Chapter 332: Mr. Smile Meets His Match
Chapter 332: Mr. Smile Meets His Match
In the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, Kyle and Lockhart went back and forth in a seemingly harmonious interrogation. Lockhart even diligently jotted down Kyle's responses, resembling a journalist at work.
After half an hour, a thick stack of parchment lay on the table.
"Remarkable..." Lockhart marveled. "I must say, you are an exceptional young wizard, Kyle. To have experienced such extraordinary events at your age, I'm sure you have many fascinating stories to tell."
Prior to his arrival at Hogwarts, Lockhart had only known about Kyle's encounter with a werewolf at St. Mungo's, for which he had been awarded the Second Grade Medal of Merlin Order.
To be honest, Lockhart had felt quite displeased at the time, thinking that the Merlin Order was unfair.
He had worked tirelessly to steal stories, helped an entire village rid themselves of werewolf troubles, expelled vampires causing havoc... and yet, in the end, he had only received a Third Grade medal.
Why did Kyle, who had merely defeated a werewolf, receive a Second Grade medal just because he had connections? Lockhart's first impression of Kyle was that of a lucky kid... If he had also known Dumbledore and Healer Sasiah of St. Mungo's, he was sure he could have received the Second Grade Medal of Merlin as well.
However, since becoming the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Lockhart had gained a more comprehensive understanding of Kyle.
He learned from a few upperclassmen that two years ago, an incredible magical beast incident that shocked the entire British wizarding community was also somehow connected to Kyle.
As a first-year student, he had been captured by the notorious dark wizard, Oren, in the Forbidden Forest, but somehow managed to escape miraculously.
Lockhart was equally intrigued by this episode and wanted to find out exactly what had transpired in the Forbidden Forest... if they had time to chat a little longer.
"It's not much of a story, just a few more troubles than the average person," Kyle waved it off, appearing disinterested in elaborating.
"I've just discovered another one of your virtues—humility," Lockhart remarked with a smile. "Now, let's return to the Chamber of Secrets, shall we?"
"Where were we... Oh, the Four Heads of Hogwarts... I bet they taught you a lot of powerful spells or ways to become stronger."
Lockhart looked at Kyle and casually asked, "Would you be willing to share some of that with me...? I know, it may be a bit much to ask. But if you could just give me a name... it would satisfy my curiosity."
"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Professor," Kyle shook his head. "Forget about powerful spells, they didn't even teach me a simple lighting spell."
"Is that so... It seems you're not willing to share these things with me," Lockhart sighed. "Of course, I understand."
"I'm telling you, there weren't any," Kyle looked him in the eye.
"Learning any spell requires a step-by-step process. Usually, only those charlatan wizards who are all talk and no skill would claim that they can teach you to become invincible overnight with a secret manual."
Lockhart flipped through the parchments on the table.
"Yes, you're absolutely right," he agreed, glancing out the window. He then stood up and said, "Let me think. I believe I've asked all my questions. Oh, right, there's just one more small matter."
He drew out his wand and pointed it at Kyle.
"My sincere apologies, child, but I must cast an Obliviate spell on you. I can't have anyone else upstaging me in my books..."
At the same time, Kyle also held his wand.
"So, Professor, is this how you've been getting your stories all along?"
"You don't seem surprised," Lockhart noted.
"There's nothing to be surprised about," Kyle shrugged. "Your performance in class... doesn't exactly scream 'werewolf expeller.'"
"Yes, you're right, I am that charlatan... idiot... moron... I know, that's what you call me behind my back. I'm aware," Lockhart readily admitted.
"But my job isn't easy either, you know. I have to track down these people, find out how they did it... Oh, just like I asked you earlier. And then I have to cast the Obliviate spell on them so they forget everything that happened.
If there's one thing I can be proud of, it's my Obliviate spell."
As he spoke, Lockhart pulled out a beautifully crafted notebook.
"In here, I've written down my understanding of the Obliviate spell and some of my experiences with it..."
He tossed the notebook to Kyle. "Consider it a small compensation. It's the least I can do."
"Professor," Kyle suddenly spoke up. "I have one last question. I just mentioned that all the professors know about my encounters, including Dumbledore... Surely you wouldn't erase their memories as well?"
"I have my ways," Lockhart said, seemingly uninterested in elaborating further. "Bid farewell to your memories. Obliviate!"
Kyle's wand twitched slightly, and the floor beneath Lockhart's feet suddenly rose, causing him to stumble. The Obliviate spell missed its target and hit the ceiling instead.
"Professor, you..."
Suddenly, another Obliviate curse flew towards Kyle.
He quickly raised his wand,
"Protego!"
The spell was deflected back and hit Lockhart squarely.
With a dull thud, Lockhart fell to the ground.
"Ouch!" he cried, clutching his stomach and curling up.
"Silencio, and perhaps a wandless spell, too... You really are full of surprises, Professor Lockhart," Kyle shook his head, picking up the notebook. "If you tried to ambush me, it would've been quite troublesome... although I never intended to give you the chance in the first place..."
"Bang!"
Just as Kyle picked up the notebook, the office door burst open.
Professor McGonagall rushed in, followed by a group of Hit Wizards.
At the forefront was Hard, the captain who had dealt with Oren previously. Kyle recognized him; he had heard that Hard was now the Director of the Hit Wizard Office.
"Gilderoy Lockhart, we have discovered that you have been altering others' memories and fabricating your own experiences," Hard announced as he entered. "We are here to take you to the Ministry for interrogation..."
Hard drew his wand as he stepped into the room,
but something seemed amiss.
There were signs of a struggle.
A young wizard was holding a wand... it was the same boy from two years ago, Kyle something.
The man they were looking for, Lockhart, was lying on the ground, staring blankly at everyone...
"Who are you? And who's Lockhart? Why am I on the floor?"
This... Hard was momentarily confused.
"What happened here?"
"He tried to use the Obliviate curse on me, sir," Kyle explained. "But the spell backfired."
"Again with these despicable tricks."
Professor McGonagall was both shocked and furious. She first checked on Kyle to ensure he was unharmed, then glared at Lockhart with anger. "To think you would attempt this on a student. You brought this upon yourself..."
"Me? Deserving of this?" Lockhart blinked innocently.
However, he looked much more endearing than before.
"It seems there's been a slight mishap here,"
Hard waved his hand, and immediately one of the Hit Wizards moved to examine Lockhart.
A few minutes later, the wizard stood and nodded to Hard. "Memory damaged and severely deficient... Yes, it was indeed caused by the Obliviate curse."
They then inspected the wands of both individuals.
"Apologies, young man, procedure," Hard explained to Kyle. "Just a simple little spell, I assure you it won't affect your wand in any way."
"Of course, I understand," Kyle nodded, raising his wand-holding hand.
Hard did the same.
"Prior Incantato!"
Between the two wands, a transparent shadow emerged, resembling a wall made of gray mist.
"It was indeed the Ironskin Charm."
Around the same time, the results of Lockhart's wand inspection were in.
One of the Hit Wizards handed the wand to Hard and whispered, "Obliviate!"
"Looks like Mr. Smiles has met his match this time," Hard snorted. He wasn't surprised that Kyle had managed to turn the tables on Lockhart.
One was the youngest member of the Merlin Society, while the other was a charlatan who only knew the Obliviate spell. This outcome was only to be expected.
"Are we still taking him to the Ministry for trial?" someone asked. "His memory is almost entirely gone. Even if we take him there, the trial can't proceed..."
"What a nuisance. Why did it have to be the Obliviate curse?"
Hard thought for a moment. "Send him to St. Mungo's first. We'll wait for his memory to recover."
(End of Chapter)
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