The scene unfolding before the young wizards was nothing short of extraordinary.
For someone like Hermione, who came from a Muggle family, or Ron and Neville, who grew up steeped in the traditions of wizarding families, this was a completely new experience. The power of magic seemed to swirl around Professor Lockhart, painting a world that felt entirely separate from reality.
They gazed at the lush, vibrant primeval forest beyond the emerald glow, then at the dark, ominous woods that materialized within it. The contrast was thrillingly strange. But as they stepped closer to Professor Lockhart, entering this peculiarly styled world, their excitement gave way to tension.
The forest around them lost its lively charm. Withered, dead trees clawed at the sky like menacing devil's talons. The soft, grassy ground transformed into scorched earth littered with brittle bones that crunched underfoot.
As they followed Professor Lockhart deeper, the eerie atmosphere grew thicker.
Inside the glow, they approached a sinister-looking structure that loomed in the distance, resembling a howling graveyard swept by ghostly winds. Yet, when they glanced outside the glow, the natural beauty of the primeval forest revealed they were actually standing in the middle of a lake!
Everyone's expressions were laced with unease.
Finally, they stopped before a massive tomb-like fortress guarded by a four-meter-tall skeleton statue wielding a scythe. Lockhart turned back, flashing a warm smile. "Lockhart's class quiz, students! Tell me your thoughts?"
Such a twisted sense of humor! Snape sneered silently nearby. Did Lockhart really expect these frightened young wizards to share their feelings? To his surprise, several hands shot up immediately.
Harry Potter, whom Snape always kept an eye on, noticed Draco preparing to answer and quickly jumped in first. "The forest's vitality is gone, there are unknown bones scattered about, and it's filled with an aura of death, yet there are no crows or other scavengers. Professor, I reckon this points to a dark magical creature, likely tied to the category of 'existence of life'!"
"Excellent!" Lockhart nodded approvingly, then glanced at Draco, who was quietly pouting, and gestured for him to share his thoughts.
Draco eagerly held up a bone he'd picked up from the ground. "Professor, I tried biting it—it's unusually brittle, like it's completely dehydrated. But in the real environment, we're in a lake, so I think this dark creature isn't suited to this setting. It's probably 'relatively easy to banish.'"
"Perfect!" Lockhart exclaimed, clearly delighted, before turning to the others. "Any other insights?"
Snape stood there, stunned. He couldn't believe his eyes. These children—especially Harry, whom he considered foolish, and Draco, whom he'd watched grow up—felt almost unfamiliar in this moment. He'd never expected such sharp observations from them.
Then it hit him.
The last time they'd gone to Urquhart Castle to deal with a dark magical creature, Gilderoy had explained the importance of first observing the environment to understand a creature's state. It helped deduce its weaknesses.
So…
Snape suddenly saw Lockhart in a new light. Had he actually taught these kids something worthwhile? The realization felt as strange to him as the eerie forest around them.
As the young wizards eagerly shared their ideas, Snape found himself piecing together a clearer picture of the dark creature they were about to face.
"Absolutely perfect!" Lockhart beamed, practically glowing with pride as he looked at his students. "So, what's a common way to deal with a dark creature like this? Neville, your turn."
"The Patronus Charm, Professor! We can use the Patronus Charm to fight it!" Neville said, his voice brimming with excitement.
Realizing this was the solution filled him with relief. They'd been practicing the Patronus Charm recently, and he knew he could handle it. For once, he wouldn't be the clumsy one holding everyone back. Then it dawned on him—he wasn't stupid, just forgetful. Lockhart had mentioned they'd need the Patronus Charm for this adventure, and now it all clicked. Wow, the professor had known all along!
Truth be told, Neville's Patronus Charm wasn't great yet. When he wrote to his uncle and gran, telling them he'd be staying at Hogwarts over Christmas to go on this adventure with Lockhart and admitting his Patronus was just a faint silver glow, they'd been thrilled. Their letters reassured him that for a second-year to even manage that much with such a powerful spell was impressive.
But Neville knew better.
