allendalepharm Chapter 135, First Follower
Chapter 135, First Follower
Chapter 135 The First Follower
The British Ministry of Magic is located in a small alley not far from Downing Street in London, and everyone knows it's underground.
But at this moment, all the wizards with magic could see that a Tudor-style building had been squeezed out of this street, which consisted of several dilapidated Muggle buildings, a bar, and a tea house.
The building's lights flashed, making it stand out conspicuously at night.
This is the state the Ministry of Magic presents only during major events.
Upon entering the first floor of the Ministry of Magic building, you'll find that what was originally the eighth basement level of the Ministry of Magic's main hall has been transformed into a packed space full of people.
There were reporters from major newspapers, parents holding banners protesting Gilderoy Lockhart's teaching at Hogwarts for keeping dark magical creatures, members of all sorts of random organizations such as the "Wizards' Students' Rights Protection Association" and the "Wizards' Living Space Promotion Association," as well as a large number of Ministry of Magic employees who came to watch the spectacle.
The place was very lively.
"They're here!" someone shouted, pointing to the Auror army appearing on the horizon and the magical carriages being pulled by Thestrals.
So a bunch of people ran frantically forward. The protesters who were idly resting and playing cards or Wizard's Chess quickly stood up, unfurled their banners, cast a loud voice spell on themselves, and began to give speeches, while occasionally glancing at the escorting team.
"My formal training has really prepared a lot for me." Lockhart leaned against the car window, looked down at the bustling crowd, and clicked his tongue.
No one spoke from the seat opposite.
Having just experienced the battle and the final, horrific massacre, everyone in the Auror team had changed their attitude towards Lockhart.
Some became polite and obsequious because they admired strength, some considered themselves righteous and maintained a higher level of hostility towards Lockhart, the dark wizard, and there was also Scrimgeour, whose expression was unpredictable.
Lockhart had no idea what Scrimgeour was thinking, nor did he want to.
In fact, it can be said that after inventing the terrifying magic "Thunderstorm Mountain Fire," he has officially embarked on the path of a magic master and no longer needs to pay too much attention to the thoughts of some minor figures.
At least Scrimgeour was very clear that unless there was a very specific arrest warrant from the Wizengamor Inquisition, or the Ministry of Magic was forced to take action against Lockhart due to a huge public outcry, he would no longer be able to control Lockhart.
Ha, Gilderoy Lockhart is actually a master of magic?
Scrimgeour found it utterly absurd. He recalled all the files about Lockhart that the Auror office had compiled during this time. The files, which clearly showed problems at a glance, clearly demonstrated just how empty-headed this guy who talked big on various occasions really was.
Can……
He really is a magic master!
Even a dark wizard skilled in Fiendfyre!
only……
Was that spell really the Fiendish Flame Curse?
Scrimgeour would never forget the way Lockhart effortlessly controlled those fire monsters. He had never seen any dark wizard control Fiendfyre so well; it was simply impossible!
The Fiendfyre spell is classified as black magic because almost no one can effectively control this dangerous spell; historically, countless spellcasters have been burned to death by the Fiendfyre spell.
Therefore, even judging from all the Aurors' memories of the battle, one cannot immediately label Lockhart as a dark wizard.
In particular, Scrimgeour clearly saw in the records that Gilderoy Lockhart knew the Patronus Charm and was a holy horse.
His mind was a bit of a mess.
The escort team quickly stopped in the plaza that had been magically expanded in front of the Ministry of Magic building. The Aurors, riding on flying broomsticks, dismounted and strode to the front of the carriages, clearing a path for the important figures inside.
In the crowd, Rita excitedly called out to the photographer who had come with her from the newspaper, asking him to take some pictures of Gilderoy Lockhart looking disheveled.
Seeing him rising from a tall building, seeing his building collapsed.
This news is definitely one of the most explosive stories in the world, rising to fame and reaching its peak before suddenly turning into a dazzling firework.
That must have been extremely cruel and tragic.
Rita has already come up with a headline!
only……
A slight unease always rose in her heart. She knew Lockhart's secret. Would this great villain hidden among the crowd really be in such a sorry state?
she does not know.
She dared not think.
The most humiliating moment of her life happened in front of Lockhart; she was so scared that she wet herself, which was an absolute disgrace.
She longed for the Ministry of Magic's latest report about Lockhart killing students at the school to be definitively established, and for this great villain to be imprisoned in Azkaban forever.
otherwise……
She would probably have no choice but to submit to the other party completely and become their puppet at their beck and call. She didn't even dare to think about what would happen then.
However, what happened next quickly shocked her.
Not only her, but many people around her couldn't understand what was happening.
