The slacker professor at Hogwarts

Chapter 299, Section 298: Lockhart's Book Club

Chapter 299, Section 298: Lockhart's Book Club (Part 2)

"Actually, no one dislikes Dumbledore; on the contrary, everyone is grateful to him."

Audrey Flamel's expression turned somewhat strange. "The so-called Holy Twenty-Eight Pure-Blood Families, centered on the 'Council of Wizards' and 'thanks to Dumbledore and Voldemort's decades-long battle,' have disappeared one by one into the annals of history."

"Many ancient pure-blood families, even if they still exist, are left with only a few fools who are unable to compete."

"This has bought everyone a lot of living space, at least giving them a chance to breathe."

"Of course, overall it's still a state of despair."

"Until a vast, previously overlooked world appeared before everyone."

She pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses, tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and asked in a playful tone, "Guess where it is?"

A vast and unappreciated world?

New World?

Lockhart's expression shifted. "The American wizarding world?"

"Yes!" Audrey looked at him with such admiration and amazement, "You are a truly wise man."

Lockhart chuckled, picked up a dried raspberry from the fruit bowl, and popped it into his mouth.

"The American wizarding community has always been a neglected entity. Even though the International Confederation of Wizarding Arts (ICA) attaches great importance to the Law of Secrecy, and everyone knows that there are anti-wizard Muggle organizations dedicated to purging wizards within the American wizarding community," the ICA still doesn't give it any serious attention, merely sending a few Aurors to assist in the investigation and handling it hastily."

"This arrogance continued into the Dumbledore era as well."

"The British wizarding community always considers itself the center of the wizarding world. In their eyes, the Belgian Ministry of Magic's territory can be considered the edge of the world, and they certainly don't care about the even more peripheral United States Magical Congress."

"In contrast, another master of magic, Gellert Grindelwald, focused his attention on this area very early on."

"As everyone knows, Grindelwald's first arrest was thanks to the U.S. Congress."

P.S.: Actually, it was Newt's doing, but the Magical Congress of the United States obviously wouldn't publicly promote the achievements of a British man, and instead issued various statements claiming it was a victory for the Magical Congress.

"That's the interesting part. After Grindelwald was arrested, he was quickly taken away by the International Confederation of Wizards, as if he were in some backward, remote mountain village."

"Thus, this place became the space for the survival and development of all pure-blood families within the Wizarding Council of the Law Alliance."

"The Magical Congress of the United States is growing in influence and appears to be a powerful new force, but its internal source is actually all here."

"There, all the important key positions are still held by pure-blood wizarding families from Europe, including the Ministry of Magic."

Magic school, hospital, newspaper office, company—everything, yes, everything.

"All wizards who are not from pure-blood European families have been excluded from the core, and we have successfully taken over that area."

"It has become our new way out."

Miss Audrey's tone suddenly turned serious. "Now things have changed again—Gellert Grindelwald is out of prison!"

"At the beginning, the Dark Lord—"

She abruptly turned to look at Voldemort in the corner of the office, who was examining the magical artifacts with great interest. Seeing Lockhart's reassuring gaze, she continued her story.

"At first, the news that Voldemort was active there terrified many people. No one had time to react and could only watch helplessly as this place in the American wizarding world became the focus of the world's attention."

"It wasn't until Voldemort was imprisoned at Hogwarts by Dumbledore, and Grindelwald suddenly attacked Beauxbatons, that everyone realized—"

"Grindelwald is out of prison!"

Grindelwald, who knows the value of the American wizarding world, is out of prison!

"He's got his eye on this territory where the International Confederation of Wizards has little influence due to neglect!"

so----

While Old G is stirring up trouble in Beauxbatons, his real target is the American wizarding community.

Lockhart was amazed; this was an angle he had never anticipated.

"Grindelwald fueled the growth of student power at Beauxbatons, leading them to rebel against the old-fashioned men in the school. The students loved this kind of change and rebellion."

"But the students don't realize that they are destroying the bond between Beauxbatons School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Sometimes Lockhart finds it difficult to place a school in a very important position for evaluation.

Just like netizens complained in the past, compared to Grindelwald's style, Voldemort's focus on a school was incredibly low.

But in fact, magic schools are even more important to the wizarding world than the Ministry of Magic.

The British Ministry of Magic can only influence affairs within its jurisdiction in Britain.

