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Chapter Five: Strolling Around the Grounds
That day, after finishing his lesson preparations, Lockhart decided on a whim to visit Hagrid—the half-giant who was also an important figure in the story. Since he loved magical creatures, Lockhart wanted to get to know him better and perhaps gather a bit of material for future writing.
On the way, they unexpectedly ran into the Saviour trio again. Hermione was furious, supporting Ron, who looked pale and horribly unwell, while Harry hovered anxiously beside them.
"Hello there, children—off to see Hagrid as well? What's happened? What's wrong with Ron?"
——
Ron didn't answer. Instead, he bent over and retched up a large, glistening slug.
"Oh dear Merlin—who hexed Ron?"
"Malfoy," Hermione burst out at once, her voice trembling with anger. "He called me a Mudblood. So Ron tried to curse him back, but his wand… it's broken." As she spoke, tears began to form in her eyes.
Lockhart thought privately, Well, you are Muggle-born. How could anything born of two Muggles be anything but Muggle-born? Of course, he couldn't say that aloud.
"Oh, my dear Hermione," Lockhart said warmly, "those pure-blood families and their prejudice won't change overnight. But remember this: wizards are not born superior. Jesus was a Muggle, and the ancestors of every pure-blood family were Muggles too. And ironically, the greatest wizards often come from Muggle-born or half-blood families—like me, like Voldemort." Lockhart beamed proudly. "Remember this, Miss Granger—if you master every spell in the world, then 'pure-blood' is just nonsense. And if the wizarding world insists on clinging to purity, it will simply fade into history one day."
Hermione, strong-willed as she was, found his words reassuring. Since Lockhart's comment was seven parts truth and three parts embellishment, she believed him readily, and her tears soon stopped.
"You're right, Professor. It doesn't matter if someone is pure-blood or not. But… could you tell me more about the very first wizard?"
"What a curious little thing you are." Lockhart patted her shoulder. "Your History of Magic professor will tell you that sort of thing. Come along—let's go to Hagrid's."
——
Hagrid was horrified when he saw Ron and quickly fetched him a bucket for the slugs.
"I'm sorry," Hagrid said helplessly. "I can't do much for him. Looks like he'll just have to cough them all up."
"I might know a way," Lockhart said, "though it isn't guaranteed. A bit of magic to hasten the curse's release—it's better to get it all out quickly than drag the suffering on."
"If the Professor says it'll work, then it definitely will!" Hermione said immediately, placing absolute faith in Lockhart.
"Alright, I'll give it a try. Expello Crude!" Lockhart raised his wand and cast the spell at Ron. The moment the magic hit him, Ron's eyes widened and he doubled over, violently emptying the rest of the slugs into the bucket. The sight made everyone present shiver.
Eventually, Ron stopped retching, set the basin aside, and collapsed weakly onto the stool, looking as though he'd drained all the life out of his body.
"Looks like it worked. Professor Lockhart's as brilliant as they say," Hagrid said admiringly.
"Oh, it's nothing. I simply enjoy reading unusual books and learning odd spells. You know how it is—surviving dangerous places, Hogwarts alone didn't teach me everything." Was Lockhart being modest…?
Hermione's eyes sparkled, and she bounded over to Lockhart, clinging to his arm with excitement. "Professor, I must borrow that book! The Restricted Section is far too strict."
"Very well, you may borrow it from my quarters. Reading more books will do wonders for someone your age."
"Thank you, Professor! I won't forget!"
Ron was recovering, and Hagrid suddenly brightened. "Come on, I'll show you what I've been growing."
Behind his hut, in a small pumpkin patch, twelve enormous pumpkins sat clustered together—each one the size of a boulder.
"Well? How about that?" Hagrid said proudly. "They're for the Hallowe'en feast… and they'll get even bigger."
"What fertiliser do you use?" Harry asked.
Hagrid checked that no one else was listening, then whispered, "Well… I've been giving them—y'know—little magical boosts."
