Chapter 164: Grounded
"Internal support, external support, and of course, another path..."
Lockhart scrutinized him. "The path of self-strengthening."
"Self-strengthening?" Percy understood the first two, which clarified his somewhat confused thoughts, but the third one, he didn't quite grasp.
"Magic!" Lockhart shook the wand in his hand. "When the magical ability blooming from your wand is so powerful that it frightens people, they will have to consider whether to completely eliminate you as an enemy, or to invite you into their ranks and worship you."
Actually, Lockhart leaned more towards thinking Percy was suited to be an Auror.
Although Percy usually appeared as an excellent elite, and seemed to have become a leader among his classmates, he still performed quite awkwardly.
Like Tom Riddle's leadership of the 'Knights of Walpurgis' (the predecessor of the Death Eaters), or Harry Potter's leadership of 'Dumbledore's Army,' their leadership power came from their personal prestige. But Percy's leadership over other students came from the bestowal of Hogwarts' professorial and administrative circles, not from himself.
Given that, it would be better for him to become an Auror. With Percy's caliber, he would quickly become an elite Auror. Coupled with the support of his father Arthur and the Order of the Phoenix, becoming the Head of the Auror Office in the future was certainly within reach.
But since Percy had come to ask.
Lockhart was more willing to guide this excellent student towards a more noble path—magic!
My boy, your eyes should be on the stars and the sea. The position of Minister for Magic should be a recognition of your achievements, not something you beg for.
"You have that potential, Percy."
Lockhart smiled and beckoned the young wizard back into the house, where the smoke had begun to thin, to warm themselves by the fire.
He didn't like to interfere with others' choices of path. Everyone had their own destiny. He had said what needed to be said, leaving the choice to Percy himself.
The busy cleaning work soon began.
With Percy's participation, the progress was much faster than Lockhart had anticipated.
"Professor, I think I have an answer."
Percy was busy tidying a cabinet, similar to a chest of drawers, pulling out various cluttered items and placing them on the floor. After quietly organizing everything, waiting for Lockhart to decide what to keep and what to discard, he suddenly spoke.
"Oh?"
Lockhart raised an eyebrow slightly, turning to curiously examine the determination on the young man's face.
He didn't need the Boggart to detect the other's emotional state; he could feel the firmness in Percy's eyes.
"I choose magic!"
Percy spoke with great emphasis. "Actually, you misunderstood me. I don't necessarily have to pursue a career in the Ministry. I have always simply yearned for excellence."
Lockhart put down a picture frame he was holding, motioning for him to continue with interest.
"I used to think that becoming an official at the Ministry of Magic was the pinnacle of excellence." The young man's eyes unfocused as he looked out the window, as if recalling a certain scene. "But then I saw you cast that spell..."
"With a gentle wave of your wand, the rainy season that had lasted for half a year suddenly ceased, and sunlight spread across the entire world."
"And that photo in the newspaper, where you stood before Ministry officials and students, effortlessly transforming a terrifying werewolf back into a human..."
"At that time, I was actually thinking—perhaps that is what excellence truly should look like."
Percy spoke at length, articulating his desires. Percy was also very sincere, not hiding his eagerness.
Lockhart smiled and nodded, listening to his narration, but offering no comments.
Emotion is a very subtle thing.
In his own research, he categorised emotions into two types: those from the body and brain, and those bursting forth from the soul.
Emotions arising from the body and brain often lacked a firm foundation, easily arriving with intensity and departing quickly. Even if one decided to persist with a firm will, such persistence would bring pain.
Only emotions bursting forth from the soul would be enduring, because actions driven by the soul's desire would not feel tiring or painful; no matter how hard or exhausting, they would be sweet as nectar.
The principle was such, but one's heart was a mystery to others. Without the test of time, it was difficult to ascertain which type of emotion or desire another person truly harbored.
"Professor, what should I do?"
Percy asked very earnestly.
Lockhart looked deeply at him, then finally smiled faintly, gesturing to the cabinet in front of him. "First, clean it with a Scouring Charm."
"Huh?" Percy was completely stunned.
He opened his mouth, but the professor continued to gesture at the cabinet before him. "Use a Scouring Charm; it's the quickest way to clean it."
Percy was somewhat disappointed, but he didn't hesitate to draw his wand, meticulously waving it and casting the charm at the cabinet. "Scourgify."
The effect was good. The cabinet quickly transformed from a dull, dusty state to a vibrant one, revealing a deep green and burgundy wood grain, ancient yet eerie.
"Too deliberate," Lockhart pointed out, drawing his wand and waving it gently. "You see, it doesn't need to be so rigidly in accordance with the standard spell-casting gestures taught in textbooks. Of course, I'm not telling you to wave your wand wildly."
"Your casting gestures, the intonation of your incantations, all need to follow the guidance of your inner self."
"You've clearly grasped the role of a firm will, but I need you to relax a bit. The magic you're casting isn't beautiful at all."
"You have to genuinely want this cabinet to become clean and beautiful."
Percy wanted to say that he didn't want to learn how to better use this household magic, but he still didn't refuse, diligently trying to follow Professor Lockhart's guidance.
Perhaps this was because he was always accustomed to following the lead of more accomplished individuals.
But as he adjusted his technique and mindset, over and over, according to Professor Lockhart's instructions, and as he completely immersed himself in the practical application of the charm, he mysteriously felt a unique sense of solidity.
It was a feeling he had never experienced before.
It was as if the path he had walked in the past always seemed elusive, vague, and without support, but now, he suddenly felt a grounded sense of reality.
And so, in a curious moment, he began to forget his desires, forgotten the petty concerns in his heart, and calmly and peacefully entered the world of the Scouring Charm.
Once.
Again.
And again.
He waved his wand, moving through every corner of the small building, tireless.
He didn't see Professor Lockhart behind him, smiling and nodding with apparent satisfaction.
Let's see.
Lockhart thought, deciding to observe the young man a bit longer. He suddenly felt a bit of anticipation for Percy to learn his weather charm, and then to show off to Dumbledore, who had mocked him for not being able to teach others!
.....
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