RNP Chapter 96 Lockhart resigns to avoid disaster
Chapter 96 Lockhart resigns to avoid disaster
Chapter 97 Lockhart resigns to avoid disaster
Salazar sought Lockhart because Lockhart was a giant, and the house-elves and other races pleaded on his behalf.
Harry and the other two were all taken aback by what he said.
Ron asked suspiciously, "Did he speak on behalf of non-wizard races?"
"In 'The Magician,' he used three pages to describe his incredibly foolish idea in order to demonstrate his loving and compassionate heart."
Ron and Hermione looked horrified. What was he doing reading Lockhart's book?
The best place for those waste papers is probably inside the furnace wall.
"I know the contents of his book because there is a little girl in my courtyard who often reads his book to me."
Salazar said expressionlessly, "Even Helga would have to cast the Killing Curse on him if he reads such remarks."
"Mr. Salazar," Ron couldn't help but ask, "was there a war between wizards and non-wizard races a thousand years ago?"
Salazar smiled and said, "Let me have a chat with that idiot Lockhart, and then we'll exchange it using the equilibrium principle."
"I've already told you enough."
"If Harry's line, 'Those who are not of our kind are sure to have different hearts,' hadn't been so brilliant, I wouldn't have said what I just said."
"Those words are more valuable than dragon's blood."
Having said that, he remained motionless.
Harry put away the drawing paper, and Hermione suddenly spoke up: "Let's ask other questions after he and Lockhart finish talking."
Ron seemed to wake up from a dream and nodded in agreement, "That's right. I think we should ask Draco where he hid the Dark Magic items. He's been watching the Slytherin common room for so long, he must know something."
"What my elder sister and brother say is absolutely right. We will go find Lockhart after the Christmas holidays."
Enough of this rambling. Now, as winter ends and spring returns, the teachers and students of Hogwarts, weary from their journey, return to school, creating a lively scene of shouts and neighing horses.
The group of house-elves were already waiting on the platform. They searched the students inside and out three times, even squeezing their socks and soles, but still couldn't find a trace of the dark magic item.
Harry cursed under his breath and headed straight for the castle.
When they arrived at Lockhart's office, they knocked on the door for quite a while, but no one answered.
Harry wondered: Could it be that this fellow hasn't arrived yet?
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out from behind.
"Harry? Are you looking for Lockhart?"
Looking back, one could see that the person who had come was Flitwick, with stacks of books and papers floating behind him.
Harry bowed and said, "Professor, with all the students and teachers back and classes about to begin, why is Lockhart nowhere to be seen?"
"Oh, you little wizards don't know yet, Lockhart has resigned."
"Professor Dumbledore has been very busy these past few days, trying to find a new professor but hasn't been able to find a suitable candidate..."
Before he could finish speaking, Harry thanked him and dashed off to the headmaster's office like a gust of wind.
In just a few breaths, the two stone rooster statues guarding the principal's office heard the clanging of their scabbards and knew without even looking that the little green-eyed monster had arrived.
The two busy creatures jumped to either side and crowed again.
Upon hearing the rooster crow, Dumbledore knew that Harry had run into him. Without panicking, he simply picked up the glass bottle on the table, uncorked it, and tilted his head back to swallow a mouthful.
After the medicine went down his throat, the door slammed open, and Harry strode in, cupping his hands in greeting:
"How could the professor have let Lockhart run away!"
"Good afternoon, Harry. Lockhart didn't run away, he resigned." Dumbledore waved his wand, summoning a chair, and asked curiously, "Do you need to see Lockhart?"
Harry sat down with an air of authority. "Indeed, this fellow might know something about Malfoy's dirty dealings. I was just about to ask him, but I never expected him to run away."
Upon hearing this, Dumbledore frowned and shook his head, saying, "He was probably frightened by the frequent searches for dark magic items. Of course, your performance in the dueling club also left a considerable impression on him."
Harry thought to himself: This guy talks a lot of arrogant words and writes about extravagant deeds in his books, but now he's just heard a few rumors and he's acting like a birdman who's running away in a panic. He's really all show and no substance.
He said, "Now that Lockhart has run away, what will become of the Defense Against the Dark Arts class?"
"I haven't found a suitable professor yet." Dumbledore took off his glasses and rubbed his temples. "And I haven't received a single reply to the letters I sent him."
"If that's the case, I'm willing to go on the professor's behalf and ask him directly!"
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You're going to find him?"
Harry smiled and said, "Professor, you are very busy and have no free time. I am willing to share your burden."
Dumbledore knew Harry was always persistent and wouldn't give up until he saw the truth, and considering Harry's desire to know about the dark magic items, he pondered for a moment and then nodded:
"It seems I'll have to trouble you to make the trip, Harry. But I'll need a professor to accompany you."
Harry asked doubtfully, "Which one is it?"
Dumbledore smiled and said, "Harry, you know that."
"You know, if it weren't for Dumbledore's request, I wouldn't be wasting my time with you."
Outside Hogwarts, Snape, expressionless, stretched out his arm. "Hold on tight, Potter, I'm going to Apparate."
Harry coldly replied, "Ha! I've already used it with Professor Flitwick, so there's no need for you to say more."
Neither of them spoke, but the surrounding air currents twisted, and they vanished in an instant.
When they reappeared, they had arrived at the Valley of Nagodrick.
The valley was silent, and the ground was covered with a thick layer of snow.
Snape paused for a moment, then took a piece of parchment from his robes and said, "This is the Lockhart family's address. I don't think you need me to be by your side like a nanny."
Harry, wanting to be alone with Lockhart, immediately nodded and replied, "Professor, go find a pub for a drink, I'll be right back."
After saying that, the two parted ways and went their separate ways.
Harry went to the parchment's dwelling and found it to be a rather luxurious house. He knocked on the door, and after a short while, Lockhart's voice came through.
"Rita, is that you? My dear, I'm ready to be on the front page of the Daily Prophet again—"
Upon opening the door, Lockhart, still wearing his bathrobe, turned deathly pale. "Huh, Harry?!"
"How did you know where I live?!"
Harry ignored him, strode into the room, found a chair and sat down, laughing, "I've missed you terribly, Professor."
Lockhart saw that he was fully equipped, carrying a knife and a staff, with arm guards and wrist braces.
He realized he had given himself away, and his legs went weak. He took a few steps back and braced himself against the wall, stammering, "You, you did it for that matter?"
Upon hearing this, Harry thought to himself: Damn it! This guy is hiding something from me?
He said calmly, "Since you know why I've come, why don't you tell me the truth?"
"You have at least three important things to say to me today!"
(End of this chapter)