Dumbledore did not reply clearly to Lockhart's request. He was silent for a moment and then asked gently, "By the way, Lockhart, in terms of rune research, are you encountering any problems? You can talk about it."
Dumbledore's performance made Lockhart's eyes flash with disappointment, but he still replied, "Headmaster, I have recently been studying the relationship between runes and mental power. It goes without saying that mental power is important to wizards. And I found that many runes can nourish a wizard's mental power, but the effect is too weak. I guess that mental power can be effectively improved through combination.
"If a systematic improvement guide can be compiled, I believe it will be of great help to young wizards and us in practicing magic. But it is currently stuck at a critical juncture. If you, Principal, can join, it will definitely promote the further development of research."
Hearing Lockhart send another invitation, Dumbledore pondered for a moment, wondering what he was thinking about. He quickly showed a gentle smile, nodded slowly, and said, "Lockhart, your research is very good. But before joining, I still want to understand the runes you mentioned."
In response, Lockhart nodded without hesitation, joy appearing in his eyes, and he said quickly, "Okay Headmaster, I will compile a copy of my research experience when I get back and give it to you. If you can join our research, I believe that the results of this research will definitely win the first-class Merlin Medal."
In response to Lockhart's words, Dumbledore nodded noncommittally and then asked, "Lockhart, do you have any other ideas or questions? Speak out and let's talk."
Later, Lockhart and Dumbledore talked about the research results of the runes, trying their best to show Dumbledore its wonders, especially the promotion of the entire magic system, and even a certain degree of cognitive subversion. The whole process can be said to be Lockhart constantly releasing tempting hooks one after another, intending to attract Dumbledore into the new magic system.
Dumbledore's performance was still nodding in agreement or praise but refusing to reply clearly or take the bait. This made Lockhart's originally excited attitude begin to slowly decline. After a while, Lockhart took the initiative to end the topic and said goodbye. He felt that the time was not right now and that he might need to give Dumbledore more time to think. He would wait a few days and take a look at Dumbledore's attitude. Maybe he would behave differently.
Then, Dumbledore looked at Lockhart's retreating figure and fell into deep thought. Suddenly, a voice came from his ears.
"Genius, Lockhart is indeed a wizard from Ravenclaw," the portrait of Principal Dilys Derwent said. "Dumbledore, how do you feel?"
"Although I can't learn new knowledge now, through previous exchanges, I can feel Lockhart's enthusiasm for research," the portrait of Principal Armando Dippet on the side also praised.
"Lockhart will either become the best white wizard or the best dark wizard like Gormlaith Gaunt," Principal Phineas Black's portrait said coldly.
"That's a bit too much. Black, Lockhart is now a Hogwarts professor and a famous writer. How could he become a dark wizard like Gormlaith Gaunt?"
"Dilys, what Black said is not impossible. I once taught Gormlaith Gaunt. She is a typical person who went on the wrong path because she was too obsessed with research."
"That's not possible. You have to know that there are a lot of dark wizards from the Gaunt family. Maybe they are influenced by the blood."
Soon, the portraits of the principals hanging on the wall started a heated discussion around the views of the dark wizard and the white wizard, and the topic even began to become more and more twisted, reaching the point of attacking the other houses. One said that Gryffindor was full of fools, another said that Slytherin was full of villains, and Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were said to be crazy and mediocre respectively.
Dumbledore listened quietly to everyone's discussion without making any move.
"Everyone, be quiet and stop talking," a voice came from the portrait of Principal Armando Dippet. "We are all dead. Now we are just residual memories. Don't argue about those things in the past. How Lockhart develops in the future has little to do with us. Listen to Dumbledore. He is now the Headmaster of Hogwarts."
After Principal Armando Dippet finished speaking, the voices of the surrounding portraits slowly began to quiet down.
"Albus, tell me what you think of Lockhart?" Headmaster Armando Dippet asked Dumbledore.
Regarding the question of his previous principal, Dumbledore pondered for a moment, rubbed his temples with some distress, and said slowly, "I can't judge, and I don't dare to make a judgement. I'm worried that if I make a judgment, it will push him down a path that I don't want to see. After all, there's already a case. It was my stubbornness and prejudice that made him choose a sad path."
Having said this, Dumbledore paused, and Principal Armando Dippet also knew who the case Dumbledore was talking about was. Then, Principal Dippet heard Dumbledore's somewhat curious tone.
"However, I am a little curious about the runes and where Lockhart discovered them. They shouldn't exist in modern times. They may be quite old. I need to check some information to determine which era they were probably a product of. I think that by opening the heritage library of Hogwarts, we might be able to obtain some valuable information."
Hearing this, the portraits of the past Hogwarts principals hanging on the wall seemed to be stimulated in some way, and they said in unison, "Albus Dumbledore, you are determined to use your only opportunity this year at this moment."
Seeing this, Dumbledore was not surprised. He nodded gently and said, "Anyway, there hasn't been much going on recently. Besides, I don't need to worry about the price of this entry."
At this point, Dumbledore squinted his eyes and said with some distress, "I just hope that Lockhart will never get involved with Tom in the future."
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