Inside the Gourd Space, Lucien stood quietly, his gaze fixed on the massive figure pacing across the open ground—Norbert.
In just two or three months, Norbert had grown to nearly four meters long. From his sleek head to his thick, powerful tail, every line of his body radiated strength. When he occasionally spread his wings, their six-to-seven-meter span cast a wide shadow. He was already capable of soaring through the skies.
This space was starting to feel cramped. Dragons grew fast—too fast. Lucien would need to expand it soon. But his mastery of the Extension Charm was nearing its limit, and he felt a pang of frustration. Maybe when I visit Arizona with Newt, I can ask for some pointers, he thought. If it involves Scamander family secrets, that's fine—I could ask Newt to help expand the space. But what would I offer in return?
A low, rumbling growl interrupted his thoughts, carrying a faint sense of pressure. Lucien looked up to find himself enveloped in Norbert's shadow. The dragon's molten orange eyes locked onto his, and Lucien couldn't help but smile. Thanks to his unicorn-blessed ability to understand animals, he knew Norbert's intimidating stance was just clumsy affection—a dragon's version of pouting.
As for the menacing growl? Well, Norbert was just hungry and couldn't hold it in.
No matter how tame a dragon seemed, it was still one of the wizarding world's most dangerous creatures, a top-tier predator. Lucien sighed, shaking his head. "How many times have I told you? It's Dad, not Mom."
He pulled out an assortment of beef, lamb, and seafood to feed the dragon. Norwegian Ridgebacks were among the few dragon species known to hunt aquatic creatures—there were even reports of one snatching a whale calf from the sea.
As Norbert chomped away, Lucien observed him closely. The dragon's scales were a deep, inky black, laced with intricate dark golden patterns that shimmered across his back, neck, and wing edges. The patterns weren't static; they pulsed faintly with Norbert's breathing and muscle movements.
Lucien had checked his books and consulted Newt—Norwegian Ridgebacks didn't naturally have these golden markings. They were likely a result of hatching Norbert's egg in Lustering Purefire. So far, no special traits had emerged, but maybe they'd show up as Norbert grew.
Too bad Norbert can't use the system's pet growth loans, Lucien thought. Those are only for system-generated creatures. He wondered if a potion could mimic the effect, boosting Norbert's growth or physical strength. After all, to repay the Mana Weaving loan and train Norbert into the king of his species, the stronger he got, the better.
Lucien accessed his system, scanning for updates to the loan options. His consciousness flowed through the data like water, until—
"Got it!" His eyes lit up as he pulled up a new loan:
Loan: Blood and Bone Baptism Elixir (Monthly Loan)
Repayment Period: 30 Days
Details: A potion that strengthens bones and muscles when soaked in.
Note: This potion is suitable only for magical creatures. Human wizards are too fragile to withstand its effects.
Perfect, Lucien thought. It didn't matter if humans couldn't use it—he was focused on Norbert. A dragon's physique could definitely handle it. Norbert was in a rapid growth phase, so the potion's effects would be maximized now, before his body fully matured.
Once Norbert was stronger, Lucien could start applying Mana Weaving to tweak his magical circuits. He'd already considered this—carefully adjusting a magical creature's circuits could boost its power significantly. He'd checked with the system, and it confirmed: "A clever idea, host. It's part of training, but you must not alter the dragon's essence."
That was clear enough. He could refine the details but couldn't overhaul Norbert's core nature. Still, small improvements could stack up into a big advantage.
There was another reason Lucien picked this loan: the task attached to it.
Loan Task: Dance with a Thunderbird for 100 kilometers without relying on external tools (wand permitted).
For most wizards, this was a tall order. First, witches and wizards couldn't fly without tools like broomsticks. Second, Thunderbirds were dangerous—XXXX-level magical creatures capable of summoning storms and lightning, with devastating destructive power. They were also highly sensitive, wary of other creatures, and rarely let anyone get close.
But Lucien wasn't most wizards. His Kirin Lord affinity, amplified by the unicorn's blessing, gave him a unique edge in communicating with magical creatures. Flying with a Thunderbird for a bit? No problem. I'm not trying to pluck its feathers.
As for flying without tools, there were two options: Voldemort's rare flight spell or becoming an Animagus with a flying form. Luckily, Lucien was already an Animagus—and one without restrictions on his transformations. He could choose any flying creature he wanted.
"But keeping up with a Thunderbird's speed…" Lucien mused. Normal birds, no matter how fast, couldn't match a Thunderbird's storm-riding velocity. Flying 100 kilometers at that pace was no joke.
His eyes flickered with an idea. He'd recently had some breakthroughs in Transfiguration. Since his Animagus form wasn't limited, could he push beyond mundane creatures? Transforming into a magical creature outright was too risky—rewriting magical circuits was no small feat. But what if he only altered his body's physical structure, like he'd done with the Chimaera transformation?
