Capter 14: Bye, Bye Lockhart
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The recognizable parts belong to JKR
Chapter 14
February 14th. 1993
Two weeks had passed since Harry's discovery of the Salazar's quarters and his first-ever ritual. The day after was quite hilarious:
Flashback
Harry woke up the morning of February 1st still feeling the aftermath of his ritual. His entire body felt sore and weak. He skipped his workout today in favor of an even larger breakfast to get his strength back.
As Harry entered the Great Hall, the usual whispers could be heard whenever his fellow students saw him. This time however there were some additions.
"Where are his glasses?"
"How did he fix his eyesight? Is he wearing muggle contact lenses?"
"His eyes are even prettier than before"
He chuckled at the last comment from a fourth-year Hufflepuff and helped himself to some bacon and eggs. After charms class Flitwick had kept him a bit longer under the pretense to discuss Harry's latest homework:
"Mr. Potter, it has been over a month since we had our first duel and I promised you I would share my decision regarding my role as a mentor for the dueling championship.
I am proud to share that I am pleased with your progress. I can see a lot of potential in you and I would be honored to be your future consultant and advisor when it comes to anything dueling-related."
"Thank you, Professor Flitwick, it would be an honor to continue my studies under you!" Harry replied honestly.
"I am also glad you chose to fix the obvious disadvantage of your glasses. Make no mistake, Mr. Potter, I can feel the powerful residual magic of whatever spell you performed. It is none of my business what you get up to and how you chose to improve your body. Rituals are an inherent part of goblin culture. Just remember that our esteemed Headmaster might interpret your ambitions differently!"
Harry thanked the Charms Master for his warning and left the classroom. He would try to avoid Dumbledore for as long as the residual magic around him was that easily traceable.
End of the Flashback
Luckily for him, he had managed to avoid Dumbledore so far, in large part thanks to his map. Just as planned, his daily routine now involved an eight-hour time travel each day. Harry was glad for the extra time this provided but felt his body's need to adjust to his long days. Even with all his mind exercises he still needed a couple of hours more sleep now.
The eight additional productive hours were therefore offset by two hours of additional sleep each day. The tradeoff was still very rewarding and Harry slowly became used to his routine.
Today was Valentine's Day and Lockhart humiliated himself by his choice of clothing and hiring some midgets to share Valentine's massages all around the Castle. Harry received several anonymous messaging between his first two classes and chose to wear his cloak afterward to avoid Amor's little helpers for the rest of the day. His last class of the day was DADA and Harry would try to convince Lockhart to restart the dueling club.
Lockhart's class on Valentine's Day was as unpleasant as ever. For today, he had decided to include some additional romance in his role-playing acts. Harry just tried to survive by any means possible and thanked Merlin when the bell finally rang. He made his way to the front of the class. It was Showtime!
"Professor Lockhart, I was hoping you could give me some advice."
"Harry, my boy, out with it! What can I help my favorite student with?"
"I am not used to being a public person and all the press and celebrity issues. I was hoping you could mentor me and give me some tips."
Lockhart flashed him a bright white smile: "You came to the right person for that, let me tell you! I am perhaps the most sought-after celebrity in all of Britain. My name is in the mouth of every witch and wizard. Of course, you and Professor Dumbledore are a close second and third place, but I think I can teach you some of the secrets to how I handle my fame so well!"
Harry almost had to vomit at the thought of private tutoring from Lockhart, but he sends his most charming smile right back:
"That would be great Professor! You see I would love to continue dueling and the famous sport has a lot of press involved. Maybe while we are at it, you could also continue the dueling club from last semester. I certainly enjoyed your experience in the subject, and I am sure I could learn even more from you!"
Lockhart seemed slightly nervous at the thought, but the prospect of the public seeing him spending time with The-Boy-Who-Lived pushed his insecurities aside.
"Of course, Harry! I will make the announcement tonight at dinner! I always enjoy sharing my knowledge with those less fortunate!"
Harry thanked the fraud and made his way out of the classroom as quickly as possible. It was time to go down into the Chamber and use the Time-Turner.
"How are you doing my heir?" Salazar greeted him as he opened the door to his quarters.
