Lockhart was not surprised when he saw a request for more written in the notebook. After all, the other party had laid the groundwork before, talking about energy absorption efficiency and Slytherin's reasons. However, he couldn't let the Horcrux succeed so easily.
So he wrote unceremoniously: "This bottle of potion just now is enough to restore the magic power of an adult wizard. How much have you restored now?"
Meanwhile, Lockhart controlled his emotions, making himself very suspicious to trick the notebook. He even had the idea of storing the notebook away permanently if the answers in the notebook were not satisfactory to him and the cost was too high.
After the book finished its invasive mind-reading, a line of text appeared on the notebook explaining: "Sorry, Professor, because the absorption efficiency is low, you need 2 more bottles of potion to replenish the book to full energy. After the energy is fully charged, it can run for about 2 or 3 weeks. Later, maybe you can make a sacrifice to replenish the energy, which will further extend the time."
Seeing the words revealed in the notebook, Lockhart nodded with satisfaction. These were the bottom lines that emerged from his thoughts just now. So, he slowly wrote: "I can offer you another bottle, but I hope you can give me a good answer."
As he spoke, Lockhart took out a bottle of potion and poured it on the notebook. Soon, all the potion was absorbed by the notebook. Lockhart watched quietly as the answers to his three questions emerged in his notebook.
"The core of Apparition lies in the perception of space and the firmness of will."
"The improvement of wizard bloodline mainly relies on…"
Lockhart nodded with satisfaction as he looked at the large contents emerging from his notebook. As expected of Voldemort, who accepted Salazar Slytherin's inheritance, this knowledge is quite impressive.
Tuesday, Gryffindor Common Room
In the spacious lounge, students in twos and threes were sitting on sofas or chairs. Some were doing homework, some were reading, and some were discussing quietly with their friends. Among them, Hermione was sitting on the sofa next to her holding a book, reading with gusto. Not far away, Ron and Harry were playing wizard chess with great interest, moving the pieces back and forth, very happily.
Suddenly, click! Along with the flash and the sound of the shutter, a white light flashed. Colin Creevey, who was holding a camera, captured Harry Potter playing chess. Harry subconsciously reached out to cover his face but quickly put it down helplessly. Just three weeks into school, he had already been photographed dozens of times by this crazy photography enthusiast. The other party's attitude of admiration for him made him embarrassed to refuse, so he could only endure it.
"Colin, is there anything else? If nothing else, I will play chess with Ron," Harry turned to Colin and said helplessly.
Colin seemed unaware of Harry's helplessness and said excitedly: "Have you heard? Professor Lockhart's Duelling Club is recruiting members on Sunday. Do you want to join?"
"What?" Colin's topic immediately aroused Harry's interest, and Harry quickly asked: "Colin, where did you know?"
"I just saw it on the bulletin board." Colin was a little proud. "I saw it not long after it was posted. It said that the Duelling Club will be held on Sunday. Those who want to sign up can go to their house prefect. On Friday, the first batch of people to join the club will be given a list."
"Really?" Ron asked reluctantly. His brother Percy is the prefect of fifth year. He is usually more serious and always urges him to study and read. So he somewhat disliked communicating with Percy.
"Ron, let's go find Percy to sign up." After Harry heard this, he immediately thought of the prefect with whom he was closest - Percy Weasley.
"Okay!" Ron nodded and agreed awkwardly: "Let's invite Hermione too."
Soon, the three little Gryffindors and Colin went to find Percy to sign up. During this period, word of Professor Lockhart's Duelling Club spread throughout Hogwarts in just a few hours. No little wizard would reject the use of magic to fight. In particular, the young wizards of Gryffindor and Slytherin, who are active and want to pursue strength, are the most excited.
In addition, the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, which has been responsible for teaching young wizards to resist dangers over the years, is very hard. This year, Professor Lockhart finally came. His lectures were very interesting, and he also held a duelling club. Instantly, the interest of many young wizards was ignited.
By dinner time, most of the short stories were spent discussing news about the Duelling Club. Professor Lockhart was once again the focus of discussion among the young wizards.
