The Daily Prophet's Speculation

Eleven-year-olds did not have any real conflicts between them. That was something Luan had long known as common sense.

Of course, that excluded people who deliberately picked fights.

Like Malfoy.

Over the past two days, they inevitably ran into Slytherin students during class or meals. What everyone cared about most was Harry and the scar on his forehead.

Luan also felt that there was no bad blood between himself and Malfoy, yet the other boy seemed extremely interested in him.

"My father said he paid entirely in Muggle coins."

"And everything he bought was secondhand."

At breakfast that morning, Malfoy was once again telling Goyle and Crabbe the latest tidbits delivered by owl, while the three of them kept pointing in Luan's direction.

"Wow! The Daily Prophet says the person who changed Gringotts' rules is very likely an accomplice of the Dark Wizard who committed the theft!"

At the Gryffindor table, Lee Jordan explained the day's major news from the newspaper every morning, claiming it was good practice for his commentary skills.

His good friends George and Fred always chimed in, acting out the stories with all sorts of ridiculous gestures.

Their perfectly coordinated horseplay had become a free comic performance Luan enjoyed every morning at breakfast.

"Harry, so you're an accomplice to a thief!" Fred said jokingly as he came over and threw an arm around Harry's shoulders.

"I told you, it wasn't me."

"Don't believe them! They're always teasing me, just like they tease Harry."

Seeing Luan's surprised expression, Ron, who sat beside him, shrugged and explained.

But Ron's words did not help much. Luan's expression only became stranger.

Their first class that morning was Transfiguration. After mastering every syllable of the Match-to-Needle Spell, Luan completed the spell successfully on his first try.

Hermione, who sat beside him, stared intently at the gleaming silver needle, her eyes filled with a stubborn refusal to be outdone.

By the end of class, seven or eight students had already mastered the spell.

Professor McGonagall specifically assigned fifteen inches of parchment for homework afterward, saying it would help them master basic Transfiguration more quickly.

It was also the first time Luan had heard of homework measured by length.

After class, Professor McGonagall called Luan to her office. Along the way, his classmates all looked at him with helpless sympathy, while Hermione actually seemed faintly envious.

The moment he entered the office, Luan spotted the newspaper on the desk. It was the very issue Lee Jordan had mentioned at breakfast.

"Mr. Scarlett, I believe you've heard the recent rumors concerning Gringotts Wizarding Bank."

Noticing Luan's gaze, McGonagall asked directly without concealing anything.

"Yes. The thief and the person who changed the rules—I just heard about them this morning."

Luan answered cautiously. He knew the latter person mentioned in the newspaper was probably him, but he had no idea Gringotts would change its Galleons exchange rules over such a trivial matter.

"Professor, but I don't know that Dark Wizard who committed the theft at all."

As he spoke, Luan inwardly grumbled that the Goblins at Gringotts were really stingy.

Luan quickly explained himself to McGonagall. He did not want the school to punish him over this matter.

"Of course. The moment I saw the reporter's byline, I knew not a single word in it could be trusted."

At Professor McGonagall's words, Luan's eyes drifted to the end of the article.

Rita Skeeter.

That was the reporter's name.

"Rest assured, Mr. Scarlett. This report, which strays from the facts, will not affect your studies at Hogwarts. I called you here only to ask whether you would be willing to accept an exclusive interview with The Daily Prophet."

"An exclusive interview? With this Rita Skeeter?"

Luan was somewhat surprised. He had never imagined a reporter would take notice of him over such a small matter.

"That's right. Rita Skeeter wrote to Dumbledore, saying she wanted to turn the Gringotts matter into a series of reports."

"May I refuse, Professor?"

Hearing Luan's answer, McGonagall's stern expression faded, replaced by a smile.

"Of course. Dumbledore does not recommend that she come to the school either, but he still insisted that I ask for your opinion first."

Luan did not know what that mysterious Headmaster Dumbledore was thinking, but in any case, he greatly disliked this reporter who relied entirely on speculation.

More importantly, Luan felt that an exclusive interview would likely interfere with his studies.

Looking at Harry after becoming famous, Luan could guess what sort of treatment he would receive after accepting an interview.

In his view, it was best for everything to remain as it was. Only then could he study magic in peace.

"All right, Mr. Scarlett. I'll write back to the newspaper, but you should be careful as well. Since Rita Skeeter was able to find out about you, others will notice you too."

"Don't worry, Professor. None of this can stop me from studying magic."

Hearing Luan's childlike declaration, McGonagall smiled, a rare sight.

"Of course I believe you. Oh, right." After speaking, Professor McGonagall looked at Luan curiously.

"Pomona told me you wanted to go into the Forbidden Forest to collect magical saplings that could be used for Wand Making. Is that true?"

"Yes, Professor."

Luan honestly told McGonagall about his desire to study magical plants, repeatedly assuring her that he would never venture deep into the Forbidden Forest.

"All right. I'll write to Hagrid. Without his help, you might very well lose your way in the Forbidden Forest."

Having received Professor McGonagall's permission, Luan left the office happily.

The first difficulty in Wand Making had now been resolved. As long as he could identify which plants possessed magical traits, he would be able to find the same plants when he returned to Xilin.

That afternoon, they had Charms Class. Having mastered the syllables of the Lumos Charm, Luan successfully cast the spell on his first attempt as well.

Moreover, the duration of his wand's light was already beginning to catch up with Hermione's, filling his desk mate with a sense of urgency.

After leaving the library that evening, Hermione quickened her pace and caught up with Luan.

"Why are you so focused on Wand Making? We won't use that knowledge in class or on exams."

In the library just now, both Luan and Hermione had first finished the homework Professor McGonagall assigned before reading the books they had borrowed.

However, Luan was still reading Wandmaking and Maintenance, and he was taking it extremely seriously.

Hermione did not think Luan was doing this to form a better connection with his wand, because his performance in Transfiguration and Charms Class that day did not look like someone incapable of controlling his own wand.

For the first time, Luan felt that he should not get too close to smart people.

Hermione's insight was far too sharp, making it difficult for him, already burdened with secrets, to hide himself properly.

"Of course. I simply like this kind of magic."

Luan gave the one reason that was least likely to be refuted.

"But plants used for Wand Making take several years to grow. You might have already left Hogwarts before the tree has even matured."

Luan had actually considered Hermione's question already. But since Professor Sprout believed this was the most direct way to discover magical plants, she surely would not make him spend too long on it.

Especially since Professor Sprout had also promised there would be a mysterious reward.

That only strengthened Luan's determination to grow a magical plant himself.

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