Outside the Ravenclaw common room.
The twins and Lucien excitedly recounted their recent achievements, their animated gestures drawing the attention of passing students.
In just a few days, the Seventh Workshop's earnings had already surpassed all the pocket money the twins had saved over the years.
Considering their share of the profits and the agreed remuneration, George and Fred felt that opening a joke shop after graduation was no longer just a dream.
The Weasley family's finances had always been tight, and they had never considered asking their parents for support, so they had been trying to save money by any means possible.
After hearing their account, Lucien's expression turned slightly strange.
"So, the first customer for a custom map was Malfoy?"
Fred nodded. "That's right. You told us to emphasize the uniqueness and prestige of customization to those wealthy pure-bloods, and Malfoy just happened to be the first one to show up."
George added, "We reacted quickly, made up a reason on the spot, and he fell for it. I've got to say, that sales pitch really works. We'll use this method on those Slytherins from now on."
Fred grinned. "The Malfoys may be annoying, but they really do have money. Fifty Galleons, just like that."
"I told him we'd prioritize his order and make sure he'd be the first in Slytherin—no, the first in the entire school—to have a custom map, and he actually believed it."
Lucien rubbed his temples. He hadn't expected the first target to be a familiar face—Malfoy.
Still, knowing his personality, if he saw other pure-bloods commissioning custom maps, he would definitely follow suit and refuse to fall behind.
After all, nobles valued exclusivity and liked to set trends.
They wanted to stand out. If they used the same standard version as everyone else, how could they highlight their uniqueness?
"Alright, what were Malfoy's requirements? Family crest, personal seal?"
At Lucien's question, George pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over.
"It's all written there."
Lucien unfolded it. As expected, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
It read:
"Engrave Malfoy family crest: (as shown below);
Engrave Slytherin house crest: (as shown below);
Exclusively owned by Draco Malfoy;
VIP Map No.1…"
Very Malfoy indeed.
Lucien folded the paper and slipped it into his pocket.
"Got it. I'll make it first. If you're free this weekend, would you like to come learn how to make basic compass maps from me?"
The twins had not yet mastered the production of those items, and custom maps were even more complicated. At the moment, only Lucien could make them.
After all, customization was mainly about uniqueness, but the materials used were indeed of higher quality, and the functions were more comprehensive.
"Oh, and I'm returning this to you. I've already analyzed it."
Seeing that no one was passing by, Lucien handed the twins a blank piece of parchment.
Fred took it, tapped it with his wand, and said,
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
At once, lines of ink appeared on the parchment, spreading and connecting, and within moments, a map of Hogwarts formed.
This was the Marauder's Map.
It had been created by the four Marauders, including Harry's father.
It was an extraordinary magical item. Not only could it show the location of everyone within Hogwarts, it could also reveal how to access hidden passages.
From this map, Lucien could also see just how remarkable the four had been. The way they had fixed and maintained multiple spells, combined with Alchemy, was truly outstanding for their age.
James and Sirius came from pure-blood families, were well-educated, and exceptionally talented.
Lupin was calm and capable, highly skilled in Defence Against the Dark Arts, and knowledgeable about dark creatures.
As for Peter Pettigrew… well, he was an Animagus.
In fact, it was precisely because all four of them were Animagi, especially Peter, who could turn into a rat, that they had been able to explore every corner of Hogwarts and uncover so many hidden passages.
Before making the compass maps, Lucien had shared his ideas with the twins, as well as his limited familiarity with Hogwarts' layout.
Just as he had expected, the twins had produced the Marauder's Map, this invaluable item.
With it as a reference, Lucien saved a great deal of effort and was able to create the compass maps before the school term began.
During this period of analysis, Lucien had also grasped the principles behind the Marauder's Map.
Fred tucked the map away and chuckled.
"We found it in Filch's drawer. Something this good was just left there collecting dust!"
George spread his hands.
"What else could he do? Filch can't use magic. Oh, speaking of which, I also saw a 'Kwikspell Correspondence Course for Beginners' back then…"
He lowered his voice before continuing.
"Filch must be a Squib. Lucien, do you know what that is?"
Lucien nodded. A Squib was someone born into a wizarding family but unable to use magic.
Although it was like the reverse of a wizard born to Muggles, Squibs were even rarer.
Yet they could perceive things Muggles could not, sense the existence of magic, but never truly wield it.
That made it even more painful than being a Muggle. They had seen the beauty of magic, but could never possess it.
Most Squibs could only live ordinary, often difficult lives.
Lucien had observed Filch with the Eye of Peering Magic and discovered that there was indeed a magical circuit within him, along with a small amount of magic, though extremely faint.
However, many of the circuit's nodes were blocked, or too thin for magic to pass through.
That magic was consumed within the circuit before it could resonate with a wand.
Lucien had once considered creating special alchemical tools to directly extract and use a Squib's magic to cast spells. Of course, such magic would be very simple, almost like tricks.
But the target group was too small, and their purchasing power was limited.
Squibs were rare to begin with, and those like Filch who had stable work were even fewer.
Pursuing such a project would be closer to charity.
After chatting a bit longer with the twins, Lucien returned to his dormitory to continue his work.
…
Breakfast time.
Great Hall.
Ron complained bitterly,
"Lucien, haven't you had Lockhart's Defence Against the Dark Arts class yet? If not, don't expect anything. I think he's even worse than Quirrell last year!"
"At least last term, we didn't have a bunch of Cornish pixies tearing at our robes. And I even saw one snatch Lockhart's wand. Is this professor… not very reliable either?"
Harry, clearly traumatized by Defence Against the Dark Arts professors, swallowed his pumpkin juice, nodded in agreement, and continued,
"Lockhart's stories are interesting and exciting, but he himself is really…"
"In the end, it was the three of us who had to deal with the pixies. If it weren't for the magic you taught us, Lucien, it would have been really troublesome."
Hermione had wanted to say that perhaps it had been a practical learning opportunity given by Lockhart, but Lucien had already smiled and said,
"What, are you hoping for a different Defence Against the Dark Arts professor?"
Hmm, it was time to observe Lockhart's progress, and the diary's as well.
________
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