Hogwarts Wasteland: The Witch from the Borderlands

Chapter 86 Orphan and Knight

In fact, Lockhart was four years younger than James and the others. By the time Lockhart was making his mark at school, the Marauders, Lily, Snape, and the others were almost graduating. Even those still in school had already begun to focus their attention outside of school.

At that time, James, Sirius, and others had already begun to do what they could to help Dumbledore, while Lily was busy publishing her potions paper and often worked day and night, and Snape was always invisible, probably already in league with Voldemort. Therefore, most of the elites of that generation were not familiar with Lockhart.

Lockhart truly rose to fame after graduation, wandering the world as a chivalrous wizard. He was kind-hearted, hated evil, and was also a skilled writer. When they heard his name again, they were lucky if they remembered the embarrassing incident he had caused back then.

Standing next to Lockhart was a male wizard, an official from Malfoy Castle. Hermione didn't notice him when she looked through the binoculars, but as she got closer, she realized that he was really ugly. His fat body made his dress look round, and his face looked like a poodle. From the adults' conversation, Hermione learned that his name was Hector Parkinson, a member of a pure-blood family, and the second-in-command of the Malfoy Castle government.

"This guy is a pure-blood, and he's extremely prejudiced against Muggles and Muggle wizards," Harry whispered to Hermione.

"It's said that he has a daughter who is the same age as us, but he firmly rejected Hogwarts' offer of admission and homeschooled her instead."

"Even a fool could tell that the kid he raises will be a pure-blooded madman," Ron scoffed. "Let me reiterate, although they count the Weasleys as one of the Twenty-Eight Families, we don't acknowledge that!"

Neville quickly followed suit: "We at Longbottom don't agree with that claim either!"

Leaving aside the children's hushed discussion, on the adults' side, Hector Parkinson, upon seeing the Potters arrive, immediately thought of a new way to attract attention. He affectionately put his arm around Lockhart's shoulder, invited Mrs. Lily to stand on his other side, and then loudly announced.

"And there's more exciting news! Mr. Lockhart, the pride of Malfoy Castle and a Platinum Knight, will be invited to become the Professor of Defense Against Wizardry at Hogwarts this year! He will also serve as the Head of Slytherin House!"

Another round of cheers erupted. Although most of the people gathered here had never attended the school, and the Muggles had only heard wizards mention it, it didn't stop them from celebrating.

"This guy clearly doesn't want to send his daughter to Hogwarts, so what's he so proud of now?" Ron muttered under his breath.

Lockhart, out of politeness, continued to interact with Parkinson, but Lily was not going to put up with these guys at all. She said bluntly, "Alright, Parkinson, enough of this small talk. We need some space to discuss this year's Hogwarts affairs."

As a Potions Master, Lily was often more assertive than Dumbledore. Even though there was another pure-blood Potions Master in Malfoy Castle, that one was much more extravagant. Unlike Lily, who was willing to take on large but low-level potion orders, that Potions Master had reached the point where he only cared about his reputation and didn't care how many Galleons he earned. He only cared about whether a more powerful new formula would be developed.

Hector froze, taken aback by Lily's laughter, and stammered, "But, but there are still children who haven't been taken home by their parents,"

us.-"

Lily interrupted impatiently, "Can't Malfoyburg even handle this little thing? Does Lockhart have to be here watching over it?"

"Your mom is so cool!" Hermione whispered to Harry.

Just then, a wizard who looked like a scribe squeezed through the crowd: "Sir, the families in the city who lost their children have all taken them back, but..."

He hesitated: "But there are some orphans without parents. They may come from other Muggle settlements in the wasteland, or even Squibs, or Muggles."

Because of the Pen of Acceptance's excessive sensitivity, among the children Voldemort abducts each year are indeed Squibs and pure Muggle children. They may have only accidentally acquired some magical aura, and unless these children experience a magical outburst on the spot, it is difficult for others to distinguish the differences.

Hector Parkinson's face contorted with disgust: "These filthy mud-bloods! Go prepare indentures, get these little bastards to sign them, and then throw them into the orphanage!"

If it weren't for Lockhart and Lily's sake, he wouldn't even want to let these children into the city. Even if they signed indentures, it would still be a loss for Malfoy Castle. By the time they grow up to be able to work, they would still need to eat for several years. Wouldn't it be better to just recruit adult Muggles from the wild with this food?

Muggles are like gnomes in the soil; even if they die from exhaustion, a fresh crop will grow next year after the frozen soil is turned over.

Even though Parkinson thought he had been merciful enough, to Lockhart and the Potter family, his words were as terrifying as the devil. These children, who were only 11 years old, were to be forced to sign indentures, destined to be servants for the rest of their lives. Even if some of them became wizards, the others would almost certainly die young from barely enough food to fill their stomachs and endless arduous labor.

Moreover, wizard contracts are very difficult to break. The magic within them will subject the breacher to severe curses, and death is already considered merciful. Some evil wizards' curses can turn the other party into a shrub that grows bright red berries every year for animals to eat, or into a carpet or a wheel, subjecting them to eternal torment.

"Isn't there any other way to settle them?" Lockhart couldn't help but ask. "I mean, find their parents and send them back." By the end, Lockhart himself felt it was unlikely. The Green Flame Party always dealt with Muggle settlements by smashing down the gates, killing their way through, and after kidnapping the children, the settlement was basically wiped out.

Parkinson patted him on the shoulder: "Lockhart, you also grew up in Malfoyburg. This city doesn't support idlers. You know very well how much the poll tax is per person per year. Maintaining this city takes a lot of effort. Kindness can't put food on the table."

Lockhart was speechless. He looked behind him and saw several small, thin figures huddled in the caravan, looking around in terror. The strangely dressed wizards were looking at them like they were merchandise. Even their fellow Muggle adults seemed oblivious, watching everything with numb eyes, not seeing anything wrong with making these children into slavery.

Lily couldn't hold back any longer. She exchanged a glance with James, and after obtaining his consent, she said, "Lockhart, we at Godric Cliff Street will take in the remaining children. We can feed them!"

Lockhart looked up in surprise and thanked them repeatedly. Although he had nothing to do with these Muggle kids and was just a good Samaritan, his strong sense of justice made it impossible for him to abandon them.

Parkinson gave a barely perceptible snort, muttered "good-natured fool" under his breath, and said no more. It was better if someone was willing to be the sucker; he had no desire to take on the Mudbloods' troubles.

"Lily, you take the children to the Leaky Cauldron first. I'll go back to Cliff Street and contact someone to come and settle these orphans." James looked back almost every few steps, watching Lily and Lockhart chatting happily, before awkwardly disappearing into the fireplace next to him.