All gifts bestowed by fate come with a hidden price tag.
Draco recalled a phrase he had once read.
On the stage, Lockhart was basking in glory, unjustly posing as the saviour despite being the cause of it all, which seemed unfair.
But in reality, it was fair.
He had already paid a heavy price.
For perhaps only Merlin knew how much longer Lockhart had to live.
Even in a world where magic exists, certain laws must be obeyed, similar to the principles discovered by physicists in the Muggle world.
That is, the law of conservation.
The original Ginny could escape death due to the diary's destruction, as the life force taken by the diary was returned to her.
Lockhart, however, might not be so lucky, as he had already exhausted his future.
In the wizarding world, the top figures are Dumbledore, Lord Voldemort, and Grindelwald, all undisputedly 'god-level' in power and skill.
In the second tier, some Professors at Hogwarts skilled in combat might qualify, with Snape being one of the best, able to hold his own against Professor McGonagall and Flitwick in the original story.
So, what price must Lockhart pay to defeat Snape in a proper duel, even if Snape underestimated him?
Only Merlin could answer that.
Even as a young Dark Lord, Lord Voldemort would have known Dark Arts to sacrifice life for power.
Lockhart might have to thank his above-average talent, or he might not be standing on stage boasting of others' achievements.
Time turned back to not long ago.
'Professor, I suggest you keep an eye on Lockhart,' Snape said in his low, hoarse voice. A top wizard is neither humble nor arrogant, and Snape, knowing his strengths, cared more about someone's unusual behaviour and safety than victory.
Thus, after the Duelling Club, Snape made this suggestion to Dumbledore.
The office was still filled with mist, silver instruments puffing smoke, as Dumbledore intently unwrapped a sweet, seeming to ignore Snape's suggestion.
'Severus, please help an old man whose hands are not so nimble, like unwrapping a sweet,' Dumbledore said, not even looking up, tossing a sweet to Snape.
This was a poor attempt to change the subject.
The sweet hit the floor with a light thud, signalling Snape's protest.
Clearly, he did not comply.
'Oh, very well, Severus,' Dumbledore sensed the rising anger, though Snape remained silent.
'You are too suspicious,' Dumbledore said slowly, his voice calming.
'We do not have the luxury of worrying about a Professor's capabilities. Lockhart was a notable figure during his school days, and an excellent student; becoming an excellent teacher is quite normal, isn't it?' Dumbledore said with a smile.
'But...' Snape gripped his wand tightly.
'I know what you want to say. Even the best teachers cannot prevent classroom accidents. After all, it was his first class; nerves are understandable,' Dumbledore continued, looking at Snape. 'You can't guarantee Neville Longbottom won't make a mistake in class, can you?'
'But...' Snape tried to continue, but Dumbledore interrupted again.
'Professor Snape, I suggest you focus on your potions. We will need your magical potions after the Mandrake matures,' Dumbledore said sternly, thinking of his petrified students.
'Very well, Headmaster, I think you will be satisfied.'
Snape did not insist further, turning sharply and striding towards the door. But as his last foot was about to cross the threshold, his cold tone still held a hint of chilling anger.
'I just hope the next potion you ask me to brew does not require a resurrection prefix.'
With that, the office door silently closed, hiding the underlying turmoil.
'Waste is not a behaviour to be encouraged.'
Dumbledore sighed softly, picking up the fallen sweet, brushing off the dust, and finding an easy spot to unwrap it.
'Rip.' The wrapper came off.
Unlike before, Dumbledore now seemed at ease.
Was he feigning incompetence earlier, or using magic now? Perhaps only this old man knows.
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