with excitement, grabbed her shoulder.
Hermione swatted his hand away, rolling her eyes. "Yes, it does look like the signature on the collector's edition at Flourish and Blotts."
"Newt Scamander's a legend, but his signatures…"
"Shh!" Ron hushed her, glancing around to make sure no one was eavesdropping.
Leaning in, he whispered, "You're new to the wizarding world, so you wouldn't get it. His signed books are insanely rare. Newt doesn't do signings like that git Gilderoy Lockhart, who churns out hundreds a week. No idea why people fawn over that guy…"
Ignoring Hermione's reaction, Ron turned to Lucien, eyes gleaming. "This is real, right?"
His voice trembled slightly. He knew Lucien wasn't the type to prank, but still—this was Newt Scamander, the greatest magizoologist ever! Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was one of the wizarding world's bestsellers!
Ron couldn't even imagine owning a signed copy.
Lucien smiled faintly. "Remember our chat on Halloween Eve?"
Ron's brain kicked into overdrive, piecing it together. "…The letter from Newt Scamander was addressed to me…"
His eyes widened, jaw dropping. "No way. You're actually in touch with him?"
Lucien nodded. "I told you, but you didn't believe me."
Now even Hermione was stunned. "Lucien, how did you get in contact with him? I thought you just bought this book!"
As a Muggle-born, Hermione's knowledge of the wizarding world was mostly academic. She hadn't grasped the significance of a signed Newt Scamander book at first. Knowing Lucien wasn't short on money, she'd assumed he'd purchased it.
But to be in direct correspondence with the Newt Scamander? That was mind-boggling. In Muggle terms, it was like Lucien saying he'd had afternoon tea with Audrey Hepburn.
"So, this book's really for me?" Ron's face flushed, unbothered by the chilly wind, his voice thick with disbelief.
He remembered joking last time, asking Lucien if he could get a signed Newt book. He never thought it'd actually happen!
Lucien's lips twitched upward. "Did you score over ninety on the last monthly test?"
The question hit Ron like a bucket of ice water—especially in this weather.
He mumbled, "Almost… seventy-nine's close to ninety…"
"But," Lucien continued, "if you get the highest score on the final exam…"
Ron stole a glance at Hermione. When it came to grades, who could beat her? Well, unless you counted Lucien himself.
Reading Ron's expression, Lucien chuckled and pulled another book from his pocket. "That one's for the top score. This one's for the most improved."
"Besides first place, the student who makes the biggest progress gets a copy too."
Ron's spirits soared. There was still a chance!
That narrowed his competition to Harry—and, ugh, Malfoy. Still, his odds were solid!
Just like that, Ron forgot all about his gripes with studying alongside Malfoy. He was ready to hit the books and make progress.
Lucien gave a subtle nod of approval. That's the spirit—focus on learning.
"Alright, hand the book back," Lucien said. "Let's look forward to Harry's Quidditch performance first."