65: Myrtle and the Medal

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Defense Against the Dark Arts Office.

Gilderoy Lockhart was replying to a letter from his fan when there was a knock on the door.

"Oh, this is really a headache. My little fans won't let me go even at night."

He thought it was a fan/student who came to ask for his autograph, and he never got tired of it and even felt happy.

Pure fame and vanity made him happy, even if it would make his hands break from signing.

After opening the door, his bright smile became a little awkward.

"John Wick, I mean Mr. Wick, why are you here?"

His behavior made Percy a little strange, because Lockhart claimed to the outside world that he had taught John, but he looked like he was in awe of John.

"Professor Lockhart, we have something to talk about. I hope you don't mind us taking up some time here."

John walked in, and that look was completely contrary to the respectful words he said verbally.

Percy nodded respectfully to Lockhart: "Professor Lockhart, you are still actively preparing teaching materials tonight."

"Uh, yes, I mean, I am preparing teaching materials."

Lockhart calmly took the envelope from his desk. After Percy came in, he closed the door, crossed his hands on his abdomen, and rubbed his thumbs in circles.

John sat on the chair and waved his wand to conjure up a chair for Percy.

Instead, Lockhart became a waiter, taking out tea and cups.

"Professor Lockhart and I have developed some friendship during the holidays. We are pen pals."

Seeing Percy's surprise, John made up a reason casually.

He smiled and said, "After all, connections are also an indispensable part of excellent wizards, and excellent wizards like Professor Lockhart are the same."

Hearing that he was praised, Lockhart straightened his back.

Percy nodded in approval. His ideas were not favored in the Weasley family. It was rare for someone to agree with his ideas. He had some good feelings for John.

Picking up a piece of toffee, John put it in his mouth, and after the sweetness burst out, he took a sip of black tea.

"Similarly, connections should not be limited to outside the school. To be honest, Percy Weasley, I know you want to become the school Head Boy next year, and the support of the four houses is indispensable."

Percy's ambition is obvious to everyone. John picked up a piece of toffee and put it in Percy's hand, chuckling, "I will help you get Slytherin."

"Why, why do you want to help me?" Percy pinched the toffee, a little confused.

He was a little uneasy. He was obviously four years older than John, but he was suppressed in terms of momentum.

"Connections."

John said meaningfully: "I said, you are an excellent person, and the same is true in the Ministry of Magic after graduation. In this case, why shouldn't I not be friends with you?"

The easiest way to deal with Percy is to let him see the actual help. John pointed at Lockhart.

He said, "Professor Lockhart will help you establish your prestige among the students. You need to show your excellence. The assistant of Defense Against the Dark Arts is a good stage."

Defense Against the Dark Arts currently has only one assistant. If there is one more assistant, it will not only reduce Lockhart's pressure, but also make the assistant stand out among the students.

John used this to bribe Percy, which made Percy very tempted.

Percy opened the toffee and put it in his mouth. He smiled, nodded and said, "You are right. Connections are indeed important."

He agreed to John's bribery. John stretched out his hand and Percy shook hands with him.

In this Defense Against the Dark Arts office, Lockhart witnessed the transaction between the two power-grabbers.

After Percy left, Lockhart asked anxiously, "Aren't you afraid that he will discover my secret? I mean, wouldn't it be too dangerous to have one more assistant?"

"No, you are his backer, and he will not betray you as long as you continue to give him power."

John glanced at Lockhart, gave him some courage, and did not forget to warn him.

"Put away your flashy ideas, just use the lesson plan I gave you well, and don't use magic."

Lockhart's magic level was so bad that John even doubted how he graduated from Hogwarts.

He smiled awkwardly.

Lockhart liked to stand out so much that he couldn't figure out the nature of his magic rookie.

He took out the blasting-tailed skrewt amulet and a ring inlaid with emeralds from the small bag and placed them on the table. John handed them to Lockhart and said calmly: "Use this when you really need to take action. It has an armor spell and a petrification spell."

This is a newly made prop that can help Lockhart hold up the scene at a critical moment.

Lockhart was overjoyed. These days, people doubting his strength has put him under a lot of pressure.

"Thank you, Mr. Wick, I will complete the task well."

John stood up and left. Before leaving, he said lightly: "Call me John. I said that connections are also an important part of being an excellent wizard."

Lockhart was stunned. He thought John was using the handle to threaten him to show off his power. Now it seems that John may really want to cultivate his connections.

Yes, cultivate.

"Okay John, I will write to you after the term ends." Lockhart made a gesture.

John nodded and left.

 ...

 October has arrived.

The temperature difference is huge, and many young wizards have contracted the flu.

Madam Pomfrey prepared some more stimulants for this purpose. Although the ears will smoke after drinking, it is also very effective.

John, as a student with excellent performance in potions class, was also called to help.

After delivering the stimulant to the school hospital, John heard crying when he passed the corridor on the second floor.

He walked towards the place where the sound came from and saw Peeves throwing stones at the girls' bathroom.

And there was a female student ghost crying because of being bullied.

"Peeves, you can leave now."

Peeves was bullying Myrtle. When he heard the sound, he turned around and saw that it was John. He was so scared that he knocked down the medieval armor and ran away.

"It's just freezing you a few times, what's the big deal." Seeing Peeves' reaction, John couldn't help but mutter.

Walking into the girls' bathroom, he saw the ghost of the bullied schoolgirl still crying, and asked, "Are you okay?"

Myrtle screamed and flew through John's body. John felt as if he was splashed with a basin of cold water, which made him feel uncomfortable.

"Sorry, I just..."

Before he finished speaking, Myrtle remembered the sad things and started crying again.

John was very troubled by this situation. He really didn't know how to treat ghosts

But the clothes on Myrtle made him curious, "Are you a student of Hogwarts?"

Myrtle was wearing some clothes somewhat similar to that of Hogwarts students, which made John wonder. Did a student die in Hogwarts?

Or did she forget to take her body away and become a ghost like Professor Binns?

Myrtle wore glasses and had straight hair. The style of the clothes on her body should have been a long time ago.

"Of course, I am a student of Hogwarts."

Myrtle stopped crying and glared at John, then turned around and jumped into a broken toilet.

"Well, it seems that not all ghosts are easy to talk to."

Spreading his hands, John walked out of the bathroom.

After picking up the knocked-down sign that said "Out of Order", John went back to the Slytherin common room.

"Goyle, don't eat too much. You're almost like a pig."

"And you, Crabbe, stop. Don't make me angry, okay?"

Daphne was teaching Goyle and Crabbe a lesson in the Slytherin common room. She really couldn't understand why these two guys were so good eaters.

Pansy sneered sarcastically, "Maybe they were originally domestic pigs."

After John walked in, he saw Daphne trying to take back the cupcakes that Goyle had taken away.

"John, here are your letters. Your dog brought them back from outside."

Daphne immediately restrained herself and showed her ladylike image. At the same time, she handed two envelopes to John like a Slytherin hostess.

"From Mr. Shelby?" John raised his eyebrows.

There were three ink spots on the lower right corner of one of the letters that seemed to have been accidentally dropped on it. John frowned. It seemed that it was sent by the shop of Johnny Silverhand.

He nodded to Daphne and thanked her, "Thank you for taking care of Tom for me."

Daphne looked up proudly, but her ears were a little red.

Back in the dormitory, John opened the envelope and was relieved by the contents.

"Mr. Damocles Belby will be awarded the medal on October 24."

It seemed that his investment was starting to pay off.

John smiled.

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