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Chapter Fourteen: Taking the Potion and Returning to the Plot
Back home, the series of major events he had just gone through made Lockhart feel—for the first time—that perhaps he wasn't entirely the fraud he used to be.
He had defeated the Basilisk, become the second person in history to survive the Killing Curse, and obtained the Mana-Boosting Potion—the true reason top-tier witches and wizards could stand so far above the rest. It explained how certain pure-blood families had remained powerful for centuries.
He retrieved a bottle of the potion. The thick, mercury-like liquid swirled lazily inside the crystal vial, a soft, luminous blue that seemed to hold a galaxy within. Its quiet glow hinted at the tremendous power it contained.
The label read:
Nothing in this world can create magical power from nothing. However, every witch and wizard carries vast potential, most of which remains untapped.
This is why some can unleash astonishing strength in moments of danger. The purpose of this potion is to gradually awaken all the latent magic within the body.
It works slowly—requiring roughly five years to reach full effect. If, after five years of its use, your power still falls short of another's, then you will never surpass them, for all your potential will have been fully awakened.
After he drank it, there was no agonising transformation, no dramatic rush of power. Instead, he felt as though he had returned to being fifteen again—magic growing a little stronger day by day.
Lockhart was working on his new book, The Chase with the Basilisk at Hogwarts, hoping to distance himself from Harry Potter and his cursed storyline, when an owl tapped at the window.
To:
Professor Gilderoy Lockhart
We are delighted by your recovery and are honoured to invite you back to Hogwarts. The students are eagerly awaiting the completion of the Defence Against the Dark Arts examinations left unfinished last term.
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
Lockhart hadn't wanted to get involved again, but he had already derailed Voldemort's plans once. If he refused to return, he knew he would become a target—one way or another. He had no choice.
When he arrived at Hogwarts, the school held a brief welcome in the Entrance Hall, introducing him to the new students as the "hero" and Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.
They also announced that Professor Lupin would step down at the end of the year.
He took his luggage back to his office—the school had provided a new one for Lupin—and didn't touch anything. Students greeted him politely along the way, even the usual Slytherin troublemakers.
Lockhart basked in the respect; book fans adored him, but this—this was different.
He had barely sat down when someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
It was the trio. The boys had grown taller, and Hermione—Hermione was nearly unrecognisable.
Before Lockhart could even take a proper look, Hermione burst into tears and threw her arms around him.
"Professor—I'm so glad you're alright!"
It had been nearly half a year since he'd last seen her. She had grown, her posture more confident, her expression steadier and more mature, though her eyes remained bright and earnest.
She wore a pink top and fitted jeans; her skin was still snow-white, but her figure had transformed from petite and cute to a slender and charming young woman.
Her breasts had also begun to develop, soft and yielding, light and delicate yet not uncomfortable to hold.
[[T: call FBI!]]
Her hair was neater than before—clearly well cared for—and she seemed to have taken more effort with her appearance.
Lockhart, who hadn't been with a woman for over six months, was actually a little impulsive. Luckily, Harry and Ron were there too.
Ron sighed. "Professor, she's been blaming herself every single day. Said it was all her fault, that she ruined everything for you. She even—well—she scared us sometimes."
Hermione flushed and looked down.
Harry stepped forward, more composed. "Sir… are you fully recovered? We were all really worried."
"Much better," Lockhart said truthfully. Whether it was the restored damage from the Killing Curse or the mana potion, he felt stronger than ever.
He gently patted Hermione's back before encouraging her to let go. She reluctantly stepped back, wiping her eyes.
Lockhart exhaled quietly. It seemed he would need to re-enter their lives properly—this time with his wits about him.
Lockhart felt that if he continued to hold her, he would embarrass himself. He thought that in a few days, when he didn't have classes, he would go and catch up with a few female fans.
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