Hogwarts: Don't call me Wandmaker

Chapter 111 The Persistent Lockhart
After finally managing to coax Colin Crevey away, Celen was able to eat his first beef pie.

"Sirlen, did you go to Lockhart's office?" Ron suddenly leaned over and asked.

"no, what happened?"

"Nothing much, I just heard that Lockhart stood outside his office all morning like a specimen."

“It’s not a specimen!” Hermione said irritably. “Professor Lockhart is just waiting for an important guest.”

“It’s really important,” Ron muttered to himself. “Everyone says he’s dressed like a peacock.”

“That’s a formal gown!” Hermione said. “It’s a formal gown that’s only worn on important holidays, and it’s the greatest respect you can show to your guests.”

Siren cut another piece of pie. He seemed to know who Lockhart was waiting for; if nothing unexpected happened, it should be Rita Skeeter.

This also suggests that Lockhart was the one who told the Daily Prophet about this—he certainly couldn't resist the temptation of being on the front page.

Why did Clita Skeeter find herself first?

He's just a wand maker who plays with wood and magical creatures (Rita Skeeter's description of Garrick).

In terms of fame, he can't be said to have none at all, but he's most famous for demolishing dormitories twice, which might generate some buzz among students, but he can't compare to Lockhart at all.

Why would Rita Skeeter deliberately block the second-floor corridor, as if she knew in advance that he would come out of the library?

Tom Riddle?
A name subconsciously popped into Siren's mind, further deepening his suspicions about Lockhart.

But if Lockhart was behind it, why would he be waiting at the office door?

Silen sighed. Good cores were certainly hard to come by, but Tom Riddle's constant underhanded tactics were also quite annoying.

Moreover, he was even more troubled because he didn't know if many things were Riddle's fault.

Xiren couldn't help but complain to Dumbledore. How long had it been? Couldn't he even find a student with a diary?

If all else fails, he'll just tell Harry.

With Harry's intelligence and courage, he will surely overcome all difficulties and find the basilisk and the diary.

Um, never mind... Siron suddenly remembered Harry's drowsy look.

Colin Creevey already made Harry feel bad about pushing him back into the fold, so it's best to keep him out of dangerous activities like the Chamber of Secrets and the Basilisk for now.

Let's wait and see. Besides, it might not be Tom Riddle playing tricks. He couldn't possibly know me. Maybe that note just has some kind of magic.

For example, whoever sees it first will automatically have a line of text written that will frighten them.

There is a lot of such magic at Hogwarts.

……

Despite thinking this way, after lunch, Celen still found an excuse to go to Lockhart's office.

Just like Ron said, Lockhart really looked like a peacock today.

His pale blue formal robe, resembling a forget-me-not flower, was embroidered with various exquisite patterns that formed a large "GL," the initials of his name.

The white cuffs were adorned with intricate pleats and a dazzling amethyst, paired with a gold lace-trimmed collar... Xiren couldn't quite understand this design; perhaps it was just a current trend.

After all, he hadn't been to a proper clothing store in a long time... except for buying school uniforms.

“Oh—it’s Siron.” Lockhart’s face flashed with disappointment, but it quickly disappeared, replaced by a warm smile. “Are you here to ask me for an autograph again? You really are the most greedy student I’ve ever met. But it’s alright, who would refuse a little special treatment for their admirer?”

As he spoke, Lockhart had already drawn a huge peacock feather pen.

“This time it’s not a book, Professor.” Siren tried hard not to show his disgust for the peacock feather pen.

This thing is really ugly, even more fancy than a shorthand quill pen, and the price is outrageously expensive. I feel like no one but Lockhart would ever buy it.

“I would like to borrow three books, but they are all in the restricted section.” Xiren took out a piece of parchment and placed it on the table. “So I need the professor’s signature.”

Lockhart glanced down.

*The Talking Book: A Guide to Advanced Curses*, *Singing Silverware and Talking Diaries*, *Dangerous Human Metamorphosis*

“Isn’t it a bit too early for someone your age to be involved in these things?” Lockhart paused slightly in his hand holding the quill, his gaze falling on the word “curse.”

Why don't you go find Minerva?

“I think you know more about curses than Professor McGonagall.” Celen stared at his expression. “In ‘Breaking Up with the Ghost,’ you used ginger root powder to break Wanlun Ghost’s curse.”

“Ah, that’s right. ‘Breaking Up with the Ghost’ is probably my favorite book.” Lockhart beamed and wrote his name on the parchment with a flourish.

"I must remind you, never think about doing anything bad."

