After a busy but fulfilling Christmas break, Lucien returned once more to Hogwarts.
### The Great Hall
Start-of-term feast.
"…Hogwarts will be hosting an Alchemy Exchange Tournament together with Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Details will be announced soon…"
Dumbledore, wearing a luxurious purple robe, officially announced the Tri-School Exchange Tournament.
This immediately stirred up murmurs among the students. Most had never even heard of the other two schools, so curiosity spread quickly through the hall.
Just as the feast was ending, Dumbledore rose to his feet again.
"Tonight, we will be welcoming a group of very special guests."
Most students exchanged confused looks—special guests?
A few students from well-informed families understood at once and quietly turned their attention toward the Ravenclaw table, searching for the person of the evening.
A heavy thud echoed across the Great Hall.
The massive oak doors swung open, and a dozen witches and wizards stepped inside.
A student shouted out the name of one of them almost immediately—Cornelius Fudge. The Minister of Magic appeared in the newspapers so often that it was nearly impossible not to recognize him.
As Dumbledore greeted Fudge with a handshake, a photographer stepped forward to capture the moment.
"Allow me to introduce our Minister of Magic, Mr. Cornelius Fudge!"
Dumbledore's voice boomed across the hall.
Applause erupted, and Fudge responded with the polished smile of a career politician, waving at the students.
"President of the Transfiguration Guild, Madam Selah Veristar!"
"Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Madam Amelia Bones!"
"…and others."
Some students recognized a few names, particularly Susan Bones—Amelia Bones' niece. Susan already knew exactly what awards were being given tonight, and to whom. She leaned toward Hannah and whispered updates under her breath.
Each introduction triggered another wave of applause. It wasn't often that Hogwarts students saw so many prominent figures gathered at once, and the hall grew more electric with every name.
Then Dumbledore raised his voice slightly and looked toward a curly-haired old man trying (and failing) to shrink into the background.
"Renowned Magizoologist and author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them—Mr. Newt Scamander!"
A brief hush fell—then the loudest applause of the night exploded.
Especially at the Hufflepuff table.
The badgers were practically roaring. The modest-looking old wizard was Newt Scamander—their house's living legend.
Many students were already plotting how to ask him for an autograph after the event.
Lucien applauded too, though he wasn't surprised. He had mentioned something rather interesting in a recent letter to Newt—something about a particularly large serpent spotted in the forests of Albania…
Dumbledore spoke again, and the hall instantly quieted.
"Tonight, we gather to celebrate something truly worthy of joy—"
He paused, then smiled.
"Let us first invite Mr. Lucien Grafton to the stage!"
Every gaze in the room shifted toward Ravenclaw.
Lucien rose.
His school robe shimmered and transformed into an elegant formal outfit—deep midnight blue, like the night sky, understated yet refined.
He walked steadily between the tables toward the front of the hall.
Floating candles cast soft light across his dark-golden hair, giving it a warm glow.
"Mr. Grafton has published a groundbreaking paper that reveals a new path in the field of Transfiguration… He will receive the Transfiguration Guild's highest honor, the Omniform Ring!"
Madam Selah Veristar stepped forward. A small ornate box in her hands opened on its own, revealing a silver-white ring set with a brilliant green gemstone.
She smiled warmly at Lucien.
"A remarkable achievement. The future truly belongs to young wizards like you."
Lucien bowed respectfully.
"I merely stood on the shoulders of giants—and saw a little farther."
He slipped the Omniform Ring onto the index finger of his left hand.
Down in the hall, some students simply cheered, some whispered questions about what the award actually meant, and some stared in awe—already shocked that someone their age had earned one of the highest honors in Transfiguration.
Susan nudged Hannah with a grin.
"It's not over yet. The best part is coming."
She had barely finished speaking when Madam Veristar stepped back into the guest group. Fudge stepped up with another box, smiling with professional warmth.
Dumbledore's voice rang out once more:
"I believe you all remember the incident last term—and the extraordinary courage Mr. Grafton displayed. For slaying the basilisk, protecting the students of Hogwarts, and safeguarding the future of the wizarding world…"
"The Wizengamot will award him the Order of Merlin, First Class!"
A roar burst through the hall.
The Omniform Ring was prestigious within Transfiguration—high-level, yes, but still an academic award.
But the Order of Merlin was different.
It was the most famous honor in all of wizarding Britain.
And the First Class?
That meant Lucien's name would be written into magical history.
Fudge opened the box, revealing the gleaming gold medallion hanging from its iconic green ribbon.
He placed the Order of Merlin around Lucien's neck and patted his shoulder proudly.
In truth, Dumbledore—Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot—could have presented the award himself. But Fudge had absolutely no intention of giving up this rare publicity moment. After all, how often did a Minister get to award the youngest First Class recipient in history?
He gestured for Lucien to face the cameras.
The shutters snapped nonstop.
Under the bright flash, Lucien's deep green eyes shimmered. The Order of Merlin gleamed against his chest, and the Omniform Ring glowed faintly on his left hand—yet even those honors couldn't overshadow the bright, youthful confidence radiating from him.