"I am doing fine, thanks, Sal. Everything is going according to plan. Lockhart will announce the dueling club tonight and I will embarrass him at the next meeting by challenging him to a duel."
"Perfect, what about your classes?"
Harry took the time turner and span the little wheel eight times. He watched as the clock on the wall rotated backward and paused at 7 am in the morning. His other self would arrive here right after Lockhart's classes this afternoon shortly after 3 pm. He would have eight hours down in the Chamber to study and practice magic.
"Sorry, I just used the Time-Turner… but you had asked about my classes. Classes are going well. Transfiguration is getting more interesting with the extra topics McGonagall assigned to me. I improved my animation skills quite a bit. My animated sword was quickly beaten by McGonagall in our mock duel, but she was very impressed by my progress."
"Perfect! Make sure you remain diligent in all your classes! Today we will begin the preparations for your next ritual. If you continue using the Time-Turner as before. Your magical 13th birthday will occur almost 2 months earlier, by the end of May.
You will need all the ingredients by that point! I would like you to get a better understanding of ritualistic magic, so today we will dive into the theory and history of it."
Harry nodded his understanding. Salazar's history lessons were much more interesting than Binn's. According to his mentor, ritualistic magic was one of the oldest kinds of magic, before witches and wizards started using wands or brooms or other fancy stuff.
It originated in Egypt where the old tombs there held priceless magical knowledge, forgotten by most. Runes were the basis for ritualistic magic. Today the three runic languages available to the magical world, were Hebraic, Scandinavian, and Egyptian runes. Unfortunately, the current Hogwarts curriculum only taught the latest.
Salazar continued telling Harry about the history of rituals and the different areas of use. How it was labeled a dark practice during the Middle Ages and why almost all rituals are forbidden in most European countries, due to the drastic consequences if they go wrong.
Harry took notes and asked questions in between. Together they set up a plan for Harry's future rituals. On his 13th birthday, he would do the cleansing ritual that would erase any and all traces of the abuse and malnutrition he suffered from in his past.
This would be followed by a ritual to improve his physical appearances, like any imbalances in his body or his facial symmetry. Harry did not care much about it, but according to Salazar it would be very valuable in the future, be it for charming people or just reducing some of the less pleasant aspects of puberty. Riddle had performed the ritual as well and his handsome features opened him many doors while still being at Hogwarts.
Next up there would be three rituals, each within a duration of a month.
The first one, the Physical-Ritual, would improve his physical body. It might lead to another growth spurt and improve his overall body composition. Thanks to the ritual it would be easier to stay in shape and his physical stamina, as well as reflexes, will improve immensely according to Salazar. This ritual would certainly be helpful in any duel.
Next up there would be the Mind-Ritual. It would improve Harry's memory and Occlumency shields as well as enhancing his creativity and problem-solving skills.
Finally, there would be the Magic-Ritual. It would help him connect to his magic, increasing his magical core and endurance. His degree of power and control over his spell work would be more fine-tuned and able to handle more powerful spells.
The second to last ritual was to be a Healing-Ritual. It would decrease the time it took his body to heal smaller injuries whilst also decreasing the recovery time for both his physical stamina and magical core.
Last but not least he would perform a final ritual to combine the effects and features of all the previous rituals. This would enable him to truly perform at his best and optimize the link between his body, mind, and magic.
According to Salazar, it was a very ambitious and expensive plan. They will be able to use some of the Basilisk ingredients, but most would have to be sold to gather the finances for some other materials. Salazar chuckled when Harry mentioned that he now had an extra 10.000 galleons thanks to the Malfoys, which Harry could also invest in some magically powerful ingredients.
After finishing their planning Harry made his way back to dinner. As promised, Lockhart announced the reinstatement of the Dueling Club, which was positively received by the majority of the students, if only for the additional drama and action it provided. The next session would be held the following night.
February 15th 1993
Harry made his way down to the Great Hall for tonight's dueling session. His plan was simple: confront Lockhart in front of the entire student body and embarrass him. A simple plan especially when it became clear that he couldn't perform a single spell.
The Great Hall looked just like last time, with a large platform in the middle. Apparently, Lockhart couldn't convince Snape to assist a second time, so instead Flitwick stood at the edge of the platform and greeted a couple of the entering students.
