章 42: 042 Lockhart's condition
The first weekend in February arrived with a delightful surprise—a clear and sunny day enveloped the school grounds near the Black Lake and Forbidden Forest. The warmth of the sun cast a golden glow on the landscape, coaxing senior boys and girls out of their usual routines. Ignoring the whispers of younger wizards and the disapproving glances from professors, the young couples gathered together, their faces filled with blissful smiles.
Huddled close to one another, they shared intimate moments, affectionately touching noses and whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears. Their presence created an air of enchantment around the school grounds, where the anticipation of Valentine's Day hung in the air. They seemed oblivious to the rules and regulations, their hearts consumed by the exhilarating joy of young love.
"This is outrageous! Why aren't the prefects and professors doing anything about it?" Hermione thought indignantly. She had gotten up early to go to the library and noticed at least five or six couples on her way there.
The library, usually bustling with studious activity, wore a different ambiance that day. The stern figure of Madam Pince sat at her usual spot, her eyes fixed on a book with a gilded cover. Scattered among the narrow aisles and countless bookshelves were only a handful of upper-year students, engrossed in their preparations for the upcoming O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s exams.
Undeterred by the lack of companionship, Hermione skillfully navigated through the labyrinthine rows of bookshelves, her determined eyes scanning the titles. The library held a vast repository of knowledge, and Hermione sought to unearth the mystery of chamber of secrets. Finally, her searching fingers found what she sought—a weathered copy of "Forgotten Ancient Magic and Curses." With excitement bubbling within her, she leaned against the shelf, cradling the book in her hands.
Since Fred and George had taken off without saying a word, Wood had no choice but to reluctantly announce the cancellation of that day's training session. This rare cancellation meant that Harry could enjoy a leisurely weekend for once. He had originally planned to accompany Hermione in searching for clues, but before they left, Ron grabbed him and said, "Wood gave you a break! Don't waste your precious weekend on something futile, Harry. Seamus got a new set of Gobstones; I can borrow them, and we can pass the time!"
Easily persuaded, Harry decided to join Ron, and in the end, it was only Hermione who went to the library alone, hoping to find a trace of the attack within the vast ocean of books of knowledge and history.
Sunlight streamed through the dusty air, casting ethereal beams of light that danced among the bookshelves. The motes of dust, suspended in mid-air, appeared like tiny fairies, adding a touch of magic to the scene. Hermione, her young face a portrait of earnest determination, began immersing herself in the intricate and dense text of the ancient tome, hoping to discover any clues that could shed light on the petrification of Colin and Justin.
As Hermione engrossed herself in her studies, her surroundings faded into the background, and time seemed to lose its meaning. The towering pile of books around her grew steadily, threatening to surpass her own slender shoulders. Yet, Hermione remained unfazed, her passion for finding the perpetrator of the Chamber of Secrets fueling her perseverance.
Bryan, who had come from the Restricted Section, silently watched for a while. Somehow, ripples stirred in his heart as if he saw his younger self in Hermione.
"Miss Granger—"
"Ah, Professor Watson!" Hermione turned her head in surprise, momentarily distracted from her book. When she saw Professor Watson strolling towards her with a smile, she quickly closed the book she was holding and stood up a bit flustered. "Apologies, Professor, I didn't notice you here!"
Apart from their awkward encounter during the Christmas holidays in the hospital wing, this was Hermione's first time meeting Professor Watson in an unofficial setting.
Bryan glanced at the books Hermione was hugging and felt a sense of understanding. He nodded at Hermione and gently asked, "Are you searching for clues about the Chamber of Secrets?"
Upon receiving Hermione's affirmative reply, Bryan looked around in surprise.
"You're the only one here, Miss Granger. What about your good friends, Potter and Weasley? Aren't they here to help you?"
"Oh, them!"
The young witch, with her disheveled hair, immediately became indignant. She was about to vent her frustrations about Harry and Ron, but as the words reached her lips, she changed her mind and simply said that Harry had to attend Quidditch practice and Ron was in the common room working on his Herbology homework. She was the only one who had finished her assignments early and had nothing else to do, so she came to the library.