Scrimgeour was the first to step down from the magic carriage, which was fine. But it was strange that after Auror Kingsley stepped down, he turned around and chatted with Lockhart, who was getting off the carriage, as if he were a private butler or secretary.
Although Kingsley had a nickname in the Ministry of Magic as "Private Secretary," the Auror Master Scrimgeour treated him as his private secretary, the Minister of Magic Fudge also treated him as his private secretary, and it was even rumored that the Muggle Prime Minister also treated Kingsley as his private secretary...
But this is Gilderoy Lockhart!
He is allegedly the mastermind behind this campus murder!
Lockhart didn't act like a criminal at all. Auror Director Scrimgeour led the way, and the Aurors around him seemed more like they were guarding against these reporters and members of various organizations than watching over Lockhart. Kingsley followed slightly behind, accompanying him.
Rita even had a strange illusion about what was happening before her eyes—that Lockhart, this international celebrity, had finally come to the Ministry of Magic to inspect everyone's work!
Merlin's Marshmallow Panties!
She could hardly believe her eyes. Everyone around her seemed to be influenced by Lockhart's languid and elegant demeanor. Wherever she went, whether it was reporters eager to conduct interviews or protesters who wanted to say something, they all shut their mouths.
What's going on?
Rita simply couldn't believe that everyone truly respected Lockhart so much that they behaved so obediently, a level of authority that even Dumbledore wouldn't possess.
Lockhart must have gotten himself into something!
Yes, she guessed right.
As Lockhart's understanding of the Weather Charm deepened, the Patronus Charm, with its power to soothe restless souls, influenced everyone so perfectly, like an all-pervasive breeze, creating a scene of intense public attention yet quiet observation.
Magic is power!
It's not just about the threat of force.
Magic permeates every detail of life, and as magical abilities improve, they manifest in all aspects of life.
This magical influence didn't completely disappear until Lockhart stepped into the elevator.
After all, he wasn't yet good at micromanipulating magical techniques, and they became completely ineffective in an elevator with many protective spells.
Rita was the only outsider who managed to squeeze into the elevator and clearly sensed the subtle tension involved.
She sneered inwardly, thinking she had discovered something extraordinary.
But while Kingsley and the other two Aurors were leading Lockhart to other offices to register, much like tour guides, Rita quietly squeezed next to Lockhart amidst the chaos, saying, "Don't hesitate to ask if you need any help!"
Merlin's pink hair tie! What is she even saying?!
She actually took the initiative to say such things, even with an expression that said, "This is not a transaction, I am just happy to help you, and I want to help you very loyally!"
Nausea!
She felt disgusted with herself for doing that.
However, seeing Lockhart's gentle smile, her heart, which had been pounding with anxiety, calmed down.
I felt a sense of security in an instant.
"No need, I can handle it." Lockhart gestured to Scrinker, who was heading towards another elevator. "I'm absolutely certain he has the news you need. You'd better hurry."
With that, he turned and followed Kingsley, who was waiting for him, to another corner of the corridor.
original……
Rita stood there, staring blankly at Lockhart's back, and was horrified to discover a terrible reality—she had long since developed a sense of awe for the man before her.
She always thought she didn't understand what reverence meant.
Rita quickly discarded her previous whims, faced reality, and a solemn expression appeared on her face. She earnestly looked at Lockhart's retreating figure and murmured softly, "You'll find me very useful! I swear, you'll see soon enough!"
Yes, that's the wisdom of Ravenclaw.
Instead of fighting against one's inner weakness, one should clearly recognize it, then stop being swayed by emotions and steadfastly move towards what one believes is the right direction.
"You will be the future, Mr. Lockhart!"
Rita was so determined that Lockhart, in the not-too-distant future, might very well be the next Dumbledore!
ha~
She was the first to follow!
The first one!
Rita was clearly getting a little too complacent, since she wasn't the first.
It's quite amazing that, ever since the Aurors started moving around, Minister Fudge has been trying to influence him to side with Lockhart.
Fudge initially thought Umbridge was just a fanatic, and although it was absurd that his loyal business partner was a fan of Mr. Heartthrob, he expressed understanding and respect.
It's normal to be a fan of celebrities. When he was a child, his father even took him to attend a speech by his father's idol, Mr. Gellert Grindelwald.
His father's fervor back then was so intense that everyone in the family could feel it.
However, as Umbridge continued to persuade him, he began to realize that there might be something he didn't know about. He was extremely sensitive to the fact that Umbridge, who was so utilitarian, was actually going to use his own reputation and career to vouch for Lockhart, which seemed very unusual.
(End of this chapter)