You are so very clever-eyed, noting about the objects about which Lucius could not know! I went through this at first trying to keep that in mind--then decided that it was unlikely that Lucius would work without having a Legilimens involved somehow. So that was my logic.

Oh, yes, of course Lucius will be nice to his pet. Have no fears; I'm like that too.

Mmmwah. Thank you so much for this. It means a LOT.