In the following days, Karl continuously monitored Gilderoy Lockhart and Ginny Weasley via the marauders map.
Monitoring a young Witch feels a bit perverted; it's better to monitor Tom instead.
Lockhart was busy showing off like a peacock around the school every day, with no unusual behavior.
There was no trace of Dark Arts on him either, as if that day had just been Karl's illusion.
However, even if he didn't trust himself, he couldn't not trust Fire Treasure.
Fire Treasure: (*>)
So, just in case, he made a special trip to the Ravenclaw Dean Office and told Moaning Myrtle not to appear in the Castle during this time.
Moaning Myrtle was very obedient, stating that he would absolutely not run around and would resolutely stay by Professor Flitwick's side.
In fact, except for the period when he first awakened and was active in stopping Peeves' pranks, he had rarely shown himself at other times.
On one hand, it was his personality, and on the other, it was Dumbledore's arrangement.
Moreover, the last appearance of Elvis Heller's Horcrux had indeed scared Moaning Myrtle.
As for Tom, he had already enticed Ginny Weasley to visit Hagrid's hut multiple times, seemingly preparing to target the roosters Hagrid kept.
The previous escape of the Castle's spiders was likely due to Tom entering the Slytherin Chamber of Secrets to check if the Basilisk was still alive, causing the Basilisk's aura to scare off the spiders.
"The problem with Lockhart can wait, but Tom's Horcrux should be dealt with quickly to avoid further complications."
In the original story, due to various coincidences, no one who encountered the Basilisk died; they were only petrified from indirectly meeting its gaze.
But reality is different. To prevent accidents, Tom would just have to be sacrificed.
Having made his decision, Karl put away the marauders map, transformed into a Cougar, and left the Hufflepuff dormitory, heading straight for the Headmasters Office.
"Albus! I'm here!"
Upon entering the Headmasters Office, Karl was surprised to see Grindelwald.
"Oh? Old man, you're here too? Perfect! I'll treat you to Fizzing Whizbees!"
Karl sat down next to Grindelwald with a playful grin, pulling out a handful of candies from his wristband and offering them to him.
Grindelwald: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Are you going to start with that bee poop joke again? You really need a beating!
"Brat! Let's go outside and duel!"
"Duel? Can you even catch me?"
Karl glanced at Grindelwald disdainfully. This old man couldn't catch him before, let alone now; he probably couldn't even see his back.
"You little bastard, who are you looking down on?"
"Certainly not Albus," Karl said, then raised an eyebrow at Grindelwald, "They say there's a rat among every three people, see?"
Dumbledore: — —
Grindelwald: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Karl: (￣_￣)
Grindelwald, who had jumped up and was rolling up his sleeves, was stopped by Dumbledore, "Ahem! You two, stop messing around. It's not good at this time of night."
"Exactly, exactly! Don't you old men have any public decency?"
Grindelwald was so angered by Karl that he was almost trembling. He looked at Dumbledore speechlessly.
Just keep spoiling this little bastard! Sooner or later, he'll burn down your office!
Dumbledore was as steady as the Alps; with Minerva present, he wasn't flustered at all.
"Karl, is there something you need me for?"
"To tell you a joke!"
Although he did have serious business, it didn't stop Karl from chatting idly first. After all, it was set for 2:30 AM, so there was still plenty of time.
What good could these two old men be chatting about in the middle of the night? Let me join you!
"Albus, you haven't been out these past few days because you were too ashamed to show your face, so you probably don't know that a lot of fun things have happened at school."
Dumbledore: (⊙_⊙)
"Ahem! Karl, I just found it inconvenient to go out, not that I was ashamed to show my face."
"Oh, oh! Close enough, close enough!"
Seeing the perfunctory Karl and the helpless Dumbledore, Grindelwald chuckled, "Serves you right!"
"No, no, no! There's still a big difference!"
"Oh, Albus, don't interrupt!"
Dumbledore: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Alright, alright! You're unhappy now, aren't you?
He reached up and covered his forehead, feeling exhausted. "Fine, you continue."
"Professor Lockhart of the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class couldn't even handle a few Cornish Pixies; he's simply a joke!"
"If Neville hadn't stepped in in time and picked up a bludgeon to knock them all down, who knows what a mess it would have caused!"
Upon hearing "bludgeon" and "Neville," Grindelwald immediately sat up straight. After all, the weapon was his, and the person was taught by him.
The young man performed well! I'll teach him a few more moves later! Grant him a special bludgeon!
"I heard that Professor Lockhart is now leading the young Wizards in acting plays in class. Will this really not affect teaching?"
Dumbledore blinked, "Heard? You didn't skip class, did you?"
"Of course not! That big peacock—I mean, Professor Lockhart—only reads from the textbook in our class."
Karl subconsciously clenched his hand, suddenly wanting to crush something.
"But then again, it's normal for me to skip class. What can he teach me?"
Dumbledore thought for a moment and found that it made a lot of sense; he couldn't refute it at all.
"After Halloween, Gellert will host a dueling club. With his guidance then, you won't fall behind in your studies."
Karl: (w)
Huh? That sounds fun!
If Lockhart tries to steal the spotlight and point fingers in front of the old man, can everyone just start feasting directly?
After all, compared to the old man, Snape is considered good-tempered.
Hehe! There's fun to be had!
Grindelwald: (￣_￣)
"What are you looking at me and smiling about, kid? The dueling club has requirements: Karl OLaughlin and Trolls are not allowed to enter."
"Huh? Then how will you get in to teach?"
"You little bastard, are you looking for a beating?"
"How about it? I'm itching for one now!"
Dumbledore: — —
You two are really enough!
"Quiet! Karl, besides Lockhart's joke, there must be something else, right?"
"Yes! Albus, yes! I want to inquire about the Malfoy family's whereabouts."
"Why do you ask about that?"
"That Draco Malfoy insulted Hermione Granger by calling her a Mudblood, and since I also fall within the definition of Mudblood, I've decided to blow up his entire family."
Dumbledore sighed, "Alright, don't do anything reckless. I'll handle this matter."
"I heard Lucius Malfoy is a member of the school board? It must be quite troublesome, right?"
Upon hearing Karl's words, a gleam flashed in Dumbledore's eyes.
"He's been making a lot of small moves recently, which might be related to some of the anomalies happening at school."
"I suspect Lord Voldemort's Horcrux has appeared at the school."
Karl: (⊙_⊙)
Huh? I haven't even said anything yet!
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