allendalepharm Chapter 301 This is what bonds are all about~
Chapter 301 This is what bonds are all about~
Chapter 301 This is what bonds are all about~
The chaos at the "Peace and Order" magic fountain plaza has been resolved.
Lockhart went with Mrs. Maxim to the principal's office for a short talk and they agreed to attend a party during the summer vacation.
It was called a gathering, but it was actually a meeting with the forces behind the school to discuss things.
There are three main forces.
The first is the Board of Trustees, which represents the pure-blood families and the Wizarding Council of the Law Alliance behind them.
The second is the higher-level departments, including the six ministries of magic with significant influence, such as the French Ministry of Magic.
This is a power order, involving officials from various large international organizations and the International Confederation of Wizards.
The third is school sponsors, including business alliances such as dragon farms, magical herb gardens, bookstores, and pharmacies.
Unlike Hogwarts, many of these businesses have shops specifically for students within the school. The wand shop, in particular, is practically a part of the orientation process for new students at Beauxbatons.
These three represent three distinct periods of social upheaval since Beauxbatons' founding. Though clearly defined, they are also intertwined and interconnected.
There is another group that cannot be ignored.
The Western European Division of the Sir Merlin Order.
As a school that reveres the classics, the biggest difference between Beauxbatons and Hogwarts is that Beauxbatons has two more subjects in its curriculum: "etiquette" and "music, literature and character".
Before the enactment of the Secret Law, Muggles and wizards lived together, and classical music and literature were not only for Muggles but also for wizards.
Even today, the wizards here maintain good ties with Muggle musicians, scholars, artists and other groups, with the Merlin Band serving as their communication platform.
In other words, the summer party will be attended not only by the ancient pure-blood families, but also by Ministry of Magic officials and merchants, and by Muggles.
This is a rare sight in the predominantly wizarding political climate of Britain.
Even the powerful Malfoy family, one of the Twenty-Eight Holy Purebloods, wouldn't dare to make a big fuss about participating in such a gathering, but here, photos of a gathering with Muggles can be published in the newspaper openly.
Lockhart saw a photograph on the wall of Mrs. Maxime’s office of a former principal of Beauxbatons and the Muggle scientist Albert Einstein.
In the photo, the animated Einstein is playfully sticking out his tongue and making a face at him.
"I love Beauxbatons!"
Lockhart is full of anticipation for his future campus life.
After the detailed discussion, he left the school.
The handover between the old and new principals will be handled by specially trained house-elves. It's not appropriate for him to ask Mrs. Maxim questions at this time, to avoid embarrassing Mrs. Maxim, who was essentially forced to leave the school.
After returning to Hogwarts, Lockhart stopped thinking about these things.
He devoted all his energy to researching the "School is My Home" spell (also known as the Peace and Order Charm).
This is very unusual for him.
In the past, whenever he researched and developed a new spell, it was almost always by integrating everything he had learned. The appearance of the spell could be said to be the final harvest of his knowledge.
This magic is different.
Lockhart always felt that there was still so much more to explore and research.
He even felt as if he had touched a mysterious world, as if he had just pushed open a heavy door and stepped inside.
This feeling is wonderful.
Lockhart was completely obsessed.
He immersed himself in the world of magic every day until one day, after finishing his work, he went to the Great Hall on the first floor for a meal. Looking at the empty student seats and feeling the echoes of footsteps in the empty school corridors, he suddenly realized that Hogwarts was on summer vacation!
Snape and Lupin had packed all their belongings and boarded the train with the departing students, leaving the school.
Many of the school's professors have also started their own trips and vacations. The teaching workload at Hogwarts is too heavy, and the young wizards are particularly mischievous. The professors need to relax and spend time with their families during the holidays.
The school was so quiet that you could hear birdsong coming from deep within the forbidden forest even in the classrooms where classes were usually held.
Lockhart did not leave the school.
Aside from a trip to Beauxbatons to take over the headmaster's duties with the school's house-elf and move some of his belongings to the school, he didn't even have a proper look around Beauxbatons before rushing back to Hogwarts.
He had to discuss the Triwizard Tournament with Dumbledore and Grindelwald.
