allendalepharm Chapter 203 A Brand New Realm and the Future
Chapter 203 A Brand New Realm and the Future
Chapter 203 A Brand New Realm and the Future
"I do not understand!"
After class, Grindelwald approached Dumbledore and pointed to a group of young wizards heading towards the Forbidden Forest through the French windows. "Look," he said, "Lockhart is gaining a tremendous influence among the students. This is exactly what you were worried about when you tried so hard to prevent Tom from enrolling."
"So I really don't understand, why can you allow this to happen?"
Dumbledore walked slowly to the French windows, looking down at the figures of the young wizards and Snape, who was hesitating whether to follow. He pursed his lips and did not answer.
"Oh, look at this, the 'savior' you've worked so hard to build up, a member of the Holy Twenty-Eight Pure-Blood Families, a rare elite seed among Muggle wizards, the student representative, the prefect."
Grindelwald muttered on and on.
"Gellert!" Dumbledore sighed, took off his glasses, rubbed his nose wearily, and finally uttered the answer he himself didn't really want to face: "I'm old."
"Hmm?" Grindelwald turned around and looked at Dumbledore.
Old Deng shrugged somewhat helplessly. "In the decades since I defeated you, I haven't felt particularly proud or elated."
"I'm having a very hard time every day."
He let out a long sigh, his gaze somewhat clouded as he looked at the young wizards entering the Forbidden Forest. "I have no desire to take on the burden of dealing with that devil Tom. That madman is always keeping me running around like crazy."
He is old.
I'm really getting old.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have said such things, and viewed Voldemort's existence with such anger and negativity.
He was truly opening up about things he almost never tells others, such as how much he loathed Tom, this lunatic. He didn't care at all about Tom's feelings for him; they only disgusted him. Being liked by such a vicious but mentally unstable piece of trash was no fun at all.
He wished Tom would die immediately, regardless of who killed him, as long as he was dead.
He had no intention of redeeming this madman's soul. He was actually a very tolerant person. Whether it was a thief or Snape who had gone astray, he was willing to give them a chance. But it would be better if Tom, this scum, died!
"Perhaps this is no longer my era. I once gathered a large group of people I had high hopes for and formed the Order of the Phoenix, hoping they would fight Voldemort and bring a new era to the world."
Grindelwald listened in silence, then chuckled. "Looks like you've failed, haven't you? There's no new era here; you're still struggling to hold on."
Dumbledore nodded. "My highest expectations were for Minerva (Professor McGonagall) at first. Her talent in Transfiguration is no less than ours, but she doesn't have much ambition. You know, it's hard for someone without ambition to achieve anything great."
In fact, Dumbledore had high expectations of too many people.
Hopefully, these people can stand up and lead others into a new era, a new era that doesn't need Dumbledore.
Benji Fenwick, the Prewitt brothers (Molly Weasley's two older brothers), Marlene McKinnon, Caladock Dearburn, Dorcas Meadows, the Longbottoms, the Potters—so many wizards who could have made it into the future did not survive the difficult years of war. Despite their exceptional talents, they either died or suffered irreversible permanent injuries, forever losing their future.
However, even those who are currently active, such as Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shackleton, Arthur Weasley, and even the rebel Severus Snape, all of them felt a little bit lacking to him.
"On the contrary, I didn't have any expectations for Lockhart at first." Dumbledore gazed wistfully towards the Forbidden Forest in the distance, "but he has given me so many surprises."
Grindelwald looked at Dumbledore's exhausted appearance with some sadness. He knew that once a person loses their fighting spirit, they can no longer accomplish anything.
"perhaps-"
Dumbledore glanced back at Grindelwald, then shook his head. "I considered letting you out, but I foresaw war, a terrible war, with perfect clarity."
Grindelwald pursed his lips in annoyance, but said nothing more.
He has always been a strong-willed person and is not willing to talk about his mental state, even with the closest people to him.
After a moment of silence, perhaps sensing the oppressive atmosphere, Grindelwald changed the subject. "So you're now expecting Lockhart to take over your responsibilities and lead wizarding into the future? Are you sure he can really do it?"
