Chapter 6: Hermione Granger, the Fangirl, and Her Confusion
Fangirl Hermione Granger had too many question marks in her head.
On the way from the Great Hall to the professors' offices, she had a barrage of questions.
Lockhart patiently answered her inquiries. In truth, his mood at this moment was far from cheerful. Standing on the self-moving staircase, he smiled and nodded at the young wizards who bowed and greeted him from afar, his feelings a complex mix.
He had originally planned to coast through this year.
But truly facing these young wizards with their faces full of admiration and thirst for knowledge, it was hard not to have a thought like this arise—was he really going to waste a whole precious year of these children's time at school?
"My damned sense of responsibility."
He cursed himself inwardly, looking at the ancient and solemn school castle, a sudden weight settling in his heart.
"Professor Lockhart, I've actually always had a very big question," Hermione's speaking rhythm was very fast, one syllable after another, as if someone was chasing her words, "What is the essence of magic?"
"It's... hmm?"
Lockhart gestured for her to step off the staircase. Just as he was about to give a casual answer, he suddenly paused, "That's an answer that needs a lifetime to explore. Asking that now is probably too early."
"You seem to be a very excellent young witch. I can sense the pride of a gifted individual emanating from you. I imagine you're even more outstanding than your classmates. Why would you have such a question?"
The young witch in front of him, though intelligent, was just a second-year student.
Hermione sighed upon hearing this, clutching Lockhart's copy of Magical Me tightly. Not yet able to hide her emotions, she looked somewhat defeated, "I might never find the answer. I'm actually not that smart; I just work harder than others."
Oh, this was rare. The proud Miss Granger looked utterly dejected.
Lockhart asked with a smile, "Then have you sought answers from other professors?"
Hermione nodded, "I asked Professor McGonagall. She just comforted me not to rush, saying things would get better when I grew up."
"Do you agree with that answer?" Lockhart continued to ask.
Hermione shook her head, "I don't know. I mean, I'm not sure."
Her small face was full of seriousness, tightly drawn, making Lockhart feel for a moment that she was a miniature McGonagall.
"I can always easily make magic work as it should, and easily gain the professors' approval. But when I try to make magic perform more powerfully, it never succeeds."
She was so puzzled, "The same magic has completely different effects in the professors' hands—stronger, more flexible, more varied. I don't know how to break through this limitation."
Standard Gryffindor—Lockhart reached this stereotypical conclusion while quickly searching his memory—Gryffindors always cast spells rigidly, lacking the spirituality and ease of magic.
Of course, this was a stereotype. In fact, in the realm of combat, Gryffindors often showed a greater ease and spirituality with magic than others.
"I've read your autobiography. You also grew up in the Muggle world. Perhaps your thoughts on magic will be more enlightening for me."
Hermione looked at him with such anticipation, "Can you give me the answer?"
"Of course, nothing can stump me. No one understands magic better than I do." Lockhart flashed a perfect smile, leading her forward.
"I might have the answer for you. This used to be my secret, and it helped me easily defeat many powerful wizards."
Hermione's eyes lit up.
But Professor Lockhart didn't answer directly, instead guiding her gently, "If you look into past historical documents, you'll find that wizards who have experienced major magical events are stronger than those of other eras."
"For example, the four founders of the school were experiencing the most terrifying witch-hunting era in wizarding society."
"For example, the transformation of the International Statute of Secrecy fifty years ago also produced many powerful wizards—Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Grindelwald, Newt, Queenie, Credence..."
Hermione gasped, feeling like she had grasped the answer, "Are you saying it requires the tempering of battle?"
"No, or rather, not just that," Lockhart shook his head. "Many current wizards and the new generation of Aurors also live in high-intensity combat situations, but they haven't become stronger because of it."
Aurors could be said to be the backbone of wizarding society, and their magical abilities displayed in combat could already be considered the strongest group besides the masters.
But Lockhart, who was essentially engaged in the business of dark wizards, didn't fear these Aurors.
As long as he didn't encounter those big shots, ordinary Aurors weren't in his eyes.
Hermione was a little confused, "Then what exactly is it?"
Lockhart smiled slightly, "Fairy tales. My answer is fairy tales."
"???" Hermione tilted her head in confusion.
"Yes, I believe the power of magic comes from fairy tales."
"Magical creatures and beasts come from fairy tales, dark magical creatures come from heretical fairy tales, and the magic belonging to wizards also comes from fairy tales."
"Magic is the ultimate romance of fairy tales."
"If you ask me how to become stronger, my answer is—immerse yourself in fairy-tale romance."
"Live in a fairy-tale romantic atmosphere, and you will soon find that your strength improves remarkably quickly."
This was the experience of the original Lockhart. Comprehending this principle early on allowed him to easily stand out during his school years, and after graduation, he hunted powerful wizards everywhere without ever failing.
Being a prominent figure at school was the romance of a fairy tale, and being an evil life-stealer was the same.
Sometimes, being a prominent figure came from innate talent, like his seniors James Potter and Sirius Black, or the current Weasley twins, George and Fred. Some deliberately pursued it, like those active in clubs or Quidditch, or like Lockhart, who worked hard to cultivate his reputation.
The effect was remarkable. Back in school, he could easily modify the Dark Mark of the Dark Lord Voldemort, turning the skull into his own portrait. He dared say that many of his classmates still couldn't do that.
And right now, Lockhart was witnessing a case of building up the most outstanding legendary prominent figure—Harry Potter.
He called Harry Potter's miraculous experiences, as well as the machinations of the Order of the Phoenix behind them, "the birth of an epic hero."
This was also part of the fairy tale.
Becoming Harry Potter's professor, and a professor with a great influence on him, becoming the most important stroke in this epic hero fairy tale—the benefits this brought were the fundamental reason why the original Lockhart agreed to Dumbledore's persuasion to come and teach at Hogwarts.
"Fairy tales?" Hermione's small face wrinkled into a frown. She was a more rational person. To live in a fairy-tale life, oh, she didn't seem to be able to do that.
You had to know that there was discrimination among wizards, but it was the same among Muggles.
In fact, Muggles generally discriminated against wizards. Whether you were pure-blood or mudblood, they all called them freaks and lunatics. Especially the kind of people Lockhart described living in a fairy-tale life, wasn't that exactly what he was talking about?
"What should I do?"
Hermione took a deep breath, clenching her small fists tightly, believing she couldn't give up trying.
"The simplest way is to bravely fight the great demon king or become the great demon king. That's the purest fairy tale." Finally, the two arrived in front of the office. Lockhart shrugged, "Of course, sometimes we have to discover the limits of our own abilities and luck. Becoming the sidekick of a hero or a demon king is also a good choice."
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