Bryan could tell that it was a lie even without Legilimency. However, he didn't expose her and simply nodded with understanding.
"Strong individuals are always lonely, Miss Granger. Keep up the good work."
After leaving her with this cryptic statement, Bryan departed.
Hermione remained standing in the same spot, staring at Professor Watson's retreating figure for a long time. She kept replaying the inexplicable words in her mind. Somehow, she felt as though she had received powerful encouragement. Her arms, which had been carrying books all morning, no longer felt sore, and her amber-brown eyes regained their brightness.
"Keep going, Hermione!" she clenched her fist and said to herself, then she enthusiastically returned to the bookshelves.
Bryan walked along the bustling streets of Hogsmeade. Perhaps due to his change in appearance, many young wizards approached him and greeted him, and Bryan responded with friendly nods.
However, his attention soon shifted as he furrowed his brow, noticing two figures in black cloaks ahead of him. Deciding to investigate further, he altered his course, trailing them into a secluded alleyway.
Careful to remain unnoticed, Bryan observed the figures until they reached the entrance of the Hog's Head Inn. He chose not to enter with them, instead positioning himself just outside, wearing a playful expression, patiently waiting.
True to his instincts, after a few minutes, the loud roar of the hot-tempered bar owner reverberated from inside the pub. The two figures stumbled out, their faces filled with apprehension. However, before they could exchange any words, they glanced up and saw Bryan, his gaze cold and piercing, fixed upon them from a short distance away
Uh— Awkwardness, fear, and helplessness gripped the hearts of the two figures in black robes as they nervously stood at the entrance of the Hog's Head Inn, awaiting their fate. Their minds raced, desperately trying to come up with a plausible explanation for their presence.
"That's not right, Brother. He can't clearly see our faces!" The person on the right suddenly snapped out of it. He lowered his voice and quietly tugged at his companion's sleeve. The reminded companion immediately caught on, and then, from beneath the hood of the left figure, a hoarse voice coughed heavily. "Cough, cough, mind your own business, kid. We're cold-blooded killers, you know!"
Damn it! Bryan stared at the two scoundrels from the Weasley family running away with a face full of black lines, determined to find an opportunity to give them a taste of their own medicine! He turned around and hadn't walked far when he saw something inside a tea shop filled with mist, where everything seemed decorated with ruffles and bows. Percy Weasley was passionately kissing his Ravenclaw girlfriend beneath a golden cherub.
"This family is full of top-notch wizards!" Bryan pretended not to see the scene, turned around, and walked quickly towards the Three Broomsticks pub.
In the evening, Hermione told Harry and Ron about the conversation she had with Professor Watson in the library earlier. Unfortunately, Harry and Ron couldn't figure out the meaning of the professor's words.
"But—" Ron wrinkled his nose and absentmindedly waved his arm in the air. "It sounds pretty cool, doesn't it? Imagine this, not me, no, I mean you, Harry. In the Quidditch final, Gryffindor is trailing Slytherin 0-140, and everyone has given up hope. But just before Robert Pattinson scores a fatal goal, you catch the Snitch right in front of Malfoy. I bet Malfoy won't be able to eat for a year out of sheer anger!"
"If it were true, Ron, I would gladly help Malfoy eat a year's worth of food in a day!" Harry imagined the scene Ron described in his mind and burst into laughter.
Hermione rolled her eyes at her friends' playful banter, ready to lecture them for their lack of focus. However, before she could voice her thoughts, a sudden commotion erupted in the entrance hall. Harry and Ron's cheerful mood instantly shifted, and Hermione sensed that something serious had occurred. Dropping her food, she swiftly made her way towards the source of the disturbance, eager to find out what had happened.
Down the marble staircase, Headmaster Dumbledore and several professors rushed with grave expressions etched upon their faces. In no time, they dispersed the crowd, leading Bryan, who was riding a broomstick, up the stairs.
Harry's heart sank, his thoughts immediately turning to the worst-case scenario—had the heir of Slytherin resumed their activities? An unspoken understanding passed between Harry and Ron as they exchanged pale glances. They hurriedly followed Dumbledore, their footsteps echoing on the ascending staircase, their minds filled with apprehension.
