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Chapter 152: The Petty Professor Lockhart
2022-07-14 Author: I'm Just a Pigeon
“Bart?”
William called out again. The House-elf, who was usually on call almost twenty-four hours a day, refused to appear for some reason.
“It's almost lunchtime, Professor William. The kitchen is busy.”
Seeing William's slight embarrassment, Lockhart proactively helped him out.
“Right, I forgot the time,” William smiled and let the matter drop. Although the House-elf named Bart had always served him, he was ultimately school property. William wasn't a slave driver who would insist on being served tea when the House-elf was busy.
“Oh, right, Professor Lockhart. I don't have the Diadem either. It seems to have some incredible magic attached to it, and Dumbledore is currently researching it.”
To prevent the awkward topic of the earlier attack from being brought up again, William proactively changed the subject, directly to the Diadem, which Professor Lockhart should be most concerned about. William could tell that it was fortunate Dumbledore was handling it. Otherwise, even if there was nothing wrong with it, he wouldn't be able to bear having it in his possession.
‘It possesses both practical and historical value. I estimate that if it hadn't fallen into the school's hands, the Wizarding World would be fighting tooth and nail for it.’
“In Dumbledore's hands?”
William's news made Lockhart's disappointment obvious—this was just as William had expected.
Pestering a colleague shamelessly to have a look at something was a completely different level of difficulty than getting it from the Headmaster, especially when that Headmaster was the renowned Dumbledore.
The subsequent events were just as William predicted. Lockhart chatted for a few more moments before finding an excuse to leave; it was clear that the effect of William's Stunning Spell on him was completely overshadowed by the allure of the Diadem.
“By the way,” William suddenly called out to the departing Lockhart, “Professor Lockhart, are you wearing some kind of perfume?”
“Of course, I made it myself. I've even researched a whole set of hair care products. Professor William, are you interested in this too? Heavens, if I weren't in a hurry, I would definitely have a good chat with you about it!”
Lockhart, who had reached the doorway, flashed a wide smile, looking as if he wanted to continue the conversation, but was constrained by the excuse he had just made.
“Alright then, Professor Lockhart. Next time for sure!”
William bid him a warm farewell.
—
‘Who the hell cares about those hair care products!’
William sat back down in his chair and mulled over the recent attack. ‘There's no doubt about it, it was because of that damn perfume.’
He took another deep sniff of the lingering scent of perfume in the air, trying to identify its components—but it was very difficult.
‘It bears no resemblance to the way Ginny controlled Mr. Filch, and using perfume fits Professor Lockhart's habits perfectly,’ William thought about Professor Lockhart's past actions and found nothing surprising about him using perfume.
‘After Professor Singeade developed that new Hair-Growth Potion, I think Professor Lockhart approached him to discuss developing hair care products. Researching perfume is also quite normal. It's nothing more than adding a few potion ingredients to make people like you, which seems pretty normal too.’
William himself remembered the formula for several relatively harmless perfumes—he had taken on such miscellaneous jobs back when he was a Potion Master.
‘Those roosters have made me paranoid,’ William shook his head, preparing to go for a meal.
—
“Not with him, but with Dumbledore?”
Lockhart thought to himself as he walked, then was startled by his own audacious plan.
‘How could I have come up with such a crazy plan?’
He began to blame himself, but then immediately felt regret—‘I've done this many times before, haven't I?’
‘I must have been frightened by the recent scene, that's why I'm having second thoughts.’
He recalled the scene from just now, psyching himself up.
‘A perfect plan, a plan with no loopholes. I've succeeded so many times, and this time will be no exception!’
‘I need to stay far away from that William. The guy is a lunatic. I almost thought I was exposed!’
Although he had already left William's office, Lockhart couldn't help but wipe away non-existent cold sweat. When he had just recovered from the Stunning Spell, he thought his entire career was over.
‘That lunatic, attacking a colleague for no reason!’
‘Dumbledore won't find out, will he?’
Lockhart mentally reviewed the flaws he might have shown, striving for perfection.
‘Even without that Diadem, you're still the greatest Adventurer. You've already got Harry Potter!’
‘But I still want that Diadem so badly, the Diadem of Ravenclaw. I've been thinking about it since I was a student—’
Lockhart sighed, thinking about his perfect plan.
Use honeyed words to win Professor William's trust, then, once he takes out the Diadem, hit him with an Obliviate to wipe his memory clean, then falsify the memories of that House-elf named Bart and William himself, and finally, fabricate evidence suggesting that a greedy House-elf attacked a professor to seize the Diadem of Ravenclaw and fled with the precious treasure.
