Materials for the Sorcerer's Stone, Herbology Class

While enjoying lunch in the Great Hall, Lucien was also considering Lockhart's early retirement plans.

Lockhart is truly a good-for-nothing, a mere pretty face; he's of no real help to a young wizard's learning and development.

Unless you want to learn from him how to dress, smile and pose, write lies, or become a friend of women...

Suddenly, a timid voice beside him interrupted Lucien's thoughts:

"Hello, Harry?"

"I'm Colin Creevey, I'm also Gryffindor. Can, can I take your picture?"

Lucien saw a very thin, gray-haired boy standing behind Harry, holding a Muggle camera, looking expectant and nervous.

As the little boy Colin introduced himself, Lucien realized that the boy was also Muggle-born and wanted to take more magic-related photos to send home to his father.

However, just as Lucien felt it was none of his business and was about to get up and leave, Colin turned back to look at him, his eyes Winky:

"You must be Lucien Grafton, right? The Sorting Hat mentioned you to me. Last night, there was a pair of twin upperclassmen selling your magical inventions in the common room. They're amazing! I heard it's alchemy; it looks so magical!"

"Unfortunately, I don't have enough pocket money to buy a compass right now. Walking up those stairs before class today really made me dizzy, but thankfully, I was able to follow my roommates; some of them had already bought one..."

Hearing Colin's words, Lucien realized that the demand for those compasses and maps was indeed quite good.

Once other students have experienced the "danger" of the Hogwarts staircase, and compared to Gryffindor, whose tardiness rate has significantly decreased, the Gemini's business will be even better.

After saying that, Colin raised his camera and looked expectantly at Harry and Lucien.

"Could I take a picture for you? It would be even better if you could sign it before giving it to me!"

Lucien didn't mind and nodded in agreement to Colin's request.

Harry, perhaps because he had previously failed at Lockhart's book signing and was used to being photographed by the Daily Prophet, agreed after a slight hesitation.

Colin quickly took the picture of the two of them, then squatted down to check the shot with Harry, who was closer, while saying:

"I heard that with a special developing solution, you can make photos move. Magic is truly amazing."

"Please sign the photos for me when they're developed. It would be such a trouble for you..."

At that moment, a flippant voice drifted out:

"Potter! Looks like someone's qualified to send autographed photos now?"

Shouldn't we line up to collect them?

Harry didn't need to turn around to know who was speaking; he turned around and sure enough, he saw the cheeky Malfoy.

Harry's expression was strange in response to Malfoy's mockery. He secretly glanced at Lucien and noticed that the other man's smile was slightly amused.

Seeing that his verbal attack had not elicited the expected response, Malfoy also sensed the strange atmosphere. He subconsciously looked at Lucien with a smile.

Malfoy also noticed last semester that Lucien didn't really care about his "fight" with Harry unless they were in tutoring classes.

I was thinking of taking this opportunity to mock Harry and get back at him, but it feels so strange!

Malfoy wondered if what he had just said was correct, so why was no one paying attention to him?

Lucien looked at Malfoy and simply found the boy amusing.

Draco, the little dragon's sharp tongue is actually quite similar to Harry's. He envies Harry and is also jealous of Harry, and wants to be friends with him, but his attitude at the time was quite hostile.

It really was love at first sight.

A bad first impression can turn a friend into an enemy.

"An interesting idea came to mind," Lucien said, glancing at Colin with a light laugh.

"This is Draco Malfoy, from the Malfoy Family, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, Pure-blood wizard noble..."

"Colin, weren't you recording things related to magic? The heir to the Malfoy Family, you're representative enough, aren't you?"

While Malfoy was oblivious, Lucien winked quickly at Colin.

The boy was quick-witted and immediately understood Lucien's meaning, raising his camera to ask Malfoy:

"May I take a picture of you?"

"Hold head high?"

Malfoy seemed to be stunned by these words and didn't react at all.

To be honest, he was jealous or envious that Harry was photographed and featured in the Daily Prophet a few days ago.

A child asked him if he could take a picture.

Although he was a Gryffindor, although he seemed to be of Muggle-born, although...

But didn't Lucien say that he is the heir of the Malfoy Family, a Pure-blood nobleman, and a representative of magic?

