Chapter 103: Lockhart's Downfall
Chapter 103: Lockhart's Downfall
Lockhart appeared extremely nervous, his fine, flowing golden hair tightly plastered to his head.
"Professor Hup, I have an urgent matter regarding a new book. It's very important, and I need to deal with it immediately."
"Is that so? Oh, I believe your office doesn't have a Connection Floo Network. Should I call Professor Mcgonagall, or perhaps... Dumbledore?"
Lockhart flashed a dazzling smile. "If that's the case, then it's perfect. Headmaster Dumbledore, what brings you here?"
A brilliant green light shot from Lockhart's hand at incredible speed. Just as Lockhart's victorious smile spread, his spell stopped abruptly in front of Felix.
An invisible barrier stood before Felix, the dazzling beam seemingly cut off by the air.
"Hmm, so this is your strongest magic? I must say, Professor Lockhart, you've surprised me", Felix said, still managing to sound casual.
"Felix Hep! Let me go!"
"Sorry."
"You know everything, don't you? The Weasley boy must have tattled. Do you really think you can uphold justice? Come on, Felix Hep, I've heard about your background. You're not the type to meddle in others' affairs."
"True, I'm not interested in your affairs, but who made you squirm right under my nose?" Felix said. If Lockhart had stayed outside Hogwarts, he wouldn't have gotten involved.
"Then let me leave! I swear I'll never show my face to you again."
"Let you leave? After I found out you're a master of memory magic and an ambush expert?" Felix shook his head.
Their spells clashed repeatedly, and Felix increased his magical output. The previously invisible Shield Charm began to form simple lines, and a suit of armor materialized in the air.
On the other side, Lockhart held his own, exuding a powerful aura. His spells were incredibly potent and growing stronger by the second.
The corridor was illuminated by the green light, casting an eerie and terrifying glow on Lockhart's face.
"Felix Hep, my magic is stronger than you think. I've received a secret legacy! I'm far from my limits now!"
In just a minute, his spell had rapidly escalated, even matching the powerful Disarming Charm Felix had demonstrated in the second Duelling Class.
However, Felix actually laughed. "Lockhart, you're only strong in this one spell. It seems to be some kind of Ancient Magic, truly enviable..."
"But I have to say, Lockhart, you're not good at dueling."
Felix waved his other hand, and the loose stones in the corner transformed into sleek, fat rats.
The rats scurried and swarmed towards Lockhart.
"What the hell is this? Rats, so many rats!"
While maintaining his spell, Lockhart shuddered, but it was in vain. One of the rats bit his arm, and the intense pain made his wand slip from his hand.
Under Lockhart's terrified gaze and Felix's calm one, the wand fell to the ground, bounced a few times, and then lay still.
Felix cast a silent Accio and caught Lockhart's wand.
The corridor grew dark again.
Lockhart's face was ashen, and he pleaded, "Felix, I had no choice... I can give you all my money."
Felix sighed. "Headmaster, I'll leave it to you to handle."
As Lockhart's face turned to horror, Dumbledore's figure slowly emerged. Half of his face was hidden in the shadows, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and sorrow.
“Dumbledore… Headmaster! I…”
“Lockhart, I watched you grow up.”
Dumbledore said calmly, suppressing his emotions. A red light flashed, and Lockhart was knocked unconscious.
The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor floated in mid-air, bound by a golden thread.
As he left, Dumbledore said to Felix, “Thank you, Felix.”
“I didn’t do much. With you watching, he had nowhere to run.”
All the portraits in the castle were the eyes and ears of the Hogwarts Headmaster, and with Dumbledore’s own magical prowess, no one could escape his notice.
Felix even felt that the old man held too many secrets, which he had never revealed.
This was also why he didn’t use powerful magic. If they had met outside the school, he would have given Lockhart a full set of restraining spells.
“No, Felix, I thank you. You saved me from having to confront my own student.”
Dumbledore left.
Felix stood there for a moment, then walked into Lockhart’s office.
…
During the day, the young wizards noticed that Lockhart didn’t show up for class and began to speculate. Soon, they realized that the other professors were also being vague.
A rumor quickly spread—
“It must have been Fudge! I knew it, he wouldn’t let Lockhart off the hook.” Dean Thomas declared to the Gryffindor young wizards, who looked at him with mixed skepticism.
“It’s true, Fudge has a very small heart. I read it in the newspaper.”
That night, Felix announced that the ‘Equipment Upgrade Plan’ had been a complete success, and everyone could return to their normal routines.
In fact, everyone else’s detentions had already ended, except for Ron.
Felix’s initial goal was to help Ron reasonably escape Lockhart’s control, but the young wizards’ enthusiasm had grown so high that the situation was beyond his control.
However, this was the first time Felix had seen young wizards from all four houses working together for a common goal, so he let it be and even provided guidance.
Now that the danger was over, the teaching aid upgrade plan had reached its fourth version, and it was time to wrap things up.
But those who deserved rewards should still receive them.
“Given that some of you continued to fulfill your duties after your detentions ended and completed your tasks outstandingly, each of you will receive some house points.”
Amidst the cheers, Ron mustered the courage to ask, “What about me, Professor Hup?”
“Weasley, your detention was too long for me to give you house points, but… I can recommend to Professor Mcgonagall that your detentions be reduced.”
Ron left the office contentedly.
Felix was also in a good mood. With all the miscellaneous tasks resolved, he no longer had to worry about this and that.
That night, he enjoyed two episodes of an animated film.
The clumsy cat and the clever mouse’s battles were simple and pure, leaving no burden.
Felix flipped through his collection, thinking, “Maybe I should buy more?” He fell asleep peacefully with this thought.
The next day in the Great Hall, Snape cornered Felix.
“You helped me get the Defense Against the Dark Arts position?” he asked, surprised.
(End of Chapter)
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