章 47: 047 Lockhart's little Secret

Because Professor Lockhart was lying in the school infirmary being "cared for" by Madame Pomfrey, many of the ridiculous and absurd events that occurred on Valentine's Day in the original story did not happen.

However, the school did make some effort to create a festive atmosphere. Early in the morning, as the young wizards entered the Great Hall for breakfast, their eyes widened in surprise. The hall was adorned with a circle of pale golden ribbons, gracefully swaying in the air like a halo of light. Colorful confetti floated down from the light blue ceiling, creating a magical display of vibrant colors that sparkled in the sun. A small Cupid, with delicate white wings and rosy cheeks, stood at the entrance of the castle, greeting everyone with a warm smile and offering a bright red rose to each person who entered or left. The roses had a faint scent of vanilla and honey, and a soft touch that felt like silk.

Harry and Ron, determined to act as if nothing was out of the ordinary, held out the roses they were given and presented them to Hermione. A glimmer of joy broke through Hermione's previously gloomy demeanor as she accepted the roses, her lips forming a genuine smile after a somber night.

The day unfolded with a sense of quiet enchantment. The youthful and innocent love that permeated Valentine's Day captured everyone's attention. Hermione, deliberately avoiding any discussions related to studying, indulged in the spirit of the day. Even Wood, as he arrived from the courtyard, refrained from mentioning the upcoming match or training plans when he encountered Harry.

With most students from the third year and above venturing to Hogsmeade, the flat grassy area designated for flying lessons was filled with first and second-year wizards. They zoomed around on their brooms, laughing and cheering as they practiced their skills. Some of them even tried to catch the confetti that drifted down from the sky, creating a playful scene.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione luxuriated in the gentle sunlight, spending the entire morning engrossed in a game of Wizard's Chess on the lush green grass. The chess pieces moved with animated expressions, sometimes taunting their opponents or cheering their allies. Harry won two games, Ron won one, and Hermione lost all three, but she didn't mind. She was too busy enjoying the company of her friends and the beauty of the day. After a satisfying lunch, Harry and Ron decided to pay a visit to Hagrid, while Hermione embarked on a solo journey to the infirmary, carrying with her a greeting card she had lovingly crafted. It was a simple card, made of parchment and decorated with dried flowers. On it, she had written a heartfelt message to Professor Lockhart, wishing him a speedy recovery and expressing her admiration for his achievements.

At precisely two o'clock in the afternoon, following their prearranged plan, Hermione hurriedly made her way to the third floor of the castle and gently knocked on the door of a certain professor's office.

"Please come in."

The voice behind the door resonated with weariness. Without hesitation, Hermione pushed open the door and entered the room. Inside Professor Lockhart's office, the walls were noticeably stripped of the numerous portraits and photographs that were once plastered across them. Instead, they now lay collected and piled up in a corner. Professor Watson, sitting in Lockhart's chair, faced the window, his gaze fixed on the owls gracefully soaring through the sky, delivering letters. In the middle of the office floor, a staggering pile of letters, numbering perhaps one or two thousand, lay strewn about. They were all addressed to Professor Lockhart, written in various languages and scripts. Some of them had hearts or kisses drawn on them, others had perfume or glitter sprinkled on them. They all expressed admiration, gratitude, love, or curiosity for the famous wizard.

"I never knew that Professor Lockhart had such a vast number of devoted fans!"

Bryan Watson, his face etched with a pained expression, sat behind the desk, his eyes reflecting the exhaustion brought on by the task at hand. "If I had known earlier, I would have gladly assisted Professor Snape with frog innards and snail slime, rather than agreeing to help with these replies!"

"But you're such a devoted fan and admirer of Professor Lockhart, aren't you, Professor Watson? You must appreciate the magnitude of his fame and influence!" Hermione, whose eyes still bore the traces of tears from her ordeal in the infirmary, couldn't help but frown at the sight of Professor Watson's gloomy expression.

"Let's not talk about that, Miss Granger," Bryan Watson said, waving his wand with a hint of irritation. In a flash, the thousands of letters scattered on the floor soared upward, forming a dazzling white whirlwind in mid-air. With precise movements, each letter found its place, neatly stacking back on the floor. As the last letter settled, an impressive 'pillar of mail' emerged, reaching up to the ceiling.

