Hogwarts, classroom on the fourth floor.
In a spacious classroom, a large number of futons were neatly placed throughout the room, about 100 in total.
At this moment, there was a Squib sitting on each futon, positioned in various postures.
Some sat cross-legged, some sat directly on the futon with their legs leaning on the ground, and some stood up from time to time, as if they were not accustomed to the futon.
Meanwhile, the nearby Squibs were whispering, their tones full of expectation.
Professor Lockhart, the founder of the meditation method, was about to give them their first class and teach them step by step how to meditate.
According to what was said in the open class, as long as they succeeded in meditation, they would gain the ability to perform magic.
They would be able to completely shed their squib status.
Although most of them had good family backgrounds, their identity as a squib had always been a heavy burden on their hearts.
Especially when they saw friends and relatives around them performing magic effortlessly, the envy in their hearts was evident.
Their hearts grew more depressed, resenting their squib status and their inability to master magic in the wizarding world.
But it was different now. As long as they meditated successfully, they could cast spells.
As they whispered among themselves, suddenly—
Cough!
A clear cough echoed in the ears of every Squib, causing them to quickly raise their heads and look forward.
At some point, Professor Lockhart, whom they had been waiting for, stood on the high platform in front.
"Good morning, everyone." Lockhart greeted the Squib research assistants below with a gentle wave.
"Good morning, Professor."
"Good morning, Professor Lockhart."
"Good morning, Professor."
"Good morning, Professor."
Upon hearing Lockhart's gentle greeting, all the Squibs replied excitedly, their voices slightly noisy.
Seeing this, Lockhart gently pressed his hand down. The room quieted, though their expressions still held evident expectation and urgency.
"Future wizards, I don't need to introduce myself. After all, we have all met before. Although you are here as my research assistants, I regard you as my own students. In the coming days, I will teach you how to meditate and how to perform magic. Additionally, I have discussed with Principal Dumbledore that once you can cast your first magic, you will be able to attend classes with the Hogwarts students."
Hearing this, all the Squibs clapped excitedly, their faces bright with anticipation.
They had longed to enter Hogwarts, study with professors and classmates, and practice magic together.
But when they were 11 years old and found they had no magical power, it marked them as squibs. Such dreams had to be suppressed deep within their hearts.
However, the longing in their hearts only grew stronger over time.
How could they not be excited when their past dream was becoming reality?
Seeing everyone's emotions, a faint smile appeared on Lockhart's face. He looked at the podium in front of him, stretched out his wand, and tapped it gently.
Transfiguration!
Under the Transfiguration spell, the podium quickly shrank and transformed, eventually becoming a futon.
Lockhart stood in front of the futon and said to the Squibs sitting in various postures below: "The futon you have made will be an important tool for your meditation in the future. To ensure the effectiveness of meditation, everyone must follow my requirements during the initial meditation."
"First of all, the sitting posture. This is very important for those of you new to meditation. Bend your right knee, with the sole of your foot facing up, and place it under your left thigh."
Later, Lockhart demonstrated how to sit cross-legged for meditation, and the Squibs below followed suit.
At the same time, Lockhart, concerned that the Squibs behind him might not see his movements clearly, used magic to project a pale yellow figure in front of each of them, showing how to sit cross-legged.
These 100 squibs, hearing Professor Lockhart talk about the importance of sitting posture, imitated the figure more seriously, learning how to sit cross-legged.
Lockhart observed their performance and nodded slightly.
This sitting posture was of little use to him, but for beginners, it was extremely important.
It was akin to a simple ritual, reminding them both physically and mentally to correct their attitude and focus their spirit.
When Kamar Taj's Sorcerer apprentices first encountered meditation, they had strict requirements in this regard.
Afterwards, Lockhart walked around the classroom, giving instructions to some students whose postures were incorrect.
Soon, everyone's sitting posture became standard.
Seeing this, Lockhart waited until he felt that everyone had adapted.
He waved his wand again, and in an instant, the light yellow figure in front of everyone disappeared, replaced by 9 runes.
At the same time, Professor Lockhart's voice reached everyone's ears.
"After adjusting your sitting posture, the next step is to meditate on the runes. In the entire meditation method, focusing on the runes is very important. Each rune has a different function."
"The nine runes in front of you are exactly the nine-element meditation method mentioned in the public class."
"This is the most basic meditation method. Practice it first. Once you have achieved certain results, I will guide you to practice a meditation method that suits you."
"Now, you need to remember the first rune in the upper left corner, imprint it in your mind, and slowly outline every step I demonstrate in your mind."
"Also, pay attention to your breathing."
Lockhart then began explaining some details of meditation.
From outlining the runes to common problems during meditation, including breathing techniques, he covered everything.
At the same time, Lockhart waved his wand and cast a large-scale memory enhancement spell.
This allowed them to memorize what he said quickly.
Almost all the Squibs felt refreshed and focused. Everything Lockhart said was remembered in their minds.
It could be said that the more they studied, the happier they felt.
Then, Lockhart waved his wand again and distributed the potions prepared in advance for use in meditation to everyone.
He guided them through their first meditation.
Soon, Lockhart sensed an extremely weak magic wave around a Squib, marking the success of their meditation.
One by one, these 100 squibs with good spiritual talents entered a meditative state.
Seeing everyone's meditative state, Lockhart did not disturb them. He glanced at the window next to him and raised the corners of his mouth.
Then he sat in front, crossed his legs, and started meditating.