The influence of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, however, extended almost entirely to the territory of the Commonwealth of Nations in modern times, encompassing 56...

The Ministry of Magic's jurisdiction!

It even reached the Indian and African wizarding communities.

The same goes for Beauxbatons School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

All the new students from all these Ministry of Magic districts must enroll in this one school.

This is clearly the practical basis for Grindelwald's plan to "replace the Ministry of Magic's central system" with the school-based system.

Regardless of how power and territory are divided within the American wizarding community, all young wizards must attend one school: Evamony.

Thus, various ties existed between Beauxbatons and Iphamoni.

Now, Grindelwald is plotting to make Beauxbatons self-destruct, and to have the Student Forces sever certain ties themselves.

"The professors at Beauxbatons wrote me a joint letter of appeal for help."

Lockhart suddenly felt a sense of pressure.

It was as if, after learning all this, his relationship with Grindelwald and Dumbledore was no longer one of mutual harmony; he began to enter a state of competition and rivalry.

Of course, he could still maintain this intimate relationship and ignore everything around him.

But this is a shameful concession!

This would hand over the possibility of a future three-way balance of power.

Then they could only pitifully watch as Dumbledore and Grindelwald, two big shots, confront each other, from the perspective of a junior.

He wouldn't allow that.

"I'd like to ask, did you write to Dumbledore?"

"Of course!" Audrey nodded. "But sometimes that's just how it is; some things aren't suitable to be discussed openly. And in Dumbledore's eyes, Grindelwald is currently helping you eliminate opponents so that you can better advance the Triwizard Tournament."

"Because he has always ignored the American wizarding community, Dumbledore is unlikely to clash with Grindelwald over that place."

Or rather—

Since both bigwigs recommended Lockhart to be the headmaster of Beauxbatons, in Dumbledore's eyes, this matter was actually Lockhart's responsibility.

As the headmaster of Hogwarts, Dumbledore was not in a position to interfere in this matter.

Lockhart understood, frowning slightly as he looked out the window at the school castle not far away. "If that's the case, why did you try to stop me from getting involved?"

"Because that's Grindelwald!"

Audrey was somewhat anxious. "I know you are very powerful, but Grindelwald has a profound influence on the world. His saints are now scattered all over the world, and many of them have become great figures. His power is immense, and I don't think it's easy for you to stand against him."

"Besides, being the headmaster of Beauxbatons isn't an easy job. It's surrounded by too many pure-blood families, various national ministries of magic, and international powers, and it's also intricately intertwined with the power of the American wizarding community."

"Without Grindelwald clearing out these forces, you might have had a very difficult time here."

"For example, the 'fairytale adventure' you promoted at Hogwarts would probably be difficult to implement here."

"Force sometimes doesn't solve problems at all, unless you kill all the opponents, but that will only make you more vulnerable to opposition from everyone here."

"But now Grindelwald is essentially helping you eliminate these potential opposing forces."

So what is the price?

The price was his future interests within the American wizarding community.

Then Beauxbatons' influence could only be like an isolated island in the ocean, shrinking within the vast sea of ​​Hogwarts' influence.

Lockhart felt a strange, unique emotion welling up inside him.

Very strange.

Very unfamiliar.

He suddenly realized that his life had entered a brand new path.

This was a realm he could never have access to in his ordinary life.

"No!"

"I'll get involved!"

Lockhart suddenly stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazed at the school that was about to become his territory, and slowly opened his arms.

It's as if they're embracing a new life.

I've already experienced a mundane and boring life.

I've already experienced death.

I only crave passion!

I want to tell the whole world—I've arrived, I've seen it all, and I'm about to conquer it!

The Dumbledore era? The Grindelwald era?

Do not!

The future belongs to Lockhart!

He gracefully flicked his fingers, and a slender wand appeared in his hand, faintly glowing.

For him, the wand is a measure—the measure between wizards and the world, the measure between the individual and the world, and now, he is feeling the measure between himself and this school.

A very subtle scale.

He keenly sensed a certain possibility.

"Tom————"

Lockhart called softly, turning around to look intently at Voldemort, who was sitting on the piano playing with a magical artifact. "Teach me a spell? The one you used to curse the Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts professorship. I know it's an extension of incest magic."

Voldemort chuckled coldly, casually tossing the magical artifact back onto the shelf. "What good does this do me?"

