https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-210-The-Missing-Lockhart-Fourth-Update-/13459848/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-212-Voldemort-s-Diary-First-Update-/13459852/
Chapter 211: Idol's Fall
Chapter 211: Idol's Fall (Five Updates)
The next day, at nine in the morning.
Jerry finished his Meditation Technique practice and returned to his room from the box.
"Sure enough, no matter where you are, reporters are always the fastest, even faster than the police!"
Hearing the commotion outside, Jerry knew that last night's operation had achieved the desired effect.
Sure enough, as soon as he pushed open the door, he saw several Daily Prophet reporters blocking the door of Lockhart's room, which was a few doors down from his.
"Mr. Lockhart, please open the door and explain the accusations regarding your use of Obliviate to steal others' experiences for your books. Is this all fabricated, or is it true? And what about the book 'The True Lockhart'? Did you write it yourself?"
"I told you, I don't understand what you're saying. All the content in my books is based on my own experiences. There is no such book as 'The True Lockhart.' I only have one autobiography, 'Me and Magic'!"
The door remained closed, but Lockhart's agitated voice could be heard from inside.
At that moment, two young witches in suits arrived at Lockhart's door:
"Mr. Lockhart, we are Aurors from the Ministry of Magic's Task Force. We are here to request that you accompany us to the Ministry for an investigation!"
"See, I told you, you won't be able to make it to your book signing today!"
Jerry smiled at the scene, sidestepped the Aurors and reporters blocking Lockhart's door, and headed downstairs to the Leaky Cauldron's ground floor.
He planned to try the Leaky Cauldron's breakfast.
Despite spending so much time at the Leaky Cauldron, he had never tasted the food there.
"No wonder the business is so poor!"
After taking a bite of the steak, Jerry couldn't help but frown.
While he preferred well-done steak, that didn't mean it should be so tough it was impossible to chew. Well-done doesn't necessarily mean overcooked; there's a difference.
Diagon Alley is the only magical street in London and the largest gathering place for British witches.
The Leaky Cauldron is the only bar and proper dining spot in Diagon Alley.
Given its unique position, the fact that business was only average each day clearly indicated that the owner, Tom, wasn't a very skilled manager. It seemed the only thing decent was the drinks.
However, adhering to the principle of not wasting food, Jerry finished the entire steak.
Though the steak was tough, his teeth were not to be underestimated. After all, he could even eat Hagrid's Rock Cakes.
"Jerry, Jerry!"
Just as Jerry finished his breakfast and stood up from his seat, he heard a familiar voice from the bar's entrance.
Turning his head, he saw Hermione, who had agreed to meet him today to purchase her second-year textbooks, waving and running over to give him a hug.
"Long time no see, Jerry!"
"Long time no see, Hermione. Oh, you've grown taller!"
Jerry patted Hermione's back and released her, slightly surprised.
In just two and a half months of summer, Hermione had grown almost half a head taller. Indeed, girls tend to develop earlier than boys.
Hermione was born on September 19, 1979, while Harry was born on July 31, 1980, making Hermione almost a year older than Harry.
If Hermione had been born a few weeks earlier, she would have received her acceptance letter the year before.
So, by the time school started, while Harry and the others were still twelve, Hermione would be considered thirteen, the age when girls grow and develop the fastest.
"Speaking of height, your change is even more significant!"
Hermione compared herself and found that she was still not as tall as Jerry's eyes.
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
At that moment, a cough came from behind Hermione. It was her father, Mr. Granger.
Seeing this, Jerry quickly and elegantly bowed to the Granger family:
"Good morning, Mr. Granger, and Mrs. Granger!"
"Good morning, Jerry. Between this boy and girl, you should—ouch!"
Mr. Granger was cut off mid-sentence by a pinch from Mrs. Granger on his lower back:
"Jerry, don't listen to your uncle's nonsense. Hermione tells me you've been very kind to her at school and are one of the top students. You should be good friends!"
Seeing Mrs. Granger's kind smile, Jerry was taken aback but nodded instinctively.
"That's only right. Hermione and I are very good friends!"
In the Harry Potter world, if there was anyone Jerry considered his closest friend, it was Hermione.
From their first meeting at Diagon Alley at the start of the school year, to the train ride, and then in the Hogwarts library, Jerry had spent the most time talking with Hermione.
Although at this point, with his extensive magical knowledge, Hermione's help had become minimal.
However, if Hermione ever found herself in danger, he would never stand by and do nothing.
"We should go to Gringotts to exchange Galleons!"
Hermione's face flushed slightly as she pulled Jerry toward the magical wall in the back yard of the Leaky Cauldron.
"Is Harry coming to Diagon Alley today?"
Watching Hermione use her wand to open the passage to Diagon Alley, Jerry asked.
"Ron's letter said they would use Floo Powder to come directly to Diagon Alley for their shopping. But I suggested he get a new owl. I think their old owl, Errol, might die if it has to deliver another letter!"
Hermione added a bit of criticism about Ron's owl, Errol.
As soon as they stepped onto the main street of Diagon Alley, Hermione immediately sensed something was off.
Unlike usual, where everyone was busy shopping at various stores, many witches were gathered in small groups, flipping through a rather shabby-looking book and discussing it animatedly.
"What's going on?"
Hermione looked puzzled.
"Who knows, but I think it might have something to do with that witch named Gilderoy Lockhart!"
Jerry shrugged.
"Gilderoy Lockhart! The famous author, what happened to him?"
Hermione's eyes lit up. For someone who loved reading as much as she did, Lockhart, a renowned author, was an idol.
"He's in some trouble!"
Jerry then recounted what he had heard from the reporters that morning and the scene he saw of Aurors taking Lockhart away.
Hermione's first reaction was disbelief. It wasn't that she didn't trust Jerry; she simply couldn't believe that Lockhart was the person the reporters described.
She couldn't accept that her idol was a fraud, someone who only used Obliviate to steal others' experiences, a despicable person.
"Hermione, don't think too much about it. Wait for the Ministry of Magic's official statement. Some things are better left unsaid until the truth is known!"
Jerry saw that Hermione's mood had noticeably dropped and tried to comfort her.
It's normal for an idol to fall from grace. At first, it's hard to accept, but once you truly understand, you'll come to terms with it. It's not a big deal.
(End of Chapter)
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