Defense Against the Dark Arts Office.
Lockhart sat at his desk, looking at the black notebook in front of him - Voldemort's Horcrux. Sunny, the Golden Snidget standing on his shoulder, also turned his head to look at it curiously. Seeing this, Lockhart was worried about an accident, so he opened a portal and sent Sunny to Hagrid's cabin, asking him to take care of him.
Then, he wrote: "Tom, I have been to the prize showroom. It seems that what you said before is true."
Soon, a line of text gradually appeared at the bottom of the notebook.
"Of course, Professor Lockhart, according to the Forger's rules, I cannot tell lies."
Seeing this, Lockhart continued to write without changing his expression: "You said before that you have Slytherin's knowledge inheritance. Is this real?"
Below the question in the notebook, a line of text quietly emerged.
"Of course, Professor Lockhart, the notebook is related to Salazar Slytherin, the founder of Hogwarts, so I know all of it."
Well, this explanation seems reasonable, Lockhart thought silently. Then, after a few seconds' pause, the notebook asked: "Professor Lockhart, is there anything you want?"
Seeing the question asked in the notebook, the corners of Lockhart's mouth curled up slightly; the fish had bitten the hook. So he wrote directly without hesitation: "I need to test your ability. I'll list three questions for you to answer to test your knowledge."
As he spoke, Lockhart listed his three questions with a stroke of his pen.
"1. What is the core of Apparition?"
"2. How many ways to improve the wizard's bloodline?"
"3. Talk about your understanding of ancient runes."
Then, after thinking about it, Lockhart added: "In recent days, you should have read a lot of my thoughts on runes. If you can, write down your thoughts and the relationship between the two."
As Lockhart wrote out the three questions, a line of text appeared on the notebook.
"Professor Lockhart, because the notebook does not have enough stored energy, I cannot answer the questions in a long way. Even if there is an extreme lack of energy, I will lose the ability to reply or even think. So I hope you can provide me with enough magic power, or you can sacrifice some other things."
Immediately afterwards, Lockhart saw the introduction written in the notebook: "As long as it is an item with magical power or a small living animal."
Seeing this, Lockhart sighed slightly, but was not surprised at all. Voldemort, even if it was just a fragment of his soul, was definitely not someone to be fooled. Sure enough, it required sacrificing magic power or life force now. If he really sacrificed his magic power to him, the other party might invade his body through magic.
Well, he seemed to remember that Ginny was like this in the original book.
So, Lockhart took out a bottle of magic potion, placed it on top of his notebook, and then wrote: "I have a bottle of magic potion here. It was refined by the top potion master Snape and contains rich magic power. Do you want me to sprinkle it on the notebook?"
Well, it is impossible to provide one's own magic power, and one's life force cannot be sacrificed. After all, he has not forgotten that the resurrection of the notebook seems to require vitality. In the original plot, if Harry Potter hadn't responded in time, Ginny might have lost her life and become a sacrifice for Voldemort's resurrection.
The notebook paused for more than ten seconds, as if it was a little regretful, not knowing how to reply to Lockhart's question. Then it wrote with some struggle: "Professor Lockhart, potions can also be used, but the absorption efficiency is a bit low. I'm afraid the amount requested is quite large. Can you continue to provide me with large amounts of potions? It may cost a lot of gold galleons."
Immediately afterwards, the notebook gave its own suggestions very carefully: "Actually, Riddle has previously developed a very cost-effective method that does not consume much. It can also run the notebook and enable the soul illusion function."
Then, without waiting for Lockhart to reply, Tom wrote directly.
"Riddle used to go to the Forbidden Forest every week and fight with some animals. On the one hand, he wanted to improve his combat experience. On the other hand, if he encountered some hostile and ferocious animals, he could use them as a sacrifice for his notebook."
Perhaps because he felt that these could not convince Lockhart, the notebook added another layer of weight.
"Salazar Slytherin seems to appreciate this behavior very much. The energy absorption efficiency after such sacrifice is very high. It only takes one sacrifice a week to cover the week's run."
Seeing the notebook wanted to trick him into sacrificing life force, Lockhart became increasingly wary. Then he adjusted his mood, as if he was a little disdainful of the notebook's previous mention of the need for gold galleons, and then he wrote very proudly: "You don't need to worry about potions. Professor Snape and I are good friends. He can prepare the potions I need at any time, and it won't cost many Galleons."
Well, it would definitely not hurt Voldemort to let him hold a grudge against Snape. Then, after thinking about it, Voldemort might need to do more careful research later on, so it would be better to hang him with a carrot. He added: "I offended the centaurs before, so I can't go to the Forbidden Forest recently, but I can buy some experimental products later to replenish energy."
After Lockhart stopped writing, one second, two seconds... After more than 10 seconds, a line of text appeared helplessly in the notebook.
"Okay, Professor. Please provide a certain amount of magic power before I can answer your question. The more difficult the question is, the more thinking it requires, and the more energy it consumes. You need to replenish energy in time later."
Then, following the prompts from the notebook, Lockhart opened the potion and sprinkled it directly on the notebook. Watching the newly soaked notebook pages disappear quickly at a speed visible to the naked eye, leaving only dry pages, Lockhart couldn't help but be secretly surprised. It seemed that the notebook was very hungry for magic power, and its absorption efficiency was not slow.
In this case, is it necessary to suppress the notebook's absorption of magic power? The corners of Lockhart's mouth curled up slightly as his thoughts turned.
Soon, a bottle of magic potion was used up, and a line of text appeared on the notebook again.
"Professor, are there any other magic potions?"
Lockhart paused and replied, "I do have more, but you need to answer my questions first before I provide more. Prove your worth to me."
The notebook hesitated for a moment before replying, "Understood, Professor. I will answer your questions. Starting with Apparition: The core of Apparition lies in the principle of non-spatial transference, which involves displacing the user without traversing the physical space in between. This process requires a strong will and concentration to avoid splinching."
Lockhart nodded slightly, noting the accuracy and depth of the response. The notebook continued.
"Regarding the improvement of the wizard's bloodline: there are several methods, including potion refinement, ritual magic, and ancient runes. Each method has its own risks and rewards. Potions can enhance certain physical or magical attributes temporarily, while rituals can have more permanent effects but require significant preparation and sacrifice. Ancient runes can be used to inscribe magical properties onto the body, enhancing the wizard's abilities."
Lockhart found the answers satisfactory so far and waited for the notebook to address the final question about ancient runes.
"Now, about ancient runes: they are symbols that channel and store magical energy. Each rune has a specific meaning and function, and when combined, they can create powerful magical effects. My understanding of ancient runes is extensive, as I have studied them in depth. The runes you have been researching are quite unique and seem to form a coherent system that enhances magical efficiency and power. Your thoughts on runes align with many of the principles Salazar Slytherin himself adhered to."
Lockhart's eyes gleamed with interest. The notebook's knowledge was indeed vast, and its answers were detailed and insightful.
"Thank you, Tom. Your answers are very enlightening," Lockhart wrote. "I will provide you with more magic potions as needed. Let's continue our collaboration and explore the depths of magical knowledge together."
The notebook replied, "I look forward to our partnership, Professor Lockhart."
Lockhart closed the notebook, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. The Horcrux had proven its worth, and he was eager to see what more it could offer. However, he remained vigilant, knowing that dealing with Voldemort's fragment required constant caution and cunning.