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Chapter 151: A Change of Opinion on Professor Lockhart
"Ha, Professor William, your office is certainly minimalist—" Lockhart said in a booming, enthusiastic voice. "Hmm, I feel it's missing some decoration. My books, for instance?"
As he spoke, Lockhart pulled one book after another from the small bag he carried.
"I already have these—" William's refusal was cut short by Lockhart.
"Not to worry, Professor William. Trust me, these are limited edition hardcover copies, decorative items worthy of a prominent place even on the bookshelf of a Pure-blood Family."
Professor Lockhart was brimming with confidence—but William knew this was no mere boasting. The Daily Prophet was relentless in its coverage of the bestselling author, and quite a few members of well-known Pure-blood families had publicly expressed their admiration for the professor's writing.
'Might as well keep them. Professor Lockhart's books are quite good, and it would be hypocritical of me to refuse...'
Ever since leaving Azkaban, William had finally met someone several times more thick-skinned than himself—he was utterly defeated.
"Yes, a perfect fit—" Lockhart nodded in satisfaction, then asked in a casual manner, "Professor William, I heard from Professor Flitwick that you obtained Ravenclaw's Diadem, but it has some troublesome attachments?"
Before William could respond, Lockhart barrelled on. "You know, while it might sound like I'm bragging, I am a first-rate adventurer. I've witnessed countless dangers and disarmed innumerable traps. I think you might need an adventure master like myself to help you with these problems."
"Of course, of course," Lockhart spoke at an astonishing speed, "this would also fulfill a small wish of mine, you see, Professor William."
Lockhart flashed his impeccable smile. "Every Ravenclaw who studied here, and you could even extend that to every child who loves to read, has fantasized about that Diadem. Although my grades were excellent from the moment I entered the school, you know, Professor William, I was just an ordinary student back then. This isn't just about solving a puzzle for me; it's about fulfilling a childhood dream."
Professor Lockhart's smile grew even more friendly—
'But no matter how extravagantly you put it, the Diadem isn't here with me.'
As this thought surfaced, William immediately sensed something was wrong—'Why do I have the sudden urge to show the item to Professor Lockhart?'
He drew his wand even faster than the thought could form.
"Stupefy!"
"Obliviate!"
The two spells flew out almost simultaneously. William cast a full-power Shield Charm and dove aside, but Professor Lockhart's spell, though cast later, still arrived first, leaving him no time to defend against William's Stunning Spell.
A massive impact nearly shattered William’s eardrums. Though Professor Lockhart’s Obliviation Charm was cast in a hurry, its power was far beyond his imagination.
'Good thing I practice the Shield Charm diligently, only a little less than the Apparition I specifically train on weekends. Otherwise, I’m afraid I would have had to waste a Card,' William thought, patting his chest in lingering fear after recovering from the deafening noise. "Compared to the System's Cards, my own Strength is more reliable. What if those things are fakes?"
'That said, Professor Lockhart truly is a great adventurer, to counter-attack so swiftly even when I practically launched a sneak attack—' William internally acknowledged Professor Lockhart's skill while simultaneously praising his own prior judgment. "As I thought, that all-or-nothing approach is too one-sided. Without a follow-up, it's too easy to get ambushed."
'But I definitely couldn't have blocked it head-on. That Obliviation Charm was viciously expert,' William thought as he scrambled up from the floor. He looked at Professor Lockhart, and only then did he remember something important.
'Why did I knock out Professor Lockhart? The Rooster Incident is over! The Diadem has been found!'
He clutched his forehead as a headache began to set in. 'Taking down Adams isn't a big deal, since we know each other well. But how do I handle knocking out Professor Lockhart? The Diadem has already been found, so why are you still so paranoid?!'
Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale…
William regulated his breathing, trying hard not to let his thoughts stray into dark territory. Azkaban was a corrupting cesspool where he had heard countless dark stories; some illicit maneuvers were as easy as pie for him.
'No. You worked so hard to get out of there. Why are you thinking about going back in?'
'If you do that, how can you face your students?'
'Take responsibility, William!'
Shaking his head, William cast aside the story of the former Memory Erasing specialist from the Ministry of Magic who had been sent to Azkaban. Although a simple flick of his wand could spare him from the subsequent reprimands, that was not what he should do.