"I don't want to trouble you with this, Miss Granger. Let's split the work, and hopefully, we can finish this chore before dinner tomorrow."

Bryan Watson rubbed his swollen eyes, a sign of his sleepless night spent in the Restricted Section of the library, and let out a weary yawn.

And so, the most tedious task began. Bryan Watson and Hermione bent over the desk, burying themselves in the mountainous 'pillar of mail.' Helping Lockhart with his replies turned out to be the most boring job Bryan Watson had faced in years. The letters all followed the same pattern—excessive praise, autograph requests, or inquiries for updates. In essence, writing responses to Professor Lockhart's fans became a painfully dull affair. Bryan Watson barely left more than ten words in each letter. However, even after just an hour, he found it hard to bear.

On the other hand, Hermione, seated across from him, tackled the task with a completely different attitude. She regarded the opportunity to assist Professor Lockhart with his replies as a privilege. Diligently, she carefully read the content of each letter and meticulously crafted thoughtful responses.

As time slowly ticked by, two hours passed before Hermione turned her head to assess the progress made. To her dismay, she discovered that the 'pillar of mail' had only shrunk by a third. She rubbed her sore wrists and glanced at Professor Watson, who seemed to have stopped writing replies altogether. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, his gaze lost in the contemplation of the ceiling.

Hermione's pursed lips mirrored the stern demeanor of Professor McGonagall, and she called out reproachfully.

Under Hermione's watchful supervision, a dejected Bryan Watson reluctantly resumed attending to the readers' letters. This time, whenever Miss Granger lifted her head to observe him, he had no chance to slack off, for she left him no room for negligence.

Bryan Watson and Hermione dined within the office. While Professor Watson could have easily ordered the house-elves to deliver the food, he chose to personally retrieve it from the Great Hall, allowing himself a few moments of respite.

"Professor Watson–"

During the meal, Hermione no longer cast her gaze upon the letters. She savored her steak at a leisurely pace, stealing glances in the dimly lit surroundings, her eyes drawn to the mysterious Professor Watson with his deep purplish eyes. For some inexplicable reason, her heartbeat quickened.

"About that sentence you mentioned to me last week in the library–"

"Hmm?"

Bryan Watson kept his head lowered, engrossed in his meal, his response coming out in a nasal tone. Only after swallowing did he raise his eyes to meet Hermione's, her flushed cheeks capturing his attention.

"Are you feeling alright, Miss Granger?"

Hermione hesitated, unsure of how to express the faint sense of loneliness that stirred within her heart. After a moment, under Bryan Watson's gentle gaze, she nodded hesitantly

"The strong are always destined for solitude, Miss Granger, but life itself is inherently lonesome. Aside from ideals and beliefs, everything and everyone we encounter on our journey toward oblivion can only accompany us temporarily. Once you grasp this understanding, there is no need for perplexity."

Bryan Watson's casual tone failed to provide clarity to the young witch seated before him. Instead, his words plunged her into a deeper state of turmoil.

After dinner, Bryan Watson surrendered completely to a state of lethargy. No matter how fiercely Miss Granger glared at him, he slouched lazily in his chair, allowing his gaze to wander aimlessly.

Professor Lockhart's desk displayed his personal books, published by various publishers, adorning its surface. In the upper-left corner of the desk, a stack of memoirs rested atop ancient wizard research manuscripts, catching Bryan Watson's eye during his previous visit. These manuscripts were undoubtedly precious artifacts. If he were in Lockhart's position, he would have cherished and guarded them, rather than carelessly tossing them aside.

Though tempted to delve into their contents and study them further, Bryan Watson forcibly suppressed the impulse out of moral decency.

On the right side of the desk, a separate stack of thick manuscripts beckoned. Bryan Watson had glimpsed them earlier upon entering the office. It appeared to be Lockhart's upcoming unpublished book, titled "A Year of Coexistence with Samoset Giants."

"Tsk tsk, such an acquired taste!"

Driven by boredom, Bryan Watson reached out and picked up the manuscript. Compared to the ancient wizard research manuscripts, this particular work seemed less taboo.