Dumbledore smiled slightly. "You are the prophet. You should be able to see the future more clearly than I am."
"The future is always unpredictable." Grindelwald narrowed his eyes. "I can only see some possibilities in Lockhart."
"That's enough," Dumbledore said, turning to walk toward his desk, picking up a Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean from the plate and popping it into his mouth. "I can still hold out for a few more years."
"wrong!"
Grindelwald snapped his eyes open, looking at Dumbledore with suspicion. "I suspect you were just trying to trick me!"
"Everyone says I'm good at manipulating people, but only I know that you were the one who told me 'for the greatest good.' You always use seemingly upright and honorable words to guide others. You're the one who's the most manipulative!"
"You're hoping I can do something for Lockhart, right?"
Dumbledore put his glasses back on, looking quite helpless. "Don't always think the worst of people!"
"Heh~" Grindelwald just sneered.
The young wizards were always enthusiastic and restless, and even though it took a long journey, they excitedly arrived at Professor Lockhart's new home.
Some of the young wizards from the NEWT Advanced Class joined the Duel Club, among whom the Weasley brothers were the most eye-catching, making people marvel at the prosperity of the Weasley family.
Percy, George, Fred, Ron, Ginny.
What's really interesting is that although these Weasleys have a deep bond, they each have their own little cliques and don't usually force themselves to be together.
Sometimes people have to admit one thing: those who enjoyed the fruits of victory after defeating Voldemort in the Order of the Phoenix, which Dumbledore formed, were almost all pure-blood family members, and many of them were members of the Twenty-Eight Holy Clans.
This is not meant as a derogatory term. On the contrary, it has given many people a glimpse into the future, the future that Dumbledore is leading, in which pure-blood families will also have a large group of people who are actually tolerant of Muggle wizards.
"Professor, why didn't you continue as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, but instead became the Magical Creatures Conservation professor?"
A young wizard asked a question out of curiosity. Not everyone knew about Voldemort's curse on the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. After all, it was just an unconfirmed rumor, and some people didn't believe it.
"Magical creatures are an integral part of a wizard's life," Lockhart said with a smile, looking at the little creatures before him. "Whether they are dark magic creatures, magical beasts, or other magical creatures."
The same principle applies to pure-blood wizards embracing Muggle wizards; when wizards embrace magical creatures, it also brings about many wonderful things.
"Don't think that Magical Creatures Conservation is not that important to wizards just because it's an elective course that starts in the third year. In fact, it has long been integrated into the lives of every wizard."
Lockhart began by asking questions, "Do you remember when you first received your Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry acceptance letters in your freshman year?"
What did you prepare before coming to school?
It's easy!
Harry will never forget the beginning of his magical life: "Buying wands, robes, textbooks, and pets!"
"Yes." Lockhart glanced around the crowd, then looked at Hermione. "I had you begin studying ritual magic. Tell me, what is the symbolic meaning of these items?"
Hermione tilted her head back with a touch of pride, looking completely confident. "Wizard robes represent a wizard's changing status,"
Textbooks are magical knowledge, wands are an extension and enhancement of one's will and magic, and pets bring about a complete change in one's lifestyle!
Identity, knowledge, magic, life, especially pets—from the moment you acquire a magical pet, your life truly changes.
Hermione was initially reluctant to accept these strange pets from wizards, and she didn't even consider it during her first and second years, not even having an owl.
After experiencing some things last school year, I had more to think about magical life, and finally made a decision this summer, ultimately buying a cat that looks like its head has been flattened—Crooked Mountain.
Honestly, most magical pet creatures don't have any special functions; their main purpose is to provide companionship for children.
Having too many powerful magical abilities can actually be a dangerous thing.
So whether it's Neville's toad, Harry's owl, Ron's mouse, Hermione's cat, etc., they all seem so ordinary to wizards, and they don't even subconsciously treat them as magical creatures.
