One More Private Student

"Just like that... hold it..."

The magical flow suddenly found its balance, the three forces coexisting in harmony like a perfect chord.

A warm flash of light burst forth, too bright for them to keep their eyes open.

When their vision returned, an Oval Amulet lay quietly on the workbench.

Its edges were smooth silver, reflecting the room's candlelight, while the center retained the pattern of oak leaves. Dark green veins were faintly visible, flickering slightly as the light changed.

None of the three dared speak, afraid of breaking the wonder of the moment.

Lucretia gently exhaled the breath she had been holding.

Regulus's voice was full of disbelief. "We did it? We actually succeeded."

Little Barty said nothing, but Lucretia noticed the satisfaction in his eyes.

Regulus picked up the amulet and examined it closely. "And it exceeded expectations. The edges are sturdy, and the center is brimming with vitality."

Little Barty waved his wand and summoned a small Training Dummy from the testing area.

The dummy was holding a miniature wand as well.

Little Barty explained to Lucretia, "It's used for standard defense tests. It fires a series of mild spells, from the weakest to stronger ones."

Regulus placed the amulet on a small stand and stepped back several paces.

Little Barty tapped the dummy's wand arm with his wand. It immediately sprang to life, its wand tip glowing red.

A weak Disarming Charm flew toward the amulet.

When the red light struck it, the amulet did not rebound the spell like an ordinary protective item. Instead, it emitted a soft green glow.

The leaf-vein patterns gradually lit up, the green at its center becoming vivid as the entire amulet awoke from some dormant state.

Regulus's eyes widened. "Merlin. Did it just absorb magical energy?!"

Little Barty furrowed his brow and signaled for the dummy to cast a stronger spell.

This time, a blue Repelling Charm struck out. The amulet's green glow was stronger than before and lasted longer. The leaf portion even began to tremble faintly, as though breathing.

Lucretia stepped forward and picked up the amulet, sensing the changes within it. "It really did get stronger, like it... drew in magic."

As she held the amulet and prepared to place it back on the stand, a different sensation came from her palm.

The amulet glowed quietly in her hand, green light spreading outward from its center. It was brighter and steadier than it had been during the test.

Lucretia stopped and looked down at the amulet in her hand.

There was no sign of the glow fading. Instead, it seemed to be slowly growing stronger.

She looked up at the other two, confusion in her voice. "It... feels different."

Little Barty and Regulus both noticed it.

The amulet's light truly was gentler and more enduring than before, as though it had found some special resonance.

Little Barty reached out and took the amulet, expecting the same reaction.

The green light immediately dimmed.

He watched as the warm halo faded into a weak afterglow, with only a trace of color remaining at the center.

It was as if that vibrant state had never existed.

He turned the amulet, trying to find the right angle, but the light remained dim.

"Let Regulus try."

He handed the amulet over, his voice calm.

Regulus received it, and the reaction was the same: weak light, lacking any vitality.

When the amulet returned to Lucretia's hand, that warm green glow slowly came back, softer than it had been the first time.

Little Barty watched the process, his thumb unconsciously rubbing over the surface of his wand.

He leaned closer to inspect it. "So this kind of amulet needs time to establish a connection. The longer you hold it, the more obvious its reaction becomes."

Regulus noticed Little Barty's expression as he returned the amulet to Lucretia.

There was obvious delight in his voice. "It seems to like you especially, little sister. Even an amulet Barty painstakingly made feels closer to you."

As soon as the words fell, Little Barty stopped rubbing his wand.

"Regulus, the three of us made it together."

His voice was calm, but his eyes carried a warning.

Regulus nodded, making no effort whatsoever to hide his smile. "You're right. A masterpiece of teamwork."

Lucretia looked down at the amulet pulsing warmly in her hand. "Then who should keep it? Aren't we only giving this amulet to Headmaster Dumbledore tomorrow?"

