HP: Alchemy? Nah, It's Crafting

Holly wood with a phoenix feather core—that should be the combination.

At least, that's what Kasenhis thought.

He hadn't been paying much attention earlier, so his memory wasn't particularly clear. It wasn't until after they left Ollivander's shop and ran into a slightly out-of-breath Hagrid that he remembered.

Hagrid, meanwhile, was enthusiastically recounting a funny story about the courtyard behind the Leaky Cauldron.

"You wouldn't believe it! Some genius, apparently not knowing how to get into Diagon Alley, straight-up destroyed the brick wall! Seriously, didn't it occur to them to just ask Tom how to get in?"

Kasen and Harry exchanged a silent glance.

"Why are you two making that face? Don't tell me... it was you, was it?"

"..."

"It wasn't you, was it?"

"..."

"...Come on, quick, let's go! The Aurors are running around like mad trying to find you two. Move it, move it!" Hagrid took a deep breath and hurriedly ushered them into the crowd.

"By the way, have you been to Gringotts yet?" Hagrid asked suddenly as they walked.

"...What's Gringotts?" Harry asked, looking up.

"It's that big white building—it's the wizards' bank. As a matter of fact, Dumbledore has the key to your family's vault. Today's the perfect day to return it to you... and I've got some business there myself."

The three made their way to Gringotts and boarded a minecart to head down to the underground vaults.

"This thing… is it safe?" Kasen asked with a twitching mouth, looking around uneasily.

"Rest assured, safety is Gringotts' top priority," the goblin at the front turned back to explain.

Slowly, the minecart began to move. Sitting at the very back, Kasen watched the scenery blur past him and couldn't help but shout, "This is amazing!"

"..."

"Oh.. was I too loud?" 

"No, seriously... this is amazing!" Hagrid echoed Kasenhis' enthusiasm with a cheer of his own.

After that, the group split up, each heading to their respective vaults, leaving Kasen leaning against the stone wall, zoning out.

He had no interest in opening a vault. Anything he needed could fit into a single chest. If one wasn't enough, he could always upgrade to a larger one.

Soon enough, Hagrid returned, seemingly finished with his business, and stood nearby, waiting for Harry.

"Why's that kid taking so long?"

"No idea..."

As the two exchanged puzzled looks, Harry finally emerged, carrying a large bag of Galleons, and headed straight toward Kasen.

"…I have a bad feeling about this…"

Sure enough, Harry handed the heavy, gold-filled sack to Kasen. But Kasen didn't take it—he really didn't. Gold to him was about as valuable as the pebbles on the side of the road. He'd much rather someone give him an unfinished house to renovate for fun.

"What are you doing?"

"Paying you back."

Kasen looked helplessly at Hagrid, clearly hoping he'd talk some sense into Harry.

Hagrid, however, just shrugged. "Take it. It's Harry's way of showing his gratitude, and besides, you did help him repay the Dursleys."

"Can't you help convince Harry?"

Kasen muttered, exasperated. He then crouched down and patted Harry on the shoulder. "Look, I'm not great at talking to kids, but seriously, this isn't necessary. Maybe you don't know, but I'm an alchemist. Gold is completely useless to me. Don't worry about that whole thing, and just put these coins back."

Harry looked at Kasen, then at the sack of Galleons he was holding, and shook his head.

"…Hagrid, help me out here."

"Well… how am I supposed to? This is Harry's way of thanking you. Why not just accept it? I recall the Potter family vault is quite sizable."

"But I can't take a kid's money! And honestly, this feels a bit insulting—I really don't need money," Kasen said earnestly.

"So…"

"So, as your future Alchemy professor, here's your first lesson: while you shouldn't be stingy with friends, throwing money around recklessly can sometimes have the opposite effect on friendships."

"Alright," Harry said, looking a bit dejected as he carried the sack back to the vault.

Kasen sighed in relief. And, according to the law of conservation, while he didn't gain Galleons, he did earn a string of favorability points from Harry.

The three of them remained by the stone wall, waiting. Meanwhile, a small goblin who had been lurking in the corner approached with a sly grin.

"Sir, you're an alchemist? And a professor at Hogwarts?"

Kasen glanced down at the goblin and was just about to nod when Hagrid stepped forward, blocking him.

"Stay away from my friend."

The goblin slinked away dejectedly, leaving Kasen stunned.

"Why's that?"

"Goblins are full of tricks and deceit. Best to avoid them if you can," Hagrid said seriously.

"Oh… got it."

Soon, the three of them returned to the surface. Every time the goblin tried to approach Kasen, Hagrid would flash a menacing look, scaring him off.

It wasn't until they left Gringotts that Hagrid returned to his usual cheerful demeanor.

"Let me see… next, we've got… books, robes… Let's split up. Harry, take some money and head to Madam Malkin's for your robes. Kasen, go buy a set of books for Harry—just the full first-year set will do. I've got a personal errand from Dumbledore that requires a trip to Knockturn Alley," Hagrid said, glancing between the two.

"Mm-hmm, no problem. Harry, wait for me at Madam Malkin's after you're done. I'll come find you once I'm finished with the books. Don't wander off alone," Kasen instructed before heading toward Flourish and Blotts.

At the bookstore, he purchased a complete set of first-year magic textbooks and added a few on basic alchemy. While the Hogwarts library had more advanced alchemy texts, he had to admit…

They were a bit too advanced—he couldn't understand them.

Summoning an Ender Chest, he stuffed all the books inside, then crushed the chest, shattering it into dark green pixelated particles that dissipated into the air. To others, it appeared as nothing more than an intricately crafted alchemical creation.

For instance, it seemed to some like… a pair of platinum dice.

"What a finely crafted object. Which alchemist created it?" 

Kasen turned to look at the speaker—a platinum-haired boy, accompanied by an older man with the same hair color who appeared to be his father. It was none other than Draco Malfoy and Lucius Malfoy.

"I made it myself, nothing worth mentioning," Kasen replied casually.

"You're an alchemist?" Draco asked, his curiosity evident.

"Draco," Lucius said, patting his son on the back, though it wasn't clear what he was dissatisfied with.

"Oh…"

"Lucius Malfoy," Lucius introduced himself, removing his gloves and extending a hand toward Kasen.

"Kasenhis," Kasen replied, unsure why the man wanted a handshake, but he maintained his politeness and shook hands with him.