Lockhart greeted the crowd when it was time to begin:
"Hello and welcome back all! Since the dueling club has proven to be such a success after the last meeting…" He flashed Harry a bright smile, which the entire hall noticed, "…I was convinced by one of your fellow students to continue the club and therefore welcome you all to the second meeting!"
"I have gone over a brief program with my assistant Professor Flitwick, and we decided to continue teaching you the disarming and shield charm tonight! Isn't that existing?
Now let's start the night with a brief demonstration! Could I have a volunteer?"
Harry instantly raised his wand and stepped forward in the crowd. This might be even easier than he had expected.
"Very good, Harry! You don't need to be of house Gryffindor to show some courage, am I right? Now Harry, I would like you to practice the disarming and shield charm with my assistant for tonight, Professor Flitwick!"
Flitwick shot Harry a friendly smile and a wink. Disarming and shield charms were nothing compared to the spells they started using during their last couple of practice duels.
"Professor Lockhart, actually I was hoping for you to help me out with my shield charm. I am sure you have an even deeper understanding of the theory AND the practice since Professor Flitwick is only assisting you tonight." Harry asked with his most charming smile.
Flitwick grinned, having caught on with what the boy was trying to provoke as did many of the Slytherins. Once again Potter's nickname in the house of the Serpents proved well deserved.
"Sure Harry, that won't be an issue. As you all know after reading my books, I am a prodigy when it comes to Defense against the Dark Arts. After all, I was awarded the Order of Merlin, third class, and I am an Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League!"
"Thank you so much, Professor, I am sure an Order for the Second or even First Class is well on its way!"
At this, the crowd started chuckling as even more students caught on in what Harry was trying to archive. Lockhart seemed oblivious:
"You are most likely correct, Harry, let's take position and make sure I share some of my invaluable knowledge, I will of course not hurt you, my young friend!"
They each took positions at the opposite ends of the dueling platform.
"Now Harry, what can I help you with?"
This is exactly where Harry had wanted him…
"I would like you to test my shield with your strongest disarming charm, Professor!"
Lockhart seemed nervous:
"Are you sure Harry, that is quite an advanced and dangerous spell after all. I am not sure if I should cast it on my students…"
Sweat started building upon his forehead. This was not what he had imagined the night to go.
"Don't worry Professor, my shield will hold! I just want to test its endurance!"
Lockhart seemed even more nervous at that:
"Very well then Harry, prepare yourself, this might hurt!"
"Expellus!" Lockhart shouted.
Nothing happened… The idiot didn't even know the correct incantation!
"Sir, that isn't the correct incantation, Professor." A fifth-year Ravenclaw spoke up incredulously.
Lockhart was sweating even more now:
"Yes... of course, Mr. Stein… take five points if you can give me the correct incantation! I already know it, of course, I am simply trying to test my students, after all!"
"It's 'Expelliarmus', Sir! I am sure you are familiar with the wand movement…" the Ravenclaw mentions sarcastically.
"Yes of course!... Errr…
"Expelliarmus!" Lockhart shouted, waving his wand like a lasso above his head.
Nothing happened again. At this, some of the students couldn't hold their laughter any longer. Even Flitwick started giggling behind his hand. Harry took his chance:
"Professor, how come you can't even perform a simple disarming charm? Don't you mention in your book that you disarmed five opponents at the same time whilst also defeating a vampire?"
Lockhart gulped.
"How about a Stunner then, Professor? In 'Wanderings with Werewolves' it is mentioned that you stunned a giant of a Werewolf with one single stunner?"
Lockhart looked at the now curious crowd:
"Well, you see, Harry. Those books were written some time ago… I am not sure if…"
"What about your Stinging Hex, that was so powerful, that the Banshee never bothered you again afterward? Was it as powerful as this?"
Harry shot an overpowered Stinging Hex at Lockhart, who had no time to react. He was hit in his abdomen and released a high, almost girlish, cry of pain.
Harry continued:
"It must have been even more powerful than mine, otherwise you would be a fraud, wouldn't you?"