The candlelight flickered, casting dancing shadows across the room, while a faintly cool evening breeze gently tapped against the window. The office embraced an atmosphere of tranquil stillness, accompanied only by the sound of a quill scratching rapidly against parchment and the occasional rustle of turning pages.

After a while, Hermione, engrossed in her diligent work, furrowed her brow, sensing an unexplained chill permeating the air. Tentatively, she raised her head, scanning the room in search of the source. Her eyes finally settled on Bryan Watson, his lips curled into a cold smirk as he intently perused the manuscript.

"Professor–"

Hesitation tinged Hermione's voice as she cautiously inquired, "What are you reading?"

"It is Professor Lockhart's new book manuscript," Bryan Watson replied, his tone filled with intrigue. "It documents the 'discovery' process of this story, and I must say, it is quite fascinating–"

But isn't Professor Lockhart's book meant to be a record of his own experiences? Why did Professor Watson use the word 'discovery'?

Furthermore, it was not proper to peek at Professor Lockhart's private manuscript without permission. Professor!

Before Hermione could voice her concerns, Bryan Watson abruptly slammed the manuscript back onto the table, his calm demeanor now laced with authority.

"That's enough for today, Miss Granger. You should go rest."

Looking at the closed door and Hermione's perplexed expression, Bryan Watson's eyes flashed with sympathy. When the day comes and Professor Lockhart's reputation crumbles, Miss Granger will likely be overwhelmed with shame for once idolizing such a scoundrel.

He stood up and waved his wand forcefully, causing the drawer beneath the desk to close with a snap. Simultaneously, the suitcases placed against the wall opened one after another, and hidden manuscripts flew from all directions, levitating before Bryan Watson. They stood suspended in mid-air, slowly flipping through their pages, revealing the unforgivable secrets they held.

"Hmph–"

After briefly skimming through all the manuscripts, Bryan let out a cold snort. He looked at the picture frame placed on the tea table, where the wizard inside no longer wore a radiant smile but instead shrunk into a corner of the frame., staring at Bryan Watson in terror, trembling uncontrollably. "A bit of courage, Professor Lockhart. I'm truly impressed." Bryan stood alone in the office, his laughter softly murmuring.

IMPORTANT BELOW:

AUTHOR'S NOTE: In this chapter i have added some things like some readers said so this is a kind of experimental chapter, if you guys like this in more detailed way then i will start writing like this from now on, if you think that the style of previous chpaters was good then i will do in previous chapter. No need to worry the core story won't change. Its just a style change. Let Me Know in the Comments Section your thoughts.

コメント 12のコメント

投票

章 48: 048 The Diary

Hermione was baffled by Professor Watson's reaction when he glimpsed Professor Lockhart's unpublished manuscript. His face registered a complex blend of surprise, disappointment, and maybe even amusement. She wondered what could have caused such an odd expression as she stepped into the common room through the Fat Lady's portrait. Her curiosity nagged at her mind, making her eager to find out more about Professor Watson's mysterious response.

The night was deepening, and the vast lounge was silent except for a few scattered souls. Harry and Ron were sprawled on the plush sofa near the fireplace, drifting into slumber. They had stayed up for Hermione, aware of how easily she could lose track of time when she was working on something.

Hermione walked towards them, feeling a twinge of loneliness in her chest. Life could be so hollow sometimes, she thought sadly as she reached Harry and Ron.

"Why aren't you two sleeping in the dormitory?" Hermione asked them softly as she joined them on the sofa. Her delicate eyebrows arched in a slightly spoiled expression as she entered.

She knew they had waited for her out of concern, but she couldn't help teasing them a little.

"Why else? We are naturally worried that you would be so absorbed in your fascinating work that you would skip dinner!"

Harry and Ron, who had been snoring lightly, were roused by her voice. They blinked their groggy eyes, and Ron muttered grumpily as he sat up.

Hermione settled across from them, glancing at the table laden with food, and a faint smile touched her lips. She wasn't really hungry, but she felt a warmth in her heart.

That's when Hermione spotted a black notebook tucked under several slices of toast. The notebook looked rather old, judging by its frayed cover.

Hermione's eyes darted to Ron, who shrugged his shoulders casually and nodded at Harry, signaling that he should explain.

