Crabbe was left at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries by Lockhart, tasked with finding ways to help more patients. He would spend the remaining month of the summer holiday there, under the watchful eyes of Healer Witch Straw and Healer Witch Naomi, so there would be no problems within the hospital. To guard against any potential involvement from Voldemort, Lockhart specifically left his red cloak and Boggart with Crabbe, just in case any extra circumstances arose.
A heart is a tender thing, and without resorting to the calculating notion that Crabbe might be useful in the future, the master-apprentice bond they had formed over this period alone was enough for Lockhart to want to ensure his apprentice's safety. Having lost his parents and resolved not to follow in his father's footsteps as a puppet of the Malfoy family, Crabbe truly had only his teacher, Lockhart, as a close figure in his life now. He treated Lockhart with the reverence and obedience one would show a father. While the wizarding world might not have the term 'shifu,' Crabbe genuinely considered Lockhart his master. This foolish boy possessed both a kind and a dark side, depending on how one guided him.
Lockhart sometimes pondered, when considering his many excellent students, why it was Vincent Crabbe and Percy Weasley who had ultimately stayed by his side after a year. Was it because he himself was a person similarly intertwined with good and evil? He didn't know; perhaps it was simply fate. Lockhart only knew that his desire to help Snape was genuine, as was his desire to help the Longbottoms. And his desire to torment Tom Riddle? That too was genuinely felt.
Tom.
Little old me is here.
Fairy tales, Hogwarts, the Chamber of Secrets in Slytherin.
"Tom, this is as far as I can help you," Lockhart said, looking rather dusty and travel-worn, as he handed the book, The Ever-Burning Flame of Life, to his favorite student.
"Professor, this is...?" Tom asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"That mysterious person..." Lockhart's expression was complex as he looked down at the magical book. "Though he seems to care nothing for human lives, I never expected that he, too, was exploring the path of life. I truly didn't." He then looked up at Tom. "I know you also favor this kind of magic, so I did everything I could to find this for you."
Tom appeared quite excited, staring disbelievingly at the magical notes in his hand. This was his future work! How utterly magical! He had only had a few ideas, yet here he was, directly receiving a magical tome written by his future self, with the abundant fruits of his labor laid out before him. Could anything be more wondrous?
"Professor, I..." He looked at his professor with a touch of apology, unable to bear deceiving someone who cared for him so deeply. He intended to confess that he was the very dark wizard the professor spoke of. But he didn't know how to begin. The professor despised Voldemort so intensely because this future version of himself had butchered countless lives, shattered many families, and killed many mothers. He clutched the magical notes tightly, looking earnestly at Lockhart. "Professor, I promise you, although we are both on the path of exploring the mysteries of life, I will absolutely not be like that dark wizard!"
Lockhart's face softened into a gentle smile, and he ruffled Tom's hair. "Yes, my boy, that's the right way. A person can never exist in isolation. I know that the humanities in this world are always talking about and seeking the self, but I want to tell you, 'I' exists between me and society, me and nature, me and all things."
Ancient Eastern humanities are quite difficult for Western wizards to comprehend. The Tao is not far from people; it resides within daily life, not in some distant, unreachable deity. Whether one obeys or rebels against a god, the underlying logic is entirely different. Thus, the 'self' can never exist in isolation. To pursue the self too ardently without exploring everything beyond it will ultimately lead to the loss of the self.
"The self is always the most special; yes, the self is always the protagonist of one's own life, and we must affirm the meaning of our existence. But, Tom, the self is a boat, and the world is the ocean. Even if the self is so special, a boat cannot leave the ocean; a boat benefits from the ocean, and it is also destroyed by the ocean."
"When you are exploring bloodlines, souls, physical existence, and everything else, you must never forget everything beyond 'I'."
Lockhart shared his insights with Tom, telling him to grasp them, but also not to believe that everything he said was absolutely correct, and then to delve into this magical notebook of the Dark Lord.
"I must earnestly warn you." When he spoke of this, Lockhart's expression became exceedingly serious. He tapped the book in Tom's hand, The Ever-Burning Flame of Life. "It has a grave flaw; yes, a flaw, but I will not tell you what it is." He looked at Tom with such earnestness, attempting to confirm in the boy's eyes that his words had been heard, his gaze profound. "I need you to study this book and tell me the answer."