Inside the hospital wing, the sight that greeted them was far from what they expected. Professor Lockhart lay on a bed, his usually charming demeanor replaced by disheveled hair, bloodshot eyes, and desperate grunting sounds. Madam Pomfrey examined him with deep concern etched on her face, her every movement meticulous.
Dumbledore allowed the students to visit Professor Lockhart, and a sense of unease filled the air as they gathered outside the curtains, exchanging anxious glances. Hermione managed to squeeze her way to the front, her eyes welling up with tears at the sight of Lockhart's pitiful state. She couldn't help but cover her mouth, stifling her sobs as compassion overwhelmed her.
Bryan, who witnessed this scene, felt a sense of guilt. He reflected on whether he had taken his playful act too far. However, when he saw Snape standing in the shadows, seemingly struggling to hold back a laugh, his mood calmed down.
Dumbledore approached Lockhart's bed, concealing his emotions from everyone. "How is the situation, Poppy?" he asked Madam Pomfrey, his voice filled with concern.
"It's very bad, Headmaster," Madam Pomfrey replied, her tone grave. She quickly glanced at Professor McGonagall, who had a stern expression, and explained to everyone, "It's a severe case of alcohol allergy, Headmaster. He'll probably be spending Easter in the hospital bed. Oh, didn't anyone know that Professor Lockhart can't handle alcoholic beverages?"
Hermione's eyes widened in confusion. Wasn't a box of Ogden's Old Fire-whiskey the birthday present Lockhart wanted the most? With tears streaming down her face, she raised her head and murmured with a trembling voice.
"It's all my fault, Headmaster!"
Bryan stepped forward with a sorrowful expression. "I didn't clarify the situation before insisting that Professor Lockhart have a drink. Oh, he probably didn't want to offend me, so he reluctantly agreed. I... I feel truly ashamed. If you allow, I can resign immediately as a form of self-punishment!"
"No, that's not necessary," Dumbledore interjected, his voice gentle yet firm.
Before Professor McGonagall could even take a step to express her opinion, much to everyone's surprise, Professor Lockhart, barely clinging to life, summoned the strength to speak. He strained and swayed, extending his hand toward Bryan, murmuring in a barely audible voice, "Br...i... a message?"
"What did you say, Professor Lockhart? Is there something else you wish to convey?" Bryan immediately moved aside Dumbledore, crouching by the bedside and grasping Lockhart's hand. His other hand, concealed within his sleeve, prepared to cast a curative spell at a moment's notice.
"Hehehe... Hermione!" Lockhart unexpectedly called out Hermione's name once again. Bryan's eyebrows twitched, but ultimately, he complied with Lockhart's "last wish" and summoned Hermione to the bedside.
"I'm here, Professor. What do you wish to tell me?" Hermione's voice trembled as tears cascaded down her face.
"You... both... fans..." Lockhart, his complexion ashen, laboriously uttered each word. "Help me... write a response!"
AN: Gobstone's are wizarding chess like games.
章 43: 043 Professor Watson's First Lesson
On a dreary Monday morning, as Charms and Herbology classes commenced, hardly anyone seemed to be paying attention. Instead, the halls were abuzz with whispered conversations about the mysterious events that had taken place on Saturday. The students exchanged hushed speculations, their curiosity piqued by the unsettling incident involving Professor Lockhart. Even Hermione, renowned for her unwavering focus in class, appeared visibly unwell and lacking her usual energy.
The questions surrounding Professor Lockhart's condition lingered, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the lunchtime discussions. No one seemed to have a definitive answer as to whether the professor had an alcohol allergy or if foul play was involved. The lack of concrete information only served to intensify the intrigue and fuel further gossip among the Hogwarts community.
It was during this state of suspense that the Heads of Houses descended from the professor's podium, their expressions grave and their movements hurried. They made their way through the murmuring crowd, ensuring that every student caught wind of the shocking news. The second class of the afternoon would be none other than Defense Against the Dark Arts, and it would be held in the Great Hall, combining the first and second-year students from all four houses. The heads of the houses, eager to relay this unexpected change, dispersed among the younger students, their voices a whisper amidst the rising anticipation.
