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Chapter Thirty-Six: Little Barty, Where Are You?
"Harry, you go first!" Lockhart pointed at him. "Legilimens!"
Harry wants to ask me about Occlumency after class, Lockhart noted from Harry's surface thoughts. But I'm sorry, I can't teach you.
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"Granger insists my behaviour was inappropriate—fine, I admit it. I just hope you won't report me to the Department of Magical Education." A ripple of laughter spread through the classroom.
"Simon thinks this lesson is boring? Fine, I'll look over your homework more carefully next time."
"Ron is thinking about what to have for lunch. I'm honestly curious how you don't put on weight." The Slytherins burst into mocking laughter.
"Neville is thinking of his parents—oh. I'm sorry. They were the bravest people."
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"Malfoy believes his Head of House will teach him Occlumency; let's hope he will."
"Miss Pandora thinks I look very cool when casting spells! Oh? Thank you. Slytherin, five points." A frustrated groan rose from the Gryffindor side.
"Miss Parkinson thinks learning Occlumency is pointless. That's a rather unambitious attitude."
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Lockhart spent the entire class using Legilimency on each student, though only briefly. He wasn't truly interested in their secrets, and prying too deeply would only cause resistance. All he needed to confirm was that each student was themselves and not under the Imperius Curse.
For the next week, he copied the same method in his Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons, skimming the memories of every student. Professor McGonagall confronted him, and the Ministry of Magic issued a warning demanding he stop immediately — but Lockhart ignored them. Hermione became convinced Lockhart had been placed under the Death Eaters' Imperius Curse and ran to Dumbledore in panic, but Dumbledore soothed her worries. The heads of the two visiting schools, hearing these rumours, also suspected Lockhart of being behind the attack, but no evidence existed.
There was still no sign of Barty Crouch Junior or anything resembling the Imperius Curse.
What exactly happened?
He needed to investigate the Triwizard staff. But the Goblet of Fire had never been touched by the staff, and interrogating dozens of adult wizards was no simple task.
How had Barty done it?
Lockhart felt himself on the brink of madness. He'd taken enormous risks for absolutely nothing. He finally decided to abandon the investigation for now. Let Harry Potter do whatever he wanted — damn it, let him run off as far as he liked.
Dumbledore had instructed him to protect Harry, but Lockhart no longer wished to do anything. The omnipotent Barty would surely protect Harry…
On the Sunday before the First Task, students in their third year and above were allowed to visit Hogsmeade.
"Professor, I want to go to Hogsmeade… but I don't have a guardian's signature…" Harry approached awkwardly.
"Here you are." Lockhart, as always, was easygoing and signed the permission slip without hesitation. "Enjoy yourself."
But Harry didn't leave. He stood there awkwardly.
"Is there something else?"
"Er… Professor, you seem troubled lately. You should relax a bit." Harry said nervously, especially as Lockhart narrowed his eyes at him. "Hermione said you should come with us… to Hogsmeade."
"Oh… that makes sense." Lockhart suddenly realised he had been wound up too tightly lately. He stood, slung an arm around Harry's shoulders, and said, "Let's go then."
They walked to the Three Broomsticks together.
Rita Skeeter and her photographer were just leaving, whispering to each other and not sparing Harry or Lockhart even a glance. Lockhart had to shift closer to Harry to avoid being whacked by Rita's crocodile-skin handbag as she staggered past in her drunken self-importance.
"The professor's here." Hermione's cheeks reddened — she hadn't expected Harry to actually succeed in bringing him. "I—I thought you wouldn't come…"
"You're right, I do need to relax. So then — what are we drinking?" Lockhart settled beside Hermione and Ron.
"Four butterbeers, Madam," Ron called eagerly.
"She's gone now," Hermione exhaled. "Rita Skeeter is unbearable!"
The pub was packed — mostly Hogwarts students enjoying an afternoon out, along with a few wizards Lockhart seldom saw elsewhere.
"That blasted woman makes her living by slandering and fabricating stories about people. If she ever interviews you, don't say a word." Lockhart remembered her well — an Animagus reporter who might be useful in future. "Especially you, Harry. You're a hero now."
"I just had the worst conversation with her!" Hermione protested. "Professor, what would you do if you ran into her?"
"A dose of Veritaserum and a Memory Charm afterwards," Lockhart replied without hesitation.
Everyone laughed — assuming he was joking.
That was the amusing part:
The truth was ignored,
and the lie was taken as a joke.
Lockhart didn't mind.
Ron: "Professor's brilliant."
Hermione: "That is exactly how to deal with people like her."
Harry: "…You're all ruthless…"
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