novelhk Chapter 47 Lockhart's Success Story by Xiaosheng
Chapter 47 Lockhart's Success Story by Xiaosheng
These three heroes swore an oath of brotherhood. Although it did not cause any earth-shattering or ghost-weeping events, they had long since etched the words of sharing life and death into their hearts.
Harry cupped his hands and said, "My sister and brothers know that Voldemort, who harmed my parents, still has a remnant soul alive in this world, and his whereabouts are unknown."
"This thief is as slippery as an eel in oil, and more cunning than a thousand-year-old fox. It would be too difficult for me to kill him alone. Would you and my brother be willing to help me?"
Ron and Hermione both knew of his blood oath, "I am no man if I do not kill Voldemort," and they never forgot it when they recited that vow of life and death together.
Ron said seriously, "Harry, we're friends. If you want to kill Voldemort, then I'll clear out the Death Eaters in front of him!"
It was just like a young boy, full of arrogance, boasting of his strength in the name of loyalty. Ron spoke with great passion, and Hermione was also stirred by his heroic spirit. She felt her blood surging and blurted out:
"If it weren't for you and Ron coming to save me, I might have died in the bathroom long ago. I owe you my life."
After saying this, Hermione was startled, and her ears felt hot.
How could I have said something like that?!
She coughed again and said, "What I mean is... that giant monster was released by the mysterious person, so I also want to seek revenge on the mysterious person."
Seeing that both of them were willing to face the life-or-death situation with him, Harry was delighted and poured a drink, saying:
"I have spoken out of turn and underestimated the courage of my elder sister and brother. I should punish myself with three cups of wine."
After drinking three more bowls of wine, Harry said, "Although my elder sister and brother are not the kind of people who are afraid of death, they still need to develop some good skills."
"That Voldemort may be a vile scoundrel, but he's brimming with evil magic and sorcery. If we rashly go forward, wouldn't we be fighting a tiger bare-handed and throwing our lives away?"
Harry spoke with utmost care and precision; both Ron and Hermione knew he was speaking words of gold.
The professors at the academy naturally had to teach according to the rules and regulations. How could those few, who were only second or third year students, possibly learn such powerful spells?
It would be better to hone your martial arts skills; that would be far more effective than those useless noise-reducing spells and glow spells.
Ron readily agreed with Harry's words.
That white frost mithril ring knife was indeed beautiful and sharp, and since most teenagers like to wield knives and sticks, how could Ron not be envious?
"No problem! Actually, I've wanted to train with you for a while, but it's hard for me to get up in the morning."
Ron rubbed his hands together. "Speaking of which, where should I go to have weapons forged? Should I go see Professor Flitwick again?"
Harry shook his head and said, "Brother, you haven't even learned how to walk yet, how can you expect to run? If you don't develop a body of steel, even Guan Yu's crescent blade won't be of any use to you."
Knowing that Harry was a master of physical training, Ron had no choice but to give up his idea and shrugged, saying, "Alright, Harry, I'll listen to you."
From then on, the three of them rose at the crack of dawn and practiced martial arts from dawn until dusk.
At first, Ron stood tall and tucked in his stomach, trying to look like a hero. But after only three or five days, he looked as if his tendons and bones had been pulled out. His arms were limp, his legs were trembling, and before he had even practiced for half an hour, he was panting like a broken bellows.
Although he couldn't bear the hardship, Mrs. Weasley was even more concerned than Harry when she saw that he had left the warm bed and was no longer idle.
Every day, he held the spatula like a whip, giving Ron a few slaps if he slacked off even slightly. He turned Ron into a greasy man, his whole body reeking of meat.
Hermione was physically weak; despite her desperate efforts, she couldn't keep up with Harry's frenzied training methods and could only manage to do so barely each day.
However, she was clever and eager to learn, and had a keen eye and sharp mind. After seeing Harry practice several times, she memorized every move.
He practiced during the day, his clothes soaked with sweat, and tossed and turned at night, rehearsing until he was exhausted. He even learned seven or eight parts of the ruthless close-quarters combat techniques and had several deadly moves hidden in his sleeves.
Now that they've endured a month, both of them have developed impressive muscles and strong bones.
If you were to take off that bulky wizard's robe, everyone who saw it would praise you.
"Harry, Hermione, and Ron, you three, come and eat!"
"By the way, the Hogwarts owl has already sent the letter."
At midday, Mrs. Weasley called out, and the two who had just finished practicing, panting heavily, followed Harry into the room. Percy and the others were already seated, each holding a few letters to read.
Mrs. Weasley waved her wand, causing the steaks to float to everyone's plates. She then rummaged through drawers and cupboards with Arthur, searching for a few copper and silver coins.
"You guys have to go to Diagon Alley to buy school supplies this afternoon. Oh, the things we need to buy this year are going to be really expensive."
"Of course, the most important thing is our little Ginny; she needs quite a few new things."
Upon hearing this, Arthur complained, "Actually, only Lockhart's book was the most expensive."
"Arthur, you can't slander someone just because he's better than you. His books are absolutely worth three gallons each."
"Please, Molly—I mean you should know, he made it all up himself."
The couple started arguing again, and Harry, out of curiosity, went to the counter and took his letter.
After carefully reading through the documents, I realized that all I needed to buy were books.
Harry looked at the list and saw countless titles, such as "Walking with Trolls," "Sailing with Vampires," and "Wandering with Werewolves."
Judging from the author, it was written by a wizard named Gilderoy Lockhart.
Harry looked at the book title and exclaimed in surprise, "What a cunning and extravagant man! Does he really possess such amazing skills in exorcising demons?"
Fred and George grinned in unison. "Your Majesty, please trust your guards. This slick-haired fellow is definitely a treacherous minister."
These two didn't believe Lockhart, and Ron also advised, "Forget it, Harry, this guy is just too flashy."
"Can you imagine that he even wrote a book like 'Giddro Lockhart Teaches You How to Get Rid of Household Pests'?"
"It's like Professor Dumbledore knowing a hundred ways to make cockroach candy."
The younger ones didn't believe it, and Mrs. Weasley, hands on her hips, angrily said, "Oh, you know everything now, Mr. Ron."
"You haven't dealt with household pests, and I haven't either? Lockhart's method is really effective!"
Harry knew that Molly Weasley was a hardworking woman; inside and outside the house, in the garden and on the lawn, in her daily life, everything was taken care of by her.
Since she said Lockhart's method was effective, she must have some real skill involved.
Harry thought to himself: Is he really a cunning and ruthless man? He is knowledgeable in both the mainstream and the unorthodox methods. He must be a wizarding encyclopedia, a know-it-all among wizards.
Why don't I meet with him and ask how to capture that scoundrel Voldemort's soul?
The Church has a way of knowing how to subdue trolls, slay werewolves, and drive away centuries-old bat spirits; it also knows how to rid the world of insects and ants, clean filth, and sweep the hearth and doorstep. Harry has a soul-searching question: Lockhart is known as the encyclopedia. But does Lockhart really know everything? We'll have to wait and see.