Seeing the professor this serious, Tom also became serious, nodding vigorously and solemnly. "Professor, I will not disappoint you."
"Excellent!"
"If you have any questions, you can always write to me. I'm willing to come and discuss any magical problem with you during teaching breaks!"
Discussing magic with Tom was a challenging endeavor. This was because Tom was simply too brilliant. Lockhart was constantly amazed by Tom's talent, a kind of astonishment when answers he had pondered over for ages would simply flow from Tom's lips, and a marvel at how Tom would nonchalantly conjure perspectives Lockhart would never even consider. Such extraordinary talent; it was no wonder he was known as 'the most terrifying Dark Wizard in history.' In comparison, while Grindelwald might have commanded more prestige, it was mainly in the political sphere. In terms of magic, Tom might truly have held the upper hand.
Thus, Lockhart found himself forced to delve deeper into the questions Tom posed, or seek discussions with other powerful wizards, or search for various magical tomes and records, or... to experiment himself and deduce truly conclusive answers. Experimenting on himself was out of the question; unknown magical experiments were always perilous. So Lockhart approached Fudge, setting his sights on the prisoners in Azkaban. For example, Bellatrix and the other Death Eaters.
"You're actually researching bloodlines?" Fudge was utterly stunned by Lockhart's request, staring at him in disbelief. "You're not even thirty yet, are you?" What was he himself doing in his twenties? Oh, he was networking in several influential clubs to build political connections, working as a junior clerk in the Ministry of Magic to gain experience, and his heart was stirring as he flirted between a witch and a Muggle woman. Ambition, practicality, desire – he craved everything.
Yet this young man before him? Oh, it seemed he had quietly climbed to a position many wizards wouldn't reach in a lifetime: internationally renowned author, powerful master wizard, Hogwarts professor, Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries, and Chief Wizard of the Ministry's Bloodline Office... And even with all that, he was still not satisfied, continuing his pursuit of the magical path? Fudge had always believed that what he offered Lockhart were ample rewards befitting his status, but it turned out to be a step on an even higher ladder. It was quite logical for the Chief Wizard of the Bloodline Office to research bloodlines, but looking at the young wizard's face, he found it difficult to compare Lockhart to the likes of Dumbledore, Nicolas Flamel, or Merwyn.
"I'm not sure if it's appropriate for me to request several prisoners for research, as it truly goes against..."
Lockhart's words were cut short by Fudge. "You can!"
"Hmm?"
"I mean, I can make it happen for you." Fudge looked at Lockhart with a complex expression, then suddenly laughed, a hearty, unburdened laugh. "It's a good thing for the entire wizarding world when excellent, top-tier wizards strive for even greater heights. The Ministry of Magic naturally must lend a hand, especially since you're one of our own!"
Prisoners from Azkaban? Ha, this would be incredibly difficult for anyone else to arrange. Even Scrimgeour, the Head Auror in charge of Azkaban, couldn't manage it. Only he, Fudge, could easily facilitate this for Lockhart.
"I will launch a top-secret operation. No one will be allowed to access any information regarding it. Of course, if the International Confederation of Wizards initiates a formal investigation, the Ministry of Magic will be obligated to provide some information about this operation."
"For you, yes, to provide full legal support for your future endeavors!"
Fudge pulled out his wand and began casting spells and incanting words at a wall in the Minister's office. Soon, a cabinet covering the entire wall appeared. He quickly opened one of the cabinet doors and retrieved a blank file. From another cabinet, he pulled out special ink and a quill. Then, in front of Lockhart, he began writing the information for this operation file.
—**"Secret Investigation into the Truth of the Mysterious One's Resurrection"**
The structure of such classified files was extremely complex. Fudge summoned Undersecretary Umbridge to help construct the document. They wrote one after another, finally extracting two documents signed by both the Minister and the Undersecretary.
"Secret Operation Special Envoy Gilderoy Lockhart's Identity Confirmation." Fudge handed one of them to Lockhart. "I'll take you to the Wizengamot later to obtain a Special Envoy's magical badge." He then handed the other to Umbridge. "You take this directly to Scrimgeour later, and have him wait for Gilderoy and me to come discuss cooperation matters regarding the Aurors assisting the Special Envoy's operation."
