Chapter 133. Greed
Over the following stretch of time, Adrian Wesson kept studying that piece of ancient magic for tracking souls.
However, the conditions for that ancient magic were so exacting that Adrian didn't even know where to begin.
He had no idea where to find "a witch or wizard with a gift for ancient magic."
Ancient magic was an exceedingly rare talent, almost vanished in the present day.
At least in Adrian's memory, he had never once met a witch or wizard gifted in ancient magic.
In the end, Adrian could only shelve the plan for the time being.
Two weeks went by in a flash.
Adrian's life at Hogwarts steadily settled into a rhythm.
There was, however, one person whose time at Hogwarts was not going smoothly.
Ever since Gilderoy Lockhart had lost face in his very first lesson, the content of his subsequent classes had devolved into reading aloud from his own adventure stories and making students play the parts.
His popularity with the students plummeted at speed.
One afternoon.
There was half an hour to go before the fourth-years' Care of Magical Creatures lesson.
Adrian was on a patch of open ground near the Black Lake, preparing for the fourth-years' Care of Magical Creatures class.
It was a practical lesson. Adrian had prepared a group of Nifflers and hidden a few Galleons and silver Sickles around the clearing.
Nifflers adored shiny little trinkets; Adrian planned to have his students use the Nifflers to search for the coins hidden here and there.
Though Nifflers were very docile and obeyed Adrian's commands, the moment treasure was involved, they became restless.
Adrian had no choice but to lock them in cages for the moment.
In addition, Adrian had asked Rai to help.
A Thunderbird's eyesight was exceptionally keen; if any Niffler bolted during class, Rai would notice at once. With everything ready, Adrian sat at the edge of the Black Lake, leaned against Rai's warm body, and shut his eyes for a brief rest.
Rai had grown again lately; he was now almost big enough to match Adrian in size, which made him an excellent backrest.
Just then, Rai let out a low cry and tapped Adrian's shoulder with his sharp beak.
Adrian opened his eyes and followed Rai's gaze to see Gilderoy Lockhart walking towards him.
He wore dazzling purple robes, and his golden hair gleamed in the sunlight.
"Ah, Professor Wesson!" Lockhart waved to Adrian as if they were old friends long parted.
"Good afternoon."
Adrian stood, patted the grass off his robes, and said in some surprise, "Professor Lockhart?"
"No need to be nervous, Professor Wesson," Lockhart replied with a brilliant smile. "Although I am a celebrity, everyone who knows me knows I am always approachable."
As he spoke, he took a few steps closer. His eyes couldn't help darting to Rai, and a flicker of barely perceptible unease crossed them.
With so large a bird sprawled on the ground, he could hardly ignore it.
Rai tilted his head slightly, spread his wings a fraction, and fixed the uninvited guest with a piercing stare.
"This is…?" Lockhart asked Adrian.
"As you can see," Adrian nodded slightly, stroking the edge of Rai's wing, "a Thunderbird."
Rai narrowed his eyes and gave two gentle calls.
Seeing this—
"Why, of course I know Thunderbirds," Lockhart drew himself up and donned his signature confident smile once more. "You must understand, when I travelled on the far side of the world, I once came upon a whole flock of Thunderbirds—and I gained their trust with the greatest of ease…"
Affecting nonchalance, he reached out a hand, intending to touch those feathers.
At the instant Lockhart's fingers were about to brush Rai's plumage, the clear sky dimmed for a heartbeat—then a bolt of lightning cracked down, striking the ground less than an inch from Lockhart's feet. The grass there turned black and smoked in thin wisps.
Lockhart sprang into the air as if struck by lightning himself, scrambled back on his knees a few steps, and fell onto the ground, his face ashen.
"Don't rush, Professor Lockhart. Rai dislikes strangers who suddenly get too close."
Adrian couldn't help a quiet sigh. What sort of person would blithely approach without the faintest idea of a Thunderbird's temper?
He strode over to Lockhart and, with a helpless gesture, hauled him up from the ground.
Lockhart clambered up in a fluster, the smile still plastered on his face, though the trembling at the corner of his mouth betrayed how badly he had been startled.
"Ha… ha ha, what a lively little fellow." He gave a dry laugh and instinctively edged farther from Rai, as though afraid another bolt might come winging down from the heavens.
"So," after soothing Rai, Adrian asked Lockhart bluntly, "what can I do for you, Professor Lockhart?"
"I was merely passing by to see if anyone needed a helping hand…"
Lockhart steadied himself and said to Adrian, "Are you still using my shampoo?"
Adrian nodded.
Buoyed by Adrian's confirmation, Lockhart brightened at once. "Ah—Gilderoy Lockhart's Exclusive Shampoo—let your hair shine as brilliantly as mine. As a devoted fan of my haircare line, I wanted to ask—what do you think of it?"
"Er…" Adrian thought it over carefully, then looked at Lockhart. "Possibly… too expensive?"
Lockhart chuckled and stepped forward to clap Adrian on the shoulder. "A necessary cost! To tell the truth, I haven't earned so much as half a Galleon from those products—I'm promoting them to the entire world!"
Hearing that, Adrian suddenly felt that what Lockhart had written in his book—that his secret ambition was to rid the world of evil and promote his full range of haircare products—was entirely in earnest.
Then Lockhart changed tack, curiosity in his eyes. "By the way, Professor Wesson, I heard from Professor Flitwick that you travelled abroad for a full six years. Is that true?"
Adrian was taken aback for a moment, then nodded. "It is."
"Six years! A full six years!" Lockhart flung his arms wide in theatrical amazement. "I'm sure you must have some marvellous adventures—just like me. Of course, my exploits are inimitable, but you mustn't sell yourself short. I've also heard you published a splendid paper not long after you graduated."
Watching the overexcited Lockhart, Adrian took half a step back.
"That was a long time ago," he said. "Nothing worth mentioning."
He had no idea what Lockhart was aiming at by bringing all this up.
Perhaps… he simply wanted to brag?
What Lockhart said next, however, took Adrian by surprise.
"Professor Flitwick holds you in very high regard," Lockhart lowered his voice with a smile. "Have you ever considered writing your adventures into a book? Like I did."
"Write a book?" Adrian blinked.
"Yes," Lockhart thumped his chest. "Naturally, I'd offer you some guidance. This is my area of expertise."
"I'm not interested." Adrian shook his head.
"Oh, don't be so quick to refuse!" Lockhart rubbed his hands eagerly. "Let's think of a captivating title… I could serve as your editor. In my experience—"
"That won't be necessary." Adrian cut him off, his voice a shade colder than usual.
Though Lockhart hid it well, Adrian had already seen it—unvarnished and utterly pure—the greed glinting in his eyes.
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