The words on the photograph from the Daily Prophet article about the opening of the Chamber of Secrets at Hogwarts had clearly sent a shiver down some people's spines.
Goyle and Crabbe's parents finally arrived at the school after several days to visit their sons, accompanied by Lucius Malfoy, the elder brother of Old Goyle and Old Crabbe. Old Goyle and Old Crabbe, much like their offspring, seemed rather dull-witted. But only dull-witted, not truly foolish. They understood perfectly how to perpetuate their family's honour: by unwavering loyalty to the clever Malfoys, come what may. They conducted themselves thus, and so did their children. This strategy had proven fruitful; unlike other pure-blood families who were steadily falling into disrepute, their own families retained considerable influence. The Malfoys, too, looked after the Goyles and the Crabbes. Indeed, Narcissa, the current matriarch of the Malfoy family, was quite fond of young Goyle and young Crabbe, caring for them as if they were Draco's own brothers.
"You've chosen a rather inconvenient time; Professor Dumbledore isn't at the school just now," remarked Gilderoy Lockhart, the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, who met them on the castle viaduct. This was the designated spot for outsiders to Apparate into the castle grounds. Originally, the three Malfoys intended to report to Deputy Headmistress Professor McGonagall, and it would have been proper for her to accompany these school governors. However, Professor McGonagall wasn't exactly thrilled at the prospect of seeing the trio. And Professor Snape, Head of Slytherin House, to which young Goyle and young Crabbe belonged, was currently preoccupied teaching young wizards and finding opportunities to humiliate Harry Potter, so he was quite unavailable. Thus, the task fell to Lockhart, the very professor who personally instructed young Goyle and Crabbe in the Duelling Club.
Lockhart had never truly crossed paths with Lucius Malfoy before. The haughty Malfoy wasn't particularly keen on associating with a half-blood author who dabbled in the pursuit of fame. If he needed connections in that sphere, he typically sought out Rita Skeeter, who came from a pure-blood background.
Lucius wasn't about to dignify Lockhart's comment with a response. He certainly couldn't admit that they had deliberately chosen a time when Dumbledore was absent, could he? After more than ten years, old Dumbledore had recently apprehended one Death Eater after another (Amicus Carrow, and the unfortunate souls caught in the Gringotts robbery), giving them the distinct impression he was poised to dredge up old grievances once more. They were quite intimidated by old Dumbledore at the moment.
Lucius leaned on his snake-headed cane without ceremony, staring coldly at Lockhart with an air of accusation. "We sent our children to Hogwarts because we believed in Hogwarts' safety. Otherwise, they should have been sent to Durmstrang Institute for a superior education! Yet you professors have allowed the children to suffer such grievous harm?"
Lockhart's radiant smile instantly faltered, becoming cold and downturned. He merely sneered at Lucius. "But what I've heard is that the Dark Lord has returned, and he's preparing to purge those who once betrayed him..."
"Nonsense!" Lucius suddenly lost his composure, striding forward and fixing Lockhart with an intense stare, enunciating each word forcefully. "He's dead! Dead! And we, back then, were..."
...were what? Under the Imperius Curse? Threatened by the Killing Curse? Forced by the Cruciatus Curse?
Hmph. Such words, spoken for more than ten years, had become rote. But now, they seemed to catch in his throat, daring not to be uttered.
Lockhart sneered at him. "Lucius Malfoy, mark my words! It's not just those of the Order of the Phoenix keeping an eye on you Death Eaters; our Anti-Dark Arts League and the Order of Merlin are watching you as well!"
The Anti-Dark Arts League was easy enough to understand; they had always harboured animosity towards Dark wizards. Lockhart was an honorary member of this international organization and held a certain degree of influence within it.
The Order of Merlin, however, was rather interesting. This organization, with a history as ancient as many pure-blood families, actually had a rather poor reputation in the eyes of many pure-blood families. Many pure-bloods secretly cursed it as 'Muggle lackeys.' Indeed, the Order of Merlin was founded by the legendary wizard Merlin, with the aim of swearing allegiance to the Muggle monarchy, protecting Muggles, and governing the wizarding community. The reason the British Ministry of Magic was initially called the 'Ministry of Magic,' rather than the 'Magical Congress' like across the great ocean, was due to the influence of the Order of Merlin.