"In the afternoon, on our way back to the dormitory, Ron and I passed by the second floor and heard Moaning Myrtle having a fit in one of the bathrooms. We were curious, so we went in to check it out and found this notebook. It belongs to Tom Riddle!"

Harry said with emphasis, hoping that Hermione would catch his meaning. "Ron thought this thing might be dangerous and told me to toss it away."

"Toss it away?"

Hermione snapped out of her tiredness and became animated. She grabbed the notebook and inspected it carefully. "What nonsense are you talking, Ron? There might be clues in here!"

"Well, he sure did a good job of hiding them," Ron said with a bored tone. "Maybe it's too ashamed to show itself. I don't get why you're keeping it, Harry."

"I want to know why someone wanted to get rid of it," Harry said thoughtfully. "And I'm really curious about how Riddle got the Special Contribution Award from Hogwarts."

"There could be a lot of reasons, Harry," Ron said with a shrug. "Maybe he aced all his O.W.L.s, or he saved a teacher from the giant squid's tentacles. Maybe he killed Moaning Myrtle, and everyone was happy about it."

The three of them knew that the Chamber of Secrets had been opened fifty years ago, and a student had died, and the culprit had been expelled. And it just so happened that Riddle had received the Special Contribution Award around that time. It didn't take much brainpower to figure out that there must be some link.

Hermione tried to coax some words out of the notebook for a while, but she couldn't get anything out of the blank pages. Finally, she gave up reluctantly.

"Maybe we should give this to Professor Watson or Headmaster Dumbledore. They are powerful wizards who might be able to crack the notebook's secrets."

Hermione said with a frown and suggested her idea.

Harry, however, unexpectedly opposed the reasonable proposal. "Not many people in the school are talking about this anymore, Hermione. I don't want to make a big fuss about it again. But, if, and I mean if, the Heir of Slytherin comes out and continues their activities, then I'll let you give it to Professor Watson!" He said firmly, clutching Riddle's diary in his hand.

In reality, it was just an excuse. Even Harry couldn't explain why he didn't just toss Riddle's diary away. The truth was, over the next few days, despite knowing that the diary was empty, he would take it out whenever no one was around, lost in thought, hoping to find something inside. He felt a strange attraction to the old leather-bound book, as if it was hiding a secret that only he could unravel.

A new week began, and February officially entered its second half. The hottest topic in school recently was Professor Watson suddenly becoming the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher without any prior signs. Wherever you went, you could hear young wizards discussing his astonishing skills in the first and second-year classes, as well as his teachings on the different levels of magical mastery in the fifth, sixth, and seventh-year classes. On the other hand, not many people discussed the methods Bryan taught to deal with dark wizards and dangerous creatures in his classes. They seemed too abstract and complicated for most students to grasp.

In each house, young wizards confidently proclaimed that their certain relatives possessed the power of "court-level wizards." It was as if the magical world had suddenly returned to ancient times, where having two court-level wizards in a family was a necessity, and it would be embarrassing not to greet people when going out. They boasted about their family's achievements and prestige, trying to impress their peers with their connections.

In each house, there are young wizards who firmly claim that their certain relative possesses the power of a "Court Wizard," as if the magical world has suddenly returned to ancient times. With two Court Wizards in their family, they feel too embarrassed to greet people when they go out.

As for the level of "Grand Magus," no young wizard dares to challenge them. They are revered and feared as the most powerful and influential wizards in history. They can shape reality with their will and command respect from all living beings. They are legends that transcend time and space.

"Dumbledore is undoubtedly a Grand Magus!" a confident Hufflepuff named MacMillan firmly declared to his fellow housemate, Hannah Abbott, as if he had received confirmation directly from Principal Dumbledore and Professor Watson. His eyes sparkled with admiration and awe. "And I suspect Professor Watson might be one too," he continued, his conviction unwavering. "Just think about it, Hannah. Ever since Professor Watson arrived at Hogwarts as an investigator, the heir of Slytherin has refrained from any further activity. He must lack the confidence to face two 'Grand Magus' simultaneously!" He said smugly, as if he had solved a great mystery.

