The slacker professor at Hogwarts

006 Hermione Granger's Confusion as a Fangirl

Hermione, the devoted fan, has so many questions.

On her way from the castle's grand hall to the professor's office, she had too many questions.

Lockhart patiently answered her questions, though in truth, he was far from happy. Standing on the self-moving stairs, he smiled and nodded at the young wizard who was bowing and greeting him from afar, his feelings a mixture of emotions.

He had planned to coast through that year.

But when you actually face these little wizards whose faces are full of admiration and thirst for knowledge, it's hard not to have this thought in mind—does he really want to waste a whole year of precious time for all the children in the school?

"My damn sense of responsibility."

He cursed himself inwardly, gazing at the ancient and solemn school castle, his heart suddenly heavy.

"Professor Lockhart, I've always had a big question," Hermione said quickly, one syllable after another, as if someone were chasing after her, "What is the nature of magic?"

"Yes... um?"

Lockhart gestured for her to come down the stairs, and was about to give a casual answer when he suddenly paused, "This is an answer that requires a lifetime of exploration; it's probably too early for you to ask now."

"You seem to be a very talented young wizard. I can sense the pride inherent in those who excel. I think you must be even more outstanding than your classmates. Why would you ask such a question?"

Although the little wizard in front of me is intelligent, he is only a second-grade student.

Hermione sighed upon hearing this, hugging Lockhart's book "I Am Magic" tightly. Still unable to hide her emotions, she looked somewhat frustrated. "I may never find the answer. I'm not actually smart. I just work harder than others."

Oh, this is quite rare; the proud Miss Granger looks utterly dejected.

Lockhart smiled and asked, "Have you sought answers from other professors?"

Hermione nodded. "I asked Professor McGonagall, and she just comforted me, telling me not to worry and that things would get better as I grew up."

"Do you agree with this answer?" Lockhart continued to ask.

Hermione shook her head. "I don't know, I mean, I'm not sure either."

Her little face was full of seriousness, so tense that Lockhart momentarily felt that she was a little girl.

"I can always easily make magic work as intended and easily gain the professors' approval. But when I try to make magic more powerful, I can never succeed."

She was so puzzled, "The same magic has completely different effects in the hands of the professors—more powerful, more flexible, and with more variations. I don't know how to break through such limitations."

The standard Gryffindor—Lockhart came to this stereotypical conclusion as he quickly searched his memory—Gryffindors always cast spells in a rigid and methodical manner, lacking the spirituality and ease with which magic is performed.

Of course, this is a stereotype. In fact, Gryffindors often demonstrate a greater flair and composure with magic than others in the realm of combat.

"I've read your biography. You also grew up in Muggle society. Perhaps your thoughts on magic will be more inspiring to me."

Hermione looked at him expectantly. "Can you give me an answer?"

"Of course, nothing can stump me. No one knows magic better than me." Lockhart smiled perfectly and led her onward.

"Perhaps I can give you the answer. This is my old secret, and it's how I easily defeated many powerful wizards."

Hermione's eyes lit up.

But Professor Lockhart did not answer directly. Instead, he coaxed, "If you look up historical documents, you'll find that wizards who experienced major magical events were more powerful than those of other eras."

"For example, the four principals who founded the school were living through the most terrible era of witch hunts in the wizarding society."

"For example, the reforms to the Law of Secrecy fifty years ago also produced many powerful wizards, such as Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Grindelwald, Newt, Queenie, Credence..."

Hermione gasped, realizing she'd grasped the answer. "You mean it requires the tempering of combat?"

"No, or rather, more than that." Lockhart shook his head. "Many wizards and the new generation of Aurors are living high-intensity combat lives, but they haven't become stronger as a result."

Aurors can be considered the backbone of wizarding society, and their magical abilities in combat are arguably the most powerful group besides the Masters.

But Lockhart, who was essentially engaged in the work of a dark wizard, was not afraid of these Aurors.

Unless he encounters those big shots, he doesn't take ordinary Aurors seriously.

Hermione was a little confused. "What is that?"

Lockhart smiled slightly. "Fairy tales, my answer is fairy tales."

"???" Hermione tilted her head in confusion.

"Yes, I believe the power of magic comes from fairy tales."

"Fantastic Beasts and magical creatures come from fairy tales, dark magical creatures come from cult fairy tales, and the magic belonging to wizards also comes from fairy tales."

"Magic is the ultimate romance in fairy tales."

"If you ask me how to become stronger, my answer is—immerse yourself in fairytale romance."

"By immersing yourself in a fairytale-like romantic atmosphere, you will soon find your abilities improving exceptionally quickly."

This was Lockhart's original experience; he grasped this principle early on, which allowed him to easily stand out during his school years. After graduation, he traveled around hunting down powerful wizards without ever failing.

The school's most popular figures are like the romance of fairy tales, and so are the evil thieves of life.

Sometimes, being a prominent figure is a natural gift, like his seniors James Potter and Sirius Black, or the current Weasley twins, George and Fred. Others achieve it through deliberate effort, such as those active in clubs or Quidditch, or those like Lockhart who diligently cultivate their reputation.

The results were remarkable. Back in school, he could easily modify Voldemort's Dark Mark, turning the skull into his own portrait. He dared to say that many of his classmates back then couldn't do that even now.

Right now, Lockhart is witnessing one of the best examples of creating a buzz around a legendary figure – Harry Potter.

He called Harry Potter's extraordinary experiences and the Order of the Phoenix's schemes "the birth of an epic hero".

This is also part of the fairy tale.

Becoming Harry Potter's professor, and one who had a profound influence on him, becoming the most important element of this epic fairy tale—the benefits of this were the fundamental reason why Lockhart agreed with Dumbledore's persuasion to teach at Hogwarts.

"Fairy tales?" Hermione's little face scrunched up. She was a rather rational person, and living a fairy tale life... well, she seemed unable to do it.

It's important to understand that while there is discrimination within the wizarding community, the same applies to Muggles.

In fact, Muggles generally discriminate against wizards, regardless of whether they are pure-blood or Mudblood, calling them all weirdos and madmen. Especially the kind of people Lockhart describes living in fairytale-like lives—aren't they exactly like that?

"What should I do?"

Hermione took a deep breath, clenched her little fists tightly, and decided that she couldn't give up trying.

"The simplest way is to fight the Great Demon King or become the Great Demon King yourself. That's the purest fairy tale." Finally, the two arrived at the office. Lockhart shrugged. "Of course, sometimes we have to realize the limitations of our own abilities and luck. Becoming a hero's or the Demon King's follower is also a good option."