Chapter 135: The First Follower
The British Ministry of Magic is located in a small alley not far from Downing Street in London, and everyone knows it's underground.
But at this moment, all magical wizards could see that within this street, comprised of dilapidated Muggle buildings, a pub, and a tea shop, a Tudor-style building had been squeezed in.
The building's lights flickered, making it strikingly conspicuous at night.
This was the state the Ministry of Magic adopted only during major events.
Entering the Ministry of Magic building on the first floor, one would find that it had transformed into the Ministry's main hall, normally on the eighth underground floor, now packed with people.
There were journalists from major newspapers, parents holding banners protesting Gilderoy Lockhart's teaching of Dark creatures at Hogwarts, members of various organizations like the "Wizard Student Rights Protection Association" and the "Wizard Living Space Advocacy Group," as well as numerous Ministry employees watching the spectacle.
The scene was incredibly lively.
"They're here!" someone shouted, pointing to the Auror teams and the Thestral-pulled detention carriage appearing in the sky.
Immediately, a crowd surged forward. Protesters, who had been bored, resting, and playing poker or Wizarding Chess, quickly stood up, unfurled their banners, cast Sonorus charms on themselves, and began loudly delivering speeches, frequently glancing towards the escort team.
"Corban really prepared a lot for me," Lockhart leaned against the carriage window, looking down at the bustling crowd, and tsked.
No one spoke on the opposite seat.
After the recent battle and the final terrifying slaughter, the attitude of everyone in this Auror team towards Lockhart had changed.
Some, admiring his strength, became polite and fawning; others, self-proclaimed as righteous, held a higher hostility towards Lockhart, the Dark Wizard; and then there was Scrimgeour, whose expression was mercurial.
Lockhart didn't know what Scrimgeour was thinking, nor did he care to ponder it.
In fact, it could be said that after inventing the terrifying spell "Thunderstorm and Mountain Fire," he had officially embarked on the path of a Magical Master. He no longer needed to pay too much attention to the opinions of minor characters.
At least Scrimgeour was very clear: from now on, unless there was an extremely definite warrant from the Wizengamot Court, or immense public pressure forced the Ministry to act against Lockhart, he would probably no longer be able to restrict Lockhart.
Ha, Gilderoy Lockhart is actually a Magical Master?
Scrimgeour found it utterly absurd. He recalled all the files on Lockhart that the Auror Office had compiled recently. Those documents, which clearly showed problems, all suggested how superficial this boastful man truly was.
But...
He actually was a Magical Master!
Even if he was a Dark Wizard skilled in Fiendfyre!
Only...
Was that spell truly Fiendfyre?
Scrimgeour would never forget how Lockhart effortlessly controlled those fiery monsters. He had never seen any Dark Wizard control Fiendfyre so completely; it was simply impossible!
The reason Fiendfyre was categorized as a Dark Art was precisely because this dangerous spell could hardly be controlled by anyone. Historically, countless spellcasters had been burned to death by Fiendfyre.
Therefore, even based on all the Aurors' memories of this battle, people couldn't immediately label Lockhart as a Dark Wizard.
Especially since Scrimgeour clearly saw in the files that Gilderoy Lockhart knew the Patronus Charm, and his Patronus was a pure horse.
His head was a mess.
The escort team soon stopped in the magically expanded plaza in front of the Ministry of Magic building. The Aurors on broomsticks dismounted and quickly moved to the front of the carriage, pushing aside the crowd to clear a path for the important person inside.
In the crowd, Rita Skeeter excitedly called to the photographer from her newspaper, telling him to make sure Lockhart looked disheveled later.
Watch him rise to fame, then watch him fall.
Such news would undoubtedly be the most explosive global scoop. From rising to prominence at his peak, then plummeting down like spectacular fireworks.
It would be incredibly cruel and tragically beautiful.
Rita had already decided on the headline!
Only...
A faint unease always flickered in her heart. She knew Lockhart's secret. Would this hidden Dark Lord truly appear disheveled?
She didn't know.
She didn't dare to imagine.
The most humiliating moment of her life had occurred right in front of Lockhart; she had actually wet herself out of fear. It was an absolute disgrace.
She yearned for the Ministry of Magic to definitively rule on Lockhart's alleged murder of the student at the school, to permanently imprison this Dark Lord in Azkaban.
Otherwise...
She would probably have to completely submit to him, becoming his obedient dog. She dared not imagine what would happen then.
However, the next scene quickly dropped her jaw.
Not just her, but many others around couldn't understand what was unfolding before their eyes.