MacMillan's theory gained traction among the students, spreading like wildfire. The reshuffling of classes meant that the third and fourth years, taught directly by Professor Watson, commenced their sessions on Tuesday afternoon of the third week. The mischievous Weasley twins, Fred and George, seized this opportunity to playfully tease their professor. They jokingly asked, "Professor Watson, may we ask if you are a 'Grand Magus'?" Their voices were loud enough for everyone to hear. They winked at each other and grinned wickedly.

Bryan Watson, standing on the podium, smiled slyly at the two peculiar Weasley twins. He hadn't expected such a quick opportunity for revenge! He had recognized them at Hogsmeade when they tried to prank him with a fake wand. He decided to teach them a lesson they would never forget. "So, Mr. Weasley twins, would you like to demonstrate to everyone how to defeat a 'Grand Magus'?" He asked casually, gesturing for them to come up on stage. His tone was calm and friendly, but his eyes were full of mischief.

Oh oh oh! The hall suddenly erupted into roars of laughter and excitement, like a hurricane hitting the waves. Among the Hufflepuff formation, Cedric Diggory , a fourth-year student and Quidditch captain , jumped onto the table and shouted at the twins , "Let everyone see what you've got , Weasley!" He cheered them on enthusiastically.

"Show us what you can do , Fred and George . Don't embarrass Gryffindor !" There were also cheers from within Gryffindor . Angelina Johnson , Alicia Spinnet , and Katie Bell , who were on the Quidditch team with Fred and George , laughed heartily and slapped the twins' shoulders.

"This is definitely revenge , Fred!" George whispered through gritted teeth as they trembled and supported each other while going up on stage. "Last time at Hogsmeade, Professor Watson definitely recognized us!" He said nervously, remembering how they had failed to fool the professor with their prank.

The duel ended much faster than anyone start had expected.

As soon as they got on stage and before Professor Watson could announce the start of the duel, the twins, with perfect synchronization, immediately split up and ran in two different directions, surrounding Bryan Watson from both sides.

"Are you ready, Fred?" George shouted.

"Ready and waiting, brother!" Fred responded resolutely.

Bryan Watson smiled as he watched the two troublemakers pull out two large dung bomb bags from under their robes, but before they could act, he swiftly waved his wand! Bang! Bang! Bang! The scene of hundreds of dung bombs exploding simultaneously and the accompanying stench were particularly striking. Fred and George, covered in filth, wailed as they collapsed to the ground, looking as if they had been hit by a Cruciatus Curse! Their faces were twisted in pain and disgust, and their clothes were stained with brown and green spots.

"Let's go down together, Professor!" They shouted defiantly, hoping to drag him down with them. But to their surprise, moments later, the twin brothers got up from the ground at the same time, glaring fiercely at Professor Watson, and with unwavering courage, they charged towards him! They ignored the laughter and jeers from the audience, determined to get their revenge.

If they were scared by such tricks, Bryan Watson would have wasted his time in the underground world all these years. He maintained a smiling expression, casually shaking his wrist. A red ball of light, the size of a Quaffle and emitting a fiery tail, burst out from the tip of his wand and flew above his head. It looked like a miniature sun, dazzling and powerful.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Before Fred and George could reach within ten feet, the red ball of light above Professor Watson's head suddenly shone brightly, and dozens of red beams shot out in all directions. Each Weasley approaching was hit by at least two or three beams on their chests, and then they collapsed to the ground, unconscious! They fell like ragdolls, their limbs limp and their eyes closed.

'The Stunning Spell - Cluster Shot.'

Bryan Watson thought to himself, proud of his invention. He had modified the standard Stunning Spell to create a more effective version that could target multiple enemies at once. He had used it many times in his missions, and it never failed him.

Bryan Watson looked down at the stunned young wizards below with a smug smile and said, "Excuse me, which student can help carry them to the infirmary?" He asked politely, as if he had done nothing wrong.

He then glanced at the rest of the students with a playful wink and added, "Don't worry, they'll be fine. They just need some rest and a good wash." He said cheerfully, making everyone laugh even harder.

Author's Note: Special Thanks to 'WeedsNsht' for suggesting the name 'cluster-shot' for the stunning spell that targets multiple people.

コメント 4のコメント

投票