The Burrow.
Lucien sat at the long dining table with several Weasleys, plates piled high with hearty food.
"Here, dear, try another piece of this," Molly Weasley said, her wand flicking to make a spoon scoop a generous chunk of stew onto Lucien's plate.
Her face glowed with a warm, caring smile. "Is it to your taste, love?"
Lucien swallowed a bite of the rich, tender stew and looked up sincerely. "Mrs. Weasley, this is delicious. Really hits the spot."
No empty flattery—Molly managed a bustling household with magic daily. Her cooking might not be restaurant-fancy, but it carried the cozy, heartfelt magic of home.
"Oh, I'm so glad you like it!" Molly beamed, her face lighting up.
At the table, either George or Fred was trying to flick a pea at Ron's nose, only to be stopped by Molly's sharp glance.
Laughter and chatter filled the air as everyone enjoyed lunch.
Lucien's eyes occasionally drifted to the clock on the wall—not for telling time. Nine hands, each tipped with a Weasley family member's portrait, pointed to different spots.
Right now, except for Arthur (at work), Bill, and Charlie, all hands pointed to "Home." Other sections included "School," "Dentist," "Prison," "Missing," and "Quidditch Match."
Prison…
Lucien bit back a comment, more curious about how the clock worked.
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Clearly alchemical, probably tied to some contract magic. Join the Weasley family, get a hand on the clock.
Neat. I'd love to study it—maybe even make my own.
He wasn't exactly short on materials anymore. A few days ago, Nicolas Flamel had sent a birthday gift: a jaw-dropping haul of alchemical supplies. The variety and rarity screamed centuries of a master alchemist's wealth. Plus, Nicolas included a list of trusted suppliers, making future purchases a breeze.
Vetted by Nicolas Flamel? Quality and reliability guaranteed.
After lunch, the twins invited Lucien to their room.
Flanking him, Fred and George led the way upstairs.
Ron trailed close behind, eyeing the mischievous grins on his brothers' faces—the kind anyone who knew them recognized as a promise of "surprises."
"Hope you like our setup," one twin said.
"We've got a little 'Weasley welcome' planned," the other added.
They exchanged a knowing look, stepping back like they were waiting for something.
Lucien's instincts tingled, but he smiled and stepped into the room.
A kettle perched above the doorframe tilted suddenly—not spilling water, but a beam of magic that would dye hair bright green.
Before it could touch Lucien's hair, a button on his shirt glimmered, deflecting the spell.
Pop! The beam hit either Fred or George, turning his red hair a vibrant, glowing green—the color of love potions.
A harmless-looking broom by the door swung at Lucien's shins.
Without turning, a silver-threaded bracelet on his wrist flashed.
The broom hit an invisible, cushioned wall, bounced back with a thud, and rattled in the corner like it was giggling.
The whole thing took two seconds. Lucien didn't break stride, like he'd just stepped over a crack in the floor.
Ron, watching from behind, gaped in awe. Lucien had not only dodged the twins' prank but turned it back on them. Ron was equal parts impressed and jealous.
As the youngest boy in the house, he was the twins' favorite prank target. They didn't dare mess with Ginny much, so Ron got the full brunt of their wild inventions.
"Pfft—George, your hair's green," Ron snorted, unable to hold it in.
"You got it wrong, Ronnie. I'm Fred," the other twin said, whistling.
"Oh, you're Fred? Then who am I?" Green-Hair shot back.
Before the twins could start bickering, Lucien waved his wand, turning the green hair red again, and cut to the chase.
"I need a favor," he said. "I've got some gadgets. When school starts, could you help me sell them?"
He pulled out a few alchemical items—similar to the auto-defense ones that had just saved him, but tailored for student use.
The defensive trinkets? He had other plans for those.
The twins were a natural pick—pranksters or not, they were wildly popular at Hogwarts. Their antics were always good-natured, bringing laughs and lightness to the school.
In a place like Hogwarts, guys like Fred and George were rock stars.
The twins' eyes gleamed, clearly intrigued by Lucien's gear, but…
"These are cool," one said, "but do you have anything… you know…"
"More fun? Something to liven things up?" the other finished.
Lucien fought a smirk. Prank stuff, huh?
Good thing he came prepared.
He dug into his pocket and pulled out five or six more potions and gadgets, opening a small box to reveal a "Lemon Frost Drop."
Pointing to the sugar-dusted yellow candy, Lucien explained, "This is a potion-infused candy with Transfiguration properties. It causes a temporary transformation—flavor and effect customizable. Wanna give it a try?"
He left the details vague, knowing that'd hook the twins' curiosity.
Sure enough, their eyes lit up, and they grinned at each other.
One grabbed the candy. "Wonder what it tastes like…"
The other sidled up to Ron.
Before Ron could blink, he was grabbed, cheeks squished, and the candy shoved into his mouth.
Ron's eyes bulged. "You—"
At that moment, Ginny's voice came from the doorway. "Mum sent me with tea and biscuits—"
"MUM! GEORGE AND FRED GOT A BEAR!"