What did Lockhart see in this stack of information?
He saw the list of all the people he had used the Amnesia Spell on, as well as their recent situation. Of course, there were also their experiences of being stolen by him.
He flipped the pages faster and faster, and the rustling sounds of the pages rubbing against each other could be heard. It was as if he wanted to use this kind of unconscious action to eliminate the fear in his heart.
Losing his reputation and falling from the altar. Once this dark history was exposed, it would be enough to turn him from a hero revered by thousands to a stray dog hated by everyone. As for the latest heroic deed, it was natural that no one would believe it, not to mention that it was fake.
He trembled as he flipped to the last page, only to see a sentence written in pitch-black ink: "Take care of yourself." His gaze seemed to be sucked in by these few words, and the dignified voice of an old man rang in his ears. It was like a clap of thunder, and some blurred memory fragments pierced into his mind at the same time, setting off waves after waves of frenzied waves.
With a quiver, Lockhart, who was sitting on the bed, came back to his senses. He carefully thought about the image that appeared in his mind just now, and at the same time, he carefully pondered over the warning that he had been given.
Lockhart recalled that bewitching notebook. He saw Dumbledore showing off his invincible might in the secret room. He saw himself in a coma, as well as the female student who worshipped him, Hermione, and the male student who gave him the whiskey, Malfoy.
"Why did he give this credit to me?" Lockhart pondered.
He recalled the abnormal enthusiasm of the reporters just now. For someone like him who had been through hundreds of battles and had fought with reporters countless times, this incident could be big or small. However, the reporters were so abnormal that he smelled the scent of a "conspiracy."
"That's right, that's it." Lockhart had a flash of inspiration. He obtained an explanation that he thought was incomparably reasonable, and in fact, this was indeed part of the reason.
Dumbledore's own reputation had reached the peak. As the greatest white magician in the world who had defeated Grindelwald, defeating the Basilisk would not surprise anyone at all. The students and teachers would only think that it was natural. "Oh, the professor defeated a Basilisk, and the school returned to normal."
But if it was him, it would be different.
The more Lockhart thought about it, the more he felt that Dumbledore was unfathomable.
It was also saving the world. If everyone felt that the hero had done it with little effort, their gratitude would not be as deep. On the contrary, if the hero had paid a considerable price for it, people's reverence would be quite fervent.
He was someone who had "sacrificed a lot" for this matter.
I don't know how Dumbledore found out about my true level, but he used it as an excuse to publicize my achievements and give me a decent excuse to leave the school.
Thinking of this, Lockhart was grateful and in awe of Dumbledore.
As for why Dumbledore would spend so much effort to arrange this, Hartson also thought about it. If he remembered correctly, the little girl named Hermione was a Muggle Bloodline Wizard. If the teachers at the school risked their own lives to save such a student, it would set off a storm in public opinion, once again challenging those stubborn Bloodline Theorists in the wizarding world.
Wizards and Muggles should coexist peacefully. This was not only Dumbledore's idea, it was also what Hartley had always insisted on. Although Dumbledore lived up to his name and was the most respected wizard, Hartley was just an idiot who deceived the world.
Thinking of this, Hartson respected this old man who had the same ideals as him even more.
People who had experienced life and death would think more. Perhaps Hartson was suddenly enlightened, and part of his analysis was actually consistent with the truth.
However, people would always subconsciously forget memories that were unfavorable to them. Hartson obviously let go of himself as the initiator and calmly accepted the official explanation, ignoring the biggest possibility that he was controlled by the diary.
Well, perhaps Professor Dumbledore had done more things to his memory.
In short, the current Hartson might be tempted, but he still had to act according to Dumbledore's mood.
At this moment, he took a step back on the stage and said to the students below the stage, "You can let the headmaster answer this question. After all, Ron, you also said that this is just a rumor." Then, he returned his seat to Dumbledore.
"Ron, you are very well-informed." Dumbledore stroked his long beard and glanced at the students below the stage. The students all showed an excited expression. "However." Dumbledore changed the topic and pressed down with both hands. "You seem to be mistaken about one thing. Some magical creatures are more terrifying than Basilisks." Dumbledore's previous kind tone became serious.
The students then remembered that Basilisks were also a kind of magical creature. Perhaps in order to ensure their safety, the strength of the teacher must not be too weak. The students once again lowered their heads in disappointment.
However, Dumbledore then kept them in suspense. He continued, "Indeed, in the third grade next year, your magical biology teacher will retire. He is old and needs more time to continue to accompany his group of cute little guys." Dumbledore paused for a moment and adjusted his already crooked glasses. "Therefore, you will have a new teacher next semester, and it is likely to be someone you are familiar with. Please wait patiently."
Hearing this, Ron could only helplessly sit back on the chair.
Harry also made a very disappointed expression and pounded the table in front of him.
Obviously, they would not be able to see the scene of Snape, that old bat, being beaten up again. They actually still had some hope. Perhaps one day, as Lockhart continued to teach, his magic would recover and he would be able to "resume his position". That would be more convenient.
Back to the topic at hand, Lockhart continued with his "Heroic Deeds Report". With what he thought was Dumbledore's tacit approval, Lockhart did his best to exaggerate his deeds, which attracted applause from the students below the stage. Hermione, who was standing beside him, only felt waves of irritation and disgust for no reason.
Amidst the cheers, there were also some discordant voices that came from the Slytherin Academy. Every time Lockhart talked about the so-called "Lei Feng", there would be applause and cheers from other places, but here, there would be boos and jeers.
"He made it sound so powerful, but who is the one who has lost all his magic now?" They discussed animatedly.
"What a disgrace, sacrificing his own future to save a bumpkin." These voices were slightly softer, but still not few.
Dumbledore gave Snape a look, so Snape waved his loose robe, signaling his students to stop.
The dining table was still noisy, who did not know of Snape's favoritism towards their academy? It was still too early for them to really get angry by putting up such a show of obstruction. Perhaps Snape also hoped that they would do so, to avenge the humiliation of his defeat.
Most of the Slytherin students thought so.
Pan Xi sat beside Malfoy. She did not participate in any of the heckling. She looked at him quietly, afraid that his emotions would fluctuate even more. Today's gathering did not seem very pleasant. The more they praised the achievements of the 'heroes', the more pitiful the villains looked when they were being stepped on.
"Enough." Malfoy slammed the table, scaring Pan Sy. Just as she thought he was about to explode, Malfoy said something.
"If this continues, the Principal will not let Professor Snape remind us again. A loss is a loss, it is not a good habit to slander others behind their backs. What we need to do is to win back the next time." Malfoy used his own inaudible voice to say those words, but it just so happened to reach the ears of every Slythrin student. After hearing those words, the senior students had a whole new level of respect for him, not because his words made sense, but because it seemed to be a new kind of magic.
Although he had lost, it was still an honorable defeat. Malfoy's reputation in the academy had never been higher, and most people chose to listen to his arrangements. In comparison, Malfoy's words were much more effective than their Dean's.
Looking at the eloquent
Lockhart on the stage, Malfoy could only sigh in his heart.