Luke watched with eager anticipation as Treebeard placed the Ent-draught on the stone table before him. Though the table was as tall as he was, Luke politely declined Treebeard's offer to lift him onto it. Instead, he simply waved his wand and conjured three high chairs, ensuring he, Gandalf, and Arwen could comfortably reach the surface.
As for Treebeard, he refused Luke's offer to transfigure a chair for him. He first submerged his enormous feet into the large stone basin where the stream flowed in, seemingly absorbing water, then leisurely drank his colossal bowl of the draught in a single, long breath.
Luke settled onto one of the high chairs, leaning against the edge of the stone table, and formally sampled his own large bowl of Ent-draught. He lifted the bowl with both hands and took a sip. The drink tasted like pure water, yet it carried an indescribably subtle fragrance, reminiscent of the evening breeze rustling through a forest. While the flavor of the Ent-draught was rather mild, Luke's attention was immediately consumed by the changes occurring within his body.
A surge of life-giving magic coursed through him, starting from his toes and slowly rising upwards, filling his limbs and even his scalp with vibrant energy. He felt his hair stand on end. What surprised Luke even more was that, under the influence of this powerful vitality, his internal organs gradually strengthened, his bones hardened, and his muscles became denser and more resilient. Even his magical power noticeably increased!
"This is incredible!" Luke's eyes widened in astonishment. How could this be merely a drink? It was a miracle elixir, a panacea capable of enhancing his physical capabilities in every conceivable way! Luke couldn't wait and quickly gulped down the rest of the Ent-draught.
After finishing the large bowl, his stomach felt a little distended. The Ent-draught's effects continued to fortify his body, making him feel incredibly drowsy. Arwen, standing nearby, noticed the change in Luke and asked with concern, "Luke, are you alright?"
Luke shook his head. "I'm fine, it's just that the drink is quite potent, and it's making me feel a bit sleepy." Yet, looking at Arwen, who had also drunk the Ent-draught but showed little change, and Gandalf, who savored his draught slowly, sip by sip, as if it were a fine wine, Luke could only marvel. It seemed the Ent-draught had varied effects on different individuals. For those with robust constitutions like Arwen and Gandalf, its impact was less pronounced. Only he, a comparatively 'fragile' mage, seemed to experience its full, profound effect.
Gandalf observed Luke's struggle to stay awake and said with a smile, "Luke, you should rest now. You'll feel much better when you wake up." Treebeard generously offered his own bed, allowing Luke to sleep there.
Luke thanked Treebeard, and as drowsiness overwhelmingly consumed him, he didn't even bother to use a Transfiguration Spell to make the bed more comfortable. He simply collapsed onto the haystack, and sleep instantly claimed his consciousness, drawing him into a deep slumber.
After an unknown duration, Luke finally awoke. Though Treebeard's bed was simple and rustic, it wasn't dirty. The hay and bark beneath him carried the sweet scent of grass and trees, making him feel as if he were resting amidst the forest itself.
"You're awake!" Arwen, who had been watching over him, noticed his stirring immediately and exclaimed with surprise. She stepped forward, asking with concern, "How do you feel now?"
"I feel... fantastic!" After waking, Luke felt completely refreshed, brimming with seemingly endless energy. "By the way, how long was I asleep? What time is it now?"
"It's the next day already; you've slept for twelve hours," Arwen replied with a smile.
"That long!" Luke exclaimed, surprised. He then looked around but saw no sign of Gandalf or Treebeard. "Where are Gandalf and Treebeard?"
"They're both outside, waiting for you to wake up."
Upon hearing this, Luke immediately got off the stone bed. However, as soon as his feet touched the ground, Luke noticed significant changes in his body. He seemed to have grown taller! Not only had his height increased, but his body also felt stronger and more powerful, and the muscles in his arms were tighter and more defined. Even his magical power had significantly surged, equivalent to a year's worth of his training!
Luke's face instantly filled with delight. Although he had been mentally prepared for some changes, the extent of his gains was still incredibly exciting. At that moment, he noticed that the Sign-in System had prompted him earlier, but he hadn't responded, apparently due to his deep sleep.
[Hogwarts Sign-in System: Locating Fangorn Forest, do you want to sign in?]
"Sign in!" Luke murmured to himself.
[Sign in successfully, congratulations on obtaining Severus Snape's Potions Notes!]
Looking at the thick notes before him, Luke was curious. Could it be the Half-Blood Prince's notebook that Harry Potter had found? But upon closer inspection, he realized it wasn't quite the same. This notebook recorded all of Snape's Potions research notes from his time as a student until his death!
In addition to potion knowledge, it also documented several spells Snape had created: the Ear-Stopping Curse, the Tongue-Tying Curse, the Toenail-Growing Curse, the Muffling Charm, and the Sectumsempra (Invisible Sword) spell.
Luke was utterly astonished. These were the research notes of a Potions Master! It not only detailed Snape's improvements to numerous potions, such as simplifying production steps and suggesting better ingredients, but also contained many profound insights into potions, along with in-depth analysis and research on medicinal components. With this, even someone with mediocre talent could excel in the world of potions.
