John made his way to Hagrid's hut, seeking oak resin for the intricate task of wand production and repair. The process was not only about gathering materials but also involved meticulous polishing and patient waiting. Upon his arrival, he found Lockhart bombarding Hagrid with unsolicited advice on preventing nymphs from entering wells, showcasing his so-called expertise.
Knocking on the door, John was promptly greeted by a relieved Hagrid, eager to escape Lockhart's self-promotion. Lockhart, attempting to sell his book to Hagrid, was taken aback by John's presence. Seizing the opportunity, John reminded Lockhart of his textbook obligations, providing a polite but firm excuse for him to leave. Lockhart, grasping at the lifeline, hurried away as if pursued by a fire dragon.
Inside, Hagrid expressed his joy at having a friend visit. He had already procured a bag of materials John had requested. As they settled down with hot black tea and rock cakes, John inquired about the location of an oak tree for the resin he needed. Hagrid, ever the enthusiastic host, assured him of his knowledge of the Forbidden Forest and promised to fetch the resin.
While John waited, Harry, Hermione, and a visibly distressed Ron arrived, seeking Hagrid's help for a curse Malfoy had cast on Ron. John, realizing the situation, diagnosed Ron with the Ascaris Curse, based on his symptoms and extensive reading. Hagrid returned, delighted to see the young visitors, and handed Ron a bucket for relief.
John, taking charge, instructed Ron to expose his belly, revealing a disturbing bulge indicative of the curse. With a precise spell, John alleviated Ron's discomfort, expelling the parasitic worms. Hagrid, impressed, inquired about the source of John's knowledge, to which John credited the library, though he had actually learned the spell in the Gryffindor Chamber of Secrets, a place rife with arcane curses and spells.
Among these was the Blood Curse, a malevolent spell that transformed the afflicted into a serpent over time. This piqued John's curiosity about the potential effects of combining such a curse with a werewolf bite.
With the oak resin in hand, John prepared to leave, expressing his gratitude to Hagrid for his assistance. The day's events had not only showcased John's growing expertise in magical healing but also deepened the bonds of friendship and trust within the Hogwarts community. Hagrid expressed his gratitude repeatedly, and after John departed, he remarked with a sense of emotion, "John truly is the most remarkable young wizard I've ever encountered, reminiscent of Riddle. No, no, I mean, you're all exceptional as well." Noticing the curious glances from the three young friends, Hagrid hastily waved his hands, dismissing the topic. "Riddle?" he echoed, his tone turning somber. "Let's not speak of that name!" It was clear that the mention of Riddle stirred uncomfortable memories for Hagrid, and although the trio was intrigued, they respected his wish not to delve further into the subject. Hagrid, despite his tendency to be overly talkative, clearly preferred to leave this part of his past unspoken.
...
Upon returning to the Gryffindor common room, John embarked on crafting a wand from Whomping Willow branches, incorporating unicorn hair into its core. He meticulously smoothed its edges and treated it with oak resin, a substance believed to imbue magical properties into the wand, enhancing its compatibility with its wielder. Following this, John turned his attention to alchemy, discovering that refining items not only honed his skills but also seemed to accelerate his proficiency, even in the absence of a tangible measure of progress.
After preparing a batch of items for Johnny Silverhand's shop, John arranged for their delivery through Basil. The shop's business was slowly gaining traction, its reputation spreading gradually. A letter from Tommy Shelby revealed concerns among Knockturn Alley's wizards regarding the shop. John advised caution in his response, suggesting that it was best to avoid drawing the Aurors' attention, especially given their current crackdown on dark artifacts, some of which were stocked in Johnny Silverhand's shop.
Meanwhile, John encouraged Tang Mi to reach out to werewolf acquaintances, hinting at plans to leverage his abilities. Additionally, Dharma Alex received confirmation from the Order of Merlin about an upcoming award ceremony, with the Merlin First Class Medal almost assuredly within reach.
After addressing these matters, John left the dormitory, committed to fulfilling his promise to allow Lockhart to remain at Hogwarts. He made his way to the Whomping Willow, skillfully navigating the passage to the Shrieking Shack and rearranging its contents with a Levitation Charm.
During the next Defense Against the Dark Arts class, students were surprised to see John standing beside the podium. Lockhart, ever the showman, apologized for his previous teaching approach and introduced John as his assistant, claiming that John had been well-prepared under his guidance. Despite Lockhart's convincing performance, John couldn't help but roll his eyes at the charade.
Lockhart, dressed in flamboyant robes, announced the day's lesson on troll combat with his usual theatrical flair. Despite his lack of practical skill, Lockhart's ability to engage and excite the students was undeniable. John, demonstrating his proficiency in transfiguration, transformed a table into a fence to prepare the classroom, a feat that would surely impress Professor McGonagall. Lockhart, poised and confident, prepared to deliver a lesson that, while perhaps lacking in substance, promised to be memorable for all in attendance. It wasn't hard to discern that he had a penchant for crafting tales about pilfering the achievements of others. He spoke of his book, "Walking with Trolls," with undue seriousness, proceeding to share what he claimed were the vulnerabilities of trolls. "The troll's cranium is notably delicate. A simple Levitation Charm, causing its own club to fall upon its head, is sufficient to incapacitate it," he explained.
"Now..." Lockhart clapped his hands together, signaling the entrance of John, his assistant. "Let my assistant demonstrate for everyone," he announced, his voice tinged with a hint of showmanship. The students exchanged puzzled glances as John, with a flick of his wand, unlocked a previously secured cabinet. A low, grumbling noise emanated from within, causing a stir among the students, particularly three who recognized the sound all too well—the unmistakable voice of a troll, similar to the one they had encountered in their first year.
Curiosity mingled with apprehension as they pondered how a troll could possibly fit inside such a confined space. Unbeknownst to them, John had employed Occlumency to conjure the image of a troll in his mind. The boggart, sensing his fear, transformed into a troll, bursting through the cabinet doors.
"It's truly a monster!" Ron exclaimed, his voice laced with terror.
John, however, remained focused, his gaze fixed on the club in the troll's grasp. As the creature lumbered towards him, he acted swiftly, casting, "Wingardium Leviosa." The club was wrenched from the troll's grip, soaring upwards before crashing down upon its head with a thud. The boggart, now in the guise of a troll, exhibited the creature's supposed vulnerability, collapsing in a heap.
The room erupted in applause as the students realized the ease with which the creature had been subdued. Lockhart, seizing the moment, declared, "As expected under my tutelage, John Wick has performed admirably. Ten points to Slytherin!"
This class marked a departure from the previously lackluster sessions. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as the boggart, continuing to assume the form of a troll, was repeatedly outwitted. By the end of the class, the students' opinions of Lockhart had taken a turn for the better, now regarding him as a competent instructor.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
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