He sends another stinging hex at Lockhart, which hits the man on his wand arm.
"Could it be, that every single one of your adventures is fake? Could it be that you wrote those books yourself, as you seem unable to perform something as a simple Disarming Curse?"
The entire hall was silent now. Lockhart was sobbing on the platform, holding his tummy and wand arm.
"You are a fraud Professor Lockhart, and it would do you best to never return to this school under the pretense of being a teacher!"
With that, Harry used a Leg-Locker, on the Professor, followed up by a full body bind. Just for show, he finished Lockhart off with a perfect Stunner and summoned his wand with a beautifully executed disarming charm.
"That is how you disarm an opponent! Class dismissed!"
With that, Harry stepped off the platform and made his way across to the entrance. A couple of the upper-year students that were clearly tired of Lockhart cheered and even clapped for him. He didn't do it for them.
Harry made his way to the staircase but was stopped by an enraged Hermione Granger. She must have been healed from her state of petrification a couple of days ago. Too bad, it had been such a quiet and enjoyable time without her constant bickering.
The girl almost had tears in her eye:
"You just attacked and injured a professor! I will have you expelled for this!"
"Get out of my way Granger, before I make you!"
"You will not hurt or kill any more teachers or students at Hogwarts. I won't let you!" The girl screamed while pulling her wand, Longbottom doing the same.
Weasley, Harry noticed, reluctantly stayed away from the confrontation. Maybe saving his sister decreased the boy's eagerness to confront Harry.
"Ron, help us!" Granger hissed. "Together we will stop him this time!"
"I don't want to get involved in this, Hermione, leave me out of it!"
"First smart thing I have heard you say in while, Weasley. Now if you could please get your dorks back on their leash, I would appreciate it!"
That comment was too much for Granger. The girl fired a Body-Bind at him, which Harry easily sidestepped. Longbottom's Leg-Locker missed him completely. The boy had terrible aim.
"Enough! What is going on here?" Flitwick interrupted the little duel.
"Professor, I confronted Potter for hurting another teacher and he attacked us!"
"Is that true, Mr. Potter?" Flitwick asked amused.
"Granger, Longbottom, and Weasley stopped me after I finished my sanctioned duel with Professor Lockhart! Granger and Longbottom pulled their wands on me. I would like to mention that Weasley stayed out of it and even made an attempt to advise against attacking me.
Granger and Longbottom ignored him and attacked me. I have not fired a single spell since my duel with Lockhart. You may check my wand and see for yourself, Professor."
Flitwick took Harry's wand and a simple Priori Incantatem proved his story. His last spell was the Disarming Charm on Lockhart's wand. Granger and Longbottom were found to have both cast a spell.
"That will be 50 points from Gryffindor each for attacking a student and lying to a professor. You will also be assigned two weeks of detention with me. I am very disappointed in you, Ms. Granger, you were such a promising student. Mr. Weasley, take five points for staying out of it. You did the right thing. Good night students!"
April 28th 1993
Over two months had passed since the last time Gilderoy Lockhart was seen in the Castle. According to the rumors, he had been sent to the hospital wing after his duel with Potter and disappeared the next morning without anyone knowing. Madam Pomfrey couldn't find her patient in his bed the next day, his quarters were empty, and his trunk and personal belongings gone.
To occupy the missing post of the DADA teacher, Dumbledore took over the classes for the 5th to 7th-year students since they had to prepare for OWLs and NEWTs. He also assigned some 7th-years from every house to teach the respective years one to four from each house.
Dumbledore was happy with his solution and secretly thanked Harry for getting rid of Lockhart. He of course knew the man was a fraud when employing him, but there were simply no other applicants.
Once again Dumbledore was lost in thought about his raven-haired, green-eyed student. The latter physical feature had changed a bit at some point in the last couple of weeks as the Headmaster had noticed that the child stopped wearing his glasses.
According to the portraits, which all reported back to the Headmaster, Harry had told whoever asked, that he ordered some muggle contact glasses, to mitigate the disadvantage of glasses in a duel. He himself had not seen the boy close enough yet, to actually determine whether contact lenses were involved or not.
Something was going on with the boy. He was absolutely sure of it. And it must have started aro