Ron, caught off guard by the sudden shift in schedule, looked at Percy with surprise etched on his face. He turned to Seamus, sharing his astonishment and was voicing his suspicion that someone must have poisoned Lockhart. "Wait a minute," Ron said, his brow furrowed. "If I remember correctly, the second class this afternoon was supposed to be History of Magic!"
Percy, ever the dutiful student, responded with a tone of certainty. "According to Professor McGonagall," he said, "if you have any questions, you can go and ask her yourself." With that, Percy quickly made his way past Harry and the others, his eagerness to relay the news evident as he sought out Ginny and the rest of their group, who were congregated near the entrance hall.
In the afternoon, after their Transfiguration class, Harry and his friends rushed to the Great Hall. Despite their exhaustion, their curiosity had been ignited, and they couldn't help but be intrigued by what awaited them. As they entered the hall, a sense of wonder washed over them, for it had been transformed into an entirely different space. In the center stood a circular platform, encircled by a vast expanse of desks numbering nearly one hundred and sixty to seventy. The first and second-year students from the other three houses had already gathered, their conversations filled with excitement and speculation about this innovative approach to class and speculating about what Professor Watson would teach them next.
"This reminds me of bad memories," Harry muttered to himself. "I just hope this isn't a large-scale stage play!" Nevertheless, curiosity got the better of him and his friends, and they took their places at the desks, exhausted yet eager for what was to come.
The passing minutes saw the desks gradually fill with students from all four houses, the room buzzing with anticipation. Finally, as the last empty desk was claimed by a young wizard. As Bryan made his grand entrance. The crowd erupted with a cacophony of excitement as he gracefully descended from the marble staircase, agilely leaping over the students and landing on the central platform. Standing amidst the sea of expectant faces, he offered a warm and enigmatic smile. His first sentence ignited an intense roar of excitement, shattering the silent hall.
"Now, everyone, put back Professor Lockhart's book from your desks. You won't need it in my class."
"Oh, yeah!"
The proclamation triggered an outpouring of joy and relief, with Hufflepuff's McLaggen being the first to cheer. His exclamation served as the catalyst, and soon the Great Hall reverberated with cheers and howls of enthusiasm from all sides. The resounding energy was so powerful that even the large chandeliers overhead seemed to tremble under the weight of the young wizards' exuberance.
"Can you believe it? I've been waiting for this for over half a year!" Dean exclaimed, throwing his book 'Break with the Banshee' into his bag and laughing happily. Ron seemed to want to express similar sentiments, but Harry, with his mouth half open, stopped him and discreetly pointed at Hermione, who sat between them, looking bewildered. They exchanged a quick glance and suppressed their excitement as they put away their books.
The continuous cheers lasted for several minutes, gradually subsiding after Bryan Watson let out a heavy cough, drawing the attention back to him. The hall fell into a hushed silence as the young wizards eagerly awaited his next words.
"Now, I believe it's time for an explanation," Bryan began, his voice resonating with authority and warmth. He nodded to the audience below, acknowledging their curiosity. "I suppose you must all be wondering why I chose this method of teaching you."
Bryan cleared his throat, capturing their attention as he continued, "The Defense Against the Dark Arts class has suffered from unstable staffing for various reasons. Due to frequent changes of professors, the teaching quality of this subject at Hogwarts has been consistently criticized. Even in my case, I'm afraid my tenure as your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor won't be too long. Therefore, in order to improve your practical defense skills within our limited time, I had to make some changes."
"Professor Watson!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Seamus raised his hand enthusiastically. He looked at Bryan Watson on the platform and said loudly, "Give us a self-introduction, Professor. Of course, we all know you were sent by the School Board to investigate the Chamber of Secrets, but before that, what were you doing?"
The question hung in the air, and Bryan Watson scratched his head, observing the dozens of curious eyes fixed upon him. After a moment of contemplation, he raised an eyebrow and began to respond.