Regulus dramatically stepped back. "Obviously the most talented person. Clearly you, little sister."

Little Barty pressed his lips together and looked away. "It reacts most strongly to you. From a practical standpoint, you carrying it is the most suitable option."

Lucretia carefully slipped the amulet into her pocket. "I'll keep it safe."

While Little Barty was putting away the tools, Regulus leaned toward him. "Don't worry. We have experience now. We can make a few more."

Little Barty began gathering the tools, his movements slower than usual. "One amulet isn't enough. We need at least three, one for each of us."

He paused, and so did his hands.

"Or four. Just in case."

Regulus was organizing the parchment when he heard that. He looked up at Little Barty, the corner of his mouth beginning to twitch.

He repeated Little Barty's words, trying to suppress his laughter. "That's right, just in case. It definitely isn't because someone wants to give someone else... several extra layers of protection, from head to toe."

Little Barty snapped the toolbox shut with a crisp click.

After completing Dumbledore's little assignment, the three sat in the rest area in the corner, drinking beverages conjured by the Room of Requirement and relaxing.

Holding a cup of strawberry juice, Lucretia suddenly sat up straight. "Barty, Brother Regulus, I was thinking... could this kind of amulet react to environmental changes like Zephyr Grass does?"

Little Barty immediately looked up. "You mean the ability to sense danger?"

His reaction was quick; he immediately recalled the abnormal behavior of the Zephyr Grass she had mentioned before.

"Yes. What if it could warn us when danger was approaching, like how Zephyr Grass turns?"

Regulus set down his drink and propped his chin on his hand. "Theoretically, it's possible. Plants can sense their environment by nature. If the transformation preserves that trait..."

Little Barty took out a sheet of parchment and began writing rapidly, marking every observation with potential improvements. "It is worth studying. Next week, we can try different active materials and see which ones are more sensitive to environmental changes. And this kind of activation—didn't Dumbledore mention that it could be reflected not only in tools, but even in spells?"

Lucretia leaned closer to look at his notes. "You write such detailed notes, just like that spell notebook you gave me before school started."

Little Barty did not look up. "It's a habit. Records help track progress and identify patterns."

Regulus glanced at the clock and realized curfew had already passed. He hurriedly got up and packed all three of their bags. "Keep the amulet with you, little sister. We can observe how it reacts in different environments. It's late. Same time next week?"

Little Barty closed his notebook. "We'll practice here once a week. First, we'll follow Dumbledore's four-week plan. Tomorrow is active material selection, and the third week is Enduring Protective Item creation."

Regulus twirled the quill in his hand and looked at the other two. "About Dumbledore's lessons... I was thinking maybe I should join as well. Since we made the amulet together, fully understanding the theory might be more helpful."

Little Barty raised a brow and turned to Lucretia. "Considering today's results, that does make sense. What do you think?"

Lucretia said softly, "I don't think Headmaster Dumbledore would mind. He mentioned that this kind of transformation is best taught among people who understand it."

Little Barty nodded. "Then it's settled. The three of us will go together tomorrow. Dividing up the practical work that way will be more efficient too."

Lucretia nodded, then hesitated. "But I'm not sure I can keep transferring this vitality with every material. What if tomorrow's lesson..."

Little Barty looked at her, his tone softening. "You'll do very well. Your talent in this is beyond question. Trust me."

Regulus watched the exchange between them, pressing his lips together to hold back a comment.

Before leaving the Room of Requirement, the three checked through the door crack several times to make sure there was no Filch or his cat in the corridor.

Regulus led the way, stopping every few steps to listen for movement in the corridor.

Little Barty rested his hand on Lucretia's shoulder. "Regulus, lead the way. That S.B. map expert of yours must have taught you quite a lot."

Regulus looked back, saw Little Barty's protective posture, and the corners of his mouth curved upward.

"But at least my brother wasn't as conspicuous as you when he snuck out at night. Let's take the hidden route."