"Anyway, it would look strange if a professor acted overly respectful toward a student."
Liam folded his arms.
"So from now on, don't be excessively polite around me in public."
Lockhart looked as though he had been asked to jump off a cliff.
Still, he nodded obediently.
"Yes, Master. I understand."
"Good."
Liam gestured.
"Now stand up."
Lockhart immediately obeyed.
Watching the respect and fear in the man's eyes, Liam felt quite satisfied.
He wasn't worried about Dumbledore discovering the domination magic he had placed on Lockhart.
For one thing, the spell was entirely his own creation.
No one else knew it existed.
Even Dumbledore would struggle to identify something he had never encountered before.
More importantly, Dumbledore clearly didn't make a habit of using Legilimency on everyone at Hogwarts.
If he did, people like Quirrell and Lockhart would never have slipped into the school in the first place.
The old Headmaster had only ever shown unusual interest in Liam himself because Liam was such a unique case.
Besides, domination magic wasn't some unstoppable power.
The spell depended heavily on the target's mental state.
Strong-willed individuals could resist it far more effectively.
The reason it had worked so easily on Lockhart was simple.
The man was a coward.
His willpower was weak.
Liam had also spent several minutes systematically destroying his confidence through fear, threats, and psychological pressure.
By the time the spell was cast, Lockhart's resistance had already collapsed.
Someone like Dumbledore would be an entirely different matter.
The stronger the mind, the harder the domination.
In actual combat, the spell was practically useless.
"Now then."
Liam looked at Lockhart.
"You'll improve your classes."
"Improve them?"
"Yes."
Liam nodded.
"Stop asking students ridiculous questions about your own books."
Lockhart looked embarrassed.
"Teach actual Defence Against the Dark Arts theory."
"At least pretend to be competent."
Lockhart immediately straightened.
"I will complete every task you assign me, Master."
"Good."
Liam nodded.
"There's another matter."
Lockhart immediately looked nervous again.
"Hermione and I discovered yesterday that your books were written using stolen memories."
The author's face turned pale.
"She was seriously considering reporting you and sending you to Azkaban."
"Azkaban?!"
Lockhart nearly collapsed.
"Master!"
He dropped to his knees again.
"You must save me!"
"If I end up in Azkaban, I won't be able to help you at all!"
"Calm down."
Liam waved dismissively.
"Since I've decided to use you, I have no intention of sending you there."
Relief flooded Lockhart's face.
"However," Liam continued, "that doesn't mean the problem is solved."
"I diverted Hermione's attention yesterday, but she hasn't forgotten."
Lockhart immediately looked miserable again.
"So what should I do?"
"Simple."
Liam smiled.
"I'll bring her here."
"You'll apologize."
"You'll show remorse."
"And you'll cooperate with my proposal."
Lockhart didn't even hesitate.
"I'll do it!"
"Excellent."
Liam removed the enchantments sealing the office door.
A moment later, he left the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom.
...
By the time Liam arrived at the library, Hermione was already waiting at their usual table.
Several thick books were stacked beside her.
The moment she saw him, she immediately spoke.
"I still don't think Lockhart should get away with it."
Liam sat down calmly.
Hermione continued.
"What he did was horrible."
"He stole those people's memories."
"He took their achievements."
"He became rich and famous because of them."
Her expression hardened.
"Even if he doesn't go to Azkaban, he should be punished."
Liam had expected exactly this reaction.
"You're right."
Hermione blinked.
"You agree?"
"Of course."
Liam nodded.
"Actually, I spoke with Lockhart earlier."
"You did?"
"He wants to meet both of us."
Hermione frowned suspiciously.
"Why?"
"I think he's scared."
Liam shrugged.
"Let's hear what he has to say."
After a brief hesitation, Hermione agreed.
"Alright."
The two left the library together.
A few minutes later, they entered Lockhart's office.
The moment both students stepped inside, Lockhart hurriedly shut the door.
Then he adopted a thoroughly miserable expression.
"Liam. Hermione."
His voice trembled.
"I know you've discovered my secret."
Hermione crossed her arms.
Lockhart looked as though he were about to cry.
"I admit it."
"I made terrible mistakes."
"Please forgive me."
"Please don't report me."
"Azkaban is too horrible."
"If I go there, I'll die."
He looked directly at Hermione.
"You wouldn't want that, would you?"
Hermione remained unmoved.
"If you're truly sorry," she said firmly, "then return the memories."
Lockhart froze.
Hermione continued.
"Show those witches and wizards the memories you've stolen."
"Help them recover what you took."
"Do that, and I won't report you."
Lockhart's expression immediately collapsed.
"But if I do that..."
He looked desperate.
"They'll send me to Azkaban themselves!"
"Can't we find another solution?"
His pleading gaze shifted toward Liam.
As though waiting for rescue.
Liam coughed lightly.
"Actually..."
Hermione looked over.
"I do have an idea."
"What kind of idea?"
She trusted Liam enough to listen.
"The biggest problem with reporting Lockhart immediately is that it doesn't really help the victims."
Hermione frowned thoughtfully.
Liam continued.
"If the Ministry arrests him, his assets will likely be confiscated."
"The victims might recover their memories."
"But that's all."
"They won't actually receive any compensation."
Hermione slowly nodded.
That was true.
"Meanwhile," Liam said, "whether we like him or not, Lockhart is an extremely successful author."
The professor straightened slightly.
"His books earn a fortune."
Lockhart nodded eagerly.
"They do!"
Liam ignored him.
"The original owners of those memories probably could never have written books that successful."
"Before Lockhart published them, most people had never even heard of those adventures."
He looked at Hermione.
"That's true, isn't it?"
Hermione thought about it.
Then nodded.
"Yes."
"Exactly."
Liam leaned back.
"So here's my proposal."
Both Hermione and Lockhart stared at him.
"Lockhart continues writing and publishing books."
Lockhart's eyes immediately brightened.
"But."
The professor instantly became nervous again.
"Half of every future royalty payment goes directly to the people whose memories he used."
The office fell silent.
Liam continued calmly.
"Those memories helped create his career."
"So they deserve compensation."
"Lockhart keeps his freedom."
"The victims receive lifelong financial support."
"The stories continue being shared with the wizarding world."
He looked between them.
"A genuine compromise."
Hermione's eyes gradually widened.
The more she thought about it, the better the idea seemed.
The victims would receive meaningful compensation.
Lockhart would stop profiting alone.
And the punishment would continue for years.
Rather than exploiting those people, Lockhart would effectively spend the rest of his career working for them.
A slow smile appeared on Hermione's face.
"I like it."
She turned toward Lockhart.
"What about you, Professor?"
Lockhart stared at both of them.
Then, after a few seconds, he realized this was infinitely better than Azkaban.
"Agreed!"
He nodded so hard it looked painful.
"I completely agree!"
....
Join my P*atreon for 100 premium chapters ahead of the public release.
Link: pa*treon.com/MysticVerse (Remove the *)
Free members also get 2 advanced chapters for free.