"Gilderoy, what do you think of this question?"
Professor Dumbledore's gentle voice echoed just as Lockhart lost all color in his face.
However, Lockhart didn't find Dumbledore's voice gentle in the slightest.
Those with guilty consciences scare the fastest.
"Professor Dumbledore might also want to take a guess. You'd never imagine which spell I'm most proficient in. Over the years, I've used it to escape danger many times."
Since he couldn't dodge the situation, he might as well take a gamble.
Lockhart did still possess some level of determination—otherwise, he could never have deceived so many people for so long without being exposed.
In truth, the first few years after he left Hogwarts were definitely his peak.
But after so long without using most spells, his familiarity had faded.
Except for the one spell he used all the time.
"Oh? Then it seems you've survived many dangers. The spell you're most proficient in wouldn't happen to be Avada Kedavra, would it?"
After Dumbledore said this, Lockhart broke into a cold sweat, a chill piercing straight through his heart.
Even if he had ten times his current courage, he still wouldn't dare say he was proficient in Avada Kedavra.
This wasn't a matter of spell mastery.
This was a matter of whether he wanted to spend the rest of his life in Azkaban.
Even if the truth came out—that he was a fraud who ambushed countless wizards with Memory Charms to steal their experiences—his network of connections might still help him.
At worst, he'd get a few years in Azkaban and possibly earn a release later on.
But if Dumbledore said Lockhart knew Avada Kedavra, and that he had used it on wizards or magical creatures…
Forget a few years—he'd probably die of old age in Azkaban.
"Professor, please don't speak nonsense. I do not know Avada Kedavra, nor have I ever used Avada Kedavra!" He immediately defended himself.
If he was even a second too late, who knew if this Great White Wizard would declare him a Dark Wizard.
That would be the end.
"Don't get excited, don't get excited!"
"I was only joking with you. You believe me, don't you, Gilderoy?"
Dumbledore blinked innocently, almost childlike.
Lockhart wiped the sweat from his forehead, his smile painfully stiff.
"I know Professor likes to joke. It's fine… it's fine!"
Dumbledore's "jokes" were more terrifying than any threat.
Was this a joke?
This was clearly using the situation to intimidate him!
Lockhart's thoughts drifted back to last month, when Professor Dumbledore approached him and invited him to return to Hogwarts as a teacher.
Originally, Lockhart had no intention of returning.
He knew exactly where his limits were.
After he stopped using most of his spells, his magical ability declined sharply.
Except for a few spells, he could barely cast anything now.
How could he possibly teach at Hogwarts like this?
Wouldn't that be misleading students?
He also understood that if he returned to Hogwarts, he would be exposed the moment the other professors saw him in action.
But Dumbledore's smiling face was too intimidating—and the things he said back then made Lockhart's entire body go cold.
"Gilderoy, I don't think you would refuse an old man's suggestion. After all, not everyone enjoys spending a lifetime in Azkaban."
Even now, he remembered those deep blue eyes.
Eyes that seemed to contain magic.
…
"See, I told you, Hermione!"
"Lockhart is just a fraud—a fraud with a reputation but no substance!"
Ron was ecstatic.
The questions from the [Live Broadcast Q&A System] were the best proof.
Even the questions called Lockhart a fraud with no real ability—so of course he had no substance.
Hermione rolled her eyes and refused to engage with this smug idiot.
"Do you think Lockhart might also be that person's accomplice?"
"The one who opened the Chamber of Secrets and attacked Filch's cat?"
Harry's gaze sharpened; at this moment, he was thinking even deeper than usual.
"Probably… not," Ron said uncertainly.
He believed Lockhart was a fraud, but Voldemort's accomplice? That thought had never crossed his mind.
"Harry, do you have any basis for saying that?" Hermione asked firmly.
Harry shook his head.
"I have no evidence."
"Then why do you think Lockhart is… that person's accomplice?"
Even Hermione went quiet at mentioning Lord Voldemort's name.
His name could be spoken—but not everyone had the courage.
"Did you forget Quirrell from last term?"
"At the time, who would've thought that the timid, trembling professor—who couldn't even control his classroom—would turn out to be Voldemort's accomplice?"
The more Harry talked, the brighter his eyes grew.
He was beginning to convince himself that Lockhart was the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets—and that he was here to help Voldemort get revenge on Hogwarts.
"But… that's still not enough to suspect Lockhart. We really have no evidence," Hermione insisted.
"Who said we don't?"
Harry looked at her mysteriously.
"You have evidence that Lockhart is that person's accomplice?" Hermione asked, stunned.
Ron looked even more shocked.
He was practically glued to Harry every day. How could Harry have evidence that he didn't know?
Had Harry secretly run off on another solo mission?
"Uh… no, not really," Harry admitted, rubbing his nose awkwardly.
"Then what are you—"
"But we can go find some! We can secretly investigate Lockhart. If he's the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets, he'll slip up eventually!"
He wanted to shout, but he didn't want people to overhear, so he forced himself to whisper and restrain his flailing gestures.
Aiden, who was about to prompt the seven people on the platform to answer the next question, glanced at Harry with amusement.
If he didn't already know the diary was with Ginny Weasley, he might've actually suspected Lockhart too.
"Alright, discussion over. Let's start the quick-fire questions."
...
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