This event is so important because it marks the beginning of the "magic school-centered system".
According to Grindelwald, it had to be grand, so grand that we would have to draw on officials from the magic ministries of various countries and Aurors to help. It had to be long, lasting a whole year, so that everyone's attention and energy would be focused on the magic school. And it had to happen every few years.
In other words.
Although Lockhart will soon become the headmaster of Beauxbatons School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he will have to spend most of the next year at the main venue of this year's Triwizard Tournament.
That is, Hogwarts.
Of course, the venue, the participants, and even the competition format are not the main focus.
As for minor details such as sponsors, GG merchants, and dragon farms bringing in fire dragons to help, these were not within the scope of the three principals' discussion.
It's not worth wasting your energy on these things.
In fact, the reason why the three principals gather here every day to discuss is only one thing—a list of events to use as a curse!
Yes, it's that simple.
It stipulates which spells a junior wizard can use and which cannot.
What seems like a simple matter will profoundly affect the entire wizarding world's definition of the boundaries of dark magic.
As Lockhart complained, magic schools, under the regulations of the Ministry of Magic's examination department, included too much dark magic such as curses and poisons in their teaching, which Aurors and Wizengamor considered illegal.
It's too chaotic and conflicting.
Grindelwald wanted the right to define magic.
It's not a regulation of the Ministry of Magic, but a regulation of the magic school.
It's not some absurd definition like ancient pure-blood families secretly hiding some useful magic and using their power to classify it as black magic, thus restricting its spread through official channels.
Once defined, it is likely that the education and legal departments of the Ministry of Magic in all countries will have to follow this regulation, and all magic schools will have to re-plan their teaching scope. This is destined to have a profound impact on all aspects of wizarding society and a far-reaching influence on the future history of magic.
This is a difficult matter; there is so much gray area in magic, and every spell has so much room for discussion. In particular, Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and Lockhart each have their own perspectives and boundaries regarding magic.
"I believe that since there is such a thing as black magic, there should also be a corresponding white magic."
Lockhart earnestly explained his point of view, his gaze fixed intently on Dumbledore and Grindelwald, who were listening attentively.
So how is "white magic" defined? Does cleaning something completely new count as white magic?
"This requires defining black magic first."
"I don't agree with the commonly accepted definition of 'malicious magic.' I believe that all magic that erodes a wizard's soul and leads to negative, distorted personality consequences is black magic."
"Similarly, spells, potions, magical items, and alchemical products that cause permanent damage are all classified in this way."
"For example, wolfsbane causes a complete change in a wizard's body and, to some extent, affects their behavior and eating habits, so it should also be classified as a form of black magic harm."
"Correspondingly, all magic that brings positive benefits to a wizard's soul, or provides permanent benefits to the body, is white magic."
"The most obvious example is that the Three Unforgivables are black magic, while the Patronus Charm is white magic."
"They are not interconnected. A dark wizard whose mind has been corrupted by dark magic cannot cast a Patronus Charm, and a 'white wizard' skilled in Patronus Charms will also find it difficult to cast dark magic effectively."
This argument makes a lot of sense.
The only problem is that the two big shots looking at Lockhart at this moment have such strange expressions.
"Is there a problem with you all looking at me like that?"
Lockhart expressed his confusion.
Dumbledore shrugged, spread his hands, and suppressed a laugh. "No, you can continue."
Grindelwald chuckled wickedly, sizing Lockhart up and down. "So, our Lord Lockhart, are you a dark wizard or a white wizard?"
what?
Lockhart paused for a moment, then rolled his eyes. "Of course it's the White Wizard! I'm a positive character, a renowned magic master who has won the 'Most Charming Smile' award from Wizarding Weekly six times!"
He was so excited that he gestured with his hands, exclaiming, "No one knows the Patronus Charm better than me!"
The atmosphere was lightened a bit.
The discussion returned to a serious state.
"From the perspective of how magic affects the wizard's soul, there are black magic and white magic."
"So we have two extreme values, and the middle range is easy to distinguish: regular magic and gray magic in the ambiguous zone."
"Cleansing is a regular spell. The Bat Spirit Curse and the Slug Curse should be considered gray magic, not categorized as poison or evil spells and then classified as black magic."
