Professor Shafiq's Stubborn Retirement

In the corridor, before Lucien could ask, Harry had already begun to explain:

"I've recently become interested in potions related to dental treatments and want to research them. Lucien, do you have any books you could recommend?"

Lucien was slightly taken aback.

Potions related to dental treatment?

After thinking for a moment, I took out the pen and paper I always carried with me from my pocket and quickly wrote down a list of books.

The chapter on regeneration potions in "Advanced Potion-Making", "Guide to Magical Dental Care", "Common Oral Spells"...

After finishing writing, Lucien tore off the page and handed it to Harry.

As he handed it over, Lucien suddenly felt that the scene was somewhat familiar—just like when the principal and professors recommended reading lists to him.

A slight smile played on his lips as he added:

"For questions about potion-making, or the magic to heal teeth, you could ask Professor Snape..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lucien noticed that Harry's expression visibly stiffened.

He paused, then slowly added:

"Or you could try consulting Madam Pomfrey. The Hogwarts Hospital Wing should be very skilled at treating dental problems."

Harry scratched his perpetually spiky black hair, lost in thought:

"Speaking of which, when I accompanied Ron to the Hospital Wing last time, Madam Pomfrey seemed to have said something similar. She said that in the Britain wizarding world, Hogwarts was the best place to treat dental problems."

Harry frowned, looking puzzled.

But why?

Lucien thought to himself, "It's probably all thanks to that old bee."

However, it was definitely not easy to say this aloud; he simply said vaguely:

"Perhaps... I've accumulated quite a bit of experience."

Harry nodded, seemingly accepting the explanation, and lowered his head to study the book list in his hands.

Lucien withdrew his gaze, his thoughts drifting elsewhere.

The hair-growth potion that Riemann had mentioned before, and now Harry's question about the teeth-growth potion, reminded him of something once again—

The loan task for the Emerald Tablet Fragment requires selling alchemical products or potions.

Because his alchemical talent had improved even more, and with the guidance of his teacher Nicolas, he had focused almost entirely on Alchemy for the past six months, and hadn't devoted much attention to potions.

Anyway, the loan target is almost complete now, all that's left is to wait for Instant Whisper to be optimized and popularized.

The process proceeded smoothly – the judges from the exchange competition kept in touch with him afterward, indicating that they were in talks with their respective countries' Ministry of Magic.

There is plenty of time.

Developing some new potions to refresh my mind is a way to "relax."

There's some progress on the beauty-related potions; during the process of transforming the Fountain of Fair Fortune, I've accumulated quite a bit of inspiration and ideas.

If we organize these ideas, we might come up with something interesting.

As for magic potions like those for hair growth...

Even though I don't need it myself, I can still study it.

Consider it a benefit to the vast majority of male compatriots.

Outside the castle.

Professor Shafiq, now dressed in his everyday clothes, was strolling slowly along the gravel path leading to the meadow.

Her black curly hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and she looked listless, as if she had just experienced a crushing defeat.

That is indeed the case.

Her plan to request an extra vacation with Dumbledore failed.

The reason is quite valid—if she takes a vacation, who will teach those students?

For the past few days, Headmaster Dumbledore has been personally teaching, but it seems he has some things to attend to later and may not be available.

Shafiq sighed.

She owed Dumbledore favor, which is why she agreed to teach alchemy at Hogwarts.

Otherwise, given her personality, she should be staying at home.

Despite his young age, Shafiq is already eager to retire!

As he walked, Shafiq suddenly noticed a group of young wizards gathered by the roadside.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a fountain.

The fountain was surrounded by students, some queuing to get water, others standing in twos and threes chatting nearby.

The spring water shimmered with a delicate, magical light, making it exceptionally pleasing to the eye.

Shafiq blinked.

This fountain... although it looks different, from an alchemical perspective, it's somewhat similar to the Fountain of Fair Fortune in Beauxbatons.

She leaned closer to observe for a while, and her expression gradually became strange.

It's not just somewhat similar, it's extremely similar!

As an alchemy professor, Shafiq is somewhat unique; she rarely stays at the school except on the days she teaches alchemy to upperclassmen.

So this was the first time she had seen the fountain at Hogwarts, and she hadn't heard any students mention it before.

"What a coincidence, Angela, you're here to see this fountain too?"

A familiar, high-pitched voice sounded from behind.

Shafiq turned around and saw the short Professor Flitwick walking towards her with a smile.

"Filius," Shafiq greeted, then pointed to the fountain and asked, "What is this fountain?"

Flitwick walked up to her, puffed out his chest, and spoke with undisguised pride:

"This was built by Lucien; he finished it the day after you returned from Beauxbatons."

Shafiq's eyes widened slightly.

This magical fountain is undoubtedly a product of Alchemy; the array of runes and the structural design all reveal the ingenuity and rigor of alchemy.

However, a closer look reveals that it also employs a considerable number of Transfiguration techniques and even involves some principles of Potions.

The Transfiguration feature, in particular, gives this fountain the ability to truly "make people beautiful"...

Shafiq sighed softly, "A different approach. That child is truly a prodigy."

Hearing his colleague's praise of Lucien, Flitwick's smile deepened, his eyes narrowed into slits, and his beard trembled with laughter.

"Heh, Ravenclaw is fortunate to have a young wizard like Lucien."

Actually, he wouldn't normally say things like this to McGonagall, Snape, and Sprout —after all, they are all Headmasters, and saying too much would sound like showing off.

But when chatting with a professor like Shafiq, who doesn't distinguish between academies, Flitwick can "show off" his students a little.

Flitwick said with a chuckle,

"In all my years of teaching, I've never seen a student like him before."

Shafiq nodded, but his gaze remained fixed on the fountain.

As she looked at it, a strange look suddenly appeared in her eyes.

A thought popped into my head:

I wish Lucien were a few years older.

That way, the child can cover for you in Alchemy Class.

This seems to be called... Teaching Assistant, yes, Teaching Assistant!

Shafiq thought the idea was pretty good; once Lucien graduated, she could quit.

As long as alchemy classes are still being held, Dumbledore won't say anything more.

Moreover, with that child's alchemy skills, he'd be more than qualified to be a professor.

Shafiq withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Flitwick.

"Filius," she said with a hint of inquiry, "You're the headmaster of Lucien. Um, do you know if that child has any plans to become a teacher?"