Chapter 55 - Chapter 52

The Weight of Authority

The moment Lucien left the Great Hall, Dumbledore stood.

His expression was calm.

Too calm.

"Minerva," he said softly.

"Pomona. Filius. Severus."

Every professor present followed him into the staff room.

The door closed.

And the storm broke.

🐍 Severus Snape

Snape slammed his fist against the table.

The sound echoed.

"That Selwyn brat," he hissed, voice shaking with fury.

"Dared—dared—to speak to him like that."

His magic flickered violently around the room.

Minerva stiffened.

Snape's anger was not for discipline.

It was personal.

"He looks at the boy," Snape continued, jaw clenched,

"and all he sees is status, blood, house pride—"

Snape's voice dropped.

"I see Lily."

Silence.

Sprout's hands trembled.

Flitwick swallowed.

Minerva closed her eyes.

Every time Lucien smiled…

Every time he tilted his head…

Every time he answered with gentle brilliance—

They saw her.

🌱 Pomona Sprout

Pomona stood abruptly.

"My favorite student," she said, voice sharp with rage.

"My Hufflepuff gem."

She turned toward Dumbledore.

"That boy insulted not only Lucien," she said,

"but everything this school stands for."

Her magic stirred—rich, deep, furious.

"I want Selwyn punished."

⚖️ The Verdict

Dumbledore nodded once.

"Valerian Selwyn," he said calmly,

"Marcus Flint. Graham Pike. Derrick Vance."

His blue eyes hardened.

"Detention. Severe. Repeated."

Minerva added coldly,

"And formal notices to their families."

Flitwick adjusted his glasses.

"Let the parents explain why their children used slurs in Hogwarts."

Snape's voice was venomous.

"And I will personally supervise every detention."

No one objected.

Some punishments did not require debate.

🌙 Akeno and Lucien

Later that evening, away from the castle—

Akeno stopped Lucien.

Her hands trembled.

"That wasn't you," she whispered.

Lucien turned to her.

The storm was gone.

He cupped her cheek gently.

"You are my treasure," he said quietly.

Akeno froze.

Lucien leaned his forehead against hers.

"Anyone who tries to touch you," he continued, voice steady,

"I will put them in their place."

Images flickered in his eyes—

Grayfia. Venelana. Claire. Sylpha. Yasaka. Nagini. Gamma.

Bayonetta. Angelina. Penelope.

"My family," he said.

"My world."

Akeno hugged him tightly.

She felt it.

Not obsession.

Not possession.

Devotion.

☠️ Death Takes Note

In the pocket dimension, beside the river—

Bayonetta smiled.

"Careless children," Death murmured.

She adjusted an invisible thread.

Valerian Selwyn's lifespan shortened.

His family's as well.

Not drastically.

Not noticeably.

Just enough.

Angering her lover had consequences.

👁️ Hogwarts Watches

Harry stood in the corridor that night, silent.

It was the first time he had seen Lucien truly angry.

And he understood.

Lucien valued Akeno the way Harry valued his friends.

Unconditionally.

Around the castle, others felt it too—

Daphne.

Cassandra.

Clara.

Hermione.

Katie.

Susan.

Tonks.

A quiet jealousy bloomed.

Not of Akeno.

But of being loved so fiercely.

Angelina and Penelope only smiled.

They already knew.

Lucien would protect them too.

🐍 Slytherin Breaks

In the Slytherin common room—

No one laughed.

No one bragged.

Valerian Selwyn sat in the corner, shaking.

Not because of detention.

Not because of punishment.

But because for the first time—

Slytherin had seen real fear.

Not fear of teachers.

Not fear of Voldemort.

Not fear of punishment.

Fear of a boy who smiled kindly—

And could end them without raising his voice.

And Evelyne Malfoy—

Watched.

And for the first time in her life—

She felt safe.