Lucien's words instantly redirected everyone's attention toward Ron.
Only then did the surrounding students realise that the boy who had spent the last several minutes loudly accusing others had somehow nearly reached the carriage door in an attempt to escape unnoticed.
Ron froze.
Gone was the righteous confidence from earlier.
His eyes darted nervously around the corridor while his ears turned bright red.
"I didn't say anything wrong!" he argued stubbornly. "Why should I apologise?"
Then, grasping desperately for another excuse, he blurted—
"How do we know someone from Malfoy's side didn't secretly hide Trevor there afterward?"
Daphne Greengrass immediately snapped back before anyone else could respond.
"Are you insane?"
Her icy tone cut straight through the corridor.
"Draco's been standing here arguing with you the entire time. When exactly would he have secretly sent someone away?"
Several nearby students nodded immediately.
As one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight families, Daphne already possessed considerable influence among the younger pure-bloods. More importantly, after spending months around Lucien, many of them had unconsciously begun acting as a unified group.
Ron visibly faltered.
He immediately turned toward Fred, George, and Harry for support.
Unfortunately for him—
Fred and George were not the type to blindly defend family when the facts were obvious. The Weasleys and Malfoys might dislike each other, but the twins had no intention of twisting reality for Ron's sake.
And Harry…
Harry already suspected Ron had gone too far.
The moment Lucien found Trevor so easily, Harry realised Draco probably had been innocent from the beginning.
Without support from anyone around him, Ron's face turned even redder.
Finally, he muttered weakly—
"…Sorry."
Then he spun around and fled straight back into his compartment.
The corridor immediately burst into scattered laughter.
Lucien raised one hand calmly.
"Alright, everyone. The misunderstanding's resolved."
His voice smoothly regained everyone's attention.
"Judging by the time, we should be arriving at Hogwarts soon. It's best to return and change into your robes before we arrive."
Then he added lightly—
"Preferably without getting lost in the wrong carriage this time."
A wave of good-natured laughter spread through the students again.
Compared to the composed authority Lucien displayed earlier, this brief joke suddenly made him feel far more approachable.
Beside him, Hermione immediately elbowed him sharply.
Clearly, she disapproved of him learning humour from Fred and George.
Lucien wisely pretended not to notice.
Then he turned toward Draco.
"Go back with Pansy and the others first."
Draco blinked.
"What about you?"
"I need to speak with Harry for a moment."
The instant Lucien noticed Neville standing beside Harry, a bold idea suddenly formed inside his mind.
What if…
Harry Potter joined Slytherin?
Ever since arriving in this world, Lucien had already realised something important—
The future was not fixed.
Grindelwald himself was proof of that.
Today's Trevor incident was another example.
If small events could already change this much…
Then pushing Harry toward Slytherin might actually be possible.
And honestly?
The idea sounded hilarious.
Dumbledore's precious saviour entering Slytherin House would absolutely give the old man a headache for years.
More importantly—
Keeping Harry close made manipulating future events dramatically easier.
Lucien's smile deepened slightly.
Yes.
This definitely needed to happen.
…
After the crowd finally dispersed, Harry approached Lucien alongside Neville.
Harry looked deeply conflicted.
"Lucien…"
His voice sounded uncertain.
"Am I… really that terrible?"
Lucien raised one eyebrow slightly.
"Hagrid says I'm supposed to be Gryffindor," Harry continued quietly. "But when Ron accused Draco…"
He lowered his head.
"I didn't even defend him."
"I just stood there."
Harry's voice became increasingly frustrated.
Lucien looked at him calmly.
"Look at me, Harry."
Harry slowly lifted his eyes.
"Courage doesn't exist in only one form," Lucien said gently. "Being honest with yourself is also courage."
Harry froze slightly.
"And Hogwarts has more than one House," Lucien continued. "Gryffindor isn't the only place where you might belong."
Then he glanced toward Neville.
"For example, Mr. Longbottom."
Neville looked startled after suddenly being mentioned.
