Chapter 140: Gilderoy, You Truly Are Insufferable!
The clamor always dissipates, and as Lockhart returned to his Hogwarts office, with the cheering crowds no longer surrounding him, his heart slowly settled.
He wasn't captivated by the issues Fudge had discussed, nor was he affected by his complete integration into wizarding high society.
He was still himself.
He always knew exactly what he wanted: magic!
Stay true to your original intention, and you will achieve your ultimate goal.
This "staying true" was a peculiar state. He genuinely didn't need to "diligently wipe it clean from time to time, lest it gather dust"; he simply loved magic from the bottom of his heart, a pure love.
Magic allowed him to feel beauty, and that was enough. He was easily satisfied.
The spell he invented, "Thunderstorm and Mountain Fire," had brought him immense renown, transforming him in others' eyes from merely a self-proclaimed "Magic Master" into a true one.
But in reality, he hadn't been affected by it in the slightest.
Because he knew that this spell hadn't actually gone beyond the scope described in the magical notebook Controlling Lightning.
He had merely embarked on the magical paths of Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and the Forest Witch, and then simply emitted a tiny glimmer of magical brilliance.
Oh, and it also contained the research insights into Fiendfyre accumulated by the Crabbe family through generations, as well as Tom's understanding of weather charms and that Dark Arts spell, Fiendfyre.
What did this mean?
It meant he hadn't truly walked his own magical path yet; it meant his magical journey had only just begun.
With this realization, would he become conceited? Impossible.
He would only become more humble, humbled by magic.
Don't rush, take it slow, he told himself, soothing his inner yearning for intense excitement. He told himself that less than a year had passed since he transmigrated to this magical world; there was no need to rush. He had a long time ahead to slowly experience the beauty of magic.
Always maintain a "beginner's mind," full of curiosity, full of wonderful hopes and fantasies, full of anticipation.
So, let him bravely continue forward on the path of magic.
Lockhart was already eager to begin his magical research.
But he couldn't just yet; his experimental assistant hadn't arrived.
Corban Yaxley...
Where are you right now?
The next morning, Lockhart woke up lazily and enjoyed a "hotpot" prepared by a wrongly-killed fairy, feeling invigorated and ready to embark on a new adventure.
Today was Saturday. He had enough time in the next two days to find his experimental assistant.
But before he could even pack his things, there was a knock on his office door.
It was Draco, with his two henchmen, Goyle and Crabbe, behind him.
Draco was holding the gramophone that Lockhart had given to old Malfoy to repair. This magical artifact, which could magically store Dark creatures in a world of sound, wasn't easy to mend, and its repair had taken quite a long time.
Lockhart told them to place it in the office for now, not intending to put it into his ring in front of them. After certain events, he had slowly begun to understand the importance of keeping some trump cards hidden, trying not to let too many people know.
After delivering the item, Draco didn't leave. He stood facing Lockhart, looking as if he had something to say but was hesitating.
"You can speak directly if there's something on your mind," Lockhart said with a smile, looking at his three beloved students.
"I want to become a Magic Master too!" Draco's expression was so fervent. "My father is facing the Dark Lord's purge. I often feel helpless about it. Then Goyle and Crabbe were attacked again, and I..."
"I want to become a useful person. I don't want the people around me to get hurt again!"
This was truly interesting. Lockhart scrutinized Draco, his gaze full of examination.
He could sense the change in Draco's mindset. The former Malfoy scion had simply believed that, as someone from the noble Sacred Twenty-Eight pure-blood line, he deserved to wield more powerful magic. But now, Draco wanted to become stronger out of a desire to protect his family and friends.
Such a shift in motivation made a huge difference in the realm of magic.
Protection...
That wasn't really the domain of Dark Arts.
A smile appeared on Lockhart's face, and he nodded. "I'm about to embark on an adventurous journey. Would you like to come along?"
"Ah?" Draco didn't react for a moment. The professor not only agreed to teach him more but was also planning to take him on an adventure?
"To catch the bad guy who hurt Crabbe, you know, a very dangerous individual, Corban Yaxley. He..."
Before Lockhart could finish, Draco and his two companions shouted excitedly in unison, "We'd love to!"
Excellent.
Just as they were about to set off, three more youngsters visited Lockhart's office.
It was Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
Lockhart was still packing when Draco began proudly boasting about their adventurous trip to Harry, and then he realized he had seemingly done something foolish.
Harry and his friends didn't argue with him because of it. Instead, they excitedly ran to Professor Lockhart, asking to join the adventure.
How could Professor Lockhart refuse?
He was more than happy to have so many helpers.
Of course, with six children accompanying him, and two mutually squabbling small groups at that, he didn't want to become their babysitter.
So he took the youngsters to find his good friend, Severus Snape.
When they arrived at Snape's office, he was stirring that cauldron of seemingly perpetually unfinished seafood potion. A suitcase lay on a nearby table, suggesting he also planned to go out soon.
"What?"
Old Snape heard Lockhart's invitation, and his face turned sour.
What do you mean "go for a stroll together"?
You clearly want me to help look after the children!
Ha! You couldn't refuse the children's requests, so you're dumping the problem on me, are you?
But could he refuse?
On one side was Draco, whom he had watched grow up, and his two chubby sidekicks. On the other side was Lily's son, Harry...
Damn it!
Gilderoy, you truly are insufferable!
"Because of you! I haven't been to Spider Alley in ages!" Snape gritted his teeth. "You damned fellow have been at Hogwarts for only half a year, and you've already severely disrupted the peaceful life I finally managed to achieve!"
Lockhart shrugged, spreading his hands. "If you're unhappy, can I force you?"
"Perhaps, Severus, you should try to break free from the gloomy atmosphere of your past life, right? You can feel the change in your mindset..."
His words were rudely cut off by Snape. "Bollocks!"
"Don't tell me your bollocks magical theories anymore, I don't want to hear them!"
So...
Are you going?
Ten minutes later, Snape sat in the passenger seat of the car, looking thoroughly annoyed, listening to the six youngsters chattering noisily in the back, like they were on a picnic. He desperately wanted to pull out his wand and make these irritating brats shut up.
....
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