Chapter 86: An Unexpected Encounter
Chapter 86: An Unexpected Encounter
At some point, Harry, Ron, and Hermione also arrived. Hermione was still wearing her large mask and knitted hat, but her eyes had returned to their usual brown.
This meant she had become more proficient in her lightweight Transfiguration—or perhaps it was the effect of Madam Pomfrey's potion.
Ron grabbed Harry and Hermione, and they hid behind a pillar. He whispered, "Cornelius Fudge, Lucius Malfoy, and Rita Skeeter! What's today, that all three of these nuisances show up at once!"
Harry asked, "Who is Cornelius Fudge?"
"He's the Minister of Magic and my dad's boss. But he's a big shot who looks down on my father's job, you know, dealing with Muggle artifacts and all. It's never been taken seriously..." Ron grumbled.
Hermione's eyes were fixed on Rita Skeeter, examining her back carefully.
"Is that woman Rita Skeeter? Her taste is absolutely terrible", Hermione commented on her attire.
"I agree with you. Even Lockhart is better in that regard. She's not exactly poor... Oh, Merlin!" Ron suddenly groaned.
"What's wrong?"
"Over there, look that way", Ron pointed in another direction. "Lockhart is here too. Now we have all four nuisances gathered!"
Sure enough, Harry looked up and saw Gilderoy Lockhart wearing a luxurious robe, a charming smile on his face as he approached Fudge and Lucius.
"He's like a peacock showing off its feathers", Ron's expression was one of strong dislike—he had to report to Lockhart's office that evening.
Lockhart bowed gracefully, his smile radiant. "Minister Fudge, Mr. Malfoy, it's an honor to meet you."
Fudge paused, then beamed and extended both hands. "Mr. Lockhart, hello. I've read all your books, and I must admit, they have been very enlightening..."
Lockhart modestly replied, "I only did what was necessary, Minister. I couldn't ignore the plight of those in trouble."
Fudge looked impressed. "There are few adventurers as responsible as you."
Lockhart was about to say more, but Dumbledore stepped forward, his smile warm. "Fudge, let's take a look at the monster in the Chamber first." He waved his wand, dispelling the invisible protective barrier around the Basilisk.
"Oh, Dumbledore, yes, of course", Fudge fidgeted with his hat, then turned to the tall, dark-skinned man next to him. "Kingsley Shacklebolt, go and check it out."
Kingsley Shacklebolt vaulted the railing in a few steps and approached the Basilisk, wearing a pair of dragon-hide gloves as he carefully examined the creature's remains.
Felix didn't move. He saw a familiar figure, Luna, the Ravenclaw witch.
He walked over and stood beside her. "Luna."
"I really like the gift you gave me, Professor Hup." Her eyes were fixed on Rita Skeeter's jeweled glasses, and she said in a singsong voice, "I think she has a poor memory."
"Why do you say that?"
"She regrets leaving some important things at home", Luna said.
Felix watched Rita Skeeter, who was constantly directing her assistant to take photos, and remained silent.
"Have you become friends with that girl with fiery red hair?"
Luna looked at him in surprise. "We are already friends." She thought for a moment. "I think the rooster doll I gave her played a significant role."
"Is that so!" Felix smacked his lips.
Not long after, Kingsley Shacklebolt reported to Fudge, "Minister, it's confirmed to be a Basilisk, and it's no longer dangerous."
"Very good, Kingsley Shacklebolt", Fudge prepared to take a closer look at the Basilisk but was stopped by Rita Skeeter's voice.
"Minister Fudge, I think we should take a group photo for tomorrow's front page", Skeeter smiled.
"Oh, of course, no problem."
The few adults lined up, and Rita Skeeter rushed over to drag Lockhart, who had claimed the center position, to the side. "This is your spot!"
Lockhart reluctantly stood at the edge.
"Professor Flitwick?"
Flitwick waved his hand and stepped back.
"Click!" The camera shutter snapped, and the photo was set.
Fudge, Dumbledore, Malfoy, Professor Mcgonagall, and Kingsley Shacklebolt stood together, with the massive Basilisk in the background.
Having completed their task for the day, they stood beside the Basilisk. Fudge stepped forward, his belly protruding as he carefully examined the creature. "This thing has been in Hogwarts for a thousand years. How did it manage to hide itself for so long?"
Professor Mcgonagall explained, "Through the pipes that run throughout Hogwarts. The school has undergone several renovations, and the internal plumbing is extensive and complex. Few people know the full layout, and it has never been thoroughly inspected."
Fudge remained silent, whispering to Lucius beside him.
Lockhart also approached, eyeing the Basilisk. "It doesn't look too difficult to handle. I once encountered a water monster that could fill half a lake." He tapped the Basilisk's fang with his wand, about to make a witty remark, but his wand immediately sizzled. "Oh, dear!" he frantically waved his wand.
The young wizards, who had been watching, wisely retreated several meters, as if fleeing from a disaster.
But the Minister of Magic, who was leaning over the Basilisk's head, was not so lucky. A drop of a mixture of saliva and venom splattered onto Fudge's face, causing him to let out a deafening scream.
Lucius Malfoy quickly erected a magical barrier, watching the farce with a cold eye. He maintained the barrier as he stepped back, but after two steps, he was blocked by a ring of golden light.
Felix had raised his wand. "Young wizards, step back."
The professors were doing the same. Flitwick, Mcgonagall, and Dumbledore's protective charms made the courtyard's center glow with a kaleidoscope of colors.
Hagrid extended his large hands, lifting the fallen young wizards and pushing them away.
But Lucius, Fudge, and Lockhart were closest, trapped inside layers of magic. A droplet of the venomous mixture splattered onto Lucius's armor charm, sizzling.
He paled and shouted, "Stop, you fool!"
Lockhart waved his wand a few times, realizing what he had done. He stood in front of Fudge, floundering, trying to do something. "Oh, Minister Fudge, I'm sorry!"
But Fudge's screams grew louder, his face turning pitch black, the darkness spreading visibly.
The scene was a chaotic mess.
"Silence!" Dumbledore shouted, dispelling the magic in front of him. He strode forward, pressing his wand to Fudge's face, and a layer of golden light spread from the tip, halting the blackness.
Dumbledore examined him closely. "Further treatment is needed, Fudge. I need to take you to the Hospital Wing."
"No, take me to St. Mungo's! My face is ruined! Gilderoy Lockhart, I'll have you thrown into Azkaban#￥%&...#&...#"
"Dear me", Professor Mcgonagall pursed her lips, glaring at the raging Fudge, barely resisting the urge to cast a Stunning Spell. Finally, the Transfiguration professor shouted at the young wizards, "All of you, young wizards! Leave here and go to class!"
The young wizards scattered like birds.
Rita Skeeter, excited, snatched the camera and snapped pictures in a frenzy, her mouth wide open, her two large gold teeth gleaming in the sunlight.
"Look at that woman, I can see her molars!" Ron, hiding behind a courtyard pillar, pointed at Rita Skeeter. "She's got a big scoop today!"
(End of Chapter)
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