Meanwhile, a small beetle landed on the window outside the classroom, giving a full view of the scene inside.
This beetle was Rita Skeeter's Animagus
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Malfoy Manor at night.
A huge crystal lamp floated above the dining room, its bright light scattering around and adding a touch of luxury to the room.
On the long dining table, an array of sumptuous foods—beef, seafood, and more—was spread out.
Lucius Malfoy, seated at the main table, looked elegantly at the pureblood family representatives and Rita Skeeter, who were seated on either side of the table.
Then—
"Everyone, let us toast with Ms. Skeeter," Lucius Malfoy raised his wine glass and said, "Our Ms. Skeeter not only brought us the meditation materials but also gained the practice of meditation."
"I believe we will soon have more information on meditation."
"At that time, the glory of the pure-blood family will return."
"To the honor of the pure-blood family."
The pure-blood family representatives below also had smiles on their faces. They raised their glasses and said, "To you, Ms. Skeeter."
"To the honor of the pure-blood family."
Previously, to obtain the meditation method, they had tried to put pressure on Dumbledore and Hogwarts. At the same time, they used their family power to suppress Lockhart through public opinion.
As a result, all their efforts had failed.
Unexpectedly, what they wanted could be obtained so easily through a mixed-blood wizard.
Moreover, it was expected that if done properly, they could gain more secrets about meditation in the future.
Lucius' eyes gleamed with enthusiasm as he looked at Rita Skeeter in front of him.
Though she was a mixed-blood wizard, interests came first, and it was worth their effort to win her over.
"Come on, Ms. Skeeter," Kain Parkinson stood up, raising his glass to Rita Skeeter and said, "We will need more cooperation in the future."
"The Parkinson family will never disappoint its friends."
Hearing this, Rita smiled and quickly raised her glass, saying, "It is an honor for me to cooperate with the Parkinson family."
At the same time, other family members toasted one after another, expressing their support for Rita Skeeter.
Rita's unique animagus form alone was worthy of admiration.
But now, she was the core figure in the entire meditation method theft plan. Anyone not winning her over was a fool.
As for Lucius, who watched the pure-blood families below wooing the person he had brought, a shadow of gloom crossed his eyes but quickly turned to calm.
After a while—
Cough!
Lucius Malfoy cleared his throat, and everyone's eyes turned to him.
Seeing this, Lucius slowly said, "Everyone, thanks to Ms. Rita Skeeter, we have achieved some results."
"But don't forget that Lockhart and Dumbledore have joined forces, and ordinary methods will hardly work against them."
At this point, Lucius paused, his voice taking on a gloomy tone.
"Don't forget, just the day before yesterday, Dumbledore forcefully approved Lockhart as an honorary school board member at the school board meeting."
Everyone fell silent, aware of what Dumbledore had done.
They had instinctively opposed the proposal but had no choice. The principal's reasons were compelling, and his attitude was firm.
In the end, the proposal was adopted.
Lockhart's status as an honorary school board member made it difficult for them to exert pressure through Hogwarts.
Seeing their expressions, Lucius continued, "However, I have a very good plan."
"I wonder if everyone is interested in hearing it."
Everyone nodded and said, "Lucius, please share."
"Yes, if appropriate, I absolutely support it."
Seeing their reactions, Lucius nodded slightly and said, "Given the current situation, with Dumbledore here, it is impossible for us to attack Lockhart through Hogwarts."
"However, don't forget that Professor Lockhart submitted a paper on meditation to a European magic journal."
As Lucius continued to explain his plan, everyone looked at him with varying degrees of admiration.
He was indeed a Malfoy—ruthless and shrewd.
After Rita Skeeter heard this, an enigmatic look flashed in her eyes.
After a moment—
"What do you think of my method?" Lucius asked with a smile, "If possible, we need to work together, and we can even recruit some families."
Regarding Lucius's plan, everyone was silent for a moment, weighing the trade-offs in their interests.
The plan sounded promising, but it required significant resources. If mishandled, the backlash could be severe.
Seeing their hesitation, Lucius said enticingly, "If you don't risk, you won't trap the wolf."
"When we monopolize this meditation method, pure-blood families will rise to the top again."
"And"
"Pure-bloods will remain pure-bloods forever!"
Lucius's persuasive words tipped the balance in their hearts.
"Okay, Lucius, I support you," Kain Parkinson said.
Soon, other pure-blood families agreed as well.
Seeing this, Lucius smiled. He seized the opportunity, and the Malfoy family would soon reach new heights under his leadership.
As the atmosphere calmed, Lucius smiled at Rita Skeeter and said, "Similarly, to ensure the plan goes smoothly."
"I think Ms. Rita Skeeter is perfect for the position of Deputy Editor of the Daily Prophet."
"What do you think?"
After a brief silence, everyone said, "That's right. Of course, Ms. Skeeter is very suitable for this position."
"Yes, Ms. Skeeter's expertise is perfect for it."
Hearing their reaction, Rita's face lit up with joy. She quickly thanked, "Thank you, Lord Lucius, and everyone for your recognition."
"I will not disappoint your expectations."
Everyone looked at Rita Skeeter with approval.
But they didn't realize what Lucius was thinking.
This was simply Lucius using their power to reward Rita Skeeter.
Rita Skeeter had made a significant contribution—how could they refuse?
They all had shares in the Daily Prophet and could push for the deputy editor position without being the editor-in-chief.
It was clear that Rita Skeeter was indeed in Lucius's favor.
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