Chapter 2
It was strange being back home but Narcissa had been ecstatic about having him home, she'd allowed Max and Ella to stay, after a quick assurance from Lucien that they were in fact not muggleborns, so the trio of half-bloods stayed at Malfoy manor till they were to join Hogwarts in October. His room hadn't been touched since he'd left it 6 years ago, his trunk with his first year stuff had been abandoned in the corner of the room where now his camp backpack sat resting against it. Packing for this trip had been interesting, settling for the less is more approach he'd packed some clothes, his wand and his latest notebook. Other than that he had his sword, dreamcatcher, that appeared as a small pendant on one of his necklaces which once tugged of became a bronze short sword that had done him well as his main weapon so far.
While they were at the manor they spent their days theorising tactical plans but it was hard with the limited knowledge they had. Lucien was to enter the freshly renamed Wizarding cup as something was coming. They weren't sure what and there was no prophecy, at least not one they had access too, to guide them. Lucien tried his best to pass on the knowledge of what Hogwarts was like and what they would expect but he knew nothing of the other 2 schools in attendance. The trio continued their physical training in the mornings out the back and then spent their afternoon planning untill they were ready to go.
As the weather turned colder it was time for them to pack up and head out, with a very small goodbye to his mother with a promise to visit before they headed back in the summer. Although he honestly wasn't sure how long they could stay without being called back to camp. He'd spoken to Percy a few weeks ago who said Mrs O'Leary would happily help get them up to the school, she'd arrived a few days priory bounding down the drive without her owner on a clear mission to find somewhere to rest before the journey.
"You ready?"Max said gripping onto Lucien's shoulder with a firm grip before giving him a shake. Max was a son of Trivia and the obvious first pick of companions. Besides the fact that his powers from his mother allowing him to blend in as a wizard he was also Lucien's closest friend in the legion, he'd stood by him through a lot and proved himself a loyal friend through it all, "Earth to Light." He laughed a deep laugh," We need to get moving or we'll be late. I'm going to take Ella if your fine traveling with the pup."
"Of course." Lucien nodded going to grab hold of Mrs O'Leary's coller. There were many gifts from Hecate that Lucien had mastered but Shadow travel was definitely not one of them but he was more use to it than Ella. Ella had joined them from Camp Half-blood 6 months ago, a child of Apollo, and was currently on probatio and would come out of this with her SPQR tattoo one way or another. "It's not that scary." Lucien lied to her, shadow travel was a bit like voluntarily deciding to go so fast you could rip your face off, " Just breathe and don't throw up on the other side."
"Great... Sounds like a plan." She said lightly moving her sandy blonde braid over her shoulder before taking Max's arm and with a deep breath they let the shadows take them.
Mrs O'Leary draged him across the field bounding through the shadows and didn't stop when they reached the other side so regretfully Lucien let go planting his feet firmly on the ground as the shadows slowly dispersed around them as Mrs O'Leary ran circles around the group. Lucien took a deep breath and a glance at his friends before looking up at the castle before him. The gathering of students at the castle's entrance stared at them, that was true maybe shadows wasn't the best way to come across as not evil but it was the simplest way of getting them there. He slowly brought his hand to his mouth letting out a whistle causing Mrs O'Leary's head to dart to him, he held out the treat to her before ruffling the dog's head. She wouldn't stay for long just a few days to recoup her energy.
There was a cough before a small clap from Dumbledore caused the students to beguin a round of applause in welcome as he made a b-line for them. Lucien bit his lower him as he grabbed the scroll from his bag as he got the story straight in his mind. He glanced at the slight green Ella who was clinging onto Max's arm and positioned himself between them and the old man.
"Is this all of you?" He asked with a puzzled expression on his face.
"I'm afraid three is all we could spare at the moment. Don't worry it's all in here." Lucien said putting on a polite smile as he handed over the scroll. Similar to his scroll of recommendation all those years ago it was a scroll from the goddess Hecate, only this time she was pretending to be the Headmistress of Chiron's Military Academy for witches and Wizards and that with recent events 3 students would attend the games this year but that she hopped they would be great emissaries so that they could continue to develop this new version of the games so more could attend next time.
The Professor pursed his lips as he read through before looking at the trio, "Very well and your studies."
"We'll be doing a independent study while here, if you grant us access to the library." Lucien said with a glance up at the castle.
The response was a jovial nod as the scroll found it's way somewhere into the man's robes, "I believe it's best we all go into the warmth." Headmaster Dumbledore said with a nod heading forward to lead them all in. Lucien felt a warm squeeze of his hand as Max passed him with a small smirk and a wink and they headed up the path to the entrance.
A storm rolled across the start sky of the great hall as the trio entered. Lucien looked around watching where the other schools were finding spots. He could joing his brother but it appeared that Draco was trying to befriend the Bulgarian seaker from the world cup. He could go to his original table, Ravenclaw, but it seemed that the French students had decided that was their spot, possibly because their uniforms blended with the blue of Ravenclaw. Lucien's gaze brushed over the Gryffindor table his eyes landing on Harry Potter and his two friends from that night at the world cup. Apparently he was the key to the upcoming war. The Lady Hecate had been vague with the quest other than that war was coming and that she needed to make sure history came down on the right side.
" Malfoy?" He heard a vaguely familiar voice go as a robed arm wrap around his shoulder bringing him out of his mind.
He gazed at the figure with curiosity as he slowly figured out who it was, "Diggory? Not such a little badger anymore." He laughed shaking his head, "Room on your table for 3 more?" Lucien gestured to his 2 friends
" Always." He said pulling him to sit on one of the benches, "Gonna be an interesting year " He said turning to look at the front arm still around him.
"You can say that again." Lucien said with a smirk as they listened to the speeches, he could get use to bring back.