Hogwarts, Snape's Office
"Snape, I feel that as wizards, we should be more sunny. Staying in a dark office all day long will only make you feel more depressed. Look at my office. The golden sunshine shines on me every day, and I feel very comfortable," Lockhart quipped, looking at Snape's dimly lit office.
"Does your comfort come from being scolded in the newspapers every day?" Snape raised the Daily Prophet in his hand and said sarcastically.
As he spoke, Snape picked up the newspaper and read a few words. "Gilderoy Lockhart, according to the reporter's investigation, has been found to include love potion ingredients in some of the letters he sent to female fans. Although the dosage is not large, it shows that this person's character is corrupt and his methods are despicable."
Lockhart, however, was not annoyed. Instead, he smiled and said, "There are many famous people."
"If they hadn't been jealous of my achievements, no one would have scolded me."
"Although Rita Skeeter distorted the facts and turned my replies to fans into something sinister, the letters sent to me containing love potions mean I am very attractive, don't you think?"
"You can say that," Snape said with a mocking smile. "Then how do you explain this sentence in the report?"
Snape took the newspaper and continued reading: "Gilderoy Lockhart previously stated that he was very confident in his research results. Only one final Squib test is left before it can be promoted publicly. What we wonder is, where does his confidence come from? Is it from his previous achievements, or has he conducted experiments on students in private?"
After reading this, Snape had a theatrical smile on his face, as if waiting to see how Lockhart would respond.
Lockhart replied helplessly, "Okay, Snape, I researched the meditation method, and Principal Dumbledore said it is safe. Besides, I didn't take the initiative to find students or others for experiments."
At this point, Lockhart changed the subject. "Snape, let's not talk about this anymore. Today, I want to ask how the potion I ordered earlier is coming along. If it's nearly done, I can settle the payment today."
When he heard the mention of payment, Snape's attention was diverted. He put down the newspaper, pondered for a moment, and said, "Most of the potions have been successfully refined, and you can take them at any time. There are still some that will take three or four more days. After subtracting the 200 gold galleons deposit, there are still 800 gold galleons left."
Lockhart nodded and praised, "As expected of a master of potions, your efficiency is indeed impressive. Here are 800 gold galleons. Keep it." With that, Lockhart handed Snape a space extension bag.
After Snape took it, he placed it on the desk behind him and asked, "Lockhart, will you be ordering another batch in the future? I need to refine new potions later, so I can prepare them in advance."
Lockhart naturally understood Snape's meaning. He thought for a moment and said, "Snape, you can do it anytime. I'll take the amount you refine according to the previous list of potions. Money won't be a problem."
Hearing this, Snape said with a hint of sarcasm, "Lockhart, the amount this time is enough for hundreds of people to use for half a month. Are you sure you still need more?"
"Of course," Lockhart affirmed. "Don't worry, I always pay."
After thinking about it, he explained, "Snape, my client is not in the British wizarding world. Besides, they are all good wizards. Don't worry, I generally don't trade with dark wizards. Their risks are too high."
After hearing Lockhart's explanation, Snape stopped asking further questions. Although he felt that Lockhart was probably related to other wizarding forces and even provided potions specifically for them, it had nothing to do with him. He was just curious and asked. After all, he was refining magic potions to sell. As long as the price was right, it didn't matter who he sold them to, as long as it wasn't the Dark Lord.
Moreover, Lockhart was generous, and the price was not low, especially when ordering in large quantities, which earned him a lot of galleons. Additionally, looking at what Lockhart had done, his relationship with the pure-bloods might not be much better.
While Snape was thinking, Lockhart asked, "Snape, I need you to refine some more potions. It's mainly for Squibs to help them meditate smoothly. It needs to be a little lighter to ensure they don't have distracting thoughts. If the potion is too strong, they won't be able to meditate."
Hearing this, Snape nodded and said, "No problem, it's simple. I'll just reduce the effect of the potion."
Then he asked, "When do you need it?"
Lockhart roughly estimated that the report on Rita Skeeter was reaching its peak. So he said, "In a few days."
After hearing this, Snape nodded to show his understanding. Dumbledore had also talked to him about what Lockhart was doing and the impact his research would have. However, Snape had no interest in getting involved. His life was solely focused on revenge and protecting Harry.
Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office
Professor McGonagall, wearing dark green wizard robes, looked at Dumbledore with a worried expression. "Albus, Rita Skeeter's reports have now begun to slander Hogwarts. Are you sure you don't want to worry about it anymore?" she asked, showing him the Daily Prophet.
She pointed at a series of words for Dumbledore to see: "There is no doubt that Hogwarts is irresponsible. Gilderoy Lockhart directly used the name of Hogwarts to recruit experimental subjects. You didn't stop him at all, and even encouraged him. All of our student families send their students to Hogwarts with full trust. However, with Hogwarts' actions, it is difficult not to doubt whether he will treat students as experimental subjects."
Dumbledore looked at this series of misleading words and comforted Professor McGonagall, "Minerva, don't worry. These matters will be resolved soon."
Hearing Dumbledore's comfort, Professor McGonagall could only nod helplessly. She loved Hogwarts deeply and hated such slanderous behavior. Although she knew that Dumbledore and Lockhart had countermeasures, the constant attacks worried her.
Hogsmeade, Rita Skeeter's Home
Rita Skeeter sat at her table, reflecting on the past few days. It felt like a dream. She had written a slanderous report and gained a lot of fame and galleons through it. She had been quite excited. But the next day, the protagonist of the report had come and captured her, causing her to fall from heaven to hell.
What was worse, Lockhart was a dark wizard with extremely cruel methods. Thinking of the huge basilisk next to Lockhart and the torture caused by the magical contract, Rita wished she could slap herself. She had been blind to slander a dark wizard who was bound to take revenge. Even if she had slandered Dumbledore, it wouldn't have been so miserable.
Rita felt strong resentment towards Lockhart. On the surface, he looked handsome and was loved by many witches. Unexpectedly, he was actually a dark wizard. Who would have thought? What she never expected was that after being captured, Lockhart would have her continue to write slanderous reports against him. This made her confused. Later, through Lockhart's explanation, she understood the truth behind it. Immediately, she labeled him as sinister and cunning.
While she was thinking, suddenly, there was a buzz and a flash of light. A figure teleported in front of her—it was the house elf Coffy.
"Ms. Skeeter, Master asked me to tell you: the plan begins."
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