"The benefit is that I've expanded the scope of our bloodline magic's influence—an extension of the enemy's magical domain. If successful, you'll be able to exist anywhere in Beauxbatons!"

"You know, I'm going to be the principal of this school, and I happen to be the only one who doesn't mind your existence."

Lockhart described the effects of the magic and made some promises.

Of course, it's also a threat. If they don't cooperate at such a crucial moment, then Voldemort can forget about escaping for some fresh air with his wand and will have to stay obediently in the stone cell at Hogwarts!

Voldemort's lips curled into a slight smile. "Deal!"

He floated over slowly, but the visual lightness made it seem like he arrived in front of you almost instantly, something a normal ghost couldn't do.

Even with so many limitations at this moment, he can still maintain his spellcasting ability in ghost form, and what he is seeing now is clearly a flight spell.

Lockhart himself could hardly do such a thing; he could also transform into a ghost, but this state of difficulty in casting spells was now practically useless to him.

"This spell is called the Dark Mark."

Since merging with the soul of young Tom, Voldemort's originally lighthearted voice has become deep and resonant, as if he has become more mature because of his youth, a particularly interesting state.

"In fact, it's not magic at all. The Dark Mark Charm I taught the Death Eaters is just its simplest application." (The spell to send skulls into the sky)

"The inscription of this deep-seated dark magic mark on the Death Eaters' arms allows me to communicate with them and pinpoint their location regardless of distance; this is a further application."

"On a deeper level, it is a curse on my own name, allowing me to pinpoint my location and hear everyone who says my name, regardless of distance."

Voldemort stood beside Lockhart, also gazing out the window at the school, a sense of anticipation rising regarding their future living conditions. "Giddy Roth, do you understand the difference in levels between these three?"

Lockhart pondered, a realization dawning on him, "The manifestation of self-will?"

Voldemort was taken aback, turning to look at him with a twitching mouth. This was clearly not his answer. "Explain in more detail?"

"I, my individual and the collective of social individuals, and myself and the world—three levels."

Lockhart replied, then sighed, "In that respect, I'm greatly influenced by Dumbledore, so this is clearly not your answer."

"Dumbledore—" Voldemort murmured the name, his expression complex. "Is this how he understands the world of magic?"

He slowly raised his pale, translucent fingers and gently tapped them on the glass window in front of him.

Soon a red dot of light appeared on it.

Then, rays of light extended from the red dot, connecting to even more points.

Then, the red light spots diffused into a red glow, covering the entire glass.

He pointed to the red dot in the center with his finger. "This is not me."

As he spoke, he pointed to himself, "I'm right here."

Then he pointed to the red dot of light, "It's my magic."

He waved his finger, gesturing to the glass, the light, and the diffused red glow. "It's magic."

Horrifying.

Lockhart looked at the scene before him and felt a chill run down his spine, as if he were peering into a mysterious, unknown world.

So, there are other ways to do magic?

He was indeed heavily influenced by Dumbledore; one could even say that the entire Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was influenced by Dumbledore's magical philosophy.

Magic is an extension of one's own will; this is Dumbledore's fundamental philosophy of spellcasting.

But Voldemort clearly didn't see magic that way.

He is who he is, and magic is magic, yet his magic is distinct from both.

The three coexist, are inextricably linked, yet are distinct entities with clearly defined boundaries.

The mystery lies in this inseparable yet clearly defined relationship.

Lockhart suddenly understood why Dumbledore could never catch Voldemort—Dumbledore always sensed magic as an extension of Voldemort's will and would always explore along the magical path in Voldemort's direction.

However, the three-tiered separation between Voldemort and magic rendered this exploration futile.

Just as Voldemort could easily sense and connect with the Death Eaters through the Dark Mark, the Death Eaters could not sense Voldemort in return, and others could not find him by following the "path" through the Death Eaters.

This is not a difference in the method of casting the spell.

This is a difference in spellcasting philosophy.

Oh~

understood.

Lockhart's mind was flooded with fragments of memories, one of which was Voldemort's reading notes from his student days in "The Pensieve Manual." He suddenly realized, "Hordeal Gear!"

He exclaimed in amazement, "This is the concept behind Horcruxes!"

Now it was Voldemort's turn to feel a sense of dread. He seemed to fall into a state of self-reflection, and after a while, he looked at Lockhart in shock and exclaimed, "Yes, I am clearly deeply affected by the magic of Horcruxes."

