It took nearly several weeks before Snape finally managed to turn Harriet back into Harry—just before the Quidditch match began.
After all, if he didn't, Professor McGonagall would've caused him endless trouble; she wasn't about to risk losing a match because of Harry's "condition."Snape, however, thought all this effort was pointless.
This year, the Slytherin team had completely upgraded their gear, replacing their old brooms with brand-new Nimbus models. What could Gryffindor possibly do to compete?
Saturday arrived, and the stands were filled with excited spectators.
"Harry, I heard you've bewitched Malfoy?"George and Fred each threw an arm around Harry's shoulders, pulling back his hair to expose the infamous scar.
"Don't bring that up if you still want to be friends," Harry grumbled irritably. His brief time as a girl had spread like wildfire across the entire school—not just thanks to Snape, but also to the overzealous enthusiasm of a certain first-year fanboy.
Colin Creevey had plastered Harry's girl photos all over the castle. Ginny had nearly gotten into a fistfight with him because of it.
"We don't need to be your friends," Fred teased.
"Yeah, just make sure you charm Malfoy again out there. Don't let him grab the Snitch! If necessary, make a little... sacrifice," George added with a smirk.
Harry refused to respond.The twins just wanted to stir trouble. Judging by Malfoy's disgusted expression—as if he'd swallowed a fly—there was no chance such a tactic would work anyway.
Harry's gaze wandered toward the stands, where nearly a thousand students and teachers cheered. Even with Pokémon now part of the world, wizards' love for Quidditch hadn't diminished in the slightest.
Among the crowd sat Charles Gold.
Professor Slughorn was next to him. The old walrus didn't look like someone who enjoyed Quidditch; the moment he sat down, he began chatting instead.
"Mr. Gold," Slughorn said, "I've heard the students talking about Pokémon and their talents lately. I'm curious—what are my Larvesta and Pidgeotto better suited for? How should I train them to become strong Pokémon?"
"Pidgeotto evolves into Pidgeot," Charles explained. "Pidgeot is known for its incredible flying speed and powerful wings. You should focus on training its speed, flight control, and wing strength.As for Larvesta, it specializes in Special Attack and Speed."
"Larvesta is a Fire- and Bug-type Pokémon. When it evolves into Volcarona, people in the Pokémon world revere it as a being that fell from the sun itself. So, strengthening its flames would be a great direction."
"Strengthening its flames?" Slughorn asked curiously. "How does one do that? Surely you don't mean teaching it fire spells?"
Charles chuckled. Down on the pitch, Slytherin had already taken an early lead, crushing Gryffindor mercilessly.
"Larvesta usually lives near volcanoes. High temperatures and the dense Fire-type energy in the air are ideal for its growth. If possible, you can even feed it traces of Gubraithian Fire or flames from magical creatures—it helps its development."
He paused briefly before adding,"Training-wise, focus on teaching it to increase the temperature and compression of its flames—to form a dense, high-pressure fireball. That'll greatly enhance its power."
As they spoke, Lockhart approached, tucking a diary discreetly into his pocket before taking a seat beside Charles.
That little action didn't escape Charles's notice.So—that's where the diary meant for Draco had gone.
But wait... Voldemort and Grindelwald working together?He frowned slightly. How strange.
"Good morning, Mr. Gold, Professor Slughorn!" Lockhart greeted brightly. "How's the game going? Slytherin leading, I presume? Congratulations, of course!"
Given that both Charles and Slughorn were Slytherins, his words made sense.
Though, truth be told, Charles—an expelled student forced out halfway—felt no loyalty to Slytherin at all. Slughorn, on his part, didn't seem to care either.
Quidditch? Hmph, the old professor thought. What a meaningless sport.
Pokémon were far more intriguing—such powerful beings, if properly utilized...
Lockhart clearly thought the same, which was why he'd joined the conversation.
"I couldn't help overhearing your discussion about Pokémon," he said with feigned innocence.
"I was merely asking Professor Gold for some advice on raising mine," Slughorn replied.
"I must say, I envy you both for actually owning Pokémon," Lockhart said, eyes shining. "Their influence has grown enormous worldwide! Especially that mysterious Team Rocket—they've apparently repelled several assaults from various wizard alliances. Their leader, a man named Giovanni, supposedly defeated dozens of Aurors single-handedly!"
"That Giovanni of the Earth, yes?" Slughorn asked, intrigued. "Team Rocket's been making waves internationally. Aside from Giovanni, there are said to be four powerful subordinates—called the Rocket Executives. Rumor has it they came from the Pokémon world itself. Mr. Gold, have you heard of them?"
"Of course I have," Charles said with a smile.How could he not—he was the one behind Team Rocket. Their growth had greatly boosted Pokémon's reputation worldwide, and more and more Rocket members now owned Pokémon.
The International Confederation of Wizards was struggling to deal with them.It wouldn't be long before some Ministry approached him to negotiate forming an International Pokémon League.
