"Good memories have always been the most potent weapon against the influence of Dark Magic," Professor Lockhart's warm voice continued, filling the office. "Not only do they strengthen the spells we cast, but they also subtly reshape our very outlook. However, sometimes we find ourselves without a single truly cherished memory. Life often feels mundane, and our journey is fraught with so many dreadful moments."
"What then?" he mused. "Once we grasp this truth, we must adjust our perspective, actively seeking joy in our daily lives. We must also alter our actions, striving to create and pursue even more beautiful, delightful, and enchanting experiences."
He gazed intently at Ginny, offering a profound whisper. "Remember this, for it is the secret to avoiding the path of a Dark Wizard, and indeed, the very essence of resisting the allure of Dark Magic."
"Right then!" Lockhart snapped his fingers softly. "Our session for today ends here."
Ginny and Luna both let out a collective sigh of relief, finally escaping the dreadful sensation of fear that had consumed them. They exchanged a glance before turning their attention back to Professor Lockhart, who sat behind his grand desk.
"You both performed splendidly," the professor praised, fetching two rows of chocolates, each bearing his signature, from a shelf behind him. He offered them with a beaming smile, advising, "Remember that delightful feeling of exploring your beautiful memories. When you return to your common rooms, try to immerse yourselves in that sensation and then cast the spells you already know. You'll discover some truly wondrous transformations."
His smile was radiant, its warmth chasing away the lingering shadow of negative emotions. Once the two young witches had savored their chocolates and returned to their usual selves, he extended an invitation. "I'd be honored if you would consider joining my Duelling Club..."
However, it seemed the two young witches weren't entirely captivated by the idea. They merely stared at his brilliant smile, unsure how to politely decline. But this presented no challenge for Lockhart. He turned his charming grin toward Luna. "You see, Xenophilius and I are rather good friends. He would be quite vexed if he learned I was teaching at Hogwarts and hadn't looked after his daughter properly."
"Naturally, I also wish for your abilities to flourish. You must understand, there's likely no other wizard in the world who comprehends how to guide you in your search for those fascinating 'magical creatures' quite like I do." (He was, of course, referring to creatures like the Crumple-Horned Snorkack.)
Xenophilius Lovegood, Luna's father, had raised her single-handedly after her mother's unfortunate demise during a magical experiment when Luna was but nine years old. As the esteemed editor of The Quibbler, he naturally had some dealings with renowned authors like Lockhart. And, as it happened, Xenophilius was also a member of the Muggle-born Ravenclaw Society, though his interests often diverged from those of Lockhart, who was so devoted to fame and fortune, making genuine conversations between them quite rare.
Luna truly hesitated this time, eventually nodding and offering a soft "Mm-hmm."
Now, as for Ginny Weasley, she had been feeling rather dreadful of late, often waking up in peculiar corners of the castle with no recollection of how she arrived, sometimes even stained with blood. Instinctively, she felt an aversion to excessive contact with the Hogwarts professors, a feeling subtly influenced by Tom Riddle's hidden machinations.
However, Lockhart knew precisely how to address her plight. Just as he had proclaimed, joy and happiness were the most potent defenses against the influence of Dark Magic. And for Ginny, there was nothing more joyful than spending time with Harry Potter!
"Oh, Ginny, your twin brothers, George and Fred, along with Ron, are all members of my Duelling Club. And Harry Potter! Come along, don't fret; everyone will look after you." As for her other brother, Percy, he was not in the Duelling Club but rather a part of the N.E.W.T. Preparation Class.
Harry! To learn alongside Harry! Ginny's eyes lit up, all other thoughts vanishing. She struggled to contain her burgeoning excitement, nodding vigorously. "It would be my immense pleasure, Professor Lockhart!"
"Excellent!" Lockhart beamed at them. "Trust me, you'll discover just how utterly fascinating it is to learn under my tutelage!"
Upon her return, Ginny immediately confided in her "Diary," her dearest and most trusted friend, about joining the Duelling Club. Her dear friend, Tom Riddle, merely cursed inwardly at the notion of more complications but otherwise saw no immediate problem. He recalled a similar professor during his own time at Hogwarts, a professor who delighted in recruiting gifted young witches and wizards into his club, and who had provided him with invaluable guidance on the darkest of magical arts – the Horcrux charm.
Professor Horace Slughorn, a pure-blood from one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight families, had been the Head of Slytherin House at the time and the founder of the illustrious "Slug Club." This club boasted an impressive roster of talented individuals, ranging from high-ranking Ministry officials to newspaper editors, from the proprietor of Honeydukes to even the current Divination Professor, Sybill Trelawney. Through this club, Slughorn had cultivated a formidable network of connections. Among its alumni were also wizards who played significant roles in the First Wizarding War: Lord Voldemort himself, Lily Evans (who ultimately vanquished Voldemort), Lucius Malfoy, and Regulus Black (Sirius Black's younger brother)...
Her dearest friend, Tom, feigned enthusiasm, encouraging Ginny to participate in this professor's club. He intended to use this as an opportunity to observe the exceptional new generation at Hogwarts, hoping to identify potential recruits for his own cause once he was fully restored. However, he had absolutely no inkling that Ginny's very first experience at the Duelling Club would involve nothing less than a rather heated argument.