Lockhart would leave Hogwarts and turn himself in to the Ministry. But this wasn't Dumbledore's demand—Lockhart came to him with this proposal.
Hogwarts students were the future of Britain's wizarding world. Some even stepped into high society the day after graduation.
In the Savior's eyes, in other students' hearts, his reputation was already ruined. Not to mention the White Wizard who'd seen through him before term even started...
His downfall was only a matter of time.
Rather than wait for death, better to use his current wealth and fame to prepare.
As the wizarding world's most famous bestselling novelist, you could call him incompetent, but not stupid.
Dumbledore wasn't too surprised by Lockhart's actions. He even felt some regret.
This was an overly shrewd thief.
Even his old friend had fallen into Lockhart's trap. It showed how thoroughly he understood human nature.
The master performer playing the clown on stage was also laughing at the audience below...
Gilderoy Lockhart was indeed guilty.
But the deeper problem lay in wizarding society itself. Too many people had their eyes blinded by profit, ears blocked, hands bound.
Otherwise, this boastful thief wouldn't dare negotiate with him so brazenly.
Dumbledore agreed to Lockhart's request. Lockhart immediately proposed a condition.
He wanted to maintain correspondence with Polly.
If this wish couldn't be fulfilled, he'd rather continue being a fraud.
The Order of Merlin's honor, the Ministry's titles, the Dark Force Defense League's status, or Witch Weekly's praise, magical shampoo profits...
The network behind all this was deeply entangled.
He still had value. High value.
Unless he voluntarily surrendered, no one could send him to the Ministry for punishment.
Even with evidence, it would be destroyed before he reached the Wizengamot courtroom. He'd be acquitted...
"Polly?"
"Polly Shelby?"
Hearing Lockhart's condition, Dumbledore frowned slightly. Even felt a headache coming.
"No..."
Gilderoy Lockhart answered seriously and persistently: "It's Polly Celeste Black!"
"..."
Dumbledore fell into brief contemplation.
In the White Wizard's heart, nothing was more important than wizarding society's future.
Lockhart might not teach students truly useful knowledge, but he could teach them things not in textbooks. Help them avoid repeating mistakes. Not becoming certain types of people. Not doing certain things.
Lack of knowledge was only temporary regret. But moral deficiency would lead one's life down a path of no return. Causing lifelong regret.
He absolutely couldn't let the children see a fraud continue getting away with it. Even gaining glory.
"Gilderoy."
"Allow me to address you this way for the first time."
Dumbledore didn't immediately respond. Instead, he gazed deeply into Lockhart's eager eyes.
"Can you tell me why?"
"You know, not everyone can decisively abandon wealth and fame like you. Willingly step into a despised quagmire. I won't hide it—I'm somewhat surprised."
In Dumbledore's view, Lockhart could easily take his wealth and flee. Live anonymously in comfort.
This wasn't difficult for a wizard.
He also believed that with Lockhart's talents, even in the Muggle world, he'd manage well.
Gilderoy Lockhart fell silent for a moment. As if seeing his past in Dumbledore's eyes.
That insecure yet arrogant Ravenclaw.
That gentle and considerate Hufflepuff.
That afternoon when petals fell...
He laughed softly. His trembling, hoarse voice carried barely detectable nostalgia and regret.
"Headmaster, I once naively thought Polly left me because of my obsession. My incompetence."
"So after leaving Hogwarts, I tried everything. Did my utmost to prove myself. Trying to tell her she was wrong. That I'd achieved success and fame..."
At this point, Lockhart's voice was nearly a murmur. But the determination in his eyes grew clearer.
"But I was wrong!"
He clenched his teeth tightly.
As if swallowing all regret and unwillingness. Leaving only persistence and determination for the future.
"I have many titles—adventurer, speaker, author, professor, celebrity..."
"But these seemingly noble professions are just means of making a living."
Under Dumbledore's increasingly somber gaze, Lockhart's regret-filled eyes gradually closed. His lips unconsciously curved upward. As if only this way could the figure in his mind become clearer.
"Headmaster."
"Shouldn't the reason we come into this world be poetry and distant places? Romance and love?"
"She was the first light in my life."
"I'll never give up. Even if I die on this path of pursuit..."
"Then let him die!"
Tiger slammed the table and stood.
Black lines seeped from his fierce eyes. His teeth were replaced by Venom's fangs. His monster-like roar made Dumbledore's white beard fly wildly.
The desk edge cracked and collapsed.
As if the next moment, he'd launch an assault on Dumbledore.
"Oh, heavens!"
Mrs. Weasley instinctively reached for her wand. Her husband Arthur gripped his wife's hand tightly.
Venom's instinctive pressure made their foreheads instantly break out in cold sweat.
"Don't worry, Molly."
"Tiger won't hurt you..."
"He's a good person."
Dumbledore paid no attention. Instead cheerfully reassured the tense Weasleys.
However, as Venom completely covered Tiger's body, revealing that exaggerated, fierce form, the Weasleys' pupils dilated to their limits. Their wildly beating hearts didn't calm at all.
Dumbledore shook his head helplessly.
Even as Venom's fangs bit toward his head, his expression remained calm and serene.
"Tiger."
"Why don't you ask Polly's opinion?"
Like a guillotine's gate falling, the sound of fangs closing was crisp enough to make one's hair stand on end. Dumbledore's head instantly disappeared from his shoulders. The Weasleys' faces went white.
In their memories, even Voldemort had never been this insane...
Dumbledore's figure dissolved into silver mist. Sensing the flame-like burning pain in his mouth, the pale fierce eyes immediately scanned every corner of the office. Viscous saliva dripped from between his teeth.
But the next second, the world spun.
Reality seemed to overturn.
The room's scenery began rapidly retreating. The Weasleys' terrified faces twisted and stretched.
Tiger felt dizzy. When he came to, he found himself outside the Headmaster's office.
"Shit!"
With an out-of-control roar, the sharp giant axe viciously shattered the stone gargoyle door. The thunderous crash of flying bricks echoed through the corridor.
When Venom burst into the Headmaster's office again, the room was already empty. Only dust slowly fell in the light streaming through the windows.
That strong temptation from the Philosopher's Stone had somehow quietly dissipated like morning mist.
Just then, Dumbledore's deep, distant voice rang in the empty room. As if crossing spatial boundaries.
"Lockhart's life was full of falsehood, but his love wasn't. Polly once felt joy because of him."
"Tiger, perhaps you don't understand now."
"But someday, you'll meet that person as brilliant as a rainbow."
"Then you'll discover that all past people and events were just fleeting clouds in life. Only that sincere love is eternal..."
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