After leaving Professor McGonagall's office, Lucretia felt both excited and reassured.
At the end of the corridor, Little Barty appeared.
He was coming from the Charms classroom, carrying several books in his arms.
When he saw her, he quickened his pace.
Little Barty's gaze fell on the ancient book in her arms, and one eyebrow rose slightly. "Finished with Professor McGonagall's tutoring? How was it? Detailed Explanation of Magical Power Control? That book is quite rare."
Lucretia blurted out, her eyes lighting up. "It was amazing! Did you know Professor McGonagall is an Animagus? When I entered her office, I only saw a cat, but it was her! She transformed back into a person right in front of me!"
Seeing Lucretia's excitement, Little Barty's expression softened. "I've heard about it. Apparently, she mastered the skill before graduating. It's extremely rare."
Lucretia's voice trembled slightly with excitement. "And she completely understood my problem. She said I didn't need to force myself to change, but learn how to guide the transformation! She even taught me an entirely new way to think about Transfiguration, then had me try transforming a flower petal. It actually worked halfway!"
Pride showed in Little Barty's eyes.
"I knew you could do it. Professor McGonagall is very fair. Though she's Gryffindor's Head of House, when it comes to Transfiguration, she truly is Hogwarts' best teacher. Come to think of it, Chapter Seven is rather difficult to understand, especially the part about guiding with intent."
Lucretia asked curiously, "You've really read this book?"
Little Barty cleared his throat and pulled a small green velvet pouch from the inner pocket of his robes.
"I read it last year while preparing an essay. As it happens, this might help you."
Lucretia took the pouch and opened it. Inside was an exquisite metal pin.
It was shaped like a fusion of a leaf and a needle, crafted so delicately that she could not look away.
"What is this?"
Little Barty shrugged and explained as if it were nothing. "A Transformation Guiding Pin. I saw it in an antique shop in Hogsmeade. Supposedly, it's Goblin-made. The owner said wearing it helps wizards maintain their awareness of nature during transformation. It might be superstition, but... perhaps it's worth a try?"
Lucretia held the pin in her palms, feeling a faint pulse of magic against her fingertips.
"Thank you, Barty!"
Little Barty turned his face away and scratched his hair. "Then, shall we meet at the library over the weekend? Regulus and I can help you sort through some concepts."
"That would be wonderful. Oh, but I promised Sophia I'd meet her at the library on Saturday morning."
Little Barty raised an eyebrow. "Sophia? Your roommate? The quiet one?"
"Yes. She said she wanted to talk to me about something."
Little Barty frowned, then relaxed. "Then the afternoon. Regulus and I have Quidditch training, so we can meet in the library once it's over."
Quidditch training?
Lucretia paused. "By the way, Barty..."
"Yes?"
Her voice softened. "Your Quidditch training... can I come watch?"
Little Barty froze for a moment, and the tips of his ears quickly turned red.
But he soon regained his composure and put on a stern expression. "As you wish. But Slytherin's training tactics are confidential."
Lucretia smiled and raised a hand as if taking an oath. "I promise I won't tell anyone."
Little Barty nodded. "All right. Three o'clock Saturday afternoon, at the Quidditch Pitch... Dress warmly. The wind is strong in the stands."
"I will."
Lucretia nodded, already thinking about what dessert she should make.
A lemon tart?
Or lemon cookies?
Or perhaps she could look through the cookbooks Headmaster Dumbledore had given her. Maybe they contained some other lemon-flavored desserts.
The two of them headed back toward the castle together.
After walking for a while, Lucretia asked casually, "By the way, did you hear that Jasper from Gryffindor fell down the stairs?"
Little Barty remained expressionless. "I heard. Madam Pomfrey will probably be busy for a while."
Lucretia considered her words. "What a... coincidence. Right after he nearly ran into Emma."
"Hogwarts' staircases have always had a strong sense of justice, haven't they?"
Little Barty asked it back to her, using the exact words she had said to James.
Lucretia looked at him in surprise. "How did you know I...?"
Little Barty spoke lightly, though there was amusement in his eyes. "Potter's mouth is big enough to fit a Golden Snitch. The entire Gryffindor Common Room heard how you answered him."
Lucretia's face grew slightly warm. "I only..."
Little Barty finished for her, "Were very clever. You made your position clear without saying too much."
They reached the castle entrance.
Little Barty suddenly asked, "Want to see the kitchens?"
"The kitchens?"
Lucretia repeated, though her mother had told her where they were before she came, she had not visited them yet.
Little Barty turned toward the stairs. "Come with me. If you intend to keep up the tradition of making snacks for Regulus and me, you should at least know where to find tools and ingredients at Hogwarts. You want to, don't you?"
Lucretia followed him, warmth stirring faintly in her heart.
They went down several flights of stairs and stopped before a painting of a bowl of fruit.
Little Barty reached out and tickled the pear in the painting. It giggled and turned into a doorknob.
He pushed the door open. "Come in. One of Hogwarts' treasures."
The kitchen was bustling, with dozens of House-elves preparing dinner.
When they saw students entering, the House-elves swarmed over, eagerly asking what they needed.
Little Barty looked at Lucretia and said calmly, "Perhaps you'll want to borrow an oven when the time comes?"
A House-elf wearing a neat tea towel bowed. "Hello, Miss, sir. I am Wibby, the kitchen supervisor. What can I do for you?"
Lucretia smiled at the House-elf, then looked at Little Barty.
He gave a small nod, encouraging her to make her request.
"I'd like to make some snacks for my friends on Saturday. May I borrow the kitchen?"
Wibby's large eyes lit up. "Of course, Miss! Hogwarts' kitchens always welcome students who love cooking! We can prepare every ingredient you need, or help you..."
"She wants to make them herself. She only needs the space and ingredients."
Wibby nodded. "Understood. What time on Saturday, sir, Miss?"
Lucretia asked, "Would around noon be all right?"
Wibby said excitedly, "Perfect, Miss! We'll make sure everything is ready."
As they left the kitchen, Lucretia tugged on his sleeve. "Did you already guess that I wanted to make snacks for you two, so you deliberately brought me to the kitchen?"
The corner of Little Barty's mouth lifted, and he gave a soft snort in reply.
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