allendalepharm Chapter 164 Down-to-earth
Chapter 164 Down-to-earth
Chapter 164 Down-to-earth
"Internal support, external support, and of course, there's another way..."
Lockhart looked at him scrutinizingly, "The path to self-empowerment."
"Self-empowerment?" Percy could understand the first two, which made his somewhat confused thoughts suddenly clear, but he didn't quite understand the third one.
"Magic!" Lockhart shook his wand. "When the magical power you unleash is so powerful that it frightens people, they will consider eliminating you as an enemy or inviting you into their community to be worshipped."
Lockhart actually thought Percy was more suited to be an Auror.
Although Percy usually appears to be a very outstanding elite and seems to have become a leader among his classmates, he is actually still quite clumsy.
Just as Tom Riddle led the Wolpergig Knights (the precursor to the Death Eaters) and Harry Potter led Dumbledore's Army, their leadership came from their personal prestige, while Percy's leadership over the other students came from the Hogwarts professors' management circle, not from his own authority.
So it's better to become an Auror. With Percy's level, he'll soon become an elite Auror. Plus, with the support of his father Arthur and the Order of the Phoenix, becoming the head of the Auror office in the future is still a possibility.
But since Percy came over to ask...
Lockhart preferred to guide this outstanding student toward a more sublime path—magic!
My child, your eyes should be on the stars and the sea. The position of Minister of Magic should be used to recognize your achievements, not something you have to beg for.
"You have that potential, Percy."
Lockhart smiled and beckoned the young wizard back into the house where the smoke was beginning to thin and warm himself by the fire.
He didn't like interfering with other people's choices of path; everyone has their own destiny. He had said what he needed to say, and the choice was left to Percy.
The busy cleaning work began quickly.
With Percy's involvement, progress was much faster than Lockhart had anticipated.
"Professor, I think I have the answer."
Percy was busy tidying up a chest of drawers, pulling out all sorts of random things and laying them out on the floor. After Lockhart finished tidying up, he suddenly spoke up, considering which items to keep and which to discard.
"Oh?"
Lockhart raised an eyebrow and turned to look at the resolute expression on the boy's face with curiosity.
He didn't need Boggart to help him detect the other person's emotional state; he could feel the determination in Percy's eyes.
"I choose magic!"
Percy said with great effort, "Actually, you misunderstood me. I don't necessarily want to pursue a career in politics. I've just always longed to excel."
Lockhart put down a picture frame he was holding and gestured for him to continue, showing interest.
"I used to think that becoming an officer in the Ministry of Magic was the pinnacle of excellence." The boy gazed dreamily out the window, as if recalling a scene, "But back then, I saw you casting a spell..."
"With a gentle wave of the wand, the rainy season that had lasted for more than half a year came to an end, and the sun shone brightly over the whole world."
"And that photo in the newspaper, where you stand in front of Ministry of Magic officials and your classmates, effortlessly turning a terrifying werewolf back into a human..."
"Actually, at that time I was thinking - maybe this is what excellence should look like."
Percy was very talkative, expressing his desires sincerely and without any reservations about his passion.
Lockhart nodded with a smile as he listened to his story, but offered no comment.
Emotions are a very subtle thing.
According to his own research, there are actually two types of emotions: one is the emotion of the body and brain, and the other is the emotion that bursts forth from the heart.
Emotions generated by the body and mind often lack solid support, easily coming and going quickly. Even if one decides to persevere with a firm will, this perseverance can still bring pain.
Only emotions that burst forth from the heart can be sustained, because things driven by the heart's desires will not make people feel tired or painful, and will be sweet no matter how bitter or tiring they are.
That's the logic, but you can't see into someone's heart. Without the test of time, it's hard to know what kind of emotions or desires others have.
"Professor, what should I do?"
Percy asked very seriously.
Lockhart looked at him intently, then smiled slightly and gestured to the cabinet in front of him, "Cleanse it with a cleansing charm first."
"Huh?" Percy was completely stunned.
He opened his mouth, but the professor was still gesturing to the cabinet in front of him. "Use a cleansing charm. That's the quickest way to clean it."
Percy was somewhat disappointed, but without hesitation, he drew his wand and meticulously waved it at the cabinet, casting "Clean Up."
The effect was good; the cabinet quickly transformed from a dull gray to a vibrant color, revealing a wood grain texture with dark green and burgundy patterns, both rustic and eerie.
"Too deliberate," Lockhart pointed, drawing his wand and waving it lightly. "You see, it doesn't need to be too rigid in following the standard spellcasting gestures described in textbooks. Of course, I'm not suggesting you just wave your wand randomly."
"Your hand gestures for casting spells and the tone of your voice when chanting incantations must all follow the guidance of your heart."
"You've clearly grasped the power of unwavering will, but I need you to relax a bit; the magic you're casting isn't beautiful at all."
"You have to genuinely want this cabinet to be clean and beautiful."
Percy wanted to say that he didn't want to learn how to use this housework magic better, but he still didn't refuse and earnestly tried to follow Professor Lockhart's instructions.
This may be because he has always been accustomed to following the instructions of more capable people.
But as he adjusted his techniques and mindset again and again based on Professor Lockhart's knowledge, and as he became completely immersed in the practical application of this magic, he inexplicably felt a very unique sense of reality.
This was a feeling he had never experienced before.
It was as if the path he had walked in the past was always so unfathomable, ethereal, and without any support, but now, he suddenly had a sense of grounded reality.
And so, in a wondrous moment, he began to forget his desires, to forget the petty scheming in his heart, and quietly and peacefully entered the world of the cleansing spell.
Once.
Once.
One more time.
He waved his magic wand, wandering through every corner of the small building, thoroughly enjoying himself.
He didn't see that Professor Lockhart was watching him with a smile behind him, nodding as if he were quite satisfied.
Let's take another look.
Lockhart thought about it and decided to observe the boy a little longer. He suddenly looked forward to Percy learning his Weather Charm and then showing it off to Dumbledore, who was mocking him for not being able to teach others!
(End of this chapter)