The incident in the Chamber of Secrets caused a great storm on campus.
However, after the ghost Nick, no more danger occurred, causing the attention of the young wizards to be gradually diverted to two things.
One
Christmas is coming. The Quidditch match between rivals Gryffindor and Slytherin has begun.
Since the Chamber of Secrets incident, Slytherins have become more prominent, frequently mocking students from other houses. Only Damon seems immune to their taunts.
On Saturday morning, Harry woke up very early and lay in bed for a while, thinking about the upcoming Quidditch match.
He was a little nervous, after all, Slytherin's brooms were much better than his team's.
When he arrived at the hall, he found that the other members of the Gryffindor team were crowded around the empty long dining table. Each of them looked nervous and silent. Only Damon was eating breakfast peacefully.
Harry briefly thought: if one of them, or even he, were replaced by Damon, they would definitely win.
"Harry, I'll cheer you on,"
Damon waved at him with a smile. His talent for Charms had once again improved, and he should have been very busy, but something had changed. Single-minded practice was no longer meaningful at his level.
This was a problem many wizards faced after adulthood: as they aged, their magical powers didn't continue to improve, and repetitive, monotonous practice didn't yield noticeable gains in proficiency in higher-level spells. Improving their understanding of a single spell often required months of immersion.
Damon's current situation was somewhat similar, but with subtle, fundamental differences.
Low- and mid-level spells had become almost instinctual to him. With a single thought, he could cast any desired spell silently, even without a weapon. And he could sense this instinct growing stronger.
At this moment, as he breathed in and out, reflecting on life, he truly felt like he was practicing both walking and sitting. And so, after over a year of continuous, intense practice that would have made his girlfriend break up, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief and devote more attention to life in the magical world.
It was a wondrous feeling ,
even touching Damon.
He felt disappointed that his magical power hadn't increased after adding points to his Charms talent.
Damon wrote to Basida Basak about this, and he explained that, according to common sense, a wizard only needed to achieve perfection in one area to achieve legendary status.
Damon's situation was clearly unusual.
After some reflection, he offered this explanation:
"Perhaps you are born different, and the path to godhood offered by ordinary people doesn't apply to you.
After all, you are the one who broke Gamp's Law of Transfiguration. Think about it, someone who brought Transfiguration to a whole new level, yet hasn't yet mastered it to its fullest extent—if magic were alive, it would be frustrating."
Perhaps, you should spend more time on Transfiguration. ]
Studying spells alone is insufficient; he must also master Transfiguration. This will take about a year. Furthermore, Fudge won't have a body then, and even if he did, Damon isn't afraid to confront him.
"Boom."
A few muffled thunders sounded in the sky, and Harry and others' faces were tense. Damon was obviously a substitute, but he didn't even go on stage to salute, standing in the audience and cheering loudly with the students without any scruples.
Professor McGonagall, who was in the teacher's seat, saw this scene and pursed her lips.
If they lose this game, she will definitely persuade Damon to play in the next loser group.
"How unstable, such a person is the leader of Gryffindor, how ridiculous."
Snape choked calmly, his lips curling slightly.
No one paid him any attention.
Lockhart's figure moved through Hogwarts Castle.
Distant Quidditch cheers evoked his dismay.
It was a shame that Professor Lockhart was absent from such a lively occasion.
But there was nothing he could do. He had more important things to do right now!
Lockhart extensively researched Harry's whereabouts and subsequently searched every possible location. Following a lead, he finally found the girls' bathroom.
He deliberately made a little noise, but no one came out.
Great! It seemed even Myrtle had gone to watch the Quidditch match.
This sent another pang through Lockhart's heart.
Quidditch, he had missed a Quidditch match! What a terrible price to pay!
But it was all worth it!
Lockhart searched for a while and soon found the small, snake-shaped mark on the side of the brass faucet!
"D-Kay!"
he said in a broken accent, trying to imitate the sinister emphasis.
No response.
He persisted.
"Big Kai."
"Big loss."
With each attempt, Lockhart's voice grew deeper, more raspy and sinister.
He uttered, almost in a snakelike hiss: "Open."
Immediately, the faucet emitted a dazzling white light and began to spin rapidly.
The pool receded, revealing a man-sized pipe.
"Aha! Looks like this is the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets!"
Lockhart's face was filled with ecstasy, his expression bordering on frenzy.
He felt no fear at all, and plunged decisively!
It felt like hurtling down a dark, slimy, endless slide.
He followed the winding, winding, steeply sloping pipe down the drain, finally emerging from the mouth and landing with a plop on the wet ground.
A large stone tunnel, dark enough for a man to stand inside, was silent. Lockhart's feet echoed on the damp ground.
But he felt no fear in his heart. This environment actually made him feel comfortable!
Lockhart felt his mind had never been so clear. Many spells that he had almost forgotten suddenly flooded into his mind, even dark magic!
Salazar's knowledge remains. He left his memories here, but there must be more. His expression fanatical, eyes red, he continued deeper.
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(End of this chapter)