In the train compartment, after Lucien introduced himself as Lucien Aurelius Peverell Lionhardt, Hermione furrowed her brows slightly.
"Wait… your last name is Lionhardt, and you're Harry's brother?" she asked, astonished.
Lucien nodded calmly. "Yes. After our parents died, I was sent to an orphanage, while Harry went to live with our uncle. At age four, I was adopted by the Lionhardt family."
Hermione's eyes widened. "Adopted by the Lionhardt family? That's… incredible."
Harry looked at her, puzzled. "Is there something wrong with the Lionhardt family?"
Shaking her head, Hermione replied, "No, no. The Lionhardt family is one of the long-standing and wealthiest families in the world. They wield significant political influence across Europe and Asia."
The news left Daphne, Cassandra, Harry, and Neville stunned.
Daphne tilted her head and asked Angelina, Penelope, and Akeno questions. Angelina spoke first: "Lucien is my neighbor and good friend."
Penelope added, "He's my master—I'm his personal maid."
Akeno said simply, "I live with him."
Daphne, Cassandra, and Hermione exchanged glances, each hiding a flicker of jealousy at how well Lucien was cared for.
Lucien then turned his attention to Hermione and Neville. "Why did you come to this compartment?" he asked.
Hermione explained, "We were searching for Neville's pet frog."
Lucien raised an eyebrow. "A frog? Is it common to keep one as a pet?"
Daphne replied, "Not really. Usually, potion masters use frogs for testing, but as pets? Very rare."
Lucien smiled faintly. "And what's its name?"
Neville beamed. "Laifu."
With a snap of his fingers, Lucien made the frog fly from the neighboring compartment straight into Neville's arms. Neville hugged Laifu tightly, beaming with happiness, while the others looked away in mild disgust.
Lucien asked lightly, "Why did it run away from you in the first place?"
Neville explained, "The frog is my best friend. It always sleeps curled up with me."
Lucien nodded subtly. "I see. Take care of your friend."
Neville thanked him and returned to his seat, still cradling Laifu.
Turning to Harry, Lucien asked, "So… how was life at your uncle's house?"
Harry blushed slightly and avoided the question. Lucien didn't press further—he already knew about his brother's struggles from his past-life memories. He simply nodded to himself.
Harry then asked about Lucien's past. Lucien recounted how he had met his adopted parents and siblings, carefully leaving out that they were his fiancées. A faint shadow crossed his face as he remembered his adoptive parents' passing.
Harry noticed and asked with concern, "Is something wrong?"
Lucien shook his head. "No… they passed of old age."
The compartment fell slightly heavy with unspoken emotion, except for Akeno, Angelina, and Penelope, who understood Lucien's grief silently.
Hermione, ever perceptive, gently changed the topic. "So… what house do you think you'll be in at Hogwarts?"
Daphne and Cassandra quickly chimed in: "Slytherin, obviously."
Penelope replied thoughtfully: "Ravenclaw, I think."
Angelina grinned, "Gryffindor suits me best."
Lucien then turned to Hermione. "And you?"
She paused. "I… I'm still thinking."
Lucien smiled faintly. "What are your hobbies?"
"Reading," Hermione replied simply.
"Then Ravenclaw is a good fit for you," Lucien explained. "Ravenclaws love reading and learning. You'll make good friends there."
Hermione considered it and nodded, smiling.
After a while, Harry excused himself, saying he was heading back to his compartment. "I made a friend," he said, grinning. Lucien simply nodded.
Meanwhile, Hermione had begun petting Vulpix, causing Daphne and Cassandra to take turns petting her too. The scene looked playful and almost comical, much to everyone's amusement.
Lucien, watching quietly, noted something in his mind: Hermione's appearance reminded him of chisato hasegawa from shinmai no testament. He signed subtly to himself, storing the observation for later.