Hogwarts: My name is the Unforgivable Curse...

Chapter 100 Voldemort, lend me your power!

With his friends' encouragement, Avada gradually relaxed and resumed his usual cheerful conversation with them—this time, he was finally able to engage in Quidditch discussions. After watching a proper Quidditch match last year, he had gradually developed an interest in the game.

Of course, it's still impossible for him to personally get involved.

Moreover, thanks to Voldemort last year, their conversations no longer revolved solely around Quidditch, but broadened considerably, ranging from admiration for Avada Kedavra and Baron, to the impact of Voldemort's capture, to Dumbledore's declaration and the future direction of magical society... and so on.

And so, in a pleasant atmosphere of conversation, the train arrived at the station along with the setting sun.

Now third-year students, Avada and Baron finally got to experience being mentors, guiding Harry and his friends to the location of the Thestrals station. The Thestrals' structures remained as abstract and distorted as ever. This time, Avada was finally able to see the Thestrals for the first time—he had witnessed Quirrell's death last year, as had Baron and Harry.

The Thestral that Avada had chosen glanced at him, snorted in surprise, seemingly astonished that it had been discovered. Then, its movements as it pulled the cart became more hesitant, causing it to lag behind the main group.

Avada: ...

You guys have gone invisible and even developed social anxiety?

That wasn't all. As Avada stepped into the Great Hall, ready to enjoy the freshmen's antics as she had the previous year, someone suddenly let out a scream directed at someone in the faculty section:

"Gidero Lockhart!!"

The entire auditorium was silent for a few seconds, then erupted into a cacophony of screams and discussions that instantly drowned out everything else. The handsome man whom Avada had never seen before—so he must be Lockhart—smiled and stood up, making a downward pressing motion with his hands, his lips moving as if he were saying something—but no one could hear him.

Then, somewhat awkwardly, he nudged Professor Sprout beside him. After the professor, looking astonished, cast a loud voice spell on him, his voice finally echoed throughout the room:

"Don't get excited, children, don't get excited... You didn't see wrong, I, Gilderoy Lockhart, will indeed become your new professor this year..."

The noise from below grew even louder.

"But please quiet down your cheers for now, since we still have the Sorting Ceremony to welcome the new students, right? Well then, I won't go into too much detail about my introductions, since that's Headmaster Dumbledore's job..."

After Lockhart's repeated persuasion, the scene finally calmed down a bit, but the discussions continued. And as Lockhart became the center of attention, with everyone scrutinizing him, Avada also stared at him without restraint, observing him...

"His mental strength is just average, only slightly better than a typical adult wizard, but probably not even up to the level of a striker..."

"I didn't observe any structure that was particularly suited to the Forgetfulness Spell; it's probably just the result of his own arduous practice. That makes sense; with his level of mental strength, he can only delve into one or two spells at most..."

"My God, he's not even a little bit guilty? He's sitting here with a bunch of big shots with such confidence?"

Avada squinted.

He had already read through all the Lockhart books during his vacation. It must be said, they were truly brilliantly written—Lockhart, with his excellent prose, presented one realistic and thrilling story after another with meticulous detail and a well-organized narrative, interspersed with humorous banter and highly effective emotional moments, successfully crafting a powerful, knowledgeable, kind, and courageous adventurer while telling a compelling story.

Moreover, his books contain a wealth of knowledge points presented in a vivid way that is both interesting and easy to remember—frankly, if taught by an excellent teacher, these books could indeed be used as textbooks.

However, the thought that all these wonderful stories were plagiarized, and that the original authors of these stories had all had their memories erased and were living in a daze, made Avada even more disgusted with Lockhart.

"This time, there's no broken wand to erase your memories and escape punishment..."

"Voldemort, help me one last time, with the curse you left behind!"

While muttering words that would infuriate Voldemort, Avada Kedavra quieted down along with the other students, watching with serious eyes as the Great Hall doors slowly opened and Professor McGonagall led the new students in, then expertly used magic to block out their hearing...

"...Now we will begin the division of departments."

After the Sorting Hat finished playing, Professor McGonagall picked up her parchment and read, "Albert Adams!"

"Hufflepuff!"

"Colin Creevey!"

"Gryffindor!"

……

"Luna Lovegood!"

"Ravenclaw!"

Avada raised an eyebrow and took a second look at the blonde little girl on the platform.

"...Ginny Weasley!"

"Gryffindor!"

With all the first-year students sorted into their respective houses, Dumbledore stood up, smiled, and announced to the crowd, "As you've probably noticed, there's a familiar new face among the faculty this year. Let me introduce her to you again—"

At Dumbledore's prompting, Lockhart stood up with a beaming smile, and Dumbledore's voice followed: "It is my honor to have Mr. Gilderoy Lockhart serve as our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor!"

"He is a renowned adventurer, a famous bestselling author, and an honorary member of the Defense Against the Dark Arts—many of you have read his works and should know his abilities and knowledge better than I do. I believe Professor Lockhart can deliver that knowledge to your minds in the most vivid and entertaining way..."

"Alright, everyone, let's eat!"

As soon as the words were spoken, all sorts of food instantly filled the long table, and the students, who had been holding back for half a day, were finally able to freely discuss the matter—

"Lockhart actually agreed to be a professor! Merlin, it's unbelievable! I can see him every day now!"

"But isn't he afraid that the curse will harm him? What if he suffers some permanent injury? Wouldn't his adventure career be over...?"

"Maybe that's what he came for? To outwit and outfight the dangers within a mysterious castle under the shadow of a curse... just thinking about it is exciting."

"But speaking of which, why does Professor Snape look so pale?"

"Didn't you know? During the summer vacation, the prices of the potions he registered and concocted himself plummeted, apparently because of a report by Rita Skeeter..."

Avada, meanwhile, ate his meal while silently plotting:

"Dumbledore seems genuinely unaware that Lockhart is a good-for-nothing... Well, that makes sense. If he did, why would he have hired Lockhart? He doesn't have Voldemort hanging from the back of his head."

"I need to see Dumbledore tonight and tell him about the basilisk and the diary as soon as possible. Tomorrow I'll take Harry to the abandoned bathroom to double-check, and then I can feel more at ease..."

(End of this chapter)