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 mont.
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 so 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 parchnt given to him by Professor McGonagall, delivering so points to note.
"Do not perform magic outside the school grounds, and do not bring your magical instrunts ho. You know what I an."
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
out. Skeeter is driving
mad!
She's spreading crazy rumors in the newspapers, desperately tarnishing my reputation. She even accused
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 an you should doubt . 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 beca hesitant, "I believe that our public quarrel doesn't need to consu public resources. Perhaps we could communicate privately... negotiate a resolution..."
"But what does that have to do with ?"
"Co 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 so influential figure to deal with her..."
Felix thought, you're quite the talent, to co up with this line of thinking.
He declined, saying, "I'm not acquainted with her. However, I happened to hear Headmaster Dumbledore ntion that the school will announce major news before and after the holidays. So reporters will be invited, and she might co 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 co to . I've heard you're well-versed in ancient magic; coincidentally, I possess so knowledge in that area."
"We'll see," Felix said, his enthusiasm waning.
Lockhart didn't notice Felix Harp's deanor. 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 sll from it.
Felix was quite curious about it.
"Ah, you've heard, haven't you? Dreadful behavior, if you ask . Locking him in solitary confinent for a month would be a light punishnt... that reckless Weasley."
anwhile, Ron stord back into the common room, fuming.
"You shouldn't have stopped , Harry—" Ron said, having just had another argunt 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 ant 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 cos quickly."
He then exclaid with excitent, "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 parchnt, not participating in their discussion.
"Hermione, what are you doing?"
Hermione looked up from her parchnt 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 so damage to it. I applied to Professor Harp for permission to independently repair it. But it's much more troubleso 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 overwheld 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 , 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
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 mories spanning half a century!"
The journal wasn't opposed to this question; in fact, it seed quite welcoming. Let's chat, and let your inner thoughts open up to ...
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 tis, 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 mories on regular objects and so surface-level knowledge about bloodlines.
At the end of the exchange, the journal strongly recomnded 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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