For Christmas this year, Lys Black finally decided to move on from gifting cookies. Instead, she used the money earned from selling snake molts on Hogsmeade Day to purchase several interesting and visually appealing badges.
Using magic and alchemy, she fixed small enchantments onto the badges, which could be activated without the need for a wand. The effects varied, ranging from cooling to automatic timekeeping, and even the ability to store a few coins or candies. Each badge was unique, and Lys engraved multiple Shield Charms on them, capable of resisting four or five of her minor hexes.
Originally, Lys intended to design the badges so that the Shield Charms could be replenished rather than breaking after use. However, despite her efforts and experiments, she couldn't succeed in time and had to settle for this version.
During the Christmas banquet, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor wore the badge shaped like a curled-up armadillo. Sitting at the faculty table, he nodded to Lys in acknowledgment. For once, he wasn't drenched in sweat.
The professor, who came from a minor noble family, could afford alchemical items but rarely received such thoughtful and fitting gifts. As a former handsome man, he appreciated not looking so disheveled every day. He truly loved the gift.
Lys returned a slight nod and skillfully used a Severing Charm to grab a turkey leg, followed by a serving of ribs, before leaving the banquet. There weren't many Slytherins at the Christmas feast, so leaving early spared her from the piercing gazes of other houses.
Back in her dormitory, Lys began unwrapping her Christmas presents, carefully preserving the packaging to press under her bed. The first gift was intriguing—it was from Severus Snape: a large chunk of bezoar, said to suppress and neutralize toxins according to Professor Slughorn.
Next was a book from Madam Pomfrey titled The Mysteries of Magic: How to Control Magical Power. The author, judging by the cover, was an oriental man with yellow skin. Lys flipped through it briefly: "Divide a breath into cold and hot? Four elephants with eight flags?" What nonsense was this? She placed the book on her desk, deciding to read it later.
Then came a gift from Alfira. Lys was utterly amazed when she opened it—a lunchbox encrusted with sparkling crystals, the most beautiful one she had ever seen. If they were in the same house, Lys thought, she might actually have a friend.
As for Hagrid, he gifted a bag of bird eggs for Gobble, some of which emitted magical waves. After unwrapping all the gifts, Lys organized them neatly and turned to her studies. With the holidays, it was crucial to push her progress forward.
Medical magic was something she needed to master as soon as possible. Now in her fourth year, Lys realized that after graduation, she wouldn't have access to the convenient resources available at Hogwarts. The restricted section's books and Madam Pomfrey's guidance were treasures she wouldn't find elsewhere.
Lying in bed with the blanket pulled up to her chin, clutching Gobble, Lys began pondering Thomas's matter again... Should she, like her classmates, declare allegiance to the Dark Lord after graduation?
Lys, being young and inexperienced, couldn't discern whether there were deeper hidden currents beneath the surface of pureblood glory. She didn't particularly like cunning individuals like Regulus. She had heard later that the Thomas family had conflicts with the Black family... Was she being... used? Yes, that was the word.
"Ugh," Lys scratched her head in frustration and burrowed under the blanket. She decided to see what her mother had to say about it... It was still far away; for now, she needed to focus on solving her academic challenges.
A few days later, Hagrid sent a note via a Ravenclaw student: "I think I need your help."
After class, Lys carried Gobble to Hagrid's hut. Hagrid boiled water and served Lys a large bucket of tea to warm her up.
"Oh, Lys, you always wear so little. You should dress more warmly! Hmm... let me think..." Hagrid rummaged through a large box beside his bed and pulled out a big black blanket, comparing it against Lys. "Hmm, it's a bit long, but that's okay. You'll grow taller."
It was a finely furred hide, seemingly stitched together from many small pieces, yet no seams were visible from the inside.
"I originally planned to make a jacket for myself, but I miscalculated my size—I didn't realize my belly was so big. It can't be altered anymore. You can add two badges at the front and turn it into a cloak."
Hagrid took a large gulp of tea so strong it was bitter, seemingly scalding his tongue. His hand trembled, tossing the hide, which landed squarely on Lys's head before she could dodge.
As the hide slid off, it left Lys's hair and cloak in disarray. Hagrid reached out with his large hand to fix her hair but nearly pulled her head off instead. Lys quickly dodged and asked, "You mentioned needing my help—what do you need me to do?"
She casually placed the large fur bundle on the sofa and tidied her hair.
"Well, it's about a friend," Hagrid's eyes darted around nervously. "Just a regular friend. His pet is injured, and I thought you might be able to help..."
Lys, eager to test her medical magic, didn't probe further into the "regular friend" matter.
"Right now?" She was excited! Seeing Hagrid nod, she quickly responded, "Perfect! I don't have class this afternoon. After treating it, I can head straight to Astronomy class."
Standing in the Forbidden Forest, Lys clutched her wand and glared at Hagrid. Hagrid nervously avoided her gaze, looking at the trees and birds instead.
"This is a pet?! This is a Class 5X creature prohibited for individual ownership! Do you—or your friend—have the necessary permits?!"
The "pet" was a manticore! If it weren't injured and unable to stand, Lys would have to wonder if she was small enough to fit in its mouth for a single bite.
Even lying down, it was as tall as Lys!
Patting Gobble's alert head, Lys tried several simple diagnostic spells, none of which worked. But this was expected—highly magical creatures rejected all foreign magic indiscriminately.
Hagrid explained that he had found it injured and possibly about to be slaughtered by its owner for magical materials. Unable to bear it, he traded other materials to save it. Even if it couldn't be healed, he wanted to ease its pain.
Watching Hagrid sob into his beard, Lys transfigured a handkerchief for him. There was no sign of "it's okay" in this situation.
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