Julian examined the ring he'd just made, careful and methodical, while quietly pulling up the system appraisal. Neither of the two people present could see the system, but Julian wasn't going to risk even the possibility of it becoming known.
He knew the system was one of the few secrets he would never share with anyone.
He was fine with that.
In the end, it didn't affect anyone except him directly. Sure, his crafts and the strange items he produced would draw attention, but since they couldn't be stolen, it didn't truly matter.
...
[RING NAME: Nos
Grade: RARE
Abilities: Autosizing, Bestial Empathy, Nature's Kin
Description: An exquisite ring forged to bring its wearer close to nature and improve the wearer's ability to understand beasts.
System appraisal: A fine ring worthy of any druid created by an up and coming ring smith.]
...
Julian was satisfied. It was perfect for Hagrid. The half-giant loved anything tied to nature, and if druidic magic still existed as a living practice, Julian was certain Hagrid would have been a master of it.
Flitwick studied the ring, then frowned slightly, unable to identify what it actually did.
"It allows the wearer to understand beasts better," Julian explained, catching the confusion, "while being favored by nature itself, to a degree."
Flitwick laughed at that. "A perfect gift for Rubeus. He'll love it, I'm sure."
Julian nodded. "That's the idea. Give me a couple hours and I'll have enough energy to start on McGonagall's gift."
...
He sat against the wall and began to meditate.
Celebrimbor had been lingering around the mindscape for a while now, and when he wasn't "training" Julian's combat skills by beating him senseless, he offered small tips that weren't included in the crafting style knowledge. One of those was that proper meditation could improve Julian's recovery rate, letting him forge twice in one day instead of only once.
While Julian meditated, Flitwick transfigured a chair for himself and settled in.
"If you don't mind me asking," Flitwick said, "how did you come across this niffler?"
Julian didn't open his eyes, but he smiled and told him the story anyway. Steve had tried to rob him, Julian had offered a deal instead, and the little thief had decided to stick around.
Flitwick smiled at that and explained that goblins considered nifflers ideal pets because of their natural treasure-hunting instincts and their love of anything shiny. In fact, most of the species was kept in captivity by goblin clans.
The ones still living wild were the few that had to be left alone by law, purely to keep them present in the ecosystem.
It was interesting, even if it wasn't directly useful to Julian.
...
Two hours later, Julian opened his eyes and stood, feeling most of his energy restored.
McGonagall's gift was unusual for him, because it wasn't meant to help the wearer in any practical way.
First, he tossed gold into the dragon fire and waited for it to melt. Then he lifted the molten metal out with his wand and separated off a glob of liquid gold about the size of his pinky.
The rest of the gold went into a square mold to solidify, while the small glob was left to cool in the air until it hardened again.
...
Julian began shaping it carefully, drawing it into a narrow, tiny rod with a rectangular block at the end.
Once that shape was set, he flattened the far end of the rectangle, the side not connected to the rod.
Then he took a razor-thin blade to the flattened portion.
He split it into hair-fine strands, and then wove those strands together with painstaking care, until the piece resembled a broom.
He curved the "handle" until it nearly touched the "bristles," forming a ring.
Afterward, he polished the entire piece until it gleamed so brightly that Steve stared at it with open covetousness.
...
Then came the hard part.
Julian set the ring on the anvil and began to glow again.
He filled the channeled energy with his knowledge of legilimency, specific illusions, and finally everything he knew about Quidditch.
The goal, the shape he pushed the enchantment toward, was to create a Quidditch illusion, almost like a simulation game, controlled directly by the wearer's mind.
This ring was the first Julian had ever made whose sole purpose was entertainment.
According to the system, it was an outright success.
...
[RING NAME: Playmaker
Grade: RARE
Abilities: Autosizing, Quidditch Simulation, Mind Controlled, Adaptive, Realistic Perception
Description: A brilliant item forged to allow its wearer to enjoy a game of Quidditch at any time.
System appraisal: A marvelous creation made by an up and coming ring smith.]