Hagrid's hut.
Lucien, Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat around the big, rough wooden table. Hagrid had laid out a full spread for afternoon tea.
Of course, anything Hagrid cooked himself was still a little terrifying to look at. Luckily he always made sure to pick up sweets and snacks the kids actually liked.
Today there was a huge bowl of Fizzing Whizbees and a plate of Chocolate Frogs—fresh from Hogsmeade, just for them.
"Eat up, eat up! You're all still growing!" Hagrid chuckled as he poured tea, the giant teapot looking like a toy in his massive hands.
Lucien lifted his cup and took a small sip. His mind was already drifting—next steps for improving potions, finer control over the Patronus Charm, new angles for breaking curses…
These weekly visits to Hagrid's were one of the few breaks he actually allowed himself.
Hermione set her cup down and brushed biscuit crumbs off her hands.
"Next term we start third year. We get to pick electives. What's everyone thinking of taking?"
Her eyes swept across the table as she asked.
Ron fought the urge to roll his eyes. He opened his mouth, ready to say something like "We haven't even finished this year's exams yet—why are we stressing about next term?" but swallowed it instead.
He'd learned to live with Hermione's endless enthusiasm for schoolwork. If he tried to shut her down she'd only get louder.
So he stayed quiet.
Honestly, there had been plenty of times Ron thought she belonged in Ravenclaw instead.
While Ron was lost in thought, Harry spoke up.
"Uh… what classes can we even choose?"
He pushed his glasses up, looking a little embarrassed. Quidditch took up most of his time. He didn't really keep track of academic stuff.
Gryffindor practices were already brutal, and Wood was a maniac about extra sessions. The only reason they had time this term was because things had been weirdly peaceful.
Lucien didn't jump in right away. He took another sip of tea and looked at Hermione—because giving detailed explanations was definitely her department.
Sure enough, she launched straight into it.
"There are five electives," she said, ticking them off on her fingers. "Arithmancy—using complex number charts and logic to predict the future. It's supposed to be the most rigorous kind of divination. Ancient Runes—studying old magical texts and translating them. Lots of vocabulary and grammar. Care of Magical Creatures—learning how to raise and protect magical animals. Divination—reading tea leaves, crystal balls, or palms to see the future. And Muggle Studies—learning about Muggle life, technology, history, and society so wizards understand the non-magical world."
She rattled it all off at top speed, like she'd memorized the entire list weeks ago.
Harry looked slightly dazed. Every class sounded important, but none of them felt quite right for him.
Divination seemed a bit woo-woo. Arithmancy sounded like instant headache. Ancient Runes meant memorizing words. Care of Magical Creatures actually sounded fun…
He decided to wait and hear what everyone else thought—especially Lucien. If he picked something he couldn't handle, he could always ask Lucien for help later.
Harry had no doubt Lucien would ace whatever he chose.
Ron glanced at Harry, cleared his throat, and started peeling the wrapper off a Fizzing Whizbee.
"George and Fred told me," he said, "Divination's the easiest if you can survive the professor's constant rambling. Arithmancy will melt your brain unless you actually like weird numbers and formulas. Muggle Studies is pretty straightforward, but the class is tiny so the teacher asks everyone questions. Ancient Runes is brutal—seriously hard. And Care of Magical Creatures used to be great—the professor was really chill—but after this year… who knows."
He'd double-checked everything with Charlie just to be safe. The twins loved setting him up.
He never asked Bill or Percy. Those two were such overachievers they'd just say "none of them are hard if you study."
Charlie, on the other hand, was more about Quidditch and had picked the easiest classes possible.
Harry frowned. "What's wrong with Care of Magical Creatures?"
"Word is the current professor's retiring," Ron said around a mouthful of sweets. "No idea what the new one's like. Could be another Snape—always glaring and handing out mountains of homework. Then the class goes from awesome to actual hell."
Ron suddenly turned to Lucien.
"What about you, Lucien? What are you gonna pick?"