Ever since John had set his sights on becoming the next Dumbledore of the wizarding world, he had been diligently building his network of allies. Figures like Dharma Alex, Mundungus, and Tang Mi were among his contacts outside Hogwarts. Gilderoy Lockhart, despite his lackluster magical abilities—struggling even with tasks as simple as handling house-elves—boasted a vast network of book fans and publishing connections. This intrigued John.
"Gilderoy Lockhart, you have two choices: tell me the truth willingly or face the consequences of Veritaserum," John declared, casually producing a bottle of the potion from his bag. The mere sight of it sent Lockhart into a panic. With his limited magical prowess, the thought of Veritaserum wreaking havoc on his mind was terrifying. Trapped by the wall behind him, Lockhart had no choice but to capitulate.
Defeated, he slumped to the ground, his resolve crumbling as he recounted his rise to fame through the unethical use of the Memory Charm to steal and claim the adventures of others as his own. John listened, his expression a mix of amusement and disbelief.
"So, you're telling me you've built your career on the stories of others?" John asked, conjuring a chair with a flick of his wand and sitting down with a sardonic smile. "I must admit, I didn't expect you to be such a master of manipulation, albeit with questionable ethics and a penchant for falsehoods."
Lockhart, sensing that John wasn't going to immediately expose him, stood up, his demeanor stiff. "I had aspirations of becoming an adventurer, but my lack of strength was a constant barrier. The Memory Charm was the only spell I could wield effectively," he admitted. His dreams of adventure had quickly turned into a series of humiliating defeats until a chance encounter with an old wizard in a tavern gave him the nefarious idea that would launch his career.
By erasing the wizard's memory of their encounter and claiming the story as his own, Lockhart transformed into the beloved figure known for his "Most Charming Smile." His method of appropriating and embellishing the tales of others propelled him to stardom, making him a favorite among publishers and young women alike. However, this success led him down a path of vanity and deceit.
"You have a certain... talent," John remarked, refilling his cup with tea. "But don't worry, I have no intention of expelling you from Hogwarts. You can stay and continue teaching."
"Really?" Lockhart responded, taken aback by the unexpected reprieve. "What do you want in return? I'll do anything, as long as you keep my secret."
John fixed Lockhart with a pointed look. "I want your assistance," he stated plainly.
Lockhart, momentarily confused and slightly alarmed by the ambiguous request, stammered, "Could you possibly mean something else? I fear my fans would be heartbroken, and besides, you're quite young."
John nearly choked on his drink at Lockhart's misinterpretation. Setting his cup down, he clarified, "I need your help with my endeavors, not whatever you're thinking."
Relieved but curious, Lockhart wondered what tasks a second-year student like John could possibly need help with. John elaborated, "You're a clever man, Lockhart, but your kind of cleverness has a short shelf life. I'll ensure you keep your position as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, but in exchange, you'll assist me. It might involve writing letters or reaching out to your contacts."
A spark of understanding lit up Lockhart's eyes. Over the years, he had cultivated relationships with influential figures, including noblewomen from ancient pure-blood families. With a word from Lockhart, these connections could prove invaluable to John's ambitions. In a moment of unexpected alliance, John extended his hand to a visibly embarrassed Professor Lockhart, offering a smile that bridged the gap between them. "Let's work well together, Professor Lockhart," he said, sealing their partnership. Lockhart, unsure of how John could possibly aid him but recognizing no other viable options, reached out and completed the handshake.
On Saturday, John had intended to spend his day within the confines of the Gryffindor common room. However, his plans were abruptly changed when Malfoy, accompanied by the persistent knocking of Goyle and Crabbe, summoned him outside his bedroom door. Flaunting the Nimbus 2001, the latest advancement in the Nimbus broom series, Malfoy boasted, "Watch closely, John. Today, we'll see the Gryffindors utterly humiliated."
The Slytherin Quidditch team, now equipped with seven Nimbus 2001 brooms, had managed to secure a special permission slip from Professor Snape. They claimed the need to acquaint themselves with their new brooms as the reason, cunningly scheduling their practice during Gryffindor's allotted time. John, wanting no part in these schemes, had initially resisted joining. Yet, the relentless persistence of Goyle and Crabbe left him with little choice.
Upon their arrival at the Quidditch pitch, John stood aside as Malfoy eagerly stepped forward, ready to taunt. Meanwhile, Harry, initially planning to visit Hagrid, found himself roped into a training session by Wood, the Quidditch-obsessed captain. Ron and Hermione, along with Colin Creevey, who never ceased to snap pictures, had come to watch Harry train. Wood, paranoid, suspected Colin of being a Slytherin spy, a notion George quickly dismissed, pointing out the unnecessary need for spies as the Slytherins had boldly shown up themselves.
The confrontation escalated when Marcus Flint, the Slytherin captain, arrived with his team, claiming the pitch for their practice. Despite Wood's protests and claims of having booked the pitch, Flint produced a note from Professor Snape, granting them permission. The tension peaked when Malfoy, smirking smugly, revealed himself as the new Seeker, a fact that irked the Gryffindors, especially Fred Weasley, who remembered Lucius Malfoy's altercation with his father.
The unveiling of the seven Nimbus 2001 brooms, a gift from Lucius Malfoy, left the Gryffindor team in dismay. However, Hermione boldly defended Gryffindor's honor, stating that their team didn't need to buy their way in. Her words struck a nerve with Malfoy, who retorted with a derogatory remark, only to stop short, mindful of John's presence.
The situation nearly escalated into a brawl, but Ron, fueled by anger and a newly replaced wand, cast a spell at Malfoy, causing him to fall to the ground. The Slytherins, now facing a united front from Gryffindor, found themselves at a disadvantage, a moment that underscored the deep-seated rivalries and the unexpected courage found within the hearts of those willing to stand up for their friends and values. Feeling an unsettling sensation in his throat, as though something was burrowing its way out, he opened his mouth only to expel a fat, slimy slug, an experience that left him feeling nauseated. The situation quickly spiraled out of control, with Malfoy helplessly continuing to vomit slugs, an affliction that promptly sent him to the school infirmary. In the aftermath, Ron found himself encircled by his fellow Gryffindors, their cheers and shouts of encouragement making it clear they thought he had done something commendable. This adulation caused Ron to puff out his chest in pride, a reaction that didn't go unnoticed even by Hermione, who regarded him with a look of admiration.
John, observing the scene from a distance, shook his head in disapproval. "Draco really should learn to pick his battles more wisely. In this world, power dictates right from wrong. Mocking those who are stronger than you is a fool's errand," he mused. To John, using blood status as a measure of one's worth seemed utterly absurd. Despite his friendships lying on both sides of the conflict, he couldn't help but feel that Draco had brought this upon himself. Sure, Draco could have attempted to counter the spell, but John believed that it was necessary to teach him a lesson.
Reflecting on the events, John realized that had he not tampered with Ron's wand, Draco might not have found himself in such a predicament. It seemed to him a clear case of poetic justice – you reap what you sow.
This incident underscored a harsh reality within their magical world, where power dynamics and prejudices often dictated the course of events. John couldn't help but ponder the implications of their actions and the lessons they might take away from this experience.
_________
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Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge