Grafton Manor.
"Hmm.."
Lucien rechecked the first drafts of two Transfiguration essays:
"Transfiguration Superposition: On the Construction and Maintenance of Composite Biological Structures" and "Research on Transfiguration Based on Magical Circuit Theory."
He then made three copies of each, intending to send one to Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. He had been corresponding with them about this throughout the summer.
The remaining copy was for his teacher, Nicolas Flamel. Knowing that Lucien was preparing the essays, Nicolas had mentioned wanting a copy once they were finished, and Lucien certainly would not forget.
During this time, he had mostly stayed at home.
In the middle of it, as agreed, he went with Malfoy to the Malfoy family's dragon reserve. Unfortunately, there were too few Norwegian Ridgebacks there.
He let Norbert out in the dead of night to spar with the few members of its kind. The fight was quickly resolved, and Lucien also provided them with healing and food as compensation. Coupled with his deliberate use of magic to conceal the activity, the entire process did not attract anyone else's attention.
Whether it was the uniqueness brought by hatching dragon eggs with the Qilin Lumen or the foundation laid by the Bone and Blood Cleansing Fluid, Norbert's growth rate and strength surprised Lucien.
In addition, a few days ago, Lucien celebrated his twelfth birthday and held a birthday party.
Friends from both the Muggle and wizarding worlds were invited, and he received many birthday gifts.
The rest of Lucien's time was spent diligently completing his Transfiguration essays.
According to letters from Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall, the review results would be announced within about six months and were highly likely to be published directly in the authoritative journal Transfiguration Today.
Lucien's fingertips tapped lightly on the desk, his thoughts already drifting to more distant matters.
The publication of the essays would be a cornerstone of his reputation.
Since the System required him to sell alchemy and potion products in his own name, the inventor's reputation was just as important as the product's quality.
Fame and products were inherently complementary, mutually reinforcing tools.
Clang!
Suddenly, a crashing sound interrupted Lucien's thoughts.
Without even looking, Lucien knew what had happened. He pulled out his wand, and with a flick, the window opened.
Lucien was not worried about the Trace being triggered or the Ministry of Magic appearing at his door for using his wand outside school during the holidays.
He had previously learned a simple ancient magic from Nicolas that could easily block the Trace's detection.
Lucien levitated the owl that had fainted outside the window and set it down on the desk.
Seeing the dusty, sickly owl lying unconscious, Lucien shook his head helplessly.
This was the Weasley family's owl, Errol, an old and somewhat muddled owl.
When delivering letters to Lucien, eight out of ten times it would crash into the window, and the other two times it would hit a wall.
He cast a Healing Charm followed by a Reviving Charm on Errol.
Thanks to the unicorn's blessing, Lucien's healing magic was very effective. Errol quickly recovered and woke up, handed him the letter, and then stood there blankly.
Lucien took out a can of owl treats from the drawer, but Errol only remembered to eat when Lucien fed it directly into his beak.
Heh..
Facing this seemingly senile owl, Lucien wondered whether he should develop a potion to treat animal dementia while opening the letter to read:
"Dear Young Master Lucien,
I wonder when you will grace our humble abode. We await your esteemed presence at the Burrow, Ottery St Catchpole."
Looking at the teasing tone in the letter and the small smiley face at the end, Lucien smiled, thinking it seemed to have been written by the twins.
Indeed, it was time to visit the Weasley family.
After experiencing the Knight Bus, Lucien arrived in Ottery St Catchpole, Devon.
Following the directions in the letter, Lucien quickly found his destination.
It was a very ...prominent house.
Situated beside a pond and surrounded by small patches of farmland and pasture.
The house itself looked as if it had been pieced together from several different sections, and the entire structure leaned crookedly.
Lucien estimated that without the aid of magic, the house would probably collapse.
This house, full of magical charm and a sense of life, was the residence of the Weasley family: the Burrow.
"Lucien!"
Ron, who was de-gnoming the garden, looked up and happened to see Lucien, greeting him with surprise.
After spinning the gnome in his hand—which repeatedly shouted "Let me go! Let me go!"—and throwing it out of the garden, Ron vaulted over the fence and ran over.
Just as he was about to give Lucien a hug, Ron remembered that he was still covered in mud from working, and his arms awkwardly stopped in midair.
But Lucien did not mind and gently hugged Ron first.
"Long time no see."
This also eased Ron's tension. To be honest, attending Lucien's birthday party last time had greatly shocked him.
He had vaguely guessed that Lucien's family background was impressive, but he had not expected it to be impressive to that extent.
Ron had been a little worried that Lucien might feel disgusted after coming to their house, given such a huge disparity.
But Lucien's demeanor immediately put him at ease. Thinking about it, Lucien had been very approachable throughout their daily interactions during the entire previous year.
Well, except during tutoring sessions.
"Oh, if it isn't Young Master Lucien. Welcome!"
Hearing Ron's shout just now, Fred and George, who had been working on the other side of the garden, walked over with smiles, greeting Lucien playfully.
"Fred, George.. Stop calling me that!"
"Um.. Hello, Lucien."
Ginny also walked over, the young girl appearing much more demure.
However, her gaze kept darting toward Lucien's pocket, as if expecting a fluffy, platinum-blonde little head to peek out and greet her.
________
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