Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 423, Section 421: The Cat That Gained Fat

A short while later, there was a knock on the door of the Defense Against the Dark Arts office.

"Professor Lockhart, are you there?"

Hermione calmed her nerves and greeted him like a shy little witch.

"Come in, my dear Miss Granger, I'm preparing for the next lesson."

Lockhart was holding a copy of "I Am Magical," and Hermione was convinced he'd rather be styling his hair than preparing for the next lesson.

"Professor, we've formed a small support group not far away, and we hope you can come and visit..."

Hermione said, following the plan.

"Ah, my good assistant."

Lockhart flashed what he thought was a charming smile, then pretended to be deep in thought.

Hermione thought he would eventually agree, but then she added:
"Professor, could you bring at least fifty autographed photos...? I think everyone..."

Her words interrupted Lockhart's pretentious contemplation.

"Fifty... Thank you for reminding me, my dear Miss Granger. Yes, it is an important matter."

To be honest, this seems a bit arrogant. But one day, you too will be like me, needing to carry a stack of photos everywhere you go.

He chuckled.

"Everyone is looking forward to your arrival."

Hermione felt disgusted, but she still pretended to be shy and said...

"What a pity, dear Granger, you should have come sooner. I've been researching an ancient and powerful magic lately."

This is an incredibly important spell; after all, my mission is to teach you how to defend against the most evil things known throughout the magical world.

Lockhart said with a forced smile.

Hermione was startled, and then she felt cold sweat seeping from the back of her neck.

How could she forget!

Tomorrow is the weekend, the day of the Duel Club event.

Professor Snape, who has been in a terrible temper lately, has been giving Lockhart a hard time, and Lockhart is trying to find a way to escape!
How did I end up giving him such a great opportunity?

"Oh, okay, I'll explain it to them, everyone will understand..."

Hermione pretended to be very disappointed, but in reality, she was heartbroken.

The plan was going to be postponed, she thought, but Lockhart would agree after the weekend.

But she needed to find a way to preserve the truth serum, and she could only ask Sheen for help.

Tell him about it.

At that moment, a very low voice sounded, controlled by a special magic that could only be heard by wizards in a very small area.

Just like now, only Hermione heard Sheehan's words.

Are you sure, Sheen?

Hermione pretended to be disappointed and muttered to herself, then asked Sheehan.

"Ah."

Sheen's voice was very soft.

"I understand."

Hermione answered.

As Lockhart smiled at Hermione, Hermione suddenly looked up and said, feigning annoyance:
“That’s a real shame, Professor Lockhart. We went to great lengths to get Mr. Hermes here.”

He accepted our invitation because he was asked by the International Alchemist Association to publish a book on alchemy.

He also wants to ask you for advice on how to write a book—”

Hermione sighed, then stole a glance at Lockhart.

"What did you say?"

Lockhart stood up.

“That gentleman sent us an email, and you see, he had it delivered by owl along with it.”

Hermione pulled out a small cookie with a purring cat head on it. "Oh, of course—oh dear, of course, he should be looking for me."

Six consecutive months at the top of the bestseller list—what an unprecedented achievement! I have to go, I have to go…”

Lockhart paced back and forth in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Six months ago, Dumbledore approached him, offered him a job at Hogwarts, and hinted that he could teach Harry, who was then a second-year student, and that being Harry's teacher would bring him more popularity than doing anything else.

So he hesitated for a while before accepting the job.

Now, he won't let the opportunity slip by either.

He thought that becoming Harry Potter's teacher would make him famous enough, but he never expected that he would even have the chance to be included in the Chocolate Frog cards.

Just imagine, what title the wizarding world will give him after this book is published...

It's really exciting.

"Of course, I need to guide him, that's undeniable, and only I can do it. So, Miss Granger, the best student in the entire grade, can you tell me, where is my Hel... support team?"

Lockhart wore an exaggerated smile.

"I'll take you there right now!"

Hermione pursed her lips, then quickly recovered.

She knew all along that this guy was someone who would do anything for fame, but seeing him so brazen, she still almost couldn't hide her contempt.

Lockhart followed Hermione out of the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, excited yet somewhat skeptical.

In this office, several portraits of Lockhart are praising him.

"You will become the most famous wizard!"

Lockhart, who is drawing, said in a photo.

"The wise respect their teachers!"

"I'm watering it," Lockhart said.

"The greatest wizard!"

Lockhart said, bowing.

These words completely clouded Lockhart's judgment; he felt radiant and full of hope for the future.

Evening, in the corridor.

This place has always been frequented only by members of the Castle Cat Club. Now, when they pass by the black cat statue, they can see little wizards carrying various dried fish for blessings.

Their dried fish always disappeared the next day, and Hermione once noticed Mrs. Lorris enjoying it unceremoniously in a corner.

She gained a lot of weight, going from skinny to a normal size, though now she's starting to look a bit like a fat cat.

As the wizard who led the feeding, Hannah showed no sign of annoyance; her eyes sparkled as she said:
"Mrs. Lorris is the caretaker of the castle, and the real Hogwarts Castle is the Cat of Good Fortune. How can we interrupt its beloved servant's meal?"

Hermione thought that the little wizard might be doing a good deed for the day.

Therefore, she let it go.

Passing the castle's cat statue, and climbing a few more floors, you'll find the tapestry of the troll beating Barnabas right across the way.

Lockhart looked left and right, but couldn't find a place to gather.

"Professor, please wait a few seconds."

Hermione quickly said.

She walked back and forth in the corridor three times, and then a large door appeared.

Hermione's body trembled slightly as she gripped the brass handle.

She was too nervous.

What if Justin can't concentrate?
What if Justin dials the wrong number?
What if Lockhart realizes what's happening?
Finally, her eyes hardened; they had sworn an oath to trust their companion.

Her eyes became very sharp, just like Professor McGonagall's.

"Everyone is waiting for you, including Mr. Hermes. Please come in quickly, Professor Lockhart."

she says.

(End of this chapter)