A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 69: Trouble at Hogwarts

In the following two days, the campus remained calm on the surface, but beneath the surface, hidden currents were stirring.

Rita Skeeter had focused all her firepower on Professor Lockhart, and after many years, the two of them were once again engaged in a battle of words in the newspapers.

Both were renowned authors with massive reader bases, making their feud the hottest news of the moment.

In the small print of the newspapers, sporadic doubts about Dumbledore's inability to handle the Chamber of Secrets attack began to appear. Felix Harp sensed the scent of a conspiracy within it.

Thinking back to the conversation between Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall in the Chamber, he almost understood what was going on.

It was probably just a ploy by some pureblood families to launch a propaganda offensive, aiming to bring down Dumbledore. But it would all be in vain; the basilisk was already dead, though its demise hadn't been disclosed.

If Dumbledore wanted to fish for more, to permanently resolve the trouble, so be it; Felix wasn't interested in the matter.

In the final class before the holidays, he held a piece of parchment given to him by Professor McGonagall, delivering some points to note.

"Do not perform magic outside the school grounds, and do not bring your magical instruments home. You know what I mean."

Laughter rippled among the young wizards below.

At noon, as Felix entered the Great Hall, he unexpectedly spotted Lockhart standing by the doorway. He was about to pretend not to see him, but Lockhart grabbed his arm.

"Professor Lockhart?" Felix had to halt his steps.

Lockhart's expression was uneasy as he said, "Professor Harp, we need to talk."

The two of them walked into a shadowy corner of the entrance hall.

"Professor Harp, given that we are colleagues, you must help me out. Skeeter is driving me mad!

She's spreading crazy rumors in the newspapers, desperately tarnishing my reputation. She even accused me of fabricating my adventurous experiences. Good heavens! What an absurd notion!"

Felix gazed at him with a peculiar expression.

"Indeed, you find it outrageous, don't you? Just because I have a splendid appearance doesn't mean you should doubt me. I'm not the sort who banishes malevolent spirits with a smile!" He irritably cleared his throat.

"Professor Lockhart," Felix interrupted his words, "please get to the point directly."

"Oh, ah... Well, it's like this—" his tone became hesitant, "I believe that our public quarrel doesn't need to consume public resources. Perhaps we could communicate privately... negotiate a resolution..."

"But what does that have to do with me?"

"Come on, Professor Harp. I understand what kind of person she is. She won't let you off easily in her eyes; you're an excellent source of news material for her!" Lockhart said shrewdly, "In my opinion, you must have contacted some influential figure to deal with her..."

Felix thought, you're quite the talent, to come up with this line of thinking.

He declined, saying, "I'm not acquainted with her. However, I happened to hear Headmaster Dumbledore mention that the school will announce major news before and after the holidays. Some reporters will be invited, and she might come as well."

"Really?" Lockhart's eyes lit up, "I need to talk to Dumbledore... Thank you very much, Professor Harp. If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to come to me. I've heard you're well-versed in ancient magic; coincidentally, I possess some knowledge in that area."

"We'll see," Felix said, his enthusiasm waning.

Lockhart didn't notice Felix Harp's demeanor. He cheerfully bid farewell, seemingly intent on heading directly to see Dumbledore.

"Oh, by the way, Professor Lockhart, I've heard about your wand..." He wanted to inquire, when Dumbledore handed over the wand, whether he also cleaned off the smell from it.

Felix was quite curious about it.

"Ah, you've heard, haven't you? Dreadful behavior, if you ask me. Locking him in solitary confinement for a month would be a light punishment... that reckless Weasley."

Meanwhile, Ron stormed back into the common room, fuming.

"You shouldn't have stopped me, Harry—" Ron said, having just had another argument with Percy.

Harry didn't feel great about it either. They had, after all, vanquished the basilisk in the Chamber, but at Dumbledore's request, they had to endure a few more days to delay the honor until the new term began.

This meant that his situation hadn't improved significantly, and Ron was even facing a detention.

Nevertheless, Harry tried to console Ron, saying, "Look on the bright side. If all goes well, after Christmas, we can see Malfoy get what he deserves. We'll solve all the troubles at once!"

His words eased Ron's heart. "You're right. I really hope Christmas comes quickly."

He then exclaimed with excitement, "Harry, that's the Special Services to the School Award. No one in our family has ever gotten one, not even Bill! When we get the trophy, I'm definitely smashing it in Percy's face."

On the other side of the table, Hermione had been writing and drawing on parchment, not participating in their discussion.

"Hermione, what are you doing?"

Hermione looked up from her parchment with a sigh. "I'm planning the reconstruction of the beadwork pouch. Oh, it's so difficult."

Harry asked her with interest, "Is that the pouch that releases the Devil's Snare?"

"Exactly. The basilisk in the Chamber caused some damage to it. I applied to Professor Harp for permission to independently repair it. But it's much more troublesome than I imagined, even though I watched the professor make it from start to finish..."

Harry couldn't help but ask more, and the young witch enthusiastically provided them both with a basic introduction to ancient magical symbols. Harry and Ron found themselves a bit overwhelmed and mutually changed the subject.

In the evening, Felix Harp took out his journal and began to write and sketch again.

"Hagrid has been taken away. I don't know if I did the right thing." Felix wrote, of course, this was just a diversion. In the afternoon, he had rechecked the prepared Christmas gifts, which included Hagrid's gift.

The journal displayed flowing, elegant handwriting, "You're doing the right thing. Believe me, the attacks will stop, and you are the greatest hero."

Felix remained "unmoved," saying, "I won't easily believe your words. I'll remain vigilant!"

"Of course, if another attack happens, you can always turn me in," the journal wrote.

Felix changed his tone, "I'm curious, how were you created? Keep in mind that your vessel is just an ordinary book, yet it carries memories spanning half a century!"

The journal wasn't opposed to this question; in fact, it seemed quite welcoming. Let's chat, and let your inner thoughts open up to me...

The pages quickly filled with a cascade of eloquent words, "That involves incredibly complex magic. If you're interested, I'll tell you everything I know."

So, with one person and one journal, the exchange began in a harmonious and friendly atmosphere.

Initially, they discussed relatively shallow topics, but after Felix pointed out errors a few times, the journal had to present more profound material. However, it was also quite clever, often excusing key points with "I didn't infuse this information back then."

That night, Felix acquired part of the technique to store memories on regular objects and some surface-level knowledge about bloodlines.

At the end of the exchange, the journal strongly recommended a "mind-relaxing technique" to him, assuring that it had an amplifying effect on magical powers...

After locking the journal, Felix couldn't help but mutter, "I don't trust you for a second."

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