But Hermione, living in a Muggle family, was acutely aware of the difference between magical creatures and ordinary creatures.
"It's just like a human!" That's what Hermione's mother said of Crookshanks, while holding a copy of "The Frog Prince."
The fairy tale book filled me with excited anticipation, wondering, "Is it some kind of prince or princess who has transformed?"
"It's not like our Muggle cats, even if they look similar, it's really different." That's what Hermione's father said. "I've never seen such a powerful cat!"
Yes, even an ordinary pet cat, which is hardly considered a magical creature, is magical in the eyes of Muggles.
Hermione's cat really can do backflips, and that's exactly what Lockhart wanted to say: magical creatures entering Muggle families bring magical life.
In fact, the most common animal is probably the owl. Many Muggle families with young wizards keep an owl so they can keep in touch with their children by sending letters while the children are at magic school.
The impact of this lifestyle will be extremely subtle.
According to Lockhart's theory, this Muggle family would be more likely to produce more wizards in the future.
"Harmlessness, integration into daily life, and magical creatures have a certain magical and interesting development prospect."
Lockhart smiled and beckoned the young wizards to the edge of the woods. He whistled, and a group of Madago cats jumped down from the trees and came running to them.
In his eyes, the Madago cat has a lot of potential applications.
What animal could better fit into Muggle life than one that exists as a powerful magical creature in wizarding society and as an ordinary cat in Muggle society?
Cats and dogs are the most easily accepted pets by humans.
The only problem is that Madago cats are too ugly!
"Classmates, a new course at the Duel Club is about to begin!"
Lockhart led the young wizards in another direction into the Forbidden Forest. "Please allow me to introduce you to the new teacher I've found for you!"
Snape, who had finally decided to come, was at the edge of the woods and was about to stride forward when he heard this and suddenly froze.
What?
Lockhart actually replaced me?
Did you get my permission?
What does that mean?
His gaze turned extremely dangerous, and his clever mind had already figured out which new professor Lockhart would introduce to the students to teach them at the Duel Club!
Lupin!
Who else could it be but Lupin!
Damn Gilderoy Lockhart!
"Hagrid!" Lockhart shouted, "Hagrid Rupert, the expert in macaque conservation, a master in the field of breeding!"
Snape was stunned.
The young wizards were also stunned.
"Him?" Draco almost burst out laughing. "That big guy?"
"What do you mean?" Harry looked coldly at Draco. "What right do you have to make that face at Hagrid?"
Draco was about to continue speaking with a cold smile when he suddenly saw Ron draw his wand and point it at him, as if to say, "You'd better watch what you say, or I'll attack you right now."
Hermione strode forward, staring intently at Draco. "Please show respect to others, or you'll find that others won't respect you either!"
Draco rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed.
"Children!" Professor Lockhart greeted them with a smile. "Come on, I'll take you to Hagrid. He already has several new species that he's cultivating."
"And he has a lot of wolf cubs being cared for over there. You'll like these werewolves; they're so beautiful."
"Next, we will enter a completely new field: magical creature breeding. Those who like magical creatures can learn the amazing techniques involved. Even those who don't plan to go in this direction can observe the flow of magical energy and the changes in magic of magical creatures. I think this will be extremely beneficial to you all."
Snape didn't say anything, but just silently followed beside him, somewhat expectant.
Yes, I'm looking forward to it.
In fact, Potions science has two fundamental foundations: herbalism and magical animal conservation. Of course, Potions scientists don't need to focus on the cultivation techniques of magical plants or the breeding techniques of magical animals; they are more concerned with how to apply them.
But how to cultivate?
This will undoubtedly greatly expand the depth and breadth of the field of potion science, bringing more possibilities to potions.
He had been thinking about how to treat the Cruciatus Curse injuries inflicted on the Longbottoms. Many potions he had tried in the past had not been of much help, but perhaps the new species would offer some solutions.
in particular.
The kind of werewolf cub?
His eyes flashed with danger as he pondered how to get a piece of it from Hagrid to dissect and use as medicine.