At the Duelling Club, three students had already summoned fully-formed Patronuses with animal shapes: Ron's twin brothers, George and Fred, and first-year Luna Lovegood. Nothing spurred the others on more than seeing Luna, a first-year who'd only been at Hogwarts for six months, conjure a complete Patronus. Even proud Draco Malfoy had gone quiet in her presence.
"Absolutely perfect!" Lockhart's smile widened, clearly proud of his students' progress. He knew this was the fruit of his teaching.
He had to write a book about this. This adventure would be the perfect material to flesh out the teaching memoir he'd been planning, centered on his "fairy-tale adventure" theory. After graduating, he'd published over a dozen bestsellers in nine years, not by writing one at a time but by constantly gathering moments like these.
Perfect.
Lockhart toyed with his wand, grinning at the group. "Neville's spot-on. Remember, students, the Patronus Charm will protect your minds from the dark magic's influence!"
He pointed his wand at the graveyard behind him. "Let me explain what's about to happen. What you're seeing isn't real—it's a manifestation of this dark creature's 'non-existent' essence, brought to life by my magic."
"We're now entering its phenomenon through a mental connection," he continued, flicking his wand. The emerald glow collapsed, and the grim forest scene began to fade.
To their astonishment, the students realized they were standing in the middle of the lake. Yet, miraculously, there was no sense of drowning or sinking.
"Look!" Hermione pointed excitedly toward the shore.
Everyone turned and gasped. At the edge of the lake, near the trees, stood Professor Lockhart, wand raised, with the students and a vigilant Snape by his side. But they were clearly in the lake.
"It's an extension of your mind," Lockhart explained. "Our perception has connected with the creature's phenomenon, letting us step into its world."
Old Dumbledore's trick was just too good—especially for tackling dark creatures.
Lockhart continued, pulling their attention back. "Next, we'll face this creature directly with our minds. Remember, when dark magic tries to invade your heart, your Patronus will protect you!"
"Get ready," he said with a mysterious smile. "This is a test of your mental strength."
With a wave of his wand, he called out, "Mind connection!"
Boom!
The world seemed to collapse. Colors flashed wildly, and it felt like time and space had vanished.
"Relax," Lockhart's voice soothed. Everyone's mind had natural defenses, and these young wizards had learned the Patronus Charm. Lockhart wasn't fully adept at Dumbledore's spell and couldn't force their minds, so he gently encouraged them to follow.
"Embrace the adventure, and you'll come with me. Resist, and you'll slip out of it, safe and sound, no matter what happens."
His reassurance worked, especially on Snape, whose wariness softened after a moment. With a sigh, he closed his eyes and joined the students in this so-called adventure. He couldn't abandon them, after all.
The world seemed to rebuild itself, and soon they felt solid ground beneath their feet. The bustling noise of a lively city hit them.
"Done!" Lockhart's voice echoed faintly, as if from far away, before fading completely.
Snape snapped his eyes open, shocked to find himself in a busy, unfamiliar city street. He was sitting in a bookstore, surrounded by excited fans waving books and shouting, "Severus Snape! Sign my copy!"
He stared at the book in front of him: Severus's Potions Lessons by Potions Master Severus Snape. Below, in bold letters: Highly Recommended by Magical Master Lily Evans!
His breath caught. Trembling, he grabbed a book from a fan, staring at the cover.
Magical Master Lily Evans… Not Lily Potter.
No! No! This was all fake! Fake!
His lips tightened, his face grim with sorrow. He shakily opened the book, reading Lily's foreword, written as his dear friend, praising his potions achievements.
"Master Snape, please sign it!" a fan pleaded.
But Snape, overcome with grief, reached out, hesitating to touch her name on the page.
Snap!
With every ounce of willpower, he closed the book, carefully set it down, and drew his wand. No matter what this place was, no matter what was happening, no matter if Lily might actually appear… he had to break this illusion. His students needed him.
"I'm sorry, Lily," he whispered, his eyes lingering on her printed signature with deep reluctance. Then, with a surge of resolve, he pushed through the crowd, striding toward the bookstore door.
Gilderoy Lockhart, you'd better be right about this! he thought, gripping his wand tightly. The Patronus Charm had better work!
With a anguished cry, he raised his wand to the sky. "Expecto Patronum!"
(End of Chapter)