Inside Hagrid's hut.
Lucien had just arrived when Hagrid took Fang into the Forbidden Forest to collect materials.
Lucien sat flipping through Alchemy books on his own.
The one in his hands was an introductory guide to Alchemy; once he mastered the basics, he would be able to analyze the Transfiguration pocket watch more efficiently.
"The transformation of matter, the solidification of magic…"
No wonder Alchemy was only offered as an elective beginning in sixth year at Hogwarts.
This subject involved Transfiguration, Potions, and even chemical knowledge from the Muggle world, making it extremely complex and difficult to study.
Fortunately, he had no problems with Transfiguration, and as for Potions and Alchemy, he had A and A+ talent levels.
Alchemy also discussed magical solidification, which was closely connected to semi-permanent solidified Transfiguration. Studying the two together would be mutually beneficial.
Therefore, the loan for the Transfiguration pocket watch—requiring him to master solidified Transfiguration or create an alchemical mechanical animal—could actually be treated as one integrated task.
Mastering solidified Transfiguration would improve his Alchemy, and delving into Alchemy would also provide insights into Transfiguration.
Hmm, and then there was the Undetectable Extension Charm.
Lucien recalled the contents of Newt's letter, which mentioned that creating Undetectable Extension Charm artifacts capable of housing creatures also required a certain foundation in Transfiguration and Alchemy.
This was just the simplest kind, not involving those that could contain multiple spaces.
Crafting a suitcase like Newt's was currently out of the question; those were nearly complete miniature worlds.
They had mountains and rivers and could simultaneously house a large number of magical creatures, even if their living environments differed greatly.
However, he could craft several simpler containers and sort things into them.
Well, besides housing and observing magical creatures later…
He could also set up experimental platforms inside to practice Potions, Alchemy…
That way, he could experiment anytime, anywhere, which would be far more convenient.
Time flew by as he studied, and soon evening came again.
Lucien put down his book and rubbed his slightly sore neck.
"Time to stretch. I'll fertilize the Chomping Cabbages. There's still some Mooncalf dung left from last time."
After comparing, he found that using Mooncalf dung as fertilizer was indeed more effective than the magical fertilizer he had concocted. The cabbages grew much more vigorously.
Unfortunately, the quantity was too small, nowhere near as abundant as Potion-making.
He still had to specifically stake out those Mooncalves, and the yield depended entirely on those little creatures.
Once he created a container with an Undetectable Extension Charm, he would raise some Mooncalves himself.
"Hagrid! Hagrid!"
Lucien was just about to fetch a small hoe when he was interrupted by a sudden shout.
That sounded like Ron and Hermione?
Bang bang bang—
Urgent knocking followed, the door rattling loudly.
Lucien waved his wand, and the door opened directly.
Standing at the doorway were indeed Hermione, Ron, and Harry.
Lucien looked at Harry and immediately sensed that something was wrong.
Harry's face was pale, his lips had lost their color, and he was clutching his left hand tightly.
Lucien frowned, "Hagrid isn't here. What's wrong? Why are you here so late?"
Hearing this, the three exchanged glances, looking even more flustered, while the pain on Harry's face deepened.
"What exactly happened?"
Lucien pressed again.
Harry glanced at him with a trace of guilt, and Lucien immediately caught it.
That look was all too familiar; he had seen it not long ago.
Yes—when Harry broke Malfoy's bones.
Did this kid throw Potion on someone again?
But the only Potions he had taught him recently were Burn Salve, Beast Repellent Powder, and Quick Cold Relief…
None of those should cause trouble.
And from the looks of it, Harry was the one hurt. Did he get beaten up?
Then why come here, to Hagrid? To ask a half-Giant to help in a fight?
Wait—beast. Beast. Could it be today…
Lucien immediately raised his wand, and Harry's hand lifted involuntarily, his sleeve sliding down.
A long, torn wound stretched from Harry's palm to his elbow, a gash deeply embedded in his forearm.
The deep wound, exposing bone, was still bleeding, drops pattering onto the ground.
It looked exactly like a dog bite.
"Why didn't you go to the hospital wing?"
At Lucien's question, the three stammered, unable to give a clear answer.
From their expressions, Lucien could already piece together what had happened.
Most likely, they had followed the original course of events—after discovering Harry's father's Quidditch glory, they had been caught up in an adventure, encountered Filch, and in their attempt to evade him, stumbled upon the Cerberus.
They should have screamed and run, but Harry, emboldened by the success of using Potion last time, had tried to repeat the tactic.
He must have thrown a handful of Beast Repellent Powder at the Cerberus.
But that Potion worked by producing a pungent odor to drive away ordinary beasts. A Cerberus was no ordinary beast—it was a magical creature!
Of course, it would only have enraged it.
And as for why they hadn't gone to the hospital wing?
It was the same as a child who scraped their knee but dared not tell an adult.
Instead, they had run here, seeking help from their friend Hagrid.
Lucien was speechless. He had taught Harry Potions to help him, yet somehow the boy had managed to get himself into even worse trouble.
"You wait here."
Lucien quickly stepped out of the hut and into the cover of the vegetable garden.
"Lumen."
At his call, the Little Qilin Apparated directly in front of him.
Lucien pulled out a small vial, held it to Lumen's mouth, and tilted its head.
Books recorded that qilin saliva possessed powerful healing properties.
Even if those descriptions referred to native qilins, Lumen was an upgraded divine beast—its saliva's healing effect should be even stronger.
Since Lumen's awakening, Lucien hadn't yet had the chance to test this ability, but now Harry had provided the opportunity.
After collecting a vial of saliva, Lucien sent Lumen back into the Forbidden Forest, then returned to the hut.
He guided the qilin saliva with his wand, spreading it evenly over Harry's wound.
Almost immediately, new flesh began to knit together, and the torn skin closed.
Within a minute, the once gruesome, bone-deep wound had completely vanished, leaving not even the faintest scar.
Harry touched his forearm in disbelief, as if the pain he had felt earlier had been nothing but an illusion.
Hermione and Ron also stared at Harry's arm in shock, then turned their wide eyes to the vial in Lucien's hand.
"Lucien, what's in that bottle? It's incredible!"
"Saliva."
"Saliva? Whose saliva?"
"Fang's."
Lucien replied casually, unconcerned with their reactions.
"Now, tell me what happened."
At last, Hermione began to explain, and the story matched Lucien's suspicions almost exactly.
When she got to the part where Harry had declared, "Don't be afraid, I'll protect you all! Watch my Beast Repellent Powder!"
Lucien couldn't help but laugh—a laugh of sheer exasperation.
Clearly, his teaching hadn't sunk in; the key points hadn't been remembered. Starting tomorrow, there would be intensive training.