And as for him, Lockhart, he would naturally be the first professor to discover the unconscious Professor William, saving the life of Professor William who was grievously injured in the attack by the House-elf.
In this way, he, Lockhart, would gain the respect of all the teachers and students at the school, the gratitude of Professor William, and a genuine, priceless treasure.
‘Why did Professor Flitwick have to lie?’
‘That Diadem should have been mine—just like my previous honors. My Obliviation Charm perfectly seizes everything I want, doesn't it?’
‘My specially made, trust-gaining perfume, my meticulously prepared magic, my well-thought-out plan—how did that lunatic ruin it all!’
—
“You have gained the recognition (disgust) of a magical creature. Received Treasure Chest x1.”
In his office, William, who was tidying up the last manuscript, casually opened the Treasure Chest and then covered his forehead with his hand.
‘That petty Professor Lockhart. He said he didn't care, but I only stunned you once. Do you really have to be like this?’
However, William said this without much confidence. If it were him, ambushed and knocked out by a colleague for no good reason, he would definitely feel more than just disgust.
‘But I definitely wouldn't get ambushed by an ordinary person. Bah, bah—I shouldn't jinx it!’
[Lockhart's Valentine's Day Card to Himself (Rare): Ah, these school children are so clueless. Lockhart will surely be a great man after Graduation, so Lockhart has decided to send himself eight hundred Valentine's Day Cards!
Skill: Rumormongering; Tear this card to spread a rumor about yourself. The effectiveness of the rumor is related to its exaggeration, and the failure rate is also related to its exaggeration—gaining others' attention depends entirely on your own effort.]
[Lockhart's Sorting Dilemma (SR): Ravenclaw or Slytherin, that is the question.
Skill: Choice: Tear this card, and for the next month, your learning progress in a designated field will be slightly accelerated, while your learning progress in all other areas will be diminished.]
[Meal Coupon]
Without a doubt, a meal coupon.
However, William still had one question.
‘I haven't been getting any chests before this. Could it be because, unlike in Azkaban, simply hitting people here doesn't generate a high enough level of disgust?’
He glanced at his wand and fell into deep thought...
(end of chapter)
2022-07-14 Author: I'm Just a Pigeon
“Bart?”
William called out again. The House-elf, who was usually on call almost twenty-four hours a day, refused to appear for some reason.
“It's almost lunchtime, Professor William. The kitchen is busy.”
Seeing William's slight embarrassment, Lockhart proactively helped him out.
“Right, I forgot the time,” William smiled and let the matter drop. Although the House-elf named Bart had always served him, he was ultimately school property. William wasn't a slave driver who would insist on being served tea when the House-elf was busy.
“Oh, right, Professor Lockhart. I don't have the Diadem either. It seems to have some incredible magic attached to it, and Dumbledore is currently researching it.”
To prevent the awkward topic of the earlier attack from being brought up again, William proactively changed the subject, directly to the Diadem, which Professor Lockhart should be most concerned about. William could tell that it was fortunate Dumbledore was handling it. Otherwise, even if there was nothing wrong with it, he wouldn't be able to bear having it in his possession.
‘It possesses both practical and historical value. I estimate that if it hadn't fallen into the school's hands, the Wizarding World would be fighting tooth and nail for it.’
“In Dumbledore's hands?”
William's news made Lockhart's disappointment obvious—this was just as William had expected.
Pestering a colleague shamelessly to have a look at something was a completely different level of difficulty than getting it from the Headmaster, especially when that Headmaster was the renowned Dumbledore.
The subsequent events were just as William predicted. Lockhart chatted for a few more moments before finding an excuse to leave; it was clear that the effect of William's Stunning Spell on him was completely overshadowed by the allure of the Diadem.
“By the way,” William suddenly called out to the departing Lockhart, “Professor Lockhart, are you wearing some kind of perfume?”
“Of course, I made it myself. I've even researched a whole set of hair care products. Professor William, are you interested in this too? Heavens, if I weren't in a hurry, I would definitely have a good chat with you about it!”
Lockhart, who had reached the doorway, flashed a wide smile, looking as if he wanted to continue the conversation, but was constrained by the excuse he had just made.
“Alright then, Professor Lockhart. Next time for sure!”
William bid him a warm farewell.
—
‘Who the hell cares about those hair care products!’
