A Gentle Scolding (Because Someone Has To)
Lucien barely had time to sit before Akeno grabbed his ear.
Hard.
"Ow," Lucien said calmly. "Akeno."
"You jumped off your broom," she said sweetly—dangerously sweet.
"In mid-air."
Lucien winced as she pulled a little harder.
"That was… tactical."
"That was reckless," Akeno corrected.
Lucien sighed and bowed his head slightly.
"I'm sorry."
Akeno paused.
She released his ear.
"…I was scared," she admitted quietly. "But I'm proud of you."
Lucien smiled softly and kissed her forehead.
"I won't do it again."
She smiled back—then flicked his forehead anyway.
🌸 Congratulations from Clara
"HEY!"
Clara Bell bounded over, grinning ear to ear.
"That was AMAZING!" she said, grabbing Lucien's hands and shaking them.
"You literally rewrote Quidditch tactics."
Lucien chuckled. "I just adjusted the flow."
Clara laughed. "You flipped the whole pitch!"
Katie appeared beside her, nodding approvingly.
"That kick was beautiful."
Lucien bowed slightly. "Thank you."
💔 Evelyne's Quiet Tears
At the edge of the crowd, Evelyne Malfoy stood silently.
She had watched every second.
The confidence.
The control.
The way Lucien turned danger into victory.
Her chest tightened.
Someone… believed in her.
Someone strong—kind—stood beside her.
Tears welled up.
She wiped them quickly before anyone noticed.
"…You were incredible," she whispered when Lucien approached.
Lucien smiled gently.
"You're safe," he said softly. "Remember that."
Evelyne nodded—clutching those words like a lifeline.
🦡 A Secret Hufflepuff Celebration
That night, the Hufflepuff common room glowed warmly.
Candles floated.
Music played softly.
Food appeared from everywhere.
Only Hufflepuffs—and friends—were allowed in.
Cedric raised a mug.
"To teamwork!"
"TO LUCIEN!" someone shouted.
Cheers erupted.
Tonks tried to recreate the upside-down kick using a cushion.
She fell.
Again.
Susan laughed so hard she cried.
Penelope and Angelina talked excitedly about future matches.
Katie and Clara debated formations.
Hermione analyzed the tactic in detail.
Lucien sat back, Vulpix curled in his lap.
Akeno leaned against his shoulder.
For the first time since coming to Hogwarts, Lucien felt it fully.
Belonging.
Not as an heir.
Not as a prodigy.
Not as someone special.
But as a Hufflepuff.
And as the laughter echoed late into the night, one thing was certain—
This was only the beginning.