#66 - Back to School

"However, since it's not equipped with a crystal ball for storage, we can't test it. But I believe it's sufficient for learning and some simple research. How is it, do you like it?" Lily said, a faint smile on her face, as she slowly explained to Anduin.

Upon hearing this, Anduin realized that the two were giving him such a valuable gift. He wanted to refuse, but he couldn't control the desire deep within his heart. As a result, the 'law of true fragrance' took over once again.

After accepting the rune disk, Anduin restrained his urge to start researching it immediately, carefully put it away, and repeatedly thanked Mr. and Mrs. Potter.

"Alright, Anduin, no need to be so polite with us. It's getting late, I'll take you to the train station now," James said to Anduin with a smile.

And so, Anduin ended his Christmas vacation and the happy time he spent with Sirius and the Potters, and set off back to Hogwarts.

[Writing this, I hope readers remember our domain name Taiwan Novel Network → 𝕥𝕨𝕜𝕒𝕟.𝕔𝕠𝕞]

After saying goodbye to James at the station, Anduin boarded the train back.

In the carriage, Vivian and Charles had already arrived. They were sharing snacks that Vivian had brought back from France. As soon as they saw Anduin enter, Charles excitedly pulled Anduin down to sit.

"Hey, Anduin, I heard from my aunt that you're really amazing..." Charles was about to discuss the news he had heard with Anduin, but Anduin interrupted him with a look and shook his head, so he had to shut up.

"What are you talking about? What's amazing?" Vivian asked, her eyes narrowed involuntarily, unable to resist inquiring.

"It's nothing, I won a big prize during Christmas, nothing to brag about." Anduin didn't want to spread the story about fighting Death Eaters everywhere. After all, he was still in Slytherin, and if he told Vivian, the bigmouth, the whole school would know.

"Oh, really?" Vivian clearly didn't believe it, and looked at Charles with questioning eyes.

Seeing Vivian staring at him, Charles had to make an excuse that he had friends from his house waiting for him, and quietly ran away.

"Hmph!" Vivian snorted in dissatisfaction, but seeing Anduin nonchalantly open a book and start reading, she had to give up.

But after a while, Vivian forgot about it and started chatting with Anduin about her experiences in France.

The two ate snacks and chatted, taking the steam train back to Hogwarts.

After returning to Hogwarts, Anduin returned to his previous ghost-like life, but his daily study plan underwent some changes.

Since those powerful spells couldn't be practiced for the time being, Anduin redistributed his time. He spent some time practicing basic spells and transfiguration, and most of the remaining time was spent using the rune disk to study runes and runic magic. He also spent thirty to forty minutes each night practicing Occlumency.

The day after returning to Hogwarts, Anduin couldn't help but run to Hagrid's. This time he bought a lot of various seasonings, ready to enjoy several happy meals at Hagrid's.

Hagrid's hut was covered in silver, with thick layers of snow on the roof. Anduin came in and found no one inside, not even 'Fang'. He went to the fireplace and lit a fire without any hesitation. He was very familiar with this place, so he didn't stand on ceremony.

The bonfire in the fireplace was burning brightly, constantly dispelling the cold air in the house. Anduin used the stove next to him to boil a pot of water and made a cup of tea. While pouring the water, he saw that Hagrid was indeed using the large copper cup he had given him, thinking that the size was quite suitable.

Holding the teacup, Anduin sat on the sofa by the bonfire like an old man, listening to the crackling of the pine wood burning in the fireplace, and a feeling of tranquility welled up in his heart. So he sat by the fireplace, reading a book, sipping tea, and enjoying the warmth of the fire, leisurely passing the time.

After an unknown amount of time, a dog barked outside the hut. Anduin knew it was Hagrid coming back. The tranquil and comfortable feeling just now had made Anduin very comfortable, causing him to even forget the passage of time. The sky outside was even gradually darkening.

"Hi, Anduin, you're back," Hagrid said with a hearty greeting as he carried a huge object into the house, just in time to see Anduin sitting by the fire.

Fang, the boarhound next to him, saw Anduin and excitedly ran up to him, constantly rubbing against Anduin's legs.

"Yeah, I just got back yesterday. Today happens to be the weekend, and school doesn't start until tomorrow, so I came over after lunch. Where did you go? Why were you gone for so long?"

Hagrid shook off the snow on his body and unloaded a large object from his shoulder onto the table in the room, and said with a smile: "You came at the right time. Professor Kettleburn previously cultivated a herd of Runespoors in the Forbidden Forest. Today, a cow died, and Professor Kettleburn asked me to help. The professor even shared a large piece of beef with me."

Anduin stepped forward to take a closer look and found that it was indeed a large 'piece', because it looked like about one-eighth of a whole cow, but the size of this piece of meat was at least half a cow.

"Are Runespoors very large? Can these animals be raised in the Forbidden Forest? How many animals does Professor Kettleburn actually raise in the Forbidden Forest?" Anduin felt that this Care of Magical Creatures professor was like a farmer, raising a bunch of edible magical animals, just like the Wartpigs last time.

"The professor really does raise a lot. There are already many magical animal populations in the Forbidden Forest, such as Thestrals, Hippogriffs, Unicorns, and so on. At the same time, the professor has also cultivated many magical creature populations, such as Runespoors, Wartpigs, Graphorns, Mooncalves, and so on. Every year, these little guys cause a lot of trouble, and Professor Kettleburn is very worried."

"The professor said that raising and cultivating them is to restore these populations. Many magical creatures are endangered because they have many high-value resources on their bodies, so they are over-hunted. Only after the populations are grown can the resources produced by magical creatures be greater," Hagrid repeated Professor Kettleburn's words.

It seems that this professor also understands the principle of sustainable development.

"Today really exhausted me. This cow is bigger than three normal cows. Its blood is the main material for making strengthening potions. The professor and I spent half a day processing this corpse," Hagrid grabbed the copper cup next to him and drank a full cup of water.

Anduin studied the large piece of beef and said, "Hey, that's great. With this beef, we can have a beef hot pot later."