There's no reason to refuse!

Malfoy, who had been tricked into believing he was a placenta by Lucien, suppressed his excitement and agitation, and coughed lightly.

"Ahem, Malfoy has given permission, go ahead and take the pictures."

He then stood up straight, his face resolute.

Colin also turned on his camera and started snapping pictures.

"Um, could you strike a pose?"

Upon hearing this, Malfoy hesitated for a moment, but stiffly made a star sign.

The slight redness on the back of his neck betrayed his inner embarrassment.

Lucien nodded slightly; as expected, Pure-blood nobles fell for this tactic.

The plan I devised for the Geminis is probably fine; most students don't have money, but that doesn't include these Pure-blood.

Especially those from Lightning, their wallets are all pretty fat.

However, Malfoy seems to be feeling rather depressed...

Lucien glanced at the colorful crystal ball in his pocket. In his special vision, wisps of colorful ribbons floated from Malfoy's body and entered the crystal ball.

This is a method for collecting "emotions" that Mr. Nicolas taught him.

And "emotions" are one of the materials used to refine the Sorcerer's Stone.

According to Nicolas, the most suitable and purest material for making Sorcerer's Stone is the residual soul energy left over from the death of a human.

Lucien initially thought it was a complete soul, but upon reflection, he understood. If such an evil method as using a human soul to create Sorcerer's Stone were employed, then this highest level of Alchemy should be classified as Dark Magic.

How was Nicolas able to forge so many Sorcerer's Stone?

He lived for over six hundred years, while humanity experienced countless mass deaths during that time.

War, famine, plague...

Nicolas gave Lucien an assignment: to forge a Sorcerer's Stone by hand.

If you can't find enough soul energy, then you can use the color of the soul: emotions.

mood.

Joy, anger, sorrow, happiness, grief...

They are all ripples from the fluctuations of the soul, containing tiny yet real soul energy.

It cannot compare to the energy released when a human dies, but it has the advantage of being readily available and continuously collectable.

Where people gather, there will be emotional entanglements.

Which groups experience more frequent mood swings?

Children and teenagers.

Lucien looked at the young wizards in the Great Hall. Yes, where else could there be more than in a school?

Additionally, due to the existence of magic, wizards' emotions can generate more energy compared to Muggle.

Holding the colorful crystal ball, Lucien felt that the only pity was that it had to be maintained by magic. The method taught by Teacher Nicolas was also very complicated and difficult to learn. Otherwise, if he hid some in the Muggle school, his emotions would surely rise to the sky.

Aside from nighttime sleep, when only the little wizards who stay up late or go out at night can provide emotional energy, everyone's emotions are quite rich at other times.

Of course, during class, the emotions are mainly surprise, sorrow, and fear, while during rest and weekends, it's all about joy and happiness.

In fact, after Lucien learned magical techniques for observing and capturing emotions from Nicolas, he discovered some very interesting things when he returned to Hogwarts.

It turns out that this magical castle not only absorbs the magic power dissipated by the young wizards to maintain its operation, but also collects their emotional energy.

The methods employed by the Four Founders back then... I really want to see the core structure of the castle. I wonder what the principles behind the even more ancient alchemy and magical runes were...

Such a massive magical structure, or rather, magical creation, must have one or more cores responsible for controlling the regulation of magical power and ensuring the normal operation of the whole.

Well, Dumbledore, as the headmaster, must know, but matters involving the school's secrets are not easily overlooked.

Do I have to wait until I become the principal of Grafton?

afternoon.

Outside the greenhouse.

Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff await their Herbology teacher.

Soon, Professor Sprout appeared.

He was still dressed in a down-to-earth manner, with his thick hat covered in patches and his clothes stained with mud.

Lucien noticed with his keen eye that Professor Sprout, who was usually mild-mannered and optimistic, had a stern face and seemed quite unhappy.

Shifting his gaze, Lucien immediately understood the source of Professor Sprout's distress.

Lockhart, dressed in a dazzling silver robe adorned with numerous medals of varying sizes, followed behind Sprout. The robe swayed as he walked.

Lockhart wasn't wearing a hat, letting his blond hair gleam in the sunlight.