"That's an interesting question, Mr. Finnigan," Bryan Watson scratched his head, looking at the dozens of curious eyes below. After thinking for a moment, he raised an eyebrow and said, " Well, I can tell you this much. Before coming to Hogwarts, I was what you might call a... freelance worker. I made a living by running errands for people, finding magical ingredients, and delivering goods. Ha, I was just an insignificant nobody, nothing compared to the famous Professor Lockhart!"
Ron leaned toward Harry, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I can't say I entirely believe that," he whispered, and Harry nodded in agreement, a hint of skepticism lingering in his gaze.
However, Bryan Watson's lackluster self-introduction didn't satisfy the young wizards. The air in the hall grew slightly colder, and a palpable tension settled among the students. They were still waiting to hear what Professor Watson had to say next.
"I understand that you must be curious about what I'm going to teach you," Bryan finally acknowledged, his smile captivating the audience below. "But let me turn the tables on you. What do you hope to learn from me?"
The question hung in the air, perplexing the young wizards as they exchanged uncertain glances. However, one student, Blaise Zabini, a second-year Slytherin, wasted no time in raising his hand and voicing his desire.
"I hope to learn powerful spells, Professor Watson," Blaise declared confidently. "Because I believe that only powerful spells can resist dangerous and intriguing dark magic."
The young wizard's words struck a chord with his peers, resonating with their shared yearning for strength and protection. Even the Gryffindor students, known for their dislike for Slytherin, found themselves hesitating, nodding in agreement with Blaise's sentiment.
Professor Watson nodded approvingly, acknowledging Blaise's response. His eyes scanned the circle of young wizards, his voice lowering in intensity as he prepared to impart his wisdom.
"Since you're all interested in powerful spells, let's explore that avenue," Professor Watson suggested. "Now, who can tell me which category of spells can be considered immensely powerful?"
The young wizards exchanged glances once again, uncertain of how to respond to this intriguing question. Many eyes turned expectantly towards Hermione, knowing her penchant for knowledge and academic prowess. As expected, Hermione rose from her seat, her hand raised high.
"If I understood your question correctly," Hermione began, her voice confident, "the category of spells that can be considered immensely powerful would be ancient magic, most of which have been lost in the present day."
Bryan's interest piqued as he fixed his gaze upon Hermione. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, "Can you explain why, Miss Granger?" He asked with great interest, staring at Hermione.
"Ancient magic—known for its immense power—refers to the spells invented and created by previous wizards during the tribal era up until about eight hundred years ago. In those times, people relied on a harsh natural environment, and many now-extinct dangerous magical creatures were still active during that period. To defend against threats from the cruel natural environment, the highly intelligent ancient wizards developed a series of spells primarily focused on seeking power."
Hermione's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she delved deeper into her explanation. "However, with the development and growth of both Muggle and wizarding civilizations, humans tamed nature, and the role of magic gradually shifted from defense against danger to serving everyday life. Simultaneously, the rapid advancement of wand-lore and its strong compatibility with modern magic made casting spells simpler, which led to the rapid abandonment and eventual loss of ancient magic, which was immensely powerful but complex, obscure, and required a high level of magical ability."
Professor Watson's applause echoed through the Great Hall, filling the space with a sense of admiration and appreciation. "Fantastic, Miss Granger!" he exclaimed. "I don't think anyone would object if I award Gryffindor ten points for that insightful explanation."
Blushing with pride, Hermione returned to her seat, a contented smile playing on her lips. Ron, unable to contain his excitement, leaned towards Harry and whispered, "Did you see that? Hermione really knows her stuff!"
Harry nodded, equally impressed by their friend's vast knowledge.
Ron stared at Professor Watson with hopeful eyes. "Professor Watson," Ron spoke up, "are you saying that you will teach us those mysterious ancient magics?"
AUTHOR'S NOTE : The Explanation about ancient magic mentioned in the chapter are outside the canon and the wizarding world, They are only theories.
I may introduce some OC background characters like McLaggen; Henry and grace in the earlier chapters. They won't have much affect on the story.
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