Chapter 59: "Reflections on the Past: Lockhart's Memories and Suspicions"

Lockhart saw a list of all the spellcasting objects he had used the oblivion spell on, as well as their current status and the fact that they had been stolen by him. He frantically flipped through the pages of the book, making a clattering sound. This unconscious action seemed to be an attempt to ease his inner fear.

After losing his reputation and falling from grace, Lockhart had become the dog of the mourning family. His past misdeeds had been exposed and he was no longer seen as a hero, so it was unlikely that anyone would believe his latest heroic deeds, especially if they were fake.

Lockhart turned tremblingly to the last page and saw a sentence written in dark ink: 'I can do it for myself.' His eyes seemed to be drawn to these words and he heard a majestic old man's voice in his ears, as if it were thunder.

At the same time, some fragmented memories that had been cut off and blurred also entered his mind, causing bursts of thunder.

Lockhart, who was sitting on the bed, regained his senses and carefully thought about the image that had just appeared in his mind, munching on the warning word. He thought of the bewitching notebook, saw Dumbledore displaying his power in the Chamber of Secrets as if he were crushing a worm, and easily defeating the snake. He saw himself in a comatose state and the female student Hermione and male student Draco worshiping him as they delivered his whiskey.

'Why did he give me this credit?' Lockhart thought. He remembered the unusual enthusiasm of the reporters earlier. As someone who had been in many battles and had countless encounters with reporters, he was used to this sort of thing. However, the reporters' abnormal behavior made him suspect that there was a conspiracy afoot.

"Right, that's it," Lockhart thought, finding the explanation extremely reasonable. There were indeed some reasons for this. Dumbledore's own reputation was already at its peak. As a famous wizard who had defeated Grindelwald, the world's greatest white magician, solving a basilisk would not surprise anyone. The student teachers would just think, "Oh, the professor solved a basilisk and the school is calm again."

But if it were him, it would be different. Lockhart felt that Dumbledore was unfathomable. He was also saving the world, but if everyone felt that heroes just raised their hands and that was all it took, the gratitude would not be as deep. On the contrary, if the heroes paid a considerable price for this, people would be much more enthusiastic in their respect. He was the person who had "sacrificed hugely" for this matter.

Dumbledore didn't know how Lockhart knew his true level, but he had used this as an excuse to preach some of his achievements and also as a decent excuse for Lockhart to leave the school. Thinking of this, Lockhart was grateful and awed by Dumbledore.

As for why Dumbledore had to go to such lengths to set this up for Lockhart, he also thought that, if he remembered correctly, the little girl named Hermione was a wizard of Muggle origin. By rescuing a student like this, regardless of his own safety, Dumbledore could set off another storm of public opinion and challenge the stubborn pedigrees of the wizarding world once again.

The wizard and the Muggle living peacefully was not only Dumbledore's idea, but also something Lockhart had always insisted on. Although the former was worthy of the name, the latter was just a bastard. Thinking of this, Lockhart paid more respect to this old man who shared his ideals.

Those who have experienced life and death think more. Perhaps Lockhart had suddenly started to learn and the analyzed part actually coincided with the truth. However, people will always subconsciously forget memories that are unfavorable to themselves. Lockhart obviously let go of himself as the initiator and accepted the official explanation calmly. It may be the biggest thing controlled by the diary, but it may also be ignored."

"Well, maybe Professor Dumbledore had more of a hand in it than I remember," Lockhart thought.

In any case, he still had to look to Dumbledore for guidance.

~~~~

At that moment, he stepped back from the stage and said to the students below, "You can ask the principal to answer this question for you. After all, Ron, you said this is just a rumor." He then returned the spotlight to Dumbledore.

"Ron's news is very well informed," Dumbledore said, stroking his beard and glancing at the audience. The students all looked excited, but Dumbledore continued, "However, you seem to have made a mistake. Some magical creatures are more terrifying than the basilisk."

Dumbledore's previous gentle tone became serious.

The students remembered that the basilisk was also a magical creature, so they might be able to guarantee their safety. They assumed that the teacher's strength should not be weak. The students' heads dropped in disappointment again.

But then Dumbledore saved the day. He continued, "Indeed, your magical biology class teacher will retire in the third grade next year. He is in an older state and needs more time to continue to accompany his cute little guys." Dumbledore paused before taking a look at his already crooked glasses. "So you will welcome a new teacher next semester, who you are likely familiar with. Please wait with peace of mind."

Hearing this, Ron had no choice but to sit back down on the stool.

Harry also made a disappointed expression and thumped the table in front of him. They had obviously given up on ever seeing the scene where Snape's old bat was beaten. They still held out some hope that Lockhart might regain his mana and position as teacher one day. This would also be more convenient.

Returning to the topic, Lockhart continued his "Heroic Deeds Report." With Dumbledore's default, Lockhart was able to render things extremely well, which garnered applause from the students. Hermione stood beside him, but only felt irritable and unreasonable.

Amidst the cheers, there were also some discordant sounds, all coming from the Slytherin College section. As Lockhart spoke about his so-called "heroic deeds," there were applause and cries from other places, but the voices and booing came from the Slytherin side.

"Speaking so eloquently, who is losing all their favorite teacher now?" They had a lot of discussion.

"It's a shame, We sacrificed our future to save a mud kind," said some, though their voices were smaller in number.

Dumbledore gave Snape a glance, and Snape waved his large robe, beckoning his students to stop. The table was still noisy.

Everyone knew Snape's preference for his House, and now this kind of blocking was too early to get really angry. Maybe Snape's heart also hoped they would do so, in return for the shame of being defeated.

Most Slytherin students thought this way. Pansy was sitting next to Malfoy and did not participate in any of the coaxing she had just watched. She looked at him quietly, fearing that his emotions might have some deeper fluctuations. Today's party did not look very pleasant, and the more praise given to the "heroes," the more pitiful the villains seemed to be stepped on.

"Enough," Draco said, flicking the table and frightening Pansy.

When she thought he was going to run away, Malfoy spoke up.

"If this continues, the principal won't let Professor Snape remind us anymore. It's not a good habit to defame others behind their backs, especially when we've lost. All we need to do is win back next time," Draco said in a quiet but clear voice that was heard by every student in Slytherin. The senior students were even more impressed with him after hearing the words, not because the words made sense, but because it seemed to be a novel magic.

Although defeated, Draco's reputation in the House was unprecedentedly high, and most people chose to follow his lead.

Compared to his dean, Malfoy's words were more effective.

As he looked at the eloquent, confident Lockhart, Draco sighed.