As they drew nearer, Lucien overheard Lockhart saying something:

"Pomona, the method I used this morning wasn't very effective. I confused it with my experience Travels with Trolls. After all, having so many adventures can be a bit of a hassle."

"Ordinary spells will only enrage the Whomping Willow, but there is an extremely ancient, almost lost soothing ritual that only requires singing a beautiful fairy lullaby on a moonlit night..."

Lucien's lips twitched slightly at these words. Lockhart's method sounded like an Ancient Magic that his teacher, Nicolas, had taught him.

However, Lucien was quite certain that Lockhart was just bragging and making things up. If you really asked him how he would do it specifically, he would probably change the subject with an excuse like, "Oh, that's too complicated, too dangerous, and could lead to... well... unpredictable consequences, so it's not the time to make it public yet," and then run away.

Lockhart continued rambling on, oblivious to the rare hint of displeasure on Sprout's face.

Lockhart flashed his signature smile as his gaze shifted to the young wizards waiting for class.

"Hello everyone, I'm currently treating the Whomping Willow with Professor Sprout. Don't be curious and try to imitate it, okay? That guy is injured, but he's still not someone a junior wizard can handle. After all, he's repelled a female Troll, toyed with a troll, and fought off Werewolf..."

Some girls listened to Lockhart's words and watched his smile, and they also giggled along with him, while some boys showed longing and admiration for his adventures.

Just as Professor Sprout was about to interrupt, Lockhart, with a smug look in his eyes, suddenly spotted someone in the crowd who looked somewhat familiar.

Those dark green eyes...

Lockhart recalled the book signing a few days ago and immediately recognized the owner of those eyes—the young wizard whose looks and demeanor were no less than his own.

Wow, Lockhart didn't expect such a coincidence.

With so many people at last night's ceremony, Lockhart was enjoying the admiring gazes of the crowd and had no time to notice Lucien.

Lucien's gaze was calm at this moment, without any scrutiny or examination, but it still made Lockhart feel uneasy.

It was as if all the layers of pretense had been seen through, revealing her truest self.

"Ahem, I just remembered I have something to take care of. I won't bother you any longer, I'll be going now."

Lockhart abruptly ended the conversation, quickly left, and headed towards the castle.

For some reason, that feeling of guilt and unease slowly dissipated.

Lockhart breathed a sigh of relief, then his confidence returned.

No problem, with that magical diary as a guide, he can cause a major incident at Hogwarts and truly have a great adventure!

He'll definitely become the focus of the Wizarding World!

Thinking of his phenomenal popularity and endless praise, Lockhart's steps became lighter.

Although Lockhart's departure was abrupt, Sprout didn't mind; it was better that he was gone.

This new colleague is honest, but not very likeable.

Sprout beckoned to the children:

"Alright, let's go to the Third Greenhouse."

I only spent time in the Greenhouse One when I was in first grade, and the plants there were all safe.

The Third Greenhouse we're heading to now cultivates even more interesting plants, but it's also more dangerous.

Seeing that the young wizards were in place, Professor Sprout said:

"I'm repotting my Mandrake today. Now, can anyone tell me what the characteristics of Mandrake are?"

Since the previous lesson was taught by Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, the former being skilled in herbalism and the latter being knowledgeable and eager to learn, there was no shortage of answers:

"Mandrake, also known as Mandrake Root, has a root sap that is a powerful restorative agent used to restore Transfiguration or cursed individuals to their normal state."

Lucien was very familiar with this plant because he had a patch of it growing in his own box.

At first, I was just curious about the power of Mandrake, since a mature Mandrake can kill a person just by crying.

Later, it was used to make the antidote for the Transfiguration candy. It was fine for simple pranks, but if you turned a little wizard into an animal, you had to turn him back into an animal.

Otherwise, Hogwarts would be a place where all sorts of birds and beasts roam freely...

"Very good, Ravenclaw gets ten points."

Professor Sprout continued by asking about the dangers of Mandrake, and after receiving a correct answer, she gave Hufflepuff ten points and clapped her hands.

"Good, everyone take a pair of earmuffs first."

As soon as they finished speaking, the young wizards rushed to the stool where the earmuffs were placed.

They dared not be slow, after all, no one wanted to be slow in getting those pink earmuffs.