This is an extension of Lockhart's magical philosophy.
But it's not the same approach as Dumbledore and Grindelwald.
Grindelwald didn't care about black magic or white magic; his perspective on magic was more application-oriented, with the two main distinctions being "war magic" and "life magic."
Between the two, "redefine dueling magic".
For example, the three unforgivable crimes belong to the category of war magic.
Disarming spells, bat spirit spells, and slug spells are all considered dueling magic.
Spells like the "Flying Spell" and "Cleansing Spell" are essentially everyday magic.
The resulting regulations and legislation will differentiate into three tiers of specific management provisions.
Neither of these two classification methods could convince Dumbledore.
Their specialty, Transfiguration, is a major category of magic. Under this distinction, it is either entirely thrown into the category of "conventional magic" or broken down into fragments and scattered into three levels of magic: war, duel, and daily life.
This is permissible from a legal and practical standpoint, but from an educational perspective, it severely hinders the future development of transfiguration.
In fact, Dumbledore's focus was on the future development of disciplines, and his educational philosophy extended from this.
He believes that transfiguration is one of the mainstream future development directions of the current wizarding society, and it is essential to ensure that such a discipline has the greatest potential for future development.
The "Three Unforgivable Curses," which are unacceptable to normal human morality and cause irreparable damage to a wizard's soul, should all be thrown into the "dark magic" trash can.
Therefore, Dumbledore's classification is "major magic", "minor magic", and "dark magic".
This means that magic, a major discipline that is expected to see significant development in the future, will guide wizards in teaching, law, and other fields.
Numerous applications and research in daily life.
Then, other fragmented spells that consisted of only a single, unsystematic spell, spells that the three of them couldn't yet perceive as having any academic future, and spells that, while systematic, were unsuitable for contemporary development, were categorized as minor subjects.
That is, it will not be a major focus of promotion, but its potential for development will be preserved.
Finally, some spells that are not desired to be developed, such as the Killing Curse, are thrown into the realm of "dark magic," requiring strengthened education, application, and legal control.
That's where the problem lies.
None of the three could convince the others.
Fortunately, none of the three were opinionated; they were all thinking about how to embrace each other's ideas and genuinely push for the realization of this definition of magic.
They all want results, not ideological battles between schools of thought.
This is destined to be a time-consuming and energy-intensive task.
The world of magic is too vast and boundless to be realistically defined using a single framework. However, the life of a wizard has clear boundaries, just as laws need clear provisions and need to be defined systematically.
A few days after Hogwarts opened for holiday, the professors and teachers gradually left the school, and it became completely quiet.
The most obvious change is in regular gatherings; fewer and fewer people participate, until eventually only a few remain.
Professor Minerva McGonagall, Professor Sybil Trelawney, Hunting Grounds Keeper Rupert Hagrid, and School Gatekeeper Argus Filch.
With no students around, Hagrid no longer kept his pet Tooth inside the house, letting it out to roam freely. Sometimes it would follow him to the Great Hall, obediently lying at Hagrid's feet and gnawing on bones thrown from the table.
Ya Ya is a little afraid of Filch's pet cat, Mrs. Lorris. Sometimes, when she senses Mrs. Lorris's gaze, she will raise her neck and prick up her ears warily, looking quite neurotic.
This pet cat doesn't seem to have any magical abilities and appears to be of the bloodline of an ordinary Maine Coon cat in the Muggle world, but Snape says that this cat has a special connection with its owner, Filch.
Sometimes Lockhart would look at the cat curiously while eating.
Mr. Filch seemed very nervous, his body stiffened, but he dared not say anything.
"Mr. Filch————"
Lockhart looked him and his cat over, his eyes lighting up as if he'd found an interesting toy. "You and your cat get along very well?"
Filch swallowed hard, nervously pulling the cat into his arms. "Mrs. Lawrence, her name is Mrs. Lawrence."
interesting.
Such a deep emotional bond, one can vaguely glimpse a trace of magical fluctuations from the river of time —
"Would you be interested in participating in my magical experiments?"
Lockhart got excited and decided to change his mind. He was really tired from the intense discussions with the two big shots over the past few days.
