Chapter 69: Gilderoy Lockhart's Troubles
Chapter 69: Gilderoy Lockhart's Troubles
The following two days were calm on the surface, but beneath the tranquility, tensions were simmering—
Rita Skeeter had directed all her firepower at Gilderoy Lockhart, and after many years, the two were once again engaged in a war of words through the newspapers.
Both were renowned authors with vast readerships, making their feud the hottest topic in the news.
In the margins of the newspapers, occasional articles began to question Albus Dumbledore's inability to handle the attacks from the Chamber of Secrets. Felix sensed a conspiracy in the air.
Recalling the conversation between Albus Dumbledore and Professor Mcgonagall in the Chamber of Secrets, he had a pretty good idea of what was happening.
It was likely a propaganda campaign orchestrated by some pure-blood families, aiming to bring down Albus Dumbledore. But it would all be in vain, as the basilisk was already dead, though this fact hadn't been made public.
Albus Dumbledore was setting a trap to resolve the issue once and for all. Felix wasn't particularly interested in it.
In the last class before the holiday, he held the parchment given to him by Professor Mcgonagall and read out some important reminders.
"Don't perform magic outside the school, and don't take any magical equipment home. You know what I mean."
The young wizards below him chuckled.
At lunchtime, when Felix entered the Great Hall, he was surprised to see Gilderoy Lockhart standing at the door. Just as he was about to pretend he hadn't noticed, Gilderoy Lockhart grabbed his arm.
"Professor Lockhart?" He had no choice but to stop.
Gilderoy Lockhart, looking uneasy, said, "Professor Heep, we need to talk."
They moved to a dark corner in the entrance hall.
"Professor Heep, as colleagues, you have to help me. That Skeeter woman is driving me mad!"
Felix asked curiously, "What's going on?"
"That woman is spreading outrageous lies in the newspapers, trying to ruin my reputation. She even accused me of fabricating my adventures. Can you believe it? How absurd!"
Felix looked at him with a strange expression.
"Yes, it does sound absurd, doesn't it? You can't let your good looks be a reason to doubt you. I didn't drive away the Banshee with a smile, you know!" He cleared his throat irritably.
"Professor Lockhart", Felix interrupted, "please get to the point."
"Oh, right... well, here it is—" His tone became hesitant, "I think our argument with that woman shouldn't take up public resources. Perhaps we can resolve this privately... through negotiation..."
"But what does that have to do with me?"
"Come on, Professor Heep. I know that woman, and she won't let you off the hook easily. In her eyes, you're perfect news material!" Gilderoy Lockhart said shrewdly, "I suggest you use your connections to speak with her..."
Felix thought to himself, you really are something else, to think of that.
He declined, "I'm not close with her, but I overheard Headmaster Dumbledore mention that the school will announce a major news item around the holiday. Some journalists will be invited, and she might be among them."
"Really?" Gilderoy Lockhart's eyes lit up, "I need to talk to Albus Dumbledore... Thank you very much, Professor Heep. If you ever need anything, just come to me. I've heard you have expertise in ancient magic, and I happen to know a thing or two about it."
"We'll see", Felix said half-heartedly.
Gilderoy Lockhart didn't notice his lack of enthusiasm. He left in high spirits, clearly heading straight to Albus Dumbledore.
"Oh, by the way, Professor Lockhart, I heard about your wand..." Felix wanted to know if Albus Dumbledore had cleaned it when he returned it.
He was very curious about it.
"Hey, you knew about it too, didn't you? Such despicable behavior. In my opinion, a month of detention is too lenient for that reckless Weatherby."
On the other side, Ron Weasley stormed back into the common room.
"You shouldn't have stopped me, Harry Potter—" Ron Weasley said, having just had another argument with Percy Weasley.
Harry Potter felt uneasy. They had already dealt with the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, but at Albus Dumbledore's request, they had to wait a few days before announcing the news, postponing the recognition until the start of the new term.
This meant that his situation hadn't improved much, and Ron Weasley was still facing detention.
But Harry Potter tried to console Ron, "Cheer up. If everything goes well, after Christmas, we can make Draco Malfoy pay for his actions, and we can resolve all the troubles at once!"
His words made Ron Weasley feel better, "You're right. I wish Christmas would come sooner."
Then, he said excitedly, "Harry Potter, it's the Special Services Award. No one in my family has ever won it, not even Bill! When I get the trophy, I'm going to throw it in Percy Weasley's face."
On the other side of the table, Hermione Granger was busy writing and drawing on parchment, not joining their conversation.
"Hermione Granger, what are you doing?"
Hermione Granger looked up from the parchment and sighed, "I'm planning the redesign of the beaded bag. It's really difficult."
Harry Potter asked with interest, "Is it the one that releases Devil's Snare?"
"That's right. The Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets damaged it. I asked Professor Heep for permission to repair it independently. But it's much more complicated than I thought, even though I watched the professor make it from start to finish..."
Harry Potter couldn't help but ask a few more questions, and the young witch enthusiastically explained the basics of ancient runes, leaving Harry Potter and Ron Weasley feeling dizzy. The two of them tacitly changed the subject.
In the evening, Felix took out the diary and started writing again.
"Hagrid has been taken away. I don't know if I did the right thing", Felix wrote, which was, of course, a lie. He had gone through the Christmas presents he had prepared, including one for Hagrid.
The diary's response appeared in flowing script, "You are doing the right thing. Believe me, the attacks will stop, and you will be the greatest hero."
Felix "unmoved" replied, "I won't easily believe what you say. I will remain vigilant!"
"Of course, if the attacks happen again, you can turn me in", the diary wrote.
Felix changed the subject, "I'm curious, how were you created? After all, your vessel is just a regular notebook, yet it has held a memory for half a century!"
The diary didn't mind the question; in fact, it welcomed it. Chat, open your heart to me...
The page quickly filled with smooth writing, "That involves very deep magic. If you're interested, I'll tell you everything I know."
Thus, Felix and the diary began a friendly exchange.
At first, they discussed relatively basic topics, but after Felix pointed out a few mistakes, the diary had to bring up more advanced content. However, it was quite cunning, often claiming, "I didn't have that information injected into me back then."
That night, Felix learned some techniques for storing memories in ordinary objects and a bit of knowledge about bloodline research.
At the end of their conversation, the diary strongly recommended a "technique for relaxing the mind", insisting that it had the effect of enhancing magical power...
After locking the diary away, Felix couldn't help but think, "I don't believe you for a second."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