"Thunderbirds," he said to himself. "I'm already headed to Arizona with Newt. Might as well knock this out while we're there."
---
Dorset, England
Using Luster's Apparition, Lucien appeared on a small hillside and knocked lightly on the door of a wooden cabin.
Knock, knock.
"Just a moment," came a voice from inside.
The door opened to reveal an elderly woman with bright, gem-like eyes that sparkled like a salamander's despite her age. Though Lucien was a stranger, she recognized Luster at his side and smiled warmly. "If I'm not mistaken, you're Lucien Grafton, aren't you? Newt's mentioned you plenty of times."
"Come in, come in!" she said. "Newt said you'd be visiting, but I didn't expect you so early. Have you had breakfast?"
"I have, thank you, Mrs. Tina," Lucien replied politely.
This was clearly Tina Goldstein, who, in her youth, had been an Auror for MACUSA and famously helped capture Grindelwald. Lucien followed her into the cabin. From the outside, it looked modest, but inside, it was surprisingly spacious—Newt's mastery of the Extension Charm at work.
"Lucien, I really appreciate you keeping in touch with Newt through letters," Tina said. "He spends so much time with his creatures and so little with people."
"You're too kind," Lucien replied. "I've learned so much from Mr. Scamander. His knowledge of magical creatures is incredible. We talk about—"
Tina's smile grew as Lucien spoke enthusiastically. Newt rarely wrote letters, except maybe to reminisce with Dumbledore, which always worried her—she didn't trust that old wizard not to drag her husband into some dangerous scheme. But Lucien? He was just a first-year Hogwarts student, unlikely to rope Newt into anything risky like taking on Grindelwald. She was genuinely glad Newt had a friend like him.
"You're so passionate about magical creatures," Tina said with a chuckle. "Why didn't you end up in Hufflepuff? Newt's said more than once you'd have fit right in. Anyway, this trip to Arizona should be a nice break, but stay safe. Newt's got his 'bodyguards,' but still…"
Creak. A trapdoor in the floor opened, and Newt Scamander emerged, his curly hair as wild as ever. He gave Lucien a small wave and a faint smile—his classic socially awkward greeting. The last time they'd met in the Forbidden Forest, Newt had been too focused on saving a unicorn to show his introverted side, but now it was in full force.
"Good to see you again, Mr. Scamander," Lucien said warmly.
"Mm," Newt replied with a nod, settling onto the couch. His response was, well, reserved, but Lucien didn't mind. Introverts, right? Totally normal.
They didn't chat much longer. Newt made some quick preparations, and soon they were standing by the fireplace. Tina handed them a tin of Floo Powder. The Floo Network was a common way for wizards to travel long distances—just say the destination clearly and you'd be whisked to the right spot.
A Portkey would've been faster, but, as Tina explained, Newt was banned from using them. Why? Simple. Most people might smuggle one or two others with a Portkey, but Newt? He'd bring an entire suitcase of magical creatures. Magical communities worldwide appreciated Newt's conservation efforts but were terrified of the chaos his "little friends" could cause. So, Newt had to file paperwork and get official clearance for international travel.
Even Luster's Apparition wasn't an option for this trip—cross-country teleportation counted as smuggling. Since Newt had already coordinated with MACUSA for this Arizona visit, they had to stick to official channels. Accessing a Thunderbird sanctuary, especially during their mating and egg-laying season, was no small feat. The process was rigorous to deter poachers, as Thunderbird feathers and eggs were incredibly valuable.
"Lucien, make sure you say the destination clearly," Newt said, emphasizing the point. "Get it wrong, and you'll end up somewhere else."
Green flames flared around Newt, and with a whoosh, he was gone. Lucien grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and stepped into the fireplace. "Goodbye for now, Grandma Tina," he said.
"Have fun, Lucien!" she called back.
Repeating the destination, Lucien vanished in a flash. After a few transfers, he found Newt waiting for him in a dusty, yellow-soiled town.
"This is Stormtown," Newt said briefly. "The closest settlement to the Thunderbird sanctuary."
Lucien looked around. The town was small, populated entirely by wizards—no Muggles in sight. With the Thunderbird sanctuary nearby, along with other magical creatures, the area produced valuable materials. Over time, a system for collecting, processing, and selling them had developed, forming the basis of Stormtown—a wizarding hub, much like Hogsmeade near Hogwarts.
Wonder if they've got any local specialties I can bring back, Lucien thought. For now, he followed Newt to a rest stop—a property gifted to Newt by MACUSA. Newt owned homes all over the world, some bought, some given as thanks for his work protecting magical creatures. The man wasn't short on funds—compared to Hagrid, who could gather materials just by strolling through the Forbidden Forest, Newt's adventures made him a fortune.
Standing by the window, Lucien gazed at the distant storm clouds gathering on the horizon.