Hogwarts' Golden Glory

Meanwhile, Lockhart, undeterred, kept pressing Fudge: "Minister, regarding the time for the next demonstration..."

"We'll talk about it later, sir!" Fudge practically fled.

The obese body pushed through the crowd and disappeared at the end of the corridor.

The banquet hall gradually returned to its usual bustling state, but the aftershocks of this farce were clearly still spreading.

Fleur Delacour had somehow appeared beside Kane, her silver hair gleaming coldly in the lamplight.

"You figured it out a long time ago." This is not a question.

Kane didn't deny it, but simply swirled his wine glass gently: "Politics is more dangerous than magic, Miss Delacour. Especially when the other party can't even be bothered to pretend."

Hibiscus narrowed her blue-purple eyes slightly: "I suspect that after tonight, Minister Fudge will reconsider his strategy against the Malfoy family."

"Perhaps." Kane's lips curled into a cold smile. "Or perhaps, he should be considering his career path."

Furong was somewhat confused; what did Kane mean by those words?

"Politics is like chess, Miss Delacour. Foolish opponents always walk into their own dead end."

Furong frowned slightly, as if she wanted to ask something else.

But Kane had already gracefully bowed: "Excuse me."

Watching his departing figure, Furong always felt that there was something more to his words.

There are too many mysteries surrounding this young man.

Why was he able to resist the Veela's allure? Why was he so disdainful of that jewel? And why did he say that Fudge should consider his "career"?

Back in her room, Furong tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

She took out the note Montclair had given her and checked the time again—midnight, north side rose garden.

When the clock struck 11:50, she quietly got up, changed into a silver-gray coat, and walked toward the rose garden.

A gentle night breeze caressed the blue roses as they swayed in the moonlight.

Hibiscus hid behind a clump of lush roses, waiting for Montclair to appear.

However, what first caught their eye was a familiar figure—Kane Malfoy?

He appeared furtively beside the pavilion, holding the "Starry Sky Sapphire" in his hands!

Fleur's eyes widened in surprise—a stark contrast to Kane's earlier dismissive attitude.

"Kane?" she couldn't help but whisper.

The fake Kane turned around abruptly, a hint of panic flashing across his face.

Furong keenly noticed that something seemed off about the other person.

Especially when you see your own expression.

"Miss Delacour," his voice was strained, "it's so late..."

Just as Furong was about to step forward to ask, a sudden, exaggerated shout broke the silence of the night.

"Stop! Thief!"

Lockhart suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Her golden braids swung in the air, and her peacock blue robe shimmered in the moonlight.

He brandished his wand, striking an exaggerated dueling pose: "I, Gilderoy Lockhart, a third-class sergeant of the Order of Merlin, will not allow you to steal the Ministry of Magic's treasures!"

The fake Kane visibly flinched, his eyes darting around in a panic.

Fleur frowned—the real Kane would never show such a cowardly expression.

"Immediately imprison them!" Lockhart shouted, waving his wand.

However, only a few pitiful sparks shot out from the tip of the wand, not even touching the hem of the fake Kane's clothes.

Lockhart cleared his throat awkwardly: "Uh... looks like a stronger spell is needed!"

"I'm fainting!" He tried again.

This time, the wand emitted a puff of pink smoke, causing the user to cough violently.

The fake Kane seemed to have recovered from his initial shock, and a mocking smile appeared on his lips.

Clutching the jewel, he turned to flee.

"Wait!" Fleur drew her wand. "Reveal your true form..."

"Armor Protection!" Lockhart suddenly stepped in front of her, interrupting her spell. "Don't worry, lady! Let me protect you!"

In the midst of this chaos, the fake Kane had already rushed deep into the Rose Garden.

Fleur tried to chase after him, but Lockhart blocked her way.

"That's too dangerous!" He waved his arms exaggeratedly. "It's definitely not the real person. After all, how could a mere wizard possibly possess such a spell? It's probably a dark wizard! I documented a similar case in my book, 'Dealing with Villains'..."

Unable to bear it any longer, Furong shoved him aside: "Get out of my way!"

She rushed into the rose bushes, only to see the fake Kane's figure flash by in the distance.

He then vanished in a flash of green light—he had escaped through Apparition.

Only a few strands of golden hair remained on the ground, slowly turning back to their original brown color—the compound decoction had reached its effective date.

"Merlin's beard!" Lockhart panted as he caught up. "He got away! But don't worry, I've already tracked him down with a tracking charm..."

"Shut up, Lockhart," Fleur said, unusually losing her composure.

His blue eyes burned with rage. "You let him get away!"

A cacophony of footsteps echoed in the distance as Fudge led a band of Aurors into the rose garden: "Where's the thief? Where's the Malfoy boy?"

Furong immediately sensed that something was wrong.

Someone impersonated Kane to steal the jewels, just to frame the Malfoys?

Her appearance, seemingly accidental, may actually be part of a plan!

These people are just exaggerating a bit too much.

After all, even Lockhart could tell that the Kane from before was fake.

"Minister!" Lockhart immediately turned to Fudge, "I bravely stopped the theft, but that cunning thief..."

Furong didn't listen anymore. She quietly retreated into the shadows.

Kane's earlier words flashed through his mind: "...he should be thinking about his career."

Did Kane foresee this happening?

"Miss Delacour?" A gentle voice came from behind.

Dumbledore appeared beside her at some point.

Behind the crescent-shaped glasses, blue eyes gleamed with wisdom. "The night dew is too heavy; be careful not to catch a cold."

Furong looked at the old headmaster with a puzzled expression: "You saw everything?"

"What do you see?" Dumbledore asked with a smile.

"I only saw a lost Beauxbatons student."

"Then bring Kane Malfoy here now! Immediately!"

Fudge's roar echoed through the rose garden.

"I'd like to see how he explains this!"

The Aurors exchanged glances, one of them cautiously reminding them, "Minister, the Malfoy family was just on the east wing terrace..."

After all, they have alibis.

"Stop talking nonsense!" Fudge interrupted rudely.

"Professor Lockhart just said it! Who else could it be but him?"

Fleur stood beside Dumbledore.

She noticed the old headmaster's gaze sweeping thoughtfully over the patch of grass.

Besides the discolored hair, there were also a few shallow footprints.

"Before that," Dumbledore gently interjected, "perhaps we should first examine the condition of the gems?"

Fudge's expression froze instantly: "The jewel was stolen, of course!"