"Team Rocket is the most infamous villainous organization in the Pokémon world. They not only steal Pokémon and treat them as tools—they also dream of world domination," Charles said.
But Slughorn asked something unexpected."And if they succeed—what then?"
"What then?"
"To rule the world—or to reshape its order—mere slogans aren't enough. The how of ruling is what truly matters," Slughorn said with a wry smile. "If Team Rocket hasn't thought that far ahead, then they're nothing more than a violent fantasy."
He chuckled softly. "If we must compare, they'd be like Voldemort."
He used the Dark Lord as a negative example without hesitation. Lockhart's smile froze momentarily before he forced it back into place.
"Voldemort's pure-blood supremacy was only ever a slogan," Slughorn continued. "After his fall, we learned the truth—he despised Muggles and Muggle-borns, but he had no respect for pure-bloods either. His slogans were just masks to hide his own shame. He never truly thought about governance; he only ruled through fear and violence."
Slughorn's insight was sharp.In contrast stood Grindelwald.
If Grindelwald had won their fateful duel, the post-war world might've become one where wizards and Muggles coexisted—breaking the Statute of Secrecy, shattering old divisions.
Grindelwald never despised Muggles; he recognized the power of their technology.Of course, true equality under him would've been impossible—he was still a wizard, and wizards would have held the higher ground.
Charles agreed entirely with his reasoning... but something felt off.He studied Slughorn strangely.
"Mr. Gold disagrees?" Slughorn asked politely.
"No, I agree completely," Charles said with a friendly smile—while growing deeply suspicious.Since when did Horace Slughorn, of all people, think about such profound things?
He didn't. The man loved comfort, status, and fine wine—not ideology.
Now Charles found it rather amusing.Lockhart wasn't who he appeared to be—and apparently, neither was Slughorn.
Dumbledore had once suspected Lockhart of being Grindelwald's agent. Now, Charles wasn't so sure. Slughorn seemed a far likelier candidate for a Grindelwald devotee.
Still, Charles had no intention of telling Dumbledore.The old lovers could sort out their own affairs. If Slughorn's plans truly succeeded, perhaps Dumbledore and Grindelwald's twilight romance would rekindle once again.
Meanwhile, Slughorn's mind was already elsewhere.If Team Rocket's leader truly has vision, cooperation might be possible. But if he's just a brute... Dumbledore, you'll thank me for removing a threat.
He lost all interest in the match.
Lockhart, however, hadn't finished his scheme.
"The future will surely belong to Pokémon," he said. "Wizards without them will lose their voice internationally. Mr. Gold, may I visit the reserve to capture one or two Pokémon for teaching purposes?"
That was his real goal—to acquire Pokémon for his master and himself.
He'd once considered taking an Arbok, but his cautious master had deemed it a possible gift from Dumbledore and refused it. So Lockhart had simply altered Draco's memory and stolen the diary instead.
That was why Harry and his friends had found nothing when they questioned Malfoy.
Now Lockhart planned to catch and raise his own Pokémon from infancy—to build new power for his master's return.
A roar of cheers erupted from the crowd.Harry had just dived and crashed hard into the ground—but his outstretched hand clutched the Golden Snitch.
Malfoy was still hovering in stunned silence.
"Looks like Gryffindor won," Slughorn remarked casually. "Well then, I'll be off. Let Snape handle the aftermath."
"What a shame," Lockhart sighed sincerely.
"Come with me, Mr. Lockhart," Charles said, standing.He'd already confirmed that Lockhart was a devoted Death Eater—the last surviving one, perhaps. But he didn't intend to stop him.
If Voldemort had dismissed magical beasts yet now coveted Pokémon, that was... interesting.
And Charles wasn't worried about Riddle mistreating them—he was still rational enough to know that losing his Pokémon would mean losing irreplaceable power.
Charles took Lockhart to the Reserve.Harry, meanwhile, was safely treated and thankfully didn't turn into Rubber Harry.
But that night, disaster struck again.
Colin Creevey was petrified.
The news spread through the castle by Monday morning.Lockhart clutched a small Sneasel in his arms, feigning horror.
"How dreadful," he exclaimed. "Who could do something so vile to a child?"
"The Chamber has truly been opened, Gilderoy," Dumbledore said, eyeing him meaningfully.
"But how could it open again?" Professor McGonagall asked in panic.
She remembered the tragedy from fifty years ago—when a student had died.
No one had died this time, not yet. But what if that changed?
"The question isn't how, but who," Dumbledore said gravely. His gaze flicked sharply across the professors.
He already knew—the diary was no longer with Malfoy.Now he suspected that the so-called "Saint," Lockhart, had it.
Otherwise, knowing Riddle's cruelty, Colin Creevey would not have survived.
But Dumbledore was wrong.Riddle hadn't taken the boy's life simply because he didn't want the school to shut down too soon.If a death occurred, Lockhart would be expelled—and Riddle's plan would crumble.
(End of Chapter)