"Your willingness to admit mistakes and correct them shows courage," Lucien explained calmly. "That's a very Gryffindor trait."
Neville blinked.
"But your loyalty toward your friends and your sincerity…" Lucien smiled faintly. "Those are qualities Hufflepuff values deeply."
Then he turned back toward Harry.
"As for Slytherin—"
"Ambition. Determination. Adaptability."
His blue eyes sharpened slightly.
"Those qualities exist in many people, whether they admit it or not."
Harry hesitated.
"But Hagrid and Ron both said Gryffindor's the best House."
Lucien simply smiled.
"There is no best House."
"Only the House best suited to you."
Then he continued calmly.
"Gryffindor values bravery. But bravery alone does not make someone correct."
Harry immediately understood where this conversation was heading.
"Take today's situation," Lucien said smoothly. "Ron acted bravely because he believed he was protecting Neville."
"That is admirable."
Harry nodded slowly.
"But…"
Lucien's tone shifted slightly.
"He also judged Draco guilty entirely because of personal bias."
"Without evidence."
The corridor suddenly felt much quieter.
"The result?" Lucien continued calmly. "Draco was falsely accused. The train corridor became blocked. And everyone else was dragged into unnecessary conflict."
Lucien intentionally used today's events because he understood something very well—
People were easiest to influence using their own experiences.
Especially Harry.
If Lucien directly insulted Ron, Harry would instinctively become defensive.
But by acknowledging Ron's good intentions first before pointing out the flaws in his behaviour…
Harry would think for himself instead.
And that was far more effective.
As expected, Harry fell silent.
Deep down, he already knew Lucien was right.
When Ron accused Draco earlier, Harry himself felt uncomfortable.
But years of neglect and insecurity left him afraid to challenge others openly.
If Lucien had not appeared…
Draco might genuinely have been blamed unfairly.
And Harry would probably have lost his first friend at Hogwarts before school even began.
Finally, Harry looked up again.
"Lucien…"
"Yes?"
"Which House do you think I should choose?"
Lucien almost smiled internally.
Hooked.
"If you don't feel drawn toward Gryffindor," he answered calmly, "then Slytherin may actually suit you very well."
Harry immediately hesitated.
"Slytherin…"
Before he could continue thinking, Hermione suddenly interrupted anxiously.
"What about me?"
Lucien looked toward her.
"You value knowledge greatly," he said without hesitation. "And you're willing to challenge mistakes even when others dislike it."
Hermione blinked.
"Ravenclaw and Gryffindor would both suit you."
Hermione immediately frowned.
"I don't want Gryffindor."
The memory of Ron's behaviour clearly remained fresh in her mind.
Neville also looked increasingly uncertain now.
Before today, he always imagined himself becoming a Gryffindor like his parents.
But after everything that happened…
Hufflepuff suddenly sounded surprisingly appealing.
…
WHOOOOOO—
The Hogwarts Express whistle echoed loudly through the night.
Outside the windows, the train slowly arrived at the station.
Darkness surrounded the platform while the distant silhouette of Hogwarts Castle rose beneath the stars like something from a dream.
Even Lucien felt his heartbeat quicken slightly.
Hogwarts.
The most iconic place in the entire wizarding world.
And in reality—
It looked even more magnificent than memory could describe.
"First-years over here!"
Hagrid's enormous voice boomed across the station.
"Come on now! Don't wander off!"
His massive figure stood out immediately among the sea of students.
"Hagrid!"
Lucien approached alongside Hermione.
The moment Hagrid spotted him, his entire expression visibly relaxed.
"Lucien, thank Merlin."
Hagrid looked genuinely relieved.
"Could yeh help gather the first-years? They keep runnin' everywhere."
"No problem."
Lucien immediately drew his wand.
"Sonorus."
His voice instantly amplified across the platform.
Every nearby student turned toward him immediately.
"First-year students," Lucien announced calmly, "please form two lines."
"Boys on the left."
"Girls on the right."
Then he gestured politely toward Hagrid.
"Mr. Hagrid will now lead us to Hogwarts Castle."
....
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