Lucien's first Transfiguration class started like most Hogwarts mornings—quiet, orderly, and slightly chaotic.
Hufflepuff and Gryffindor students filtered into the classroom together, whispering excitedly. Lucien walked in calmly with Akeno beside him, Alolan Vulpix perched comfortably on his shoulder like a tiny queen inspecting her domain.
Lucien glanced around.
Harry wasn't there.
"…Late," Lucien concluded mildly.
That sounded about right.
Not particularly concerned, he took a seat at the Hufflepuff table beside Akeno. Susan Bones hurried over and sat on Lucien's other side, her eyes immediately locking onto the fluffy fox.
"Oh my gosh, she's adorable," Susan whispered, slowly reaching out to pet her.
Lucien gently caught Susan's wrist.
"Don't."
Susan froze instantly. "S-Sorry! I—"
Lucien relaxed his grip. "She doesn't like strangers touching her without permission."
Susan nodded quickly, cheeks turning pink. "…Okay."
She glanced at Lucien's face—and promptly blushed harder.
Lucien, completely unaware, sat back as Alolan Vulpix hopped down and curled up neatly in his lap, falling asleep almost instantly. Lucien absentmindedly petted her head, his movements slow and gentle.
Susan watched quietly.
After a moment, she pulled out a small bag of sweets. "Can I… try giving her something to eat?"
Lucien shrugged. "You can try."
Susan held out a treat.
Vulpix sniffed it.
Paused.
Then turned her head away with a quiet hmph.
Susan stared. "…She rejected me."
Lucien nodded seriously. "She has standards."
Susan looked personally attacked.
Lucien reached into his bag and pulled out a small container. Inside were pale-blue, crystal-like treats.
"Ice-type Pokéblocks," he explained. "Imported."
He handed a few to Susan.
Susan carefully offered them.
Vulpix's ears perked up instantly.
She sniffed once—then happily munched on them.
Susan's eyes sparkled. "She likes me!"
Vulpix allowed Susan to gently pet her tails.
Lucien smirked. "Congratulations. You passed the fox test."
🐱 A Familiar Canon Disaster
Minutes passed.
Students began murmuring.
"Is Professor McGonagall late?" someone whispered.
Lucien leaned back, already knowing the answer.
Right on cue, the classroom door burst open.
Harry Potter rushed in, breathing hard, Ron Weasley following behind him.
"Sorry we're late, Professor—" Ron began loudly, then froze.
The front desk was empty.
Only a stern-looking tabby cat sat atop it, staring directly at him.
Ron frowned. "…Where's the professor?"
Lucien bit his lip.
The cat leapt down.
Mid-air, it transformed.
Professor McGonagall landed smoothly, robes settling as she fixed the class with a piercing glare.
The room went dead silent.
Ron's face drained of color.
Lucien lost the battle.
He laughed.
Not loudly—but enough.
Professor McGonagall's eyes snapped toward him.
"Mr. Lionhardt," she said sharply. "Care to explain what you find amusing?"
Lucien stood politely, still smiling.
"Professor, with respect… Ron's face when you transformed was extremely funny."
Several students choked.
Ron looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him.
McGonagall paused.
Internally… she had to admit it.
That expression was rather spectacular.
"…Hm," she said coolly. "You seem unusually calm, Mr. Lionhardt."
Lucien inclined his head. "I expected it."
Her eyes narrowed. "And why is that?"
Lucien answered calmly, "When I became heir to the Peverell family, I studied advanced Transfiguration texts. Your name appears in the registered Animagus list, Professor."
The room went silent again—this time in shock.
McGonagall stared at him.
Then, slowly, she nodded.
"I see."
In her mind, a familiar thought surfaced.
Lily's youngest son… observant and composed.
James's eldest… reckless as ever.
She sighed internally.
"Take your seat, Mr. Lionhardt," McGonagall said. "And do refrain from laughing at your classmates' misfortune."
Lucien sat down obediently.
Ron stared at him in horror.
Akeno leaned closer and whispered, "…You enjoyed that."
Lucien smiled softly.
"A little."
Alolan Vulpix yawned in his lap.
Transfiguration, Lucien decided, was already interesting.