“Of course, Professor,” Celen said.

After leaving the office, he casually tore off the two names at the top of the parchment.

These two books were originally edited by him, and they weren't even in the restricted book section. However, he still couldn't see any flaws in Lockhart's face this time; perhaps he was just overthinking it.

Siron went into the library and gave the remaining parchment to Mrs. Pince.

"Dangerous Metamorphosis?" She glanced at Xilen suspiciously, then looked at the cursive signature on the parchment with even more suspicion, before finally saying:
"It's Transfiguration again. Just wait here."

It looks like the signature was approved.

The Transfiguration magazine that Siren is currently reading has mentioned that book more than once, and everyone's opinions are surprisingly consistent.

Although this book is clearly marked as a highly dangerous magical tome, the human transformation techniques it describes are so compelling that it is hard to give up.

In other words, this is a book that has gained widespread recognition in the academic community, at least in the field of human deformity.

Siren had always wanted to see it, but Professor McGonagall wouldn't allow it. This time, Lockhart helped resolve the issue.

A few minutes later, Xiren left the library with a thick book with a red cover.

When he returned to the common room, Ron was, as always, struggling with his homework.

"How come it's still eight inches short? I clearly calculated it correctly!"

“Then write the words bigger,” Harry said.

“He’s almost as good as Nate now,” Ron sighed.

“Harry?” Siron was somewhat surprised to see Harry lounging around in the common room!
So, did Oliver Wood finally get captured by the Dementors for abusing his teammates?
“The match is tomorrow,” Harry explained. “Oliver gave us a day off, saying it was necessary to relax before the match. For the first time in days, I slept until seven in the morning.”

Xiren could actually hear a sense of happiness in his words, simply because he could sleep until seven in the morning... while Ron next to him wouldn't get out of bed until 8:30.

This was only because the castle stairs took too long; otherwise, he could have slept for another twenty minutes.

From this perspective, the Dementors really should have captured Oliver Wood; it seems he's become a bit obsessed with Quidditch.

Just like Lockhart on the front page headlines.

“But you don’t look relaxed at all.” Xiren walked over and sat down.

Harry's face was practically scrunched up, and his body was incredibly tense. It looked like he was doing his homework with Ron, but there wasn't a single word on the parchment.

Let's take another look at Ron's... better not to look at it at all. His Potions homework doesn't treat Snape like a human being at all. I feel like he could get fewer points deducted by handing in a blank parchment.

"Are tomorrow's opponents very strong?" Xiren asked casually.

“Slytherin,” Harry said worriedly, “They’re not very strong, but they have seven Nimbus 2001s. It’ll be hard for us to win.”

“What did I tell you? You should replace the broom handle with a large magic wand.” Xiren tempted, “Why don’t you give me a try? Give me one night, and I promise I’ll give you a brand new Nimbus 2000.”

"Let's... let's forget about it," Harry said with a forced laugh, rejecting Siron's suggestion.

Putting aside whether the "wand broom" met the competition requirements, Harry wasn't even sure if the broom could still fly after turning the wooden handle into a wand.

However, in Xilun's opinion, there's no need to worry about it at all.

The Quidditch rules only state that players are not allowed to use wands during the game, but they don't say that brooms can't be modified into wands... No, then it's not a wand.

It makes perfect sense that a magic broom can cast spells.

Seeing that Siren was about to say something more, Harry quickly changed the subject, asking, "What are you holding in your hand?"

“Ah, these are books I just borrowed from the library,” Siren said. “Would you like to read them?”

"No need for that," Harry quickly shook his head.

“That’s a real shame,” Siren said. “You can’t usually borrow this book without the professor’s signature.”

Harry didn't take it to heart. He was already struggling to finish his homework on time, so he had no interest in reading anything other than textbooks.

"Will you come to the game tomorrow?" Harry asked. "I think you were the only Gryffindor student who didn't come to the game last year."

“Who said that? I clearly went there,” Xilun retorted. “I remember you caught the Golden Snitch in just five minutes.”

Silen is indeed not very interested in Quidditch; after watching that game last year, he didn't find it particularly interesting.

However, he will definitely go to watch the game this year.

Because most wizards still like Quidditch, especially since this is the first game of the new school year, almost all students, including professors, will go to the pitch.

By then, the entire castle would be practically empty, and Siren felt unsafe.

Although the chances are slim, what if the basilisk comes out again? He can't keep petrifying himself, can he? If someone casts a shattering spell on him again, he'll really shatter.

Therefore, it's safest to follow the majority at this point.

……

(End of this chapter)