After all that preparation, it had really come down to a single cut.
Just as all that preparatory work was often only for that final shudder.
Su Er wearily put away his tools, carefully took off his gloves, then removed his mask and threw them into the flames together, letting them burn to ashes.
This work was too difficult, mainly because it was so tiring on the eyes.
"Mission accomplished," Su Er told Ron solemnly.
Ron seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "That's all it takes?"
"Yes, barring any surprises. Actually, this thing might be why Scabbers has been growing thinner these past few days." Su Er pointed to a barely perceptible bit of black matter beneath Scabbers.
"It usually secretes a substance in spring that can cause various symptoms in pets." As Su Er explained, he handed Ron another bottle of green potion. It contained concentrated dittany extract.
"Put a drop of this on Scabbers, and the wound will heal right away."
"All right!" Ron nodded and carefully carried out the procedure. Then Su Er canceled the Transfiguration, and Scabbers's four limbs immediately flopped down limply.
"You can put him in your pocket now. The Draught of Living Death will keep him asleep until tomorrow afternoon. You'd better find a cage to keep him in, then put some food inside. Pets generally have a brief adjustment period after this kind of surgery, during which they jump about or squeal for no reason."
"Don't worry. That's a good sign, caused by excessive excitement. You'd better stay away during that time so Scabbers doesn't bite you. Just leave him alone for a while, and he'll be fine."
"All right." Ron carefully committed Su Er's instructions to memory and gently placed Scabbers in his pocket. Then he curiously asked Su Er