'I'll go notify Dumbledore and honestly confess that my frayed nerves caused me to attack a visiting professor. At worst, the promised raise will be gone. Then, I'll personally apologize to Professor Lockhart and ask Dumbledore to let him participate in the research on the Diadem. That should resolve things.'
Having made up his mind, William prepared to awaken Professor Lockhart, holding onto one last sliver of hope.
'If possible, it would be best to settle this privately with Professor Lockhart. I doubt it's likely, but if it is, then I won't have to trouble Dumbledore.'
"Professor Lockhart?"
William whispered as he used his wand to cast a Counter-Curse. His attitude had to be perfect, or this would be difficult to handle.
"Ah," after the curse was dispelled, Lockhart's hand first shot to where his wand should have been before he painfully opened his eyes.
'He shouldn't be too badly hurt—'
William thought, putting on a perfectly harmless smile.
"Professor, you're awake. The surgery—ahem, there was a small accident. My sincerest apologies."
"Professor William?"
Professor Lockhart wore a frightened expression, which made William feel extremely guilty. He had a decent reason for attacking Adams, but he'd ambushed Professor Lockhart purely on instinct!
"I'm sorry, Professor Lockhart," William tried his best to convey his sincere apology. "I was too on edge. I am very sorry for this accident..."
Lockhart ignored William and began to quickly survey his surroundings.
"We're still in your office, Professor William."
The palpable relief in Professor Lockhart's tone made William feel even more self-reproachful. Why did you have to be so quick on the draw!
"Yes, we're still in my office, Professor Lockhart. Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
"I'm fine," Lockhart's smile was a bit forced. "I'm fine, don't worry too much about me, Professor William. You haven't notified Professor Dumbledore, have you?"
"Not yet," William had just uttered one word before Professor Lockhart cut him off.
"Good that you haven't. Don't worry, the impulsiveness of youth. I can understand. Of course, you know, Professor William, if we weren't at school, you'd never find such a good opportunity."
This response made William even more embarrassed. For once, he went against his principle of not bothering a House-Elf with trivial matters.
"Bart, could I trouble you to prepare some Black Tea for myself and Mr. Lockhart?"
(end of chapter)
"Ha, Professor William, your office is certainly minimalist—" Lockhart said in a booming, enthusiastic voice. "Hmm, I feel it's missing some decoration. My books, for instance?"
As he spoke, Lockhart pulled one book after another from the small bag he carried.
"I already have these—" William's refusal was cut short by Lockhart.
"Not to worry, Professor William. Trust me, these are limited edition hardcover copies, decorative items worthy of a prominent place even on the bookshelf of a Pure-blood Family."
Professor Lockhart was brimming with confidence—but William knew this was no mere boasting. The Daily Prophet was relentless in its coverage of the bestselling author, and quite a few members of well-known Pure-blood families had publicly expressed their admiration for the professor's writing.
'Might as well keep them. Professor Lockhart's books are quite good, and it would be hypocritical of me to refuse...'
Ever since leaving Azkaban, William had finally met someone several times more thick-skinned than himself—he was utterly defeated.
"Yes, a perfect fit—" Lockhart nodded in satisfaction, then asked in a casual manner, "Professor William, I heard from Professor Flitwick that you obtained Ravenclaw's Diadem, but it has some troublesome attachments?"
Before William could respond, Lockhart barrelled on. "You know, while it might sound like I'm bragging, I am a first-rate adventurer. I've witnessed countless dangers and disarmed innumerable traps. I think you might need an adventure master like myself to help you with these problems."
"Of course, of course," Lockhart spoke at an astonishing speed, "this would also fulfill a small wish of mine, you see, Professor William."
Lockhart flashed his impeccable smile. "Every Ravenclaw who studied here, and you could even extend that to every child who loves to read, has fantasized about that Diadem. Although my grades were excellent from the moment I entered the school, you know, Professor William, I was just an ordinary student back then. This isn't just about solving a puzzle for me; it's about fulfilling a childhood dream."
Professor Lockhart's smile grew even more friendly—
'But no matter how extravagantly you put it, the Diadem isn't here with me.'
As this thought surfaced, William immediately sensed something was wrong—'Why do I have the sudden urge to show the item to Professor Lockhart?'
He drew his wand even faster than the thought could form.
