Following Professor Lockhart through the radiant passage, they walked for what felt like ages until the light ahead suddenly became blinding. Before they could even lower their hands from shielding their eyes, Lockhart's voice broke through, sounding relieved. "Brilliant! We've finally made it out."
Clearly, escaping that dreadful Chamber hadn't been as easy for Professor Lockhart as he'd hoped.
When Lucius Malfoy, along with the elder Goyle and Crabbe, realized they were back in Hogwarts Castle, they could hardly believe it. They stepped forward, almost in disbelief, touching the cold stone walls. Lucius, usually so composed, felt his emotions unravel, tears welling up in his eyes.
They'd narrowly escaped death! He pressed his lips together tightly, trying to maintain his dignity, but his trembling hands betrayed him.
Unlike the prideful Lucius, Goyle and Crabbe were far less restrained. They threw their arms around each other, shouting, "We're alive! We're alive!"
Lockhart, ever patient, waited for them to calm down. With a wave of his wand, he cast Scourgify to clean them up and a few healing charms to make them look less disheveled.
"Thank you!" Lucius said, his gratitude overwhelming.
Lockhart just shrugged. "I've dedicated my life to battling dark wizards, but my compassion and kindness wouldn't let me leave you to die."
Dark wizard?! Lucius thought, indignant. In the past, being labeled like that would've sent him into a rage or at least earned a sharp retort. But now, all he could do was thank Lockhart profusely.
Lucius was so effusive, promising all sorts of favors, that Lockhart, the self-proclaimed champion of justice, started to feel a bit awkward about his earlier coldness. His tone softened. "Draco and Harry Potter are two of my favorite students. I couldn't let my students lose their fathers."
"If you want to thank someone, thank yourself for raising such an excellent son. Draco's worth helping."
Lucius nodded. "Yes, Severus has told me how much you've looked out for Draco, how much he's learned from you."
Even Goyle and Crabbe stepped forward to express their thanks. Severus had mentioned their sons too, saying Lockhart didn't think they were dimwitted at all. In fact, he'd called them "proper wizards with great potential."
Severus had even said that Lockhart might be the only professor patient enough to teach young Goyle and Crabbe properly.
Lockhart hadn't realized Snape had been singing his praises behind his back.
He was, dare he say, a bit touched.
Not that he particularly needed the friendship of the Malfoy clan. His goal here was simple: to throw a wrench in Voldemort's plans.
The collapse of a great empire always starts from within, and Lockhart knew it well.
He taught Harry Potter and his friends to "find solutions tailored to the problem." Naturally, he applied the same principle himself.
What was Voldemort's greatest strength? His dark magic? His mysterious Horcruxes?
No.
Voldemort's true power was his influence. The moment he returned, followers would flock to him, his presence commanding and unstoppable.
That was what made Dumbledore so wary of the Dark Lord.
"If the Malfoy family can ever help you with anything, just say the word!" Lucius declared generously, still promising favors to his savior.
Lockhart didn't hesitate. "Actually, there is something."
"??" Lucius blinked, caught off guard. He'd navigated high society for decades and wasn't used to such bluntness. Still, he put on his most earnest expression. "Name it, and the Malfoy family will do everything in our power to make it happen!"
"Oh, no need to be so serious!" Lockhart chuckled, startled by the intensity. He reached into his ring and pulled out a gramophone, holding it up for them to see. "Can you fix this thing?"
This…
Lucius stared at the all-too-familiar object, his mouth twitching. He was tempted to point out that it was just like the toy his father had given him as a child.
"Of course," he said with a smile. "Repairing alchemical artifacts isn't too difficult for the Malfoy family." He gestured to Goyle, who stepped forward to take it. "I'll have it fixed and sent back to you as soon as possible."
Not that he'd deliver it himself, of course.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? He was done with this place!
Not just him—he was pulling the kids out today. Transferring schools. They had to transfer.
In his mind, there was no place in the world more dangerous than Hogwarts right now!
He'd nearly died here today!
Lucius had made up his mind. Not even Professor McGonagall could stop him!
And then…
They ran into Dumbledore.
"D-Dumbledore!" Lucius stammered, stunned. According to his sources, Dumbledore was supposed to be at a meeting with the International Confederation of Wizards.
He couldn't help blurting out, "What are you doing here?"
Dumbledore's piercing gaze swept over Lucius and his two companions. "I'm the headmaster of this school, Mr. Malfoy. Where else would I be?"
In truth, he'd sensed Lockhart using that fairy-tale book—a powerful magical artifact—at an intense level and had Apparated back to Hogwarts immediately.
Then he'd witnessed quite the entertaining fairy-tale adventure.
To be honest, Lucius and his cronies had performed abysmally. When Lockhart had intimidated them, claiming Voldemort was coming to "deal with traitors," they hadn't even put up much of a fight.
Their reactions told Dumbledore everything he needed to know: if Tom Riddle returned, these three would likely fall right back in line as loyal Death Eaters.
But something seemed to have shifted.
Dumbledore glanced at Lockhart, who stood quietly to the side, then nodded to the trio and turned to lead the way. "Come along. The children are with Madam Pomfrey. It's not a serious issue—just a matter of waiting for Professor Sprout's Mandrakes to mature."
"Professor Dumbledore!" Lucius mustered his courage and raised his voice. But when Dumbledore turned, his gaze sharp and unyielding, Lucius found himself unable to say the words about transferring the children.
Of course.
He knew it.
Dumbledore would never allow their kids to leave. He was probably using them as bait to lure out the Dark Lord!
How could he let that happen?
But under Dumbledore's imposing stare, Lucius felt like a dragon was baring its teeth at him, as if warning, Don't say something I won't like, Lucius.
What could he do?
He didn't dare open his mouth.
At that moment, he wished his two slightly dim-witted companions would blurt something out. Maybe Dumbledore wouldn't react too harshly.
But when he turned to look at Goyle and Crabbe, they were just as cowed, heads bowed in fear.
It was Lockhart who spoke up, his tone soft but firm. "I feel obliged to point out, Lucius, that right now, the only one who can truly keep you and your children safe is Dumbledore."
"!!!"