Inside an alchemy lab at Beauxbatons.
"Merlin's beard! Already?! That was fast!"
Ryman was hunched over his workbench, repeatedly tweaking a semi-finished alchemical circle and running simulations for his final transmutation. He looked up as Lucian knocked, entered, and handed him a heavy-looking leather suitcase.
Ryman popped the latches. Inside, neatly stacked, were the exact rare materials he had written home about in such a panic.
He had mentally prepared himself for a wait. International owl post, even with the help of the Ministry's transport channels, usually took at least three or four days for a round trip.
Ryman had figured he wouldn't get these materials until the very eve of the competition, leaving him with barely enough time for a few frantic attempts.
But Lucian... it hadn't even been half a day, had it?
Did he really just make a round trip from Beauxbatons to Hogwarts and back?
Ryman stared at the materials in the case. Even the preservation charms on the packaging were completely intact. His eyes widened in disbelief.
He had no idea what method Lucian had used, but the efficiency was nothing short of breathtaking.
"I can't thank you enough, Lucian!" Ryman closed the case, his gratitude genuine.
Having the materials this early meant he had plenty of time for testing and adjustments. His chances in the competition just shot up significantly.
"Don't mention it. It was no trouble at all."
Lucian's reply was casual. His impromptu trip back to Hogwarts had primarily been to handle his own business; grabbing the materials for his upperclassman was just a convenient favor he did on the side.
Ryman, knowing better, didn't pry into how Lucian had managed it.
In the wizarding world, everyone had their secret methods, especially when it came to long-distance travel.
However, this feat undeniably added another layer of mystery to Lucian in Ryman's eyes.
It wasn't just his unreachable magical talent; it was his depth of knowledge and his endless supply of unconventional tricks that amazed Ryman—and Ryman was a Selwyn, a pure-blood with a prestigious background.
Talent might be a gift from Merlin, but where did this bafflingly deep accumulation of resources and these impossible teleportation methods come from?
Ryman knew for a fact that Lucian was Muggle-born, which made the whole thing even more bizarre.
To make a round trip between two countries in half a day... Ryman's first thought was high-level Apparition, but that was incredibly dangerous and physically draining over such a distance. The Floo Network? Transnational connections were complex and required precise clearance. A Portkey? You had to make those in advance and file paperwork...
For a second, Ryman's mind even wandered to Headmaster Dumbledore's phoenix. That legendary creature possessed the ability to teleport across vast distances instantly.
He shot a suspicious glance at Lucian—surely this junior student wasn't hiding a pet phoenix in his pocket?
Ryman shook his head, dismissing the thought as ridiculous.
"I'm just glad the materials are all there. I've got plans, so I'll get going."
Lucian's voice snapped Ryman out of his speculation.
Ryman immediately flashed a knowing, "I get it" grin. This kid moves fast, he thought.
He had accidentally spotted Lucian walking and chatting in the castle gardens with Beauxbatons' star student, Fleur Delacour, earlier.
"Need a wingman? Or maybe some advice?" Ryman asked, half-joking.
Surprisingly, Lucian actually pulled a neatly folded piece of parchment from his pocket and handed it over.
"Actually, yeah. Here, fill this out for me."
Ryman took it and unfolded the paper. The title at the top made the corner of his mouth twitch:
Hogwarts Valentine's Day Activity Survey (Special Edition)
Ryman looked between the paper and Lucian, amused and a little bewildered. He thought, Lucian really is the academic type. Who conducts a questionnaire before a date?
Then again, remembering that Lucian was a Ravenclaw, Ryman relaxed. Those Eagles could be a little eccentric sometimes.