When Lucien said, "Then you're my friend too,"
Hagrid was incredibly moved.
Besides Harry, Lucien was the first young wizard to explicitly say that Hagrid was his friend.
"Oh, you're right, Lucien, I was being too sentimental."
"A friend shouldn't refuse a friend's kindness."
Hagrid took the potion from Lucien's hand, carefully placed it in a cabinet, and added a lock to the cabinet door.
Wow, Hagrid is truly genuine.
Seeing Hagrid value his gift so much, Lucien was actually quite happy.
"Hagrid, these potions are quite easy to make. If you find them useful, I can brew more."
Hagrid continued to smile, nodding repeatedly.
He didn't treat the potions as cheap goods just because of Lucien's words; they were a friend's gift and sincerity.
"Hagrid, I'll be direct. I actually have something I'd like to ask your help with—"
"Alright, no problem, what is it?"
Lucien hadn't even finished speaking when Hagrid readily agreed, which caught him off guard.
He had thought that with someone as straightforward as Hagrid, it would be best to communicate directly.
But why did he agree before even hearing what it was about?
Never mind, it was quite comfortable interacting with a friend like this.
"It's like this, I want to plant some things, do you think you could—"
"Alright, I'll help you dig a plot in the vegetable garden."
Before Lucien could finish, Hagrid agreed again, even offering to help dig the ground.
"What do you want to plant? Juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, or big pumpkins? You can give these to the house-elves in the kitchen, they'll make them into dishes for you. Pumpkin pasties are very..."
Hagrid talked on and on, and Lucien felt like he couldn't get a word in.
He hadn't expected the half-Giant to be such a chatterbox. Was it because he rarely interacted with people and was bursting to talk?
He just wanted to plant a few Chomping Cabbages, but somehow it turned into a comprehensive garden vegetable recipe book.
"Ahem, Hagrid, I'll consider those things you mentioned later."
"I want to plant some Chomping Cabbages. Is that convenient for you?"
"Chomping Cabbages, huh..."
Lucien's words made Hagrid stop talking. He stroked his big beard and smacked his lips.
This made Lucien uneasy. Did the half-Giant only like magical creatures and not care for magical plants, or did he think it was too dangerous for a first-year wizard to plant Chomping Cabbages, and therefore couldn't help?
Then he would have to find a way to cordon off a plot in the Forbidden Forest, which would be inconvenient to look after, and he'd also have to figure out how to deter magical creatures from stealing his crops, using potions or spells…
"That stuff is pretty tough, not very tasty."
"What?"
Hagrid's words interrupted Lucien's thoughts.
No, what did he say wasn't tasty? Chomping Cabbages?
He was planning to use it as a hidden weapon or to set traps. What kind of person would eat that stuff?
Wait, Hagrid could even chew through rock cakes that were like bricks, yet he found Chomping Cabbage tough. It must be really tough then.
In that case, using Chomping Cabbage as a weapon was no problem! Even if it didn't bite, if it hit, it would be enough to give the enemy a hard time.
Lucien told Hagrid that he was just curious about magical plants and wanted to try growing them, not to eat them.
Hagrid said that was fine, completely unconcerned about any danger for a first-year wizard planting such a thing, and promised to help Lucien look after the dangerous magical cabbages.
Finding that there was still plenty of time, Lucien, with the attitude of a dedicated teacher, taught Harry how to brew an improved Sleeping Draught.
After all, he had already traded the recipe to Snape, and it would later be incorporated into textbooks. Others would learn this basic potion sooner or later.
Indeed, as Harry wholeheartedly delved into Potions, Lucien discovered that the boy actually had quite a talent for it. Before, he simply hadn't studied properly because he disliked Snape.
"When using a Sleeping Draught, you must wear a mask for staying awake. If not, you must hold your breath. The one I taught you is more effective, and there's also the fire…"
Lucien also included a simple Spark Charm lesson, enough for lighting a fire.
Leaving Harry to practice on his own, Lucien planned to head to the vegetable garden to sow the Chomping Cabbages.
He had originally intended to trade potions for seeds with Hagrid, who happened to have some left over from previous plantings.
However, Hagrid waved his hand and simply gave them to Lucien, saying: helping a friend grow bigger cabbages required no reward.
This somewhat familiar phrase left Lucien speechless. He took the seeds and went out to plant them.
After Lucien left, Harry pleaded with Hagrid:
"Hagrid, here's the key to my vault. Could you please go to Gringotts for me and help me find the magic books inside…"
…
The next morning.
Ravenclaw first-years had no classes this morning, and many young wizards were, naturally, sleeping in.
Lucien, however, had already woken early and was studying in the library.
"Haah.."
Rubbing his slightly sore shoulders, Lucien felt a bit helpless.
Yesterday, he had originally used magic to dig holes and plant, but whether it was due to the influence of the "Diligent Little Gardener" title or not, he suddenly wanted to try digging the soil himself.
He didn't know until he tried, and when he did, he was shocked. His speed at turning the soil with a hoe was actually faster than using magic, and as soon as he picked up a farming tool, he seemed to have endless strength, plowing two extra rows in the vegetable garden.
So, the "diligent" in "Diligent Little Gardener" meant this.
Haha, with this title, farming could really make him rich.
Lucien was diligently reading, completely unaware of the girl with long, light-blonde hair sitting at a nearby table.
It was Daphne Greengrass.
As soon as she entered, she saw Lucien studying, so she found a seat not too far yet not too close, looking at the book in her hand while glancing in Lucien's direction.
However, each time, his beautiful, deep emerald eyes were fixed on the book, never once looking her way.
Remembering how Lucien had refused her invitation and walked away so casually, Daphne couldn't help but feel frustrated.
She was the young lady of the Greengrass family, receiving star treatment both at home and at school—so why wouldn't he even look at her?
"Help, help me! It's so high up here!"
A fearful shout echoed through the library.
Everyone looked up, searching for the source of the sound.
"Hmm?"
As Lucien raised his head, he saw someone hanging outside the opposite window.
A chubby, round-faced boy who looked somewhat familiar...
"..Neville?!"