"Don't be nervous." He gave a perfectly friendly smile. "This is a magical contract between master and pet. I call it 'mutual dependence'."
"I—I don't know—" Filch was a little scared. He still remembered the day when Professor Lockhart stood in Professor Kettleburn's office with a cup of bloody water, while Professor Kettleburn lay on the ground, his life hanging in the balance.
He wanted to refuse, but he didn't dare to.
So he secretly cast his pleading light toward Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore, hoping to get their help.
"Depend on each other for survival?" Dumbledore asked curiously, putting down his teacup and drawing everyone's attention.
"A covenant built upon the principles of 'Guardian Angel Charms' and 'Bloodline Magic.'" Lockhart raised an eyebrow. "You have no idea what world-altering discoveries I made in my experiments with this magic!"
He stood up and, with exaggerated gestures, recounted the experiments he, his assistant Ms. Mary, and Ms. Bella conducted in the fairy tale book: "The secret is vitality. A vibrant relationship allowed Hakimi the Cat to gradually develop human-like qualities and begin to evolve in a biological direction, while Muggles also began to possess magic—"
"Just like I said, step into the romance of fairy tales, and magic will naturally unfold!"
Hey!
Grindelwald jumped to his feet, so excited that he tripped over the chair behind him, causing it to fall to the ground with a loud thud. Ignoring the noise, he stared intently at Lockhart. "What did you say? Muggles are starting to possess magic?"
Lockhart chuckled. "I know you're in a hurry, but please don't rush."
"Speak quickly!" Grindelwald was so anxious he seemed to be going crazy.
"Really, don't rush me. I know what you're expecting, but I'm sorry, no, that Muggle didn't awaken his magic and become a wizard."
If that were the case, Lockhart would have already presented some results to the world.
"That Muggle did something wicked, and dark magic grew in his mind. This dark magic corrupted his soul, and he eventually destroyed himself."
Lockhart, seeing Grindelwald's still excited expression, shrugged. "I'm pretty sure this isn't the wizarding method of awakening magic; it's the method of cultivating dark magic creatures, belonging to the category of evil spirits or gods."
In fact, not only Grindelwald, but everyone else was staring intently at him, as if he were deliberately using nonchalant words to say something shocking in order to show off.
It's really not.
Lockhart thought for a moment, then drew his wand, held it upright, brought the tip of the wand to his lips, and gently blew on it.
Thick fog billowed towards the sky, quickly creating a scene in mid-air—a Muggle thief, accompanied by Hakimi, greedily eyed the house of a woman living alone, while Lockhart and Mrs. Mary observed from a corner—
(Chapter 289 content)
Unlike Grindelwald's use of the water pipe skull to depict scenes from his memories, Lockhart's method allows viewers to clearly feel the magical atmosphere that occurred in the original scene.
Even after the video ended, everyone still stared wide-eyed in disbelief, seemingly deeply shocked.
Lockhart, somewhat helplessly, recounted, "This was a failed experiment. Dark magic is not the power I crave. It can only prove certain possibilities to me. I have terminated this type of magic experiment."
"What I needed was positive magical power, so the spell 'Mutual Dependence' was created."
"I recently went to Beauxbatons and experienced some things that gave me a new understanding of interpersonal relationships. That state of mutual competition and interdependence is very much like the feeling of 'home,' and I have a deeper understanding of the magic of 'relying on each other for survival.'"
"Then I suddenly realized my previous oversight."
"I didn't even notice the Squib that possesses magical powers."
"so----"
Lockhart looked at Filch again, "Would you like to give it a try? Even if the 'mutual dependence' spell doesn't have any additional effects, it can at least deepen your special connection with Lady Lorris."
Filch no longer refused; in fact, he was filled with anticipation. He struggled to control his frantic desire, but his voice trembled violently. "Of course—of course, Professor, I'm more—more than willing!"
Nice~
Lockhart gently waved his wand, pointing it at Filch.
A strangely hoarse voice came from beside him, "Gidero, do you know how many Squibs there are in this world?"
This represents a certain future!
Old Ge's heterochromatic eye was shining brightly at that moment.