Luke carefully put away the notebook. With the notes from Snape, the master of potions, and the Herbology knowledge from Professor Sprout, the master of Herbology, he could easily find alternative potion ingredients in Middle-earth and concoct various magical potions. For example, there were intelligence-enhancing potions that could improve intellect, felix felicis (luck potions) that granted good fortune, and even elixirs of immortality!
Although Luke was attempting to evolve his Animagus into a phoenix, thereby gaining the phoenix's inherent immortality, he hadn't abandoned his pursuit of the Philosopher's Stone.
The Philosopher's Stone didn't grant direct immortality; rather, it served as a crucial ingredient in the Elixir of Life. This elixir, when combined with other magical components and taken regularly, would grant perpetual life. Of course, the immortality bestowed by the Philosopher's Stone had a drawback: while it prevented death, it couldn't prevent the body from aging.
Thus, although Nicolas Flamel and his wife lived for over 600 years with the Philosopher's Stone's aid, their bodies became very old and frail, their bones so brittle they feared breaking them even with a handshake. This was also why Nicolas Flamel eventually relinquished the Philosopher's Stone and chose to face death.
But Luke believed there was a solution. The Philosopher's Stone alone couldn't maintain a perpetually healthy and energetic body, but a combination of potions might. Among existing potions, there were those that could make people younger and vitality potions that instilled boundless energy. If he could achieve the same level of mastery as Snape in potions, he might be able to develop a potion that could perpetually maintain youth. When that time came, the Philosopher's Stone combined with a youth potion would offer a form of disguised immortality.
Now, good fortune came in pairs. Not only had his physical fitness improved, but he had also obtained the invaluable potion notes. Luke's face was alight with smiles.
Arwen was unaware of the system sign-in. Seeing Luke smiling so happily, she asked in confusion, "You've grown taller. Is that why you're so happy?" Luke snapped out of his reverie and, with a bright smile, boasted, "Growing taller is certainly something to be happy about, isn't it? I've grown a full five inches (13 centimeters) taller now, and I'm a whole head taller than you!"
Luke's original height was 1.85 meters (approximately 6 feet 1 inch), which was considered tall among ordinary humans. However, compared to elves, it seemed insignificant. Elves were generally taller, typically ranging from 1.8 to 2 meters (approximately 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet 7 inches). Lady Galadriel, for instance, was 1.93 meters (6 feet 4 inches) tall. Although Arwen wasn't as tall as her grandmother Galadriel, she still stood at 1.8 meters (5 feet 11 inches). Standing next to Luke, who was only five centimeters taller than her, she had felt a considerable difference. But now, Luke was 1.98 meters (6 feet 6 inches) tall, a full head taller than Arwen. This instantly gave him a newfound confidence in standing beside her. As a young man, regardless of one's existing height, one always cares deeply about growing taller.
Arwen looked at Luke childishly comparing their heights, her eyes soft and starlike, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Well, grown-up Mr. Luke, we should go outside. Treebeard and Gandalf are waiting for us."
Then the two of them left Spring Hall and emerged onto the flat ground outside. Gandalf and Treebeard were seated beneath a natural dome formed by surrounding trees. Gandalf was quietly meditating, smoking his pipe, while Treebeard was half-reclined, his feet soaking in a stream, seemingly lost in thought or ancient memories. Seeing this, Luke and Arwen instinctively slowed their pace and lowered their voices.
But both Gandalf and Treebeard noticed them and turned to look. Gandalf exhaled a puff of smoke, looked Luke up and down, and said jokingly, "It seems you've grown quite a bit taller. I, an old man, will have to look up to you from now on!"
"I've grown five inches taller!" Luke declared, unable to hide his happiness. He then turned to Treebeard and thanked him solemnly: "Mr. Treebeard, thank you for your Ent-draught. I have benefited immensely from it!" As he spoke, he produced a bottle of plant growth potion and placed it before Treebeard. "This is a plant growth potion I made. It can make trees grow quickly. Please accept it!"
Luke knew that his welcome by Treebeard was largely due to Gandalf and Arwen's presence. Otherwise, if he had arrived alone, not being attacked would have been considered polite.
Treebeard took the bottle with curiosity. He could sense the potion's powerful attraction to plants, so he carefully opened the bottle and let a single drop fall onto a small tree beside him. The tiny sapling instantly began to grow at an astonishing rate, transforming into a large tree in a matter of moments. Witnessing this, Treebeard's eyes brightened, and he carefully put the medicine bottle away, his gaze toward Luke turning distinctly friendly.
"I love your gift!" he rumbled. "Wizard, do you have more of this potion? I can trade with you. How about using the Ent-draught I brewed?"
Luke was delighted by this offer. He had already experienced the profound effects of the Ent-draught. Not only did it possess powerful rejuvenating and nourishing properties that left one feeling refreshed and energetic, but it also promoted physical growth. Of course, he desired more of such a remarkable substance. While he had been fortunate enough to drink a bowl previously due to Gandalf's assistance, it would have been impossible to request more. Now that Treebeard was willing to exchange Ent-draught for the growth potion, Luke was naturally very keen.
So, he traded his only remaining bottle of growth potion for a can of Ent-draught from Treebeard, an amount three times what Luke had drunk before. Treebeard also promised that if Luke could create more growth potion in the future, he could return to trade for more Ent-draught. Of course, the quantity of Ent-draught was limited, and its brewing cycle was long, so unrestricted trade was not possible.