"Harry, do you think it's possible for me to join?" Hermione asked anxiously, looking at Harry who was having dinner next to her.
"Don't worry, Hermione, you are so smart, you will definitely be able to join." Harry comforted her beside him. However, Harry's comfort did not calm Hermione's anxiety, and her uneasiness could still be seen on her face.
Night, Snape's Office
"Lockhart, what do you want?" Snape looked indifferent and gazed at Lockhart in front of him with somewhat complicated eyes. But maybe the trading relationship between the two made his tone slightly gentler.
Seeing this, Lockhart said gently: "Snape, I would like to ask, when will the potion that can improve the bloodline be ready?"
Snape made a rough estimate and said, "It may take another two months." Then, he added: "If you can provide 4 tubes of the blood that was previously used as an accelerator, the time can be shortened to about half a month at the earliest."
Hearing this, Lockhart nodded and said, "Understood. I'll think of a way to get more blood later."
"If you still have extra blood on your hands, I can also buy it." When it came to blood, Snape couldn't help but say. He hoped to have as much of this accelerator-like material as possible in his hands. Generally speaking, the more precious the potion, the longer it will take to refine. Therefore, whether it is methods or materials that can shorten time, there is a strong demand for every potion master.
In response to Snape's request, Lockhart nodded and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Snape, if I gain any next time, I will definitely give you a free tube."
Hearing this, the corners of Snape's mouth twitched upward slightly.
"But, Snape, I was hoping you could do me a favor." Before Snape could reply, Lockhart continued: "You should know that the Headmaster asked me to organize a duelling club, and I hope you can participate in it."
In response to Lockhart's request, Snape stared into Lockhart's blue eyes. At the same time, his memory returned to the night three days ago.
"Okay, I'll join you!"
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[More Chapter and More Update Weakly at p@treon.com/goldengaruda]
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Three days later, on Sunday night, in the Headmaster's office.
After receiving Headmaster Dumbledore's summons, Snape walked to the gargoyle on the eighth floor. "Sizzling Honey Candy!" As Snape's voice sounded, the stone beast moved aside, revealing the upward stairs leading to the Headmaster's office. Soon, Snape entered the office and looked at Headmaster Dumbledore, who was sitting at the desk, writing.
Snape's face was expressionless, and he asked in a calm voice, "Headmaster, why do you want to see me?"
Snape's voice seemed to wake Dumbledore. The old man put down the quill in his hand, raised his head, and looked at the head of Slytherin House.
Dumbledore seemed accustomed to Snape's flat tone. He smiled and said jokingly, "Snape, I heard that your relationship with the new professor, Lockhart, has been going well recently. It seems that our Professor Lockhart is very good at making friends."
Hearing Dumbledore's joke, Snape frowned slightly and asked directly, "Headmaster, is there something wrong with Lockhart?"
Then, Dumbledore was shocked to find that Snape said eagerly, "If there is a problem with Lockhart, I will catch him now. I believe that with a bottle of truth serum, any secret can be revealed. Well, the magical ruin held by the opponent also needs to be revealed."
Hearing this, Dumbledore looked a little strange. He could sense Snape's impatience. Did Lockhart offend Snape? Why did it seem like Snape was more eager to catch Lockhart than he was?
So he shook his head and said quickly, "Snape, Lockhart is fine at the moment. I would like to hear what you think of Lockhart first?"
Hearing this, Snape felt a little regretful. With the Headmaster's order, he could rest assured and capture Lockhart. However, regarding the Headmaster's question, Snape thought for a moment and said, "I don't know much about Lockhart. However, if you ask me to comment, I can only say that Lockhart is a very generous person."
The last time Lockhart bought banned potions, he spent thousands of gold galleons. This time, Snape appraised the materials and got a lot of potion materials for free. Not to mention that Lockhart later ordered more batches of potions. It can be said that through Lockhart, Snape made a lot of money.
Hearing Snape's comments, Dumbledore was a little dumbfounded. Generous! What on earth did this Lockhart do to make Snape evaluate him as generous?
So he asked with some curiosity, "Why do you say generous?"