By this era, the Order of Merlin had begun to degenerate, its internal structure rife with all sorts of chaotic factions. Compared to the 'pure-blood supremacy' and 'pro-Muggle' factions that had emerged in recent decades, 'wizarding supremacy' had become the most powerful voice. Of course, these factional struggles were all conducted in secret, with undercurrents of tension. Publicly, everyone still had to adhere to the bottom line of the 'Statute of Secrecy' when expressing their views. It was, one might say, an irony.
Lucius Malfoy's face was contorted with fury, and beneath that fury lay a profound fear. Had the Dark Lord truly returned? Was he truly going to cleanse them, the traitors? I didn't truly betray him! I was truly coerced at the time! My Lord, please, give me a chance to explain!
His expression shifted erratically. Old Goyle and Old Crabbe, however, were displeased to see their leader so mocked. They both drew their wands and aimed them at Lockhart, shouting angrily. Lockhart, meanwhile, stood with a leisurely posture, hands clasped in front of him, not even bothering to draw his own wand. He merely gave them a cold, mocking look. "Excellent. Just as the Dark Lord prepares to cleanse you, you're preparing to attack a professor personally invited by Dumbledore to Hogwarts?"
Lucius's face changed. He raised a hand, motioning for his two junior companions to back down, but his gaze remained icy as he looked at Lockhart. "Don't change the subject. I only ask you, what exactly is wrong with young Goyle and young Crabbe?" This was his attempt to offer a graceful exit, his bluster betraying his inner cowardice.
Lockhart was silent for a moment, then sighed with a touch of pity. "If they're injured, of course, they must be healed. After all, I am their personal instructor. No matter what side they stand on, I will save them."
"You?" Lucius's tone suggested Lockhart was utterly insignificant.
"Mandrake Restorative Draught," Lockhart rolled his eyes. "Lucius, if you had paid proper attention during your Hogwarts years, you would know that the seventh-year N.E.W.T. Potions class teaches the brewing of this very potion. It will solve their predicament."
Old Goyle and Old Crabbe immediately turned to Lucius. Those two, back in their sixth and seventh years, had been too busy retaking their 'Ordinary Wizarding Level' exams to even qualify for N.E.W.T. advanced classes.
Lucius nodded. He looked at his two henchmen, who were clearly worried about their sons, and explained, "This potion can reverse physical changes caused by curses or transfiguration, restoring one to their original state." He instantly seized on the crucial point, questioning Lockhart. "Are you certain this draught will cure them?"
Lockhart shrugged. "Professor Dumbledore's assessment. You can consult him yourself." Brewing this potion wasn't difficult, and even gathering the ingredients wasn't hard for these pure-blood families. The only truly challenging part was knowing that young Goyle and young Crabbe's current condition could be treated with this draught.
Lucius was silent.
Old Goyle and Old Crabbe, conversely, both visibly relaxed. Although they had sworn allegiance to the Dark Lord alongside Lucius and stood against Dumbledore, they held immense respect for Dumbledore's character and powerful abilities. If Dumbledore said it was so, then it was. How wonderful! The children are saved!
"Follow me!" Lockhart turned directly and began walking towards the castle, as if he had no further desire to converse with them.
Lucius shot a daggered look at Lockhart's retreating back but ultimately gestured for his two companions to follow. Never had anyone... no one had dared to be so disrespectful to him! To even dare to mention the Dark Lord so casually, to mention them, the Death Eaters! This Lockhart, he would have to pay!
As malicious thoughts swirled in his mind, he followed Lockhart around a corridor. Suddenly, he felt his feet give way, as if he had stepped into thin air and was falling. His vision was filled with streaks of shimmering, multicoloured light. Looking up, he saw Professor Lockhart's face, a look of shocked concern as he reached out, seemingly trying to catch them, yet failing.
He heard Old Goyle and Old Crabbe's cries of alarm. "The Dark Lord is going to cleanse us! He's going to cleanse us! Lucius, what are we to do?!!!"
"Boo-hoo-hoo, I told you not to come to Hogwarts! He's here! He's here! Boo-hoo-hoo, I don't want to die!"
Lucius's already pale face instantly drained of all colour. He looked up at the panicked Lockhart above and shouted frantically.
"Save me, Professor Lockhart, save me!!!"
You were personally invited to teach at the school by Dumbledore, weren't you? You must be very capable, mustn't you? Actually, I do trust Dumbledore's judgment! Save me!!!