In the Potions classroom, Leo was playing with an uneven sphere. As gears turned, the slots and metal columns on the sphere's surface moved rhythmically.
He simultaneously made fine adjustments to the internal components with his wand. This was a simplified puppet core he'd made last night, which could serve as a power source for magical puppets or mechanical creations.
Because it was simple, the power it could provide was also limited—at most it could drive a mechanical animal the size of a cat or dog. But it was enough. He only needed to create an alchemical mechanical animal—size and function weren't requirements.
The core was fine—it was just pure alchemy forging and mechanical knowledge. But when it came to form assembly and movement, Transfiguration would be needed—specifically, solidified transformation.
Otherwise, only he could use this mechanical creation, and he'd need to frequently cast spells to maintain the transformation effects. So creating a mechanical animal and mastering solidified transformation seemed like a choice between two tasks, but they were basically the same task.
"Leo, what's that thing in your hand?"
Leo looked up. Ron in the front row was looking at him curiously—or rather, at the spherical core in his hands.
"Just a little toy I made. Are you interested in this kind of thing?"
"You made it yourself? Leo, you really are amazing. My dad likes Muggle technology items, including complex mechanical creations, so I know a bit about them too."
Leo nodded. Yes, Ron's father had modified a flying car, and this kid was pretty capable too—in second year he could drive a car with Harry flying to Hogwarts.
He glanced at the seat next to Ron: "Harry's not here yet? Class should start soon."
Ron spread his hands: "I called him this morning. He said he'd get up after sleeping a bit more. Harry seemed to be memorizing something last night—anyway, he wasn't asleep when I fell asleep."
Leo felt somewhat embarrassed. It seemed Harry was completing the memorization assignment he'd given him. That kid shouldn't be late, right? Today happened to be Potions class with Ravenclaw and Gryffindor together—he was looking forward to watching the drama from the front row.
Dingding Dingding Dingding!
The class bell rang. Leo looked toward the door. Well, the first to sweep in was the old bat.
"Put away anything unrelated to Potions class. Now I'll take attendance!"
"Harry Potter."
No one responded. The classroom was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
"Weasley, where is Potter?"
Ron trembled all over as if being called by death itself: "P-Professor, Harry has a stomachache and went to the bathroom!"
"Oh, is that so? Five points from Gryffindor!"
Leo could already sense the anger in Snape's tone. He hoped Harry wouldn't forget to take his medicine before coming orforget to take off his glasses, or he'd be in serious trouble.
"This lesson we'll be brewing Stomach Soother..."
After explaining for over ten minutes, Snape finished introducing this potion's effects and brewing method.
"Knotgrass has a pungent smell. If you're sensitive, it's normal to tear up and get stuffy noses from its irritation. Don't make a big fuss when that happens!"
After giving this final instruction, Snape glanced at the empty seat next to Ron. A cold voice squeezed out from between his lips: "Weasley, you'd better explain this to Potter. He should really need this potion."
Hearing this, Ron nodded frantically. Leo sat in the back, hearing him mutter quietly: "Harry, come quickly. If you don't come soon, I'm going to die..."
Leo shook his head. At this rate, there'd be two casualties. It seemed he should appropriately reduce the homework. Ensuring children got enough sleep was still very necessary.
Just as Leo was about to start processing materials, he caught sight of a figure creeping into the classroom. This kid finally made it.
"Oh, it seems the person who needs Stomach Soother most has arrived."
Harry was clearly sneaking around, and Snape had his back to the classroom door, but his cold mockery filled with suppressed anger still echoed in the quiet classroom.
Leo saw Harry's movements clearly stiffen. Truly bat-like acute hearing.
Snape turned around, his icy gaze fixed on Harry, words spitting out between his lips: "Eighteen minutes and thirty-four seconds late, Potter. Did your sense of time get flushed down the..."
Suddenly, Snape's words stopped. Just like a venomous snake getting choked by its own venom.
Harry, who had been keeping his head low, suddenly raised it and met Snape's cold eyes directly.
Leo couldn't see from this angle. Snape was now facing Harry, which meant his back was to Leo.
Although Leo couldn't see, Harry could see clearly. Snape's originally snake-like cold gaze suddenly became dazed, then confused.
After a full ten seconds of silence, Snape finally spoke, his tone cold but with added stiffness: "Potter... what were you doing just now?"
Snape's question stunned Harry—wasn't he just late?
But Harry's peripheral vision caught Ron, who was desperately gesturing at him with exaggerated mouth movements.
Without almost any hesitation, Harry said firmly: "The bathroom, Professor. I suddenly had severe stomach pain before class."
Leo clearly saw Ron in the front row breathe a sigh of relief, his tense back relaxing. Was this the understanding between good friends? One dared to make up stories; the other dared to go along.
"Go sit down. For the previous explanation, you can ask Weas... ask Grafton."
Harry was somewhat confused by Snape's instruction but still went to sit next to Ron.
"Does it really work? Leo was right!"
Hearing Harry's quiet self-talk, Leo also saw his emerald green eyes, much brighter without glasses blocking them. Well, the child was teachable.
While processing materials, Leo explained the Stomach Soother's effects and brewing method to Harry, also mentioning precautions about Knotgrass.
Harry also hurried to begin preparing. Although he'd avoided the earlier scolding, based on previous experience, Snape would probably still come find fault with him.
After just two or three minutes, Snape seemed to eagerly stand in front of Harry's table, looking down and asking: "How should Armadillo bile be processed before use?"
Harry's hand paused while processing Knotgrass, but remembering he'd just memorized this knowledge point yesterday, there was no need to be nervous. He looked up and answered directly: "Filter three times with crystal funnels."
"How should Bloodroot bark be collected?"
"First use Freezing Charms, then cut with golden tools after cooling."
"What do you get from mixing Jobberknoll droppings with Mandrake root?"
Faced with this suddenly advanced question, Harry couldn't answer, and the smell of Knotgrass in his hands began irritating his nose.
An urge to cry made Harry want to lower his head. But Leo's previous words flashed through Harry's mind: "Even if you're crying, you have to stare at him..."
Harry held back his tears and stubbornly straightened his neck, staring into Snape's eyes: "I don't know!"
This almost shouted answer didn't provoke any response. Snape just looked at Harry, looked at those eyes unobstructed by lenses, looked at those eyes most like Lily's, looked at those eyes brimming with tears...