At breakfast on Valentine's Day, everyone quickly discovered how Lockhart planned to "boost morale." The walls were draped with enormous, garish pink flowers, and heart-shaped confetti continually rained down from the pale blue ceiling.
Augustus walked across the Great Hall to the Slytherin table. "What's going on?" he asked Malfoy, whose face twisted in distaste. Malfoy gestured toward the staff table, clearly too nauseated to speak.
Lockhart stood there, dressed in flamboyant pink robes that matched the decorations. He waved his hands to quiet the students. Most of the other teachers looked deeply unhappy. From where Augustus sat, he could see a muscle twitching in Professor McGonagall's cheek. Snape looked like he'd just swallowed a mouthful of undiluted firewhiskey.
"Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!" Lockhart announced. "So far, I've received forty-six valentines! My heartfelt thanks to those kind souls!" Beaming, he continued, "But I've also prepared a little surprise for all of you—though that's not all!"
With a clap of his hands, twelve dour-looking dwarfs marched in from the entrance hall. They were unlike typical dwarfs, as Lockhart had outfitted them with golden wings and harps strapped to their backs.
"My friendly, card-carrying cupids!" Lockhart proclaimed with delight. "Today, they'll be delivering valentines all over the school! But there's more fun to be had! Why not ask Professor Snape to teach you how to brew love potions? If you're interested, Professor Flitwick knows more about enchantments than any wizard I've ever met. That crafty old fox!"
Professor Flitwick buried his face in his hands. Judging by his expression, Snape would likely force-feed poison to anyone foolish enough to ask him about love potions.
The school was soon filled with dwarfs delivering cards. Every student receiving one would retreat to a quiet corner to read it, smiling shyly. To Augustus's mild irritation, he seemed to be the most popular recipient, with dwarfs relentlessly shoving cards into his hands. By his estimate, he had received seventy or eighty intricate valentines. Loki, standing nearby, was also catching some of the overflow, having received twenty or thirty cards himself.
"Mr. Augustus, here's a singing valentine for you!" one dwarf announced, readying his harp.
A crowd of students gathered to watch, eager for entertainment. Augustus, however, had grown weary of the incessant attention. His face darkened as he responded coldly, "I don't have time for this. Step aside."
The dwarf, undeterred, reached out to grab Augustus's black robe. Loki's amber eyes flashed with a dangerous gleam. With a flick of his wand, an icy blue beam shot out, freezing the dwarf in place.
"This is just a warning. If you try anything else, you won't be so lucky next time," Loki said icily, exuding a chilling aura that made nearby students scatter. Augustus shook his head and turned to leave. The school had descended into chaos under Lockhart's antics, and he could no longer tolerate the atmosphere.
"Loki!" A voice called from down the hall. Augustus and Loki turned to see Percy Weasley striding toward them, looking self-important.
"No magic in the corridors! I'll have to report this—you know that!" Percy declared smugly.
Loki scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. "Percy Weasley, the great prefect of the Weasley clan, dares to meddle in my affairs? Do you realize that many of the school rules were established by the Adams and Julius families? Do you honestly think you have the authority to use those rules against me? How laughable."
"Well," Percy faltered slightly upon noticing Augustus but pressed on, "casting magic in the corridor is against the rules. Professor Dumbledore won't overlook this, even for your family's sake. Just wait and see."
Augustus, his demeanor calm, stepped in before Loki could escalate the situation. "Prefect Weasley, you're right. We shouldn't have done that. It won't happen again."
Percy was taken aback by Augustus's measured response and nodded quickly. "Well, since you've said so, Augustus, we'll let it slide this time. But see that it doesn't happen again, Loki."
Loki's expression shifted, his scoff barely restrained. Before he could retort, Augustus raised a hand, signaling him to let it go.
"Very well, we'll take our leave," Augustus said politely, nodding to Percy before walking away with Loki.
Percy watched them go, a pleased smile on his face. Muttering to himself, he said, "Now that is the poise of a true heir to a noble family. Loki could learn a thing or two from Augustus. If I could establish ties with the Julius family, it might greatly benefit my future."
As they walked, Loki grumbled, "Why didn't you let me deal with him? Percy's arrogance is insufferable. With our family's strength and influence, why should we tolerate someone like him? He needs to learn his place."
Augustus replied calmly, "Loki, you place too much emphasis on family honor. That mindset can become a shackle, trapping you at a certain level. Broaden your perspective, and you'll see that people like Percy aren't worth your energy. Wasting time on petty rivalries and family politics will only detract from your magical progress. Remember, progress in magic is like rowing upstream: if you're not moving forward, you're falling behind. Focus on your true purpose, and don't let illusions distract you. Stay true to your soul."
Want to read the chapters in Advance? Join my Patreon
https://patreon.com/Glimmer09