Snape thought about it and felt that it would be best not to bring up the matter of selling forbidden potions. Then he said in a deep voice, "I don't know much about Lockhart, but I often hear many students in Slytherin House say that Lockhart rewards them with various snacks and magic items."
But after thinking about it, he added casually, "The reason why he came to me is to refine some potions, and the price is not low. So I think he is very generous."
In response, Dumbledore nodded slowly to express his understanding. He also had some guesses as to why Lockhart went to Snape, and sure enough, it was for the potion.
Immediately afterward, Snape asked directly, "Headmaster, is this about Lockhart? Or is there something else I need to do?"
Dumbledore said with a smile, "Snape, don't worry, nothing big will happen this time. I heard that your relationship with Lockhart is developing well. I want you to help me pay attention to his research and test his views on Squibs, mixed-bloods, and pure-blood families."
"Headmaster, are you sure Lockhart is fine?" Snape asked with a frown. "If there is a problem, my personal suggestion is to arrest him directly and apply Veritaserum."
Seeing Dumbledore still shaking his head, Snape asked curiously, "Headmaster, before I begin to monitor him, I need a reason."
After thinking for a while, Dumbledore said in a deep voice, "Lockhart is currently conducting a magical research. If this research is successful, it will affect the entire wizarding world. So, I need to know his attitude towards half-bloods, pure-bloods, and squibs."
Hearing this, Snape nodded slowly, and at the same time, he was a little curious about the magical research mentioned by Headmaster Dumbledore. He asked a few questions and heard some introductions from Dumbledore. The image of Lockhart in Snape's mind changed dramatically.
As the exchange between Snape and Dumbledore ended, Dumbledore watched Snape leave the office, lost in thought. After entering the inheritance library, he searched for relevant traces of runes. What surprised him was that there was no material at all in the library. Therefore, there is no reason for him to be careless. It has been said in the wizarding world since ancient times that one must be wary of unknown things.
Flashback to Tuesday night, Snape's office.
Lockhart was a little surprised when he heard Snape's decisive agreement. Before he came, he had invited Filius Flitwick, a wizard who had won many duel competitions, to join the Duelling Club. To be honest, it took a lot of effort. After all, the Duelling Club was hosted by him, and Filius Flitwick could only participate in it as an assistant. Finally, because he was also a wizard from Ravenclaw, and he had agreed to some conditions from Filius Flitwick, the other party had just officially decided to join the Duelling Club.
Therefore, for the always indifferent Snape, Lockhart was prepared to spend a lot of effort to persuade him to participate. He didn't expect that the other party would be so decisive.
At this moment, Snape looked at the surprised Lockhart and directly put forward his conditions: "I need certain rights to select members, as well as the right to choose the course content."
After hearing Snape's conditions, Lockhart thought about it and nodded in agreement. Because this seemed to be similar to the conditions proposed by Professor Filius. It seems that every head of the house has a heart for his own house to succeed.
"Snape, let me tell you that Professor Filius is also joining the Duelling Club. Our first meeting will be held on Sunday. We professors can further discuss the details in the next few days."
After hearing what Lockhart said, Snape thought about it and found that it had no impact, so he nodded to express his understanding.
Lockhart saw this, a faint smile appeared on his face, and after chatting for a few words, he said goodbye. Walking out of Snape's office and strolling through the corridors of Hogwarts, Lockhart was a little excited in his heart. He found that although his plan had some twists and turns, it went smoothly.
Originally, he organized the Duelling Club to get some resources from Hogwarts. But following Professor McGonagall's very strict review and the fact that he had opened up a new source of income, he gave up this idea completely.
But he wanted to make the Duelling Club bigger. It would be best to invite all the famous professors in the school, and it would be best if Dumbledore also joined. On the one hand, it can provide better teaching quality for young wizards. On the other hand, he now hopes that the club can serve as a hub for him to have intense discussions with these top masters in various fields at Hogwarts around magic and runes.
Well, actually, Lockhart hasn't forgotten his original vision: Create a workers' club!
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[More Chapter and More Update Weakly at p@treon.com/goldengaruda]
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