The source of everything can be traced back to the young Tom in the Horcrux diary.

However, this concept of spellcasting matured much later, in an era that produced Horcruxes.

Coincidentally, the time when Voldemort was collecting various objects to create Horcruxes coincided with the period when his magic was progressing towards becoming a master magician.

Voldemort himself didn't realize that it wasn't the sense of security provided by the Horcruxes that perfected his mind and enhanced his magical power, but rather that he was deeply influenced by the concept of Horcruxes, which led to the refinement and maturation of his own magical philosophy.

Then, at the young age of 29, he placed a curse on the position of Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, a curse that kept Dumbledore facing the problem constantly throughout his life at Hogwarts, yet he had no way to deal with it.

Voldemort felt no sense of triumph.

That's true, at least for now.

After Lockhart's reminder, he suddenly realized that at 29, he was already at the peak of his life, and his life had been wasted since then, with no further progress in sight.

In the end, all they can do is use stupid attack methods like casting the Killing Curse and shouting "Avada Kedavra, eat melon!"

It relies solely on its own magical power, which is stronger than almost everyone else's.

But such a foolish approach, when faced with a restrained scenario, will undoubtedly lead to destruction.

It originated from the concept of Horcrux magic, but it is also trapped by the magic of Horcruxes.

"If only I had known you sooner." The 69-year-old Voldemort murmured these words of anguish that no one else could hear, his voice tinged with a sense of weariness.

During this period, his life entered an unprecedented period of failure, and his emotions were actually in a terrible state of depression. Otherwise, given his personality, he would rather stay alone in the stone house prison and wait for an opportunity than appear beside Lockhart like a ghost, like a useless person.

At that moment, he finally understood the source of his predicament.

"I'll continue." His voice inexplicably became lighter, no longer expressing himself in the same unfathomable way as before, but instead explaining in detail to Lockhart the Dark Mark, the magical system that had permeated his entire magical life.

Yes, a system constructed by magic.

This is a magical achievement that no contemporary wizard could accomplish.

The essence of this magic is not even the magic of blood ties, but his life, his soul, all his emotions, the emotions that stopped before he turned 29.

Lockhart clearly understood him very well, easily comprehending what he was saying, and sometimes even clearly pointing out which parts belonged to the "Horde" and which belonged to his own will.

Sometimes they even come up with a lot of interesting and innovative viewpoints.

Through this exchange, Voldemort felt that he had also gained a lot.

Audrey Flamel, standing to the side, looked completely bewildered.

At first, she was very excited, listening intently to the discussion between the two magic masters—since they didn't tell her to leave or cast a spell to prevent her from hearing, it didn't count as eavesdropping.

However, she soon became bewildered; the increasingly profound magical communication was beyond her comprehension.

Some of them even conflicted with her expertise in modern mysticism and its concept of spellcasting; listening to them made my eyes water like mosquito coils.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, bathing Lockhart in a soft glow, making him appear to be radiant.

Ok.

Miss Audrey was lost in thought; she was simply staring blankly at Lockhart, who seemed to be glowing.

It wasn't until she suddenly heard footsteps and shouts outside the window that Audrey came to her senses and realized that it was pitch black outside, and a bright moon was hanging high in the corner of the window.

Lockhart and Voldemort also stopped their discussion and looked in the direction from which the sound was coming from.

"It's those students from Lockhart's Reading Club!"

Audrey waved her wand to her ear, listened for a moment, then looked at Lockhart with some anxiety. "The students are about to move!"

From the tip of her wand, the distant shouts of students could be faintly heard.

"Get rid of Orim Maxim!"

"Get rid of those professors who have been abandoned by the new era!"

These restless cries made Audrey increasingly anxious. She was worried about Lockhart in front of her, fearing that he would be involved and thus stand against Grindelwald and the pure-blood families of the Wizarding Council.

"rest assured."

Lockhart's smile is so charming and confident.

"I've found a solution! You heard it too, I just learned a truly magnificent spell!"

"Of course, no one understands the use of bloodline magic better than me. Following the logic of the 'mutual dependence' contract magic I invented, I have so many ideas I want to realize."

"The students' actions came at just the right time!"

what?

Audrey looked bewildered.

Can magic solve this problem?

Yes, Lockhart would say that magic can solve all problems, even politics.

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