Loaner Pet, Bookstore Encounter with Granger

[Loan: Qilin (Annual Loan)]

[Repayment Deadline: 365 days]

[Loan Content: Obtain one Qilin]

[Loan Mission: Brew one potion using the Philosopher's Stone]

[Evaluation: The Qilin, an auspicious beast of Eastern legend, warding off evil and misfortune, breathing fire and treading on clouds, breaking through spatial restraints and forbidden spells.]

[Note: In the current world, one chosen by a Qilin is regarded as a natural-born leader]

A Qilin was a divine-beast-level creature.

Having a pet like that had to be better than some round-faced fat chicken or toad.

The mission was to use the Philosopher's Stone to brew a potion, but it didn't specify what kind of potion.

Mm. In his first year at Hogwarts, he would have a chance to come into contact with the Philosopher's Stone.

In any case, as long as he kept an eye on that kid Harry Potter, finding the Philosopher's Stone wouldn't be a problem.

He remembered that Dumbledore was fond of that prophecy business. He must have already arranged for Harry to obtain the Philosopher's Stone.

Could he think of a way to get it in advance? After all, he would need to research how to use the Philosopher's Stone to brew potions.

[May I ask whether you wish to take out the loan?]

"Borrow."

Lucien chose to accept it at once.

It was also an annual loan, but he felt this mission was much simpler than perfectly mastering Transfiguration.

First, it was because he knew the route to obtaining the Philosopher's Stone, which already solved the greatest difficulty of the mission.

Second, the mission didn't require him to brew any specific potion.

In other words, even using the Philosopher's Stone to brew a potion for curing a cold would do.

Still, doing that would be a bit of a waste. Mm, he would make a simple potion first as insurance and repay the loan before anything else.

If the conditions were sufficient, he would then try brewing some higher-end potions.

The Philosopher's Stone could turn stone into gold and grant immortality. He wondered if it could be used to brew related potions...

Seeing that Lucien still hadn't chosen a pet after so long, Professor McGonagall asked, "Is there nothing you want?"

Lucien nodded. There really were no pets here that caught his eye, and besides, now he had a divine beast, the Qilin.

"Then you can choose not to buy one for now. Not every young wizard has a pet in their first year."

"Now let's go to the final stop—the one you've been looking forward to, Flourish and Blotts."

At Professor McGonagall's words, Lucien's eyes lit up.

Flourish and Blotts was a famous bookstore in the wizarding world, selling a large number of magical books.

"All right, Professor."

Inside Flourish and Blotts.

Lucien moved between rows of bookshelves, pulling out a book from time to time and stuffing it into his arms.

"A Basic Introduction to Transfiguration. I have to get it!"

"First Identifying Potions. I'll need this. Buy!"

"An Encyclopedia of Beginner Charms. Instant buy!"

"...Buy them. Buy them all!"

Seeing the pile of books in Lucien's arms rapidly grow taller, Professor McGonagall opened her mouth, wanting to remind him that newly enrolled young wizards generally didn't need to buy this many books.

For one thing, even the amount of elementary magical knowledge was truly not small, enough for young wizards to study for a year or even two.

For another, young wizards of this age were often rather playful. Being able to persist through ten pages of a book already counted as having willpower, and books they bought usually just piled up and gathered dust.

But when she thought of Lucien's extraordinary talent, McGonagall also felt that he really might be able to digest these books quickly.

"Lucien looks like a good child who loves studying. He'll definitely read seriously."

Professor McGonagall glanced again at the money pouch at Lucien's waist. It was bulging.

"In any case, he's not short of money."

The stack of books had grown too tall, so Lucien had no choice but to tilt his head and look toward the shelves.

Guide to Raising Magical Creatures?

Perfect. I have a Qilin to raise, so I need to learn the relevant knowledge.

There was only one copy left. Buy!

Lucien reached out and had just grabbed the book.

The other side of the book was pinched by a small hand.

"Ahem, I got this book first. Could you let go, please?"

A childish yet somewhat overbearing voice sounded beside Lucien.

Heh, a little polite—but only a little.

Let me see who's trying to snatch Master Lucien's book.

Lucien turned his head to look.

The owner of the voice was a little girl with pale skin and thick brown hair.

She had a pair of brown eyes as well, but the most noticeable thing about her was that pair of large front teeth, making her look just like a little rabbit.

There was also a stack of books piled in her arms, though it was not as tall as the one in Lucien's.

"Hello, miss. May I ask who you are?"

Lucien gave a polite smile. It was the etiquette of his upbringing.

But the hand gripping the book did not loosen in the slightest.

Looking at Lucien's handsome smiling face, and at those deep, dark green eyes that seemed like a pool of water capable of drawing in one's soul...

The little girl blushed slightly, but still raised her head. Her tone, however, softened a little.

"Hermione. Hermione Granger."

Who?

Lucien froze for a moment.

Of course he knew the name Hermione. She was the big sister of the main trio.

He had already run into someone from the protagonist gang. That was fast enough.

But I remember Hermione being a delicate little girl like a porcelain doll. So who is this one with the little rabbit teeth?

Could it be that this world isn't based on the movie setting, but on the original novel instead?

Or is it a mix of both?

Seeing that Lucien was not speaking and was merely staring blankly at her, Hermione suddenly pressed her lips together and lowered her head unnaturally.

"Uh, sorry. Seeing you reminded me of a friend. You both have beautiful brown hair."

"My name is Lucien. Lucien Grafton."

Hearing Lucien's words, Hermione quietly let out a breath of relief.

So he wasn't looking at my front teeth. Was he complimenting my hair just now?

The fingers Hermione had pinched around the book suddenly loosened.

Lucien took the opportunity to pull away the copy of A Guide to Raising Magical Creatures.

Noticing the book in her hand moving, Hermione subconsciously tightened her grip again.

The two of them were just about to fall into a stalemate.

"Miss Granger, have you found any books you like?"

A short woman wearing a heavily patched hat walked up behind Hermione.

"Ah, Professor Sprout, I—I'm still looking."

Sprout?

Lucien looked toward the woman. She had flowing gray hair, and at this moment, she was looking kindly at the two young wizards.

"Pomona?"

Professor McGonagall also walked over at the sound and saw her colleague, Pomona Sprout.

The Head of Hufflepuff House, and the Herbology professor.

"What a coincidence, Minerva. Is this the young wizard you're guiding?"

Sprout nodded toward Lucien.

"Yes. He is Lucien Grafton."

"A very gifted young wizard."

Hearing McGonagall's introduction, Sprout was somewhat surprised.

She understood this colleague of hers, whom she had known for many years. McGonagall's teaching style was extremely stern, and she rarely praised a young wizard who had not yet enrolled so directly.

Sprout looked back at Lucien and said with a beaming smile, "I can tell. He must be a good child who loves reading."

Seeing Lucien holding so many books in his arms, Sprout kindly added a reminder.

"First-year young wizards actually don't need to buy this many."

"You should leave yourself some pocket money too."

Lucien didn't react much when he heard that. After all, his purse was heavy.

Hermione, on the other hand, stiffened, and the hand that had been holding Fantastic Beasts Husbandry Guide drew back a little.

She had already spent quite a few of the Galleons she had exchanged, and her family was not so extravagant that they could trade gold for even more Galleons.

Seeing this, Lucien simply pulled the book away and piled it into his arms.

In the face of knowledge, what was the point of modesty?

What girl could be more appealing than knowledge?