It was Friday, and the Defense Against the Dark Arts class was as dreadful as ever under Professor Lockhart's guidance. He persisted in his usual antics, assigning students roles as trolls and werewolves to reenact scenes from his so-called glorious past. "It was literally the worst class I've ever had," Neville lamented, looking utterly miserable. Even Malfoy wasn't spared, being dragged into playing a vampire. John, however, remained uninvolved, his glare deterring Lockhart from asking him to impersonate a Yeti.
Hermione found herself puzzled by Lockhart's incompetence, especially given his ability to write such compelling articles. She couldn't reconcile the man's reputation with the reality of his teaching.
Amidst the chaos, Ron noticed Neville carrying a sword on his back and couldn't help but ask, "Neville, why are you carrying a sword?" Still annoyed from his earlier mishap in Charms class, where his wand had accidentally struck Professor Flitwick, Ron was looking for a distraction.
Harry, equally surprised, asked, "Are you planning to confront Malfoy with that sword?"
"No, it's for John. He said he wanted to make me stronger, to turn me into a Juggernaut," Neville explained, feeling the weight of curious stares. He wasn't keen on carrying the sword, but John had insisted it was part of his training.
Harry pondered this, recalling how John had once wielded a large sword to battle a troll. "Maybe John is trying to protect Neville from Malfoy. After all, Malfoy seems to fear John the most," he mused.
Ron, though skeptical that carrying a sword would transform Neville into someone like John, didn't dismiss the idea entirely. "Let's visit Hagrid tomorrow," Harry suggested, a plan quickly agreed upon by Hermione, who had no prior engagements.
As they walked through the hallway, they encountered John. "Hi, Ron, I've been looking for you," John greeted, catching Ron off guard.
"What's up, John?" Ron asked, curious.
"You forgot, I promised to repair your wand," John reminded him, holding up a small bag with a smile. "I've been gathering materials to see if I can fix it for you."
Ron, thrilled, grasped John's hand in gratitude. "You have no idea, John. My wand hit Professor Flitwick in the head today. It's been a disaster."
John examined the wand, which was crudely taped together. "Aspen wood with a unicorn hair core," he noted, understanding Ron's attachment to the wand, which had originally belonged to his brother Charlie.
Seeing Ron's dismay at the prospect of giving up the wand, John proposed an alternative. "This wand is beyond repair, but we might salvage the core for a new one. I have the perfect material for it."
John's suggestion sparked hope in Ron, especially when Harry offered to buy him a new wand. However, Ron hesitated to accept Harry's generosity, not wanting to rely on his friend's wealth.
John then extracted the unicorn hair core from the damaged wand, promising to craft a new one for Ron. "It'll take about a week. You can use this spare wand of mine in the meantime," John said, handing Ron a shorter wand with a similar core.
After ensuring Ron was taken care of, John turned to Neville. "Let's go, Neville. You're training with me today."
Neville, already exhausted from John's rigorous training, could barely lift his arms as they left. John had chosen a section of the Whomping Willow for Neville's new wand, a testament to his commitment to strengthening his friends. John Wick, with his newly acquired wand, felt its potential enhanced by the unique wood and its inherent sensitivity. As he made his way back, he encountered Gilderoy Lockhart, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher known for his embellished tales of bravery. Lockhart, with a smile plastered on his face, extended an invitation to John. "Mr. Wick, perhaps we could have a chat in my office," he suggested. John, curious about Lockhart's intentions but not particularly concerned, agreed and followed him to the office, which was adorned with countless photos of Lockhart himself, showcasing his vanity and narcissism.
Once seated, Lockhart began, "I've heard about your remarkable feat of defeating a troll during your first year. You're quite the talented wizard. Of course, it's not quite on par with my five consecutive 'Wizard Weekly' awards for the most charming smile." Despite his attempt to steer the conversation towards his own achievements, John's blank stare soon made Lockhart feel awkward.
Clearing his throat, Lockhart shifted the topic. "I'm curious about your thoughts on Defense Against the Dark Arts, and, well, on me." Lockhart's tenure at Hogwarts was driven by a desire for fame and to silence critics skeptical of his abilities and fabricated adventures. However, his lackluster performance in class had quickly diminished his stature among the students.
Lockhart, noticing the respect John commanded from both Slytherin and Gryffindor students, earnestly proposed, "I'm in need of an assistant to help manage certain... tasks. My celebrity duties are quite demanding, after all."
John, unimpressed, responded bluntly, "Are you suggesting that you're unfit for teaching and wish to resign? You're aware of the curse on the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, aren't you?"
Lockhart, taken aback by John's directness, defensively listed his accolades but was quickly interrupted. John agreed to assist, but only during second-year classes, expressing skepticism about the authenticity of Lockhart's tales.
Frustrated by John's lack of reverence and realizing his plan to maintain a facade of competence was crumbling, Lockhart decided to take drastic action. As John turned to leave, Lockhart drew his wand and cast "Obliviate," hoping to erase John's memory of their conversation and preserve his reputation.
However, the spell was thwarted by an amulet John wore, which activated a protective charm. John, now fully aware of Lockhart's deceitful nature, confronted him. "It seems you're not the honorable man you claim to be."
Lockhart, shocked by the failure of his usually infallible spell, watched in horror as John retaliated. A burst of white light filled the office, shattering the framed photos of Lockhart and leaving the room in disarray. Lockhart, now facing the consequences of his actions, leaned against the wall, defeated and exposed. Pinned against the wall, Lockhart's face was a canvas of sheer panic. "Wait, I'm leaving Hogwarts right now, please, just let me go," he pleaded, his voice laced with desperation. He hadn't anticipated that this young wizard would actually have the audacity to act. The spell, aimed directly at his head, held the terrifying potential to make his head burst like an overinflated balloon. As he begged for mercy, Lockhart's hand stealthily inched towards his wand, a dishonest move born out of fear.
However, before his fingers could grasp the wand, a blast of white light emanated from John's wand, striking Lockhart's hand and creating a gaping hole. The pain and shock rendered Lockhart immobile, fear rooting him to the spot. John, with his wand still pointed at Lockhart, contemplated his next move, his gaze unwavering.
The intensity of the moment hung heavily in the air. John's decisive action had not only thwarted Lockhart's attempt to defend himself but also underscored the seriousness of the confrontation. Lockhart, now visibly shaken and wounded, could only wait in trepidation, wondering about his fate at the hands of this determined young wizard.
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https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge