For the next few days, Voldemort's attention stayed firmly on Lucien.
Not openly.
Not recklessly.
Quietly.
From Quirrell's office, through borrowed senses and whispered magic, Voldemort observed the Hufflepuff heir.
Lucien attended classes as usual.
Ate normally.
Laughed with friends.
Slept peacefully.
No strange magic.
No suspicious movements.
No traces of interference.
Nothing.
Voldemort hated that.
"He is too calm…"
And yet—after days of watching, probing, and testing—
Nothing.
No evidence.
No aura fluctuation.
No residue of control magic.
Finally, Voldemort dismissed the thought with irritation.
"If the boy were involved, I would feel it."
And just like that, Lucien Lionhardt was crossed off the list.
That same night, Akeno felt it.
A subtle pressure.
A dangerous gaze.
She stiffened beside Lucien, fingers tightening slightly in the blanket.
Before she could speak, Lucien's voice reached her mind, calm and steady.
Stay quiet, my love.
That idiot is still looking.
Let him clear his own suspicions.
Akeno relaxed instantly.
Sure… my love,
she replied softly through the bond.
She trusted him completely.
Meanwhile, Harry Potter's fame exploded.
Gryffindor banners waved.
Stories spread.
Students reenacted the Snitch catch dramatically in the corridors.
Ron Weasley took it upon himself to brag about Harry to absolutely everyone.
"My best mate, you know—youngest Seeker ever! Did you see that catch? Brilliant!"
Harry smiled awkwardly but…
He didn't stop Ron.
At least—
Harry was improving.
True to his word, he started reading one book a week.
Nothing advanced.
Nothing heavy.
But reading.
Lucien noticed.
From across the Great Hall, Lucien watched Harry flip through pages, actually focused.
He sighed.
"Good," he muttered.
"My brother is learning."
Progress was progress.
Ron, however…
Ron was still reading a book.
Upside down.
Lucien glanced at him once, paused, then shook his head and looked away.
"…I've already explained enough," Lucien decided.
"That one's beyond help."
And just like that—
Lucien forgot about Ron entirely.
As for Professor Quirrell—
Hogwarts had decided on a new favorite rumor.
"Did you hear?"
"I heard he's half-troll!"
"No, no—full troll. That head's not human."
Someone even started calling him "Professor Stone-Skull."
Quirrell denied it every time.
"I-I am n-not related to t-trolls!"
No one believed him.
The rumor that Quirrell was the son of a troll spread faster than the Bludger had flown.
And through it all—
Lucien remained calm.
Watching.
Waiting.
The board was set.