William sat back down in his chair and mulled over the recent attack. ‘There's no doubt about it, it was because of that damn perfume.’
He took another deep sniff of the lingering scent of perfume in the air, trying to identify its components—but it was very difficult.
‘It bears no resemblance to the way Ginny controlled Mr. Filch, and using perfume fits Professor Lockhart's habits perfectly,’ William thought about Professor Lockhart's past actions and found nothing surprising about him using perfume.
‘After Professor Singeade developed that new Hair-Growth Potion, I think Professor Lockhart approached him to discuss developing hair care products. Researching perfume is also quite normal. It's nothing more than adding a few potion ingredients to make people like you, which seems pretty normal too.’
William himself remembered the formula for several relatively harmless perfumes—he had taken on such miscellaneous jobs back when he was a Potion Master.
‘Those roosters have made me paranoid,’ William shook his head, preparing to go for a meal.
—
“Not with him, but with Dumbledore?”
Lockhart thought to himself as he walked, then was startled by his own audacious plan.
‘How could I have come up with such a crazy plan?’
He began to blame himself, but then immediately felt regret—‘I've done this many times before, haven't I?’
‘I must have been frightened by the recent scene, that's why I'm having second thoughts.’
He recalled the scene from just now, psyching himself up.
‘A perfect plan, a plan with no loopholes. I've succeeded so many times, and this time will be no exception!’
‘I need to stay far away from that William. The guy is a lunatic. I almost thought I was exposed!’
Although he had already left William's office, Lockhart couldn't help but wipe away non-existent cold sweat. When he had just recovered from the Stunning Spell, he thought his entire career was over.
‘That lunatic, attacking a colleague for no reason!’
‘Dumbledore won't find out, will he?’
Lockhart mentally reviewed the flaws he might have shown, striving for perfection.
‘Even without that Diadem, you're still the greatest Adventurer. You've already got Harry Potter!’
‘But I still want that Diadem so badly, the Diadem of Ravenclaw. I've been thinking about it since I was a student—’
Lockhart sighed, thinking about his perfect plan.
Use honeyed words to win Professor William's trust, then, once he takes out the Diadem, hit him with an Obliviate to wipe his memory clean, then falsify the memories of that House-elf named Bart and William himself, and finally, fabricate evidence suggesting that a greedy House-elf attacked a professor to seize the Diadem of Ravenclaw and fled with the precious treasure.
And as for him, Lockhart, he would naturally be the first professor to discover the unconscious Professor William, saving the life of Professor William who was grievously injured in the attack by the House-elf.
In this way, he, Lockhart, would gain the respect of all the teachers and students at the school, the gratitude of Professor William, and a genuine, priceless treasure.
‘Why did Professor Flitwick have to lie?’
‘That Diadem should have been mine—just like my previous honors. My Obliviation Charm perfectly seizes everything I want, doesn't it?’
‘My specially made, trust-gaining perfume, my meticulously prepared magic, my well-thought-out plan—how did that lunatic ruin it all!’
—
“You have gained the recognition (disgust) of a magical creature. Received Treasure Chest x1.”
In his office, William, who was tidying up the last manuscript, casually opened the Treasure Chest and then covered his forehead with his hand.
‘That petty Professor Lockhart. He said he didn't care, but I only stunned you once. Do you really have to be like this?’
However, William said this without much confidence. If it were him, ambushed and knocked out by a colleague for no good reason, he would definitely feel more than just disgust.
‘But I definitely wouldn't get ambushed by an ordinary person. Bah, bah—I shouldn't jinx it!’
[Lockhart's Valentine's Day Card to Himself (Rare): Ah, these school children are so clueless. Lockhart will surely be a great man after Graduation, so Lockhart has decided to send himself eight hundred Valentine's Day Cards!
Skill: Rumormongering; Tear this card to spread a rumor about yourself. The effectiveness of the rumor is related to its exaggeration, and the failure rate is also related to its exaggeration—gaining others' attention depends entirely on your own effort.]
[Lockhart's Sorting Dilemma (SR): Ravenclaw or Slytherin, that is the question.
Skill: Choice: Tear this card, and for the next month, your learning progress in a designated field will be slightly accelerated, while your learning progress in all other areas will be diminished.]
[Meal Coupon]
Without a doubt, a meal coupon.
However, William still had one question.
‘I haven't been getting any chests before this. Could it be because, unlike in Azkaban, simply hitting people here doesn't generate a high enough level of disgust?’
He glanced at his wand and fell into deep thought...
(end of chapter)
