Chapter 160: The Split of the Pure-Blood Family

The Golden Snitch is the most important ball in a Quidditch game. It is a small, golden ball about the size of a walnut, with silver wings. Its high speed and difficulty to catch make it crucial in the game, as capturing it brings a significant advantage.

At this moment, Lockhart's eyes were on the Golden Snitch. Each of the three Quidditch balls in the box had its own significance. The Quaffle demonstrated that Filch could successfully cast spells. The Bludger showed that Filch could use magic items. And now, the Golden Snitch...

Lockhart turned his gaze to Filch, who waved his wand, drawing light golden lines in mid-air. Slowly but powerfully, a simple rune pattern formed, floating in the air. The wizards watching were puzzled, unsure of what Filch was doing. But as the runes were completed, a pale golden energy shield appeared out of thin air.

Simultaneously, Professor Flitwick released the Golden Snitch, controlling it to fly around the runes. The Golden Snitch flew within the energy shield, trapped by the magical barrier. This unique way of casting spells, coupled with the distinct spellcasting effects, surprised many wizards. Most were accustomed to loudly chanting spells, and seeing rune patterns being used was rare. Only some powerful wizards or pure-bloods could perform similar magic.

Under everyone's gaze, the light golden energy shield disappeared, and the Golden Snitch returned to the box. Lockhart, standing on the high platform, used magic to amplify his voice, ensuring it reached the entire Quidditch pitch.

"Wizards and future wizards, you have seen that Filch is no longer a Squib. He has become a wizard. In the future, more Squibs will cast spells, ride broomsticks, and become wizards like Filch. I believe that the word 'Squib' will disappear completely in the near future. Our families and friends will all have the chance to become wizards if they are willing to work hard."

The Squibs in the audience were more excited than ever, shouting and screaming with joy. Some even cried with excitement, as if a terminally ill patient had suddenly received news of a cure. The excitement was palpable.

Lockhart continued, "Seeing this, there should be no doubt about the authenticity of my research results. Next, we will randomly select some wizards and future wizards in the audience. If you have any questions about my research, feel free to ask."

He waved his wand, and a pale golden light beam appeared in the sky, moving through the audience. The wizards eagerly awaited its landing on them. The beam eventually stopped on a middle-aged wizard.

"Congratulations. What question do you have?" Lockhart asked, amplifying the wizard's voice.

"Professor Lockhart, how does this method turn a Squib into a wizard? Is it useful for wizards too, or only for Squibs?"

"Of course it helps," Lockhart replied. "The method I studied is called meditation. In short, it enhances mental power and magic through meditation. Squibs become wizards after meditating. Wizards can also improve their mental and magical power through this practice. It's most helpful for Squibs, but beneficial for wizards too."

Understanding dawned on the audience. Lockhart nodded with satisfaction. All problems were within control.

The light beam moved again, landing on a young Squib. Lockhart asked, "What's your question?"

"Professor Lockhart, I am a Squib. Can this method of turning a Squib into a wizard be popularized? Will it cost a lot of money?" the Squib asked anxiously.

The question brought many back to reality, all looking to Lockhart for his answer.

"Of course," Lockhart replied decisively. "I believe that research should benefit the majority of wizards, not just a few. So, I can clearly say it can be popularized and won't cost too many galleons. If you have talent and work hard enough, you can gain magic power for casting spells without spending any money."

The Squib nodded excitedly, expressing gratitude. Lockhart smiled, comforted him, and continued to move the light beam.

This time, it fell on a pure-blood family member—Hanson Avery, whose son was in Slytherin House. He was also a pure-blood wizard Lockhart had met at the Blackstone Auction.

"Professor Lockhart, what was the magic Filch cast at the end? Why is it different from what we have learned before?"

Lockhart replied, "The magic Filch cast was my own creation, similar in principle to the meditation method. It's a magic paired with meditation, usable by both Squibs and wizards who practice meditation."

"In that case, Professor Lockhart, if I let my children join your experiments as research assistants, will you teach them these meditation methods and matching magic?" Hanson Avery asked again.

His question drew the attention of many pure-blood families and caused some dissatisfaction. A pure-blood family publicly offering their child as a research assistant implied strong support for Lockhart's methods.

Hanson knew the other pure-blood families' thoughts but ignored them, focusing on reviving his family's prestige. Lockhart responded in an enticing tone, "Of course, I can promise all wizards here that as my research assistants, not only will there be no danger to their lives, but I will also fully teach them meditation methods and various self-created magics. They will receive the same treatment as Hogwarts students."

"I have even discussed with Principal Dumbledore the possibility of arranging for them to enroll in school, take exams, receive certificates, and find jobs like wizards or become Aurors after graduation. Let them be the first batch of lucky ones in the new era."

The announcement caused a stir among the audience. The prospect of transforming Squibs into wizards, providing them with equal opportunities, and the potential support from pure-blood families signaled a significant shift in the wizarding world.

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