"Stupefy!"
"Obliviate!"
The two spells flew out almost simultaneously. William cast a full-power Shield Charm and dove aside, but Professor Lockhart's spell, though cast later, still arrived first, leaving him no time to defend against William's Stunning Spell.
A massive impact nearly shattered William’s eardrums. Though Professor Lockhart’s Obliviation Charm was cast in a hurry, its power was far beyond his imagination.
'Good thing I practice the Shield Charm diligently, only a little less than the Apparition I specifically train on weekends. Otherwise, I’m afraid I would have had to waste a Card,' William thought, patting his chest in lingering fear after recovering from the deafening noise. "Compared to the System's Cards, my own Strength is more reliable. What if those things are fakes?"
'That said, Professor Lockhart truly is a great adventurer, to counter-attack so swiftly even when I practically launched a sneak attack—' William internally acknowledged Professor Lockhart's skill while simultaneously praising his own prior judgment. "As I thought, that all-or-nothing approach is too one-sided. Without a follow-up, it's too easy to get ambushed."
'But I definitely couldn't have blocked it head-on. That Obliviation Charm was viciously expert,' William thought as he scrambled up from the floor. He looked at Professor Lockhart, and only then did he remember something important.
'Why did I knock out Professor Lockhart? The Rooster Incident is over! The Diadem has been found!'
He clutched his forehead as a headache began to set in. 'Taking down Adams isn't a big deal, since we know each other well. But how do I handle knocking out Professor Lockhart? The Diadem has already been found, so why are you still so paranoid?!'
Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale…
William regulated his breathing, trying hard not to let his thoughts stray into dark territory. Azkaban was a corrupting cesspool where he had heard countless dark stories; some illicit maneuvers were as easy as pie for him.
'No. You worked so hard to get out of there. Why are you thinking about going back in?'
'If you do that, how can you face your students?'
'Take responsibility, William!'
Shaking his head, William cast aside the story of the former Memory Erasing specialist from the Ministry of Magic who had been sent to Azkaban. Although a simple flick of his wand could spare him from the subsequent reprimands, that was not what he should do.
'I'll go notify Dumbledore and honestly confess that my frayed nerves caused me to attack a visiting professor. At worst, the promised raise will be gone. Then, I'll personally apologize to Professor Lockhart and ask Dumbledore to let him participate in the research on the Diadem. That should resolve things.'
Having made up his mind, William prepared to awaken Professor Lockhart, holding onto one last sliver of hope.
'If possible, it would be best to settle this privately with Professor Lockhart. I doubt it's likely, but if it is, then I won't have to trouble Dumbledore.'
"Professor Lockhart?"
William whispered as he used his wand to cast a Counter-Curse. His attitude had to be perfect, or this would be difficult to handle.
"Ah," after the curse was dispelled, Lockhart's hand first shot to where his wand should have been before he painfully opened his eyes.
'He shouldn't be too badly hurt—'
William thought, putting on a perfectly harmless smile.
"Professor, you're awake. The surgery—ahem, there was a small accident. My sincerest apologies."
"Professor William?"
Professor Lockhart wore a frightened expression, which made William feel extremely guilty. He had a decent reason for attacking Adams, but he'd ambushed Professor Lockhart purely on instinct!
"I'm sorry, Professor Lockhart," William tried his best to convey his sincere apology. "I was too on edge. I am very sorry for this accident..."
Lockhart ignored William and began to quickly survey his surroundings.
"We're still in your office, Professor William."
The palpable relief in Professor Lockhart's tone made William feel even more self-reproachful. Why did you have to be so quick on the draw!
"Yes, we're still in my office, Professor Lockhart. Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
"I'm fine," Lockhart's smile was a bit forced. "I'm fine, don't worry too much about me, Professor William. You haven't notified Professor Dumbledore, have you?"
"Not yet," William had just uttered one word before Professor Lockhart cut him off.
"Good that you haven't. Don't worry, the impulsiveness of youth. I can understand. Of course, you know, Professor William, if we weren't at school, you'd never find such a good opportunity."
This response made William even more embarrassed. For once, he went against his principle of not bothering a House-Elf with trivial matters.
"Bart, could I trouble you to prepare some Black Tea for myself and Mr. Lockhart?"
(end of chapter)