"Of course I know," Lockhart said with a smug smile. "Isn't this the future of relationship magic that I've been exploring?"
"Humans and magical creatures depended on each other for survival, thus entering the world of fairy tales, where magic naturally blossomed."
"Muggles and Squibs, living with their wizard relatives, enter the world of fairy tales, where magic naturally blossoms."
Dark magic creature breeding, guardian charm, bloodline magic —
Every step he takes into the magical world is paving the way for his ascension to godhood.
future----
It belongs to me!
Who else but me!
Lockhart grinned, waving his wand at Filch and Mrs. Lorris, "We're inseparable!"
The wizards around them seemed to see a clock resembling a time converter appear, its hands spinning rapidly, and an indescribable, intense emotion quickly welled up between Filch and the cat.
That was everything that belonged to Filch.
His life, his emotions, his soul, everything about him.
The poor Squib, who possessed magic but had no way to use it, arrived at Hogwarts, where young wizards squandered their magical talents. He watched helplessly as loneliness almost consumed his soul.
If it weren't for Mrs. Lorris's company, he would have even despaired and wanted to end it all, to leave this world that mocked him.
This is an unforgettable journey through life, a journey he and his cat have shared in a fairytale-like magic school. And then, a wisp of silver light drifted into the air.
That was the light of the threads of memory, and also the light of the guardian deity.
"Ha~"
"I've got you!"
Lockhart suddenly shouted excitedly, flicking his wand sharply. The vitality born from the relationship between Filch and Mrs. Lorris was boiling, quickly turning into silver light, surging and swirling upwards.
They vaguely coalesced in mid-air into a huge silver phantom—the image of Lady Lorris.
Guardian Spell!
A fully formed and gigantic guardian deity spell!
In an instant, everyone stood up in surprise. Even Dumbledore and Grindelwald, who had such rich life experience, couldn't help but step forward, yet they watched everything that was happening with great anticipation.
Then----
Then there is no more.
Lockhart shrugged under the regretful gazes of the two bigwigs, and put away his wand. "I've said it before, all exploration is just the beginning. I don't have the ability to turn people into wizards, at least not now."
However, it's not entirely accurate to say that he didn't become a wizard.
As all the light faded, Filch, still immersed in that unique emotion, held the cat, whimpering and shedding tears, looking deeply moved.
When Hagrid couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder to comfort him, he finally snapped out of it, nervously remembering his earlier anticipation, and hurriedly asked, "I—I'm sorry—I just lost my composure—but I want to ask—what just happened?"
He longed for it so much, so eagerly.
Lockhart smiled slightly, flipped his hand, and pulled out a wand, a trophy he had previously confiscated from the dark wizards, and placed it in Filch's hand.
"Come on, try it. Carefully feel the stirring in your heart, and carefully recall the overwhelming emotion you just felt."
Filch didn't understand.
Filch was completely bewildered.
But he did as instructed anyway.
Then he tried waving the stick in his hand. Yes, even though he had once helped Dumbledore pack his things and come into contact with the Elder Wand, one of the Deathly Hallows, the most magical wand in the world was still no different from an ordinary stick in his hands.
But at this moment, it actually worked.
As the wand was waved, a silver light surged forth, quickly transforming into a Maine Coon cat taller than him, lazily stretching its body.
"Merlin's forked eyebrows!" Filch was stunned, staring at the scene before him in disbelief. He then took a step back in horror, staring intently at the cat before him, and asked in a trembling voice, "Professor Lockhart, what... what is it?"
"Guardian Charm, Mr. Filch, you have mastered the Guardian Charm! It is an extremely profound spell!"
'
Filch suddenly burst into loud sobs, knelt on the ground, and wailed.
Mrs. Lorris stood by, curiously glancing at the enormous silver cat that looked exactly like her. In the end, she rubbed against Filch's hand, seemingly comforting him, as if she cared more about her master.
"Unbelievable!" Grindelwald exclaimed in amazement at the scene before him. "It seems like this is the only spell he can cast?"
""
Lohat nodded. "That's how it is for now. I'm just starting out. I've used all the methods I can, including my strongest skills in black magic creature breeding, guardian spells, and bloodline magic. I don't have any way to achieve more results right now."
>