Lockhart noticed a pink, flowery umbrella propped against the back wall. He knew at once it wasn't an umbrella at all—Hagrid's broken wand was concealed inside.
Hagrid wasn't allowed to perform magic; he'd been expelled in his third year. The trio didn't know the full reason—whenever the topic came up, Hagrid would clear his throat loudly and change the subject.
"Is it the Engorgement Charm?" Hermione asked, sounding both impressed and disapproving. "Brilliant work, though!"
"Ron's sister said the same," Hagrid said to Ron. "Saw her yesterday." He glanced at Harry. "Said she was just having a wander 'round, but I reckon she hoped she might bump into someone near my hut…" He winked at Harry. "She definitely likes you, y'know…"
"Girls always fancy heroes," Lockhart added knowingly. "It's simple human instinct—choosing a better mate."
"Oh, stop," Harry groaned. Ron snorted with laughter through the last remnants of exhaustion.
It was nearly lunchtime, and while Lockhart still wanted to see Hagrid's magical creatures, the students had to go back to school.
"Off you go—you've classes this afternoon," Lockhart said. "Hagrid, show me your creatures. Come along."
——
Lockhart eagerly followed Hagrid to meet more magical beasts, while the three students hurried back. As Harry and Ron reached the entrance to the Hall, someone stopped them.
"There you are, Potter, Weasley," Professor McGonagall said sternly as she strode over. "You will both serve detention this evening."
"What did we do, Professor?" Ron asked nervously.
"You will polish the silver trophies in Mr Filch's trophy room," McGonagall said crisply. "By hand—no magic, Weasley. Each one must be polished individually."
"And you, Potter, will help Professor Lockhart reply to his fan mail."
"Yes, Professor."
"Eight o'clock." McGonagall gave Lockhart a curt nod and swept away.
"Harry, you go polish the trophies for Ron. I'll go answer Professor Lockhart's letters."
"Your handwriting looks like wriggling earthworms. It'll ruin Professor Lockhart's image," Hermione said primly.
——
"You like magical creatures too?" Hagrid exclaimed joyfully. "Aren't they magnificent? Come on—I'll show you my pride and joy."
He led Lockhart to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. "Look—those are hippogriffs, my new friends. Aren't they beauties? Buckbeak! Come 'ere, lad! Let me introduce yeh."
A young creature with the head of an eagle and the body of a horse trotted over happily, wings fluttering slightly.
"What a beautiful creature—and adorable too." Lockhart stroked Buckbeak's feathers and offered a strip of meat. The hippogriff snapped it up, nearly taking his fingers with it.
"They say hippogriffs are born from griffins and mares. They fly higher and faster than any bird alive. Fierce as anything, but once you tame 'em, they're the most loyal mounts you'll ever meet! What do yeh think, Professor Lockhart—care to look after 'em with me? If yeh want, this little fellow could be yer flying mount someday."
"That's brilliant, Hagrid. I'd love to visit them often."
"I've even got a new idea, Professor—breeding a manticore with a fire crab. Imagine what wonders might come out!"
"Oh, creating new magical creatures? That's Merlin's work…" Lockhart thought smugly, Another future book perhaps—Lockhart and the Creatures He Created. Maybe Hagrid's giant blood can withstand the Memory Charm… "Fascinating idea, Hagrid! I fully support you. When your new creatures hatch, I must be the first to see them!"
Hagrid beamed so hard his beard seemed to fluff. "Course, Professor Lockhart! Yer my friend. Yeh might even like Professor Kettleburn—the walking encyclopaedia of magical beasts! He's the man I admire most." Hagrid's expression fell. "But he's not doin' so well these days… lookin' after all these critters takes a lot out of yeh."
"Oh, a shame. If he does retire, I think you'd make an excellent Care of Magical Creatures professor."
"D'you really mean that?" Hagrid's eyes widened. "Probably didn't know I was expelled from Hogwarts. Ah well—I'm happy enough as Keeper of the Keys."
——