Scrimgeour was the first to exit the magical carriage, which was normal. But then, when Auror Kingsley stepped out, he turned and was chatting and laughing with Lockhart, who was just disembarking, like a private butler or secretary. That was very strange.
Although Kingsley already had the nickname "Private Secretary" within the Ministry of Magic—Auror Head Scrimgeour treated him as his private secretary, Minister for Magic Fudge also treated him as his private secretary, and it was even rumored that the Muggle Prime Minister treated Kingsley as his private secretary...
But this was Gilderoy Lockhart!
Reportedly, the culprit behind this school murder case!
Lockhart didn't act like a criminal at all. Auror Head Scrimgeour led the way, the surrounding Aurors seemed more focused on guarding against the journalists and members of various organizations than on guarding Lockhart, and Kingsley walked a half-step behind, accompanying him.
Rita even had a strange illusion about the scene before her—Lockhart, the international celebrity, has finally come to inspect our work at the Ministry!
Merlin's cotton candy underwear!
She simply couldn't believe her eyes. The people around seemed to be influenced by Lockhart's lazy yet elegant demeanor. Wherever he passed, neither the eager journalists nor the protesting members, who wanted to say something, uttered a sound.
What was going on?
Rita absolutely did not believe that everyone truly respected Lockhart to such an extent, behaving so obediently. Even Dumbledore didn't command such an imposing presence.
Lockhart must have pulled some trick!
Yes, she was right.
As Lockhart's understanding of weather spells deepened, the power of the Patronus Charm, which could calm the soul's turmoil, accompanied by the pervasive gentle breeze, subtly influenced everyone, creating this scene where he was the center of attention, yet quietly observed.
Magic is power!
And it wasn't just about the threat of force.
Magic permeated every detail of life. As magical abilities improved, their impact was felt in all aspects.
This magical influence completely dissipated only when Lockhart stepped into the elevator.
After all, he couldn't yet perfectly micro-manage such magical subtleties, and they completely failed within the elevator, which had many protective enchantments.
Rita was the only outsider who managed to squeeze into the elevator, clearly sensing the subtlety of the situation.
She scoffed inwardly, convinced she had discovered something extraordinary.
But when Kingsley and two other Aurors, more like tour guides, led Lockhart to another office for registration, Rita quietly squeezed next to Lockhart and said, "Just tell me if you need any help!"
Merlin's pink hair tie! What was she saying!
She had actually volunteered to help, and with an expression that conveyed, "This isn't a transaction; I'm just happy to help you, truly loyal and wanting to help you"!
Disgusting!
She felt disgusted with herself for doing so.
However, seeing Lockhart give her a gentle smile, the anxiety that had unknowingly crept into her heart suddenly relaxed.
For a moment, she felt a sense of peace.
"No need, I can handle it." Lockhart gestured towards Scrimgeour, who was heading towards another elevator. "I'm absolutely certain he has news you'll need. You should hurry."
With that, he turned directly and followed Kingsley, who was waiting for him, towards another corner of the corridor.
So...
Rita stood rooted, staring blankly at Lockhart's retreating back. She suddenly realized a terrifying truth: she had already developed a profound reverence for this man.
She had always believed she didn't know what reverence felt like.
Rita quickly discarded her previous petty thoughts, accepting reality. A look of solemn dignity appeared on her face as she earnestly murmured to Lockhart's disappearing figure, "You'll find me very useful! I swear, you'll see soon enough!"
Yes, this was Ravenclaw wisdom.
Not to fight against one's inner weakness, but to clearly recognize it, then no longer be swayed by inner emotions, and steadfastly move in the direction one believes is right.
"You will be the future, Mr. Lockhart!"
Rita was so certain. This Lockhart, in the not-too-distant future, might very well be the next Dumbledore!
Ha!
She was the first follower!
The first!
Rita clearly felt a bit too good about herself, because she wasn't actually the first.
It was quite miraculous. Madam Umbridge, the Ministry of Magic Undersecretary, had been hounding Minister for Magic Fudge ever since the Aurors were dispatched, attempting to sway him to Lockhart's side.
Fudge initially thought Umbridge was simply being fanatical. Although it was absurd that his loyal business partner was a fan of Mr. Charms, he expressed understanding and respect.
Being a fan was normal, after all. When he was a child, his father had taken him to listen to his idol, Mr. Gellert Grindelwald, give a speech.
His father's fanaticism back then was utterly insane; everyone in the family felt it.
But as Umbridge continued to persuade him, he began to realize there might be something he didn't understand. He was extremely sensitive to the fact that the highly ambitious Umbridge was actually beginning to stake her reputation and career on Lockhart. This was truly extraordinary.
....
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