Lucien and Fleur returned together to the Beauxbatons campus. When they reached the central courtyard, they were forced to slow their steps—stopped short by the unexpectedly lively scene before them.
Around the newly modified Beauty Fountain, a long, winding line had formed. At a glance, it was almost entirely made up of Beauxbatons girls.
They seemed completely unfazed by the lingering winter chill. Every face was bright with anticipation, and each girl held an assortment of elegant bottles and vials, waiting to collect the fountain water that was said to have been "reborn."
Laughter and lively chatter filled the air, overflowing with youth and energy—so much so that even the patches of unmelted snow in the courtyard seemed to retreat faster under its warmth.
Clearly, the fountain's true enhancement effect—its genuine beauty-boosting properties—had been noticed during everyday use by someone attentive. Word spread from one person to ten, from ten to a hundred, until it became the bustling spectacle now unfolding before them.
Fleur looked at the scene—one that had come about largely because of the man standing beside her—and a knowing, slightly teasing smile curved her lips.
"Looks like you won't need to keep bringing fountain water back for your friends at Hogwarts anymore," she said lightly. "With your skills, rebuilding one over there yourself probably wouldn't be difficult at all."
Having personally witnessed how Lucien had dismantled and reconstructed the Beauty Fountain that night, Fleur had complete confidence in that statement.
Lucien's gaze drifted toward the statue at the center of the fountain—the eternal pairing of Nicolas Flamel and his wife.
"The Beauty Fountain at Beauxbatons is different," he said calmly. "It was built by a professor's own hands. It's a symbol of the school's history and legacy."
That was precisely why, when completing the system-mandated modifications, he had deliberately preserved every external detail without altering a thing.
Even now, Lucien's mind was already sketching out plans for the Beauty Fountain he would recreate after returning to Hogwarts. The design could be more flexible—perhaps incorporating elements unique to Hogwarts' style…
The enthusiasm of the Beauxbatons students before him felt like a preview of the future reception that yet-to-be-built Hogwarts fountain would receive.
It might even be more popular than this one.
After all, Beauxbatons students had long been accustomed to having such a magical fountain on campus. But for Hogwarts students, it would be something entirely new—a magical creation they had never experienced before.
"It makes sense that the girls are flocking to it," Lucien said, his thoughts drifting as another potential benefit occurred to him. The corner of his mouth lifted unconsciously. "But for the boys at Hogwarts, this fountain might bring an… unexpected blessing."
"Oh?" Fleur raised an elegant eyebrow.
"It's gentle—doesn't damage the scalp or hair roots," Lucien explained with mock seriousness, though mischief sparkled in his eyes. "You know, British men tend to have a common… well, 'altitude concern.'"
He gestured lightly at his own hairline. "Genetics are part of it, but the local water quality doesn't exactly help either."
As for Snape's greasy yet impressively thick black hair, Lucien suspected it survived partly because the old bat didn't wash it very often in the first place.
Fleur froze for a second—then burst out laughing. She quickly pressed her lips together to hold it in, her shoulders trembling slightly.
She tried to imagine Lucien in middle age, still handsome but sporting a dramatically receding hairline, and immediately decided it was better not to think about it.
Lucien, however, kept following that train of thought. Stroking his chin, he looked as though he'd just discovered a new business opportunity. Come to think of it, developing specialized hair-care or hair-regrowth potions and alchemical products might have a surprisingly bright market outlook.
It took Fleur a moment to finally regain her composure. She looked at him with her blue eyes, her tone returning to playful teasing—though this time with a hint of genuine foresight.
"At this rate," she said, "I think that in a few decades, Hogwarts students might take pride in saying, 'That fountain was built by Lucien Grafton.'"
She paused, her smile deepening.
"Hmm… actually, it might not even take that long."
Lucien gave it some serious thought.
…Wait. Did that mean putting his name—or worse, a statue of himself—on a fountain?