Lockhart watched in amazement as Fudge seamlessly orchestrated one arrangement after another. He had actually managed to conjure up a supposed legal justification for Lockhart to "borrow" a few prisoners for dangerous magical experiments, a justification that most people wouldn't even be able to investigate. If questioned, it was legal. If questioned further, you weren't authorized to receive more information. Brilliant! Even Dumbledore couldn't officially investigate the truth of this matter, unless he intended to use his authority within the International Confederation of Wizards to formally demand an explanation from the British Ministry of Magic. But this would undoubtedly incur the hostility and resistance of many British Ministry employees, who would view it as an infringement on the Ministry's authority by the International Confederation of Wizards.
Fudge... He had a heart that yearned to be unfettered. Lockhart observed Fudge with interest, suddenly curious. "Minister, did you ever try the 'Bubble-Head Charm' when you were at school?"
Fudge was busily and smoothly writing his documents, and at the question, he paused, looking up with some confusion. "Why do you ask?"
"I suspect you might be particularly suited for that spell," Lockhart explained with a smile. "Every charm taught in Charms class at a magical school is a starting point. By delving deeply into the magical path along the lines of the 'Bubble-Head Charm,' one can enter the magical realm of anti-bondage and anti-confinement."
Fudge chuckled, finding the young man before him so unique and interesting. Even now, his mind was utterly consumed by magic. He shook his head dismissively. "My dormitory mates at school once planned an excursion to swim in the Black Lake, but I found it uninteresting and didn't participate, so I never properly engaged with that magic." With that, he had no intention of continuing the discussion and looked back down at his documents.
On the other hand, Umbridge's eyes lit up. She elbowed Fudge. "Cornelius, I think you should seriously consider Professor Lockhart's guidance!" Fudge frowned in confusion, looking at Umbridge, who seemed quite excited. "I've learned about some of Professor Lockhart's excellent teaching experiences at Hogwarts; many say he's remarkably skilled at unearthing a person's potential!"
"Perhaps you're suited for this magic? Perhaps you too can become a master wizard?"
Umbridge actually had a clear understanding of her chances of becoming Minister for Magic – precisely zero. She even knew that if a new Minister took office, despite her best efforts to maintain her authority, she would inevitably be slowly marginalized. Therefore, it was beneficial for her if Fudge became more powerful.
"The Bubble-Head Charm?" Fudge looked at Lockhart, puzzled.
"Yes, the Bubble-Head Charm. In the face of suffocating, seemingly endless pressure all around, one can wave a wand, and finally breathe freely and deeply, no longer influenced by anything outside oneself," Lockhart said, smiling at him.
"Is that so?" Fudge mused thoughtfully.
Beside them, Umbridge looked at Lockhart with some anticipation, hoping she might also receive some guidance on her magical path. To be honest, neither she nor Fudge had entirely pure intentions regarding magic, but their magical abilities were actually quite excellent. Umbridge believed her skills were not inferior to some experienced Aurors. She could easily cast a Patronus Charm, possessing a full-bodied Patronus, and her offensive spells were exceptionally potent, with the Stunning Spell and the Blasting Curse being remarkably proficient. She even knew Legilimency and the Unforgivable Curses. Most importantly, she was truly on an academic magical path, possessing a very high understanding of magical theory.
But alas...
It was a great pity...
Lockhart hadn't even truly glanced at her. Yes, wasn't that always the case for her? She was deemed inconsequential by the powerful, even after painstakingly climbing to the position of Undersecretary of the Ministry of Magic, she still wasn't truly acknowledged by many important figures. Well, this was actually quite normal, she knew. A pure political creature like herself was naturally not on the same path as the great wizards who explored the mysteries of magic.
But precisely because they were not on the same path, she would be more useful to Lockhart. Fudge would not be willing to help Lockhart with everything; his first consideration in any matter would always be Dumbledore's thoughts. Only she, yes, only she could prioritize Lockhart without any reservations.
No need to rush.
She told herself this.
There was no need to rush; there would be opportunities in the future for Lockhart to see her value.