Inside his trunk, Wayne prudently summoned Ho-Oh to examine him.
"Chirp chirp~!"
"You say my vitality remains unchanged?"
Seeing Ho-Oh's resolute gaze, Wayne felt somewhat reassured.
Truth was, his knowledge of Horcruxes was minimal, and this wasn't just any ordinary Horcrux.
Among all magical disciplines, Dark Magic was Wayne's poorest subject. Partly due to his naturally weakest aptitude in this area, which dampened his research enthusiasm. Partly because he lacked a suitable mentor—no one seemed appropriate to consult.
And Horcruxes represented the pinnacle of Dark Magic, warranting extreme caution.
During his conversation with Tom, he'd sensed faint probing—clearly the diary had attempted Legilimency.
Yet mental spells like the Imperius Curse or Confundus Charm hadn't manifested, likely because Tom's power remained too feeble.
...
The next morning in the Great Hall, Wayne noticed all the Weasleys beaming.
Students clutching Daily Prophet whispered among themselves, occasionally glancing toward the Gryffindor table.
"Cedric, pass me the paper."
Wayne approached, and Cedric handed it over.
The front-page photograph showed King's Cross Station, rendered eerily ominous by some photo editing technique.
The headline proved even more sensational:
"Our World No Longer Safe"
"The Chosen One Locked Out: Moral Bankruptcy or Human Depravity?"
"Join our exclusive exposé uncovering the truth behind the flying car incident."
Wayne's mouth twitched.
He marvelled at the Prophet's efficiency—publishing overnight—while simultaneously recoiling at the outrageous headline.
Then he spotted the author: Rita Skeeter.
'Ah. That explains everything.'
Truth be told, Wayne rather enjoyed Skeeter's articles. Regardless of its veracity, the scandalous entertainment value of her column surpassed that of all other columns. Perfect for lighthearted diversion.
Moreover, Rita Skeeter was an illegal Animagus who could transform into a beetle, enabling her to infiltrate places that were normally inaccessible. Who knows—some of those sensational headlines might actually contain a grain of truth.
Following the headline, Wayne continued reading.
The article first recounted the flying car incident, no different from previous reports, before abruptly shifting focus to the station platform.
"Currently, eight witnesses have confirmed that the Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter, and his sidekick Ron Weasley attempted to enter the platform, only to find it completely sealed off."
"Muggles were shocked by their bizarre behaviour. To avoid drawing excessive attention, the Boy Who Lived opted for the backup plan prepared by Arthur Weasley, then Head of the Ministry of Magic's Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office..."
"Upon arriving at school, the Boy Who Lived felt overwhelming unease, suspecting a premeditated plot against him..."
"In desperation, the Boy Who Lived tearfully penned a plea for help, sent to this very publication, complete with a bloody fingerprint—proof that his mental state teeters on the brink of collapse..."
The rest of the article was filled with exaggerated descriptions of Harry's psychological state and scathing critiques of the Ministry. It even ventured the malicious speculation that certain escaped Death Eaters had infiltrated the Ministry's upper echelons, seeking to eliminate the Boy Who Lived in revenge for the Dark Lord.
Wayne shook his head.
Rita Skeeter really had the audacity... even daring to bring up the Dark Lord.
Then again, most of the wizarding world believed Voldemort was already dead. Though still too fearful to speak his name, referring to him as "the Dark Lord" was a risk someone like Rita—who valued headlines over her own life—was willing to take.
After finishing the article, Wayne knew his goal had been achieved.
No doubt Fudge would be sweating bullets once he got wind of this.
The one who suffered the most here was Harry.
At the Gryffindor table, a crowd of young lions had gathered around Harry, reassuring him that no one could harm him at Hogwarts.
A few emotional girls even wiped away tears, moved by the extent of his suffering.
Harry looked thoroughly miserable from all the sympathy, but couldn't exactly reveal the truth.
He could only rush headlong towards the Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom.
...
It was the first Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson of the term, and the students were still quite excited.
Including Hermione.
Lockhart's public image was that of a highly skilled wizard who had solved numerous difficult cases, and his books contained a wealth of magical techniques that were widely praised.
Ordinary people honestly couldn't see through his true nature.
Wayne didn't say anything either. People weren't fools—once Lockhart kept exposing himself, everyone would naturally realise he was a fraud. As for those who remained stubbornly deluded, he couldn't be bothered to deal with such idiots.
But watching Hermione twist her fingers in excitement, Wayne couldn't resist teasing her: "Do you think Lockhart can break the Defence Against the Dark Arts curse?"
The young witch froze, then quickly replied, "He probably can. Since he dared to take the position, he must have some confidence."
"So you're saying Lockhart is stronger than Professor Dumbledore, then?"
"Of course not!" Hermione blurted out.
Though she admired Lockhart's 'achievements', comparing him to Dumbledore... That seemed nothing short of an insult—a disgrace to Dumbledore's formidable reputation.
"Then why do you think Lockhart can break the curse?" Wayne countered with a smile.
"Ugh, you're so annoying." The young witch flushed with embarrassment and swatted at Wayne.
How was she supposed to answer that? Should she say something would happen after Lockhart taught for a year? That wasn't something she could voice aloud.
A sudden scream erupted in the classroom—Lockhart had arrived, carrying a cage draped with velvet.
Lockhart basked in the attention, flashing his gleaming white teeth with a radiant smile.
He cleared his throat to quieten the class, then picked up Neville's copy of Travels with Trolls and held it aloft, displaying the moving photo of himself winking as he introduced himself.
"I am Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defence League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award—though I don't talk about that. I didn't get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her!"
Several students obligingly laughed.
"Harry." Lockhart suddenly called Harry's name. Harry, who had been trying to stay inconspicuous, looked up in confusion.
Lockhart smiled at him. "I read today's paper. If you ever run into trouble, you can come to me. All evildoers will face justice."
At the moment, Lockhart envied Harry's knack for making headlines—just two or three days into the term, and he'd already graced the front page twice. If only that opportunity had been his—what a spectacle he could have made!
Now, Lockhart wanted to build a rapport with Harry so he could ride the coattails of his fame later.
Harry muttered a reluctant "Thanks," then shot a resentful look at Wayne, who was idly playing with Hermione's hand.
Unfortunately, Wayne showed no intention of acknowledging him.
Next, Lockhart handed out test papers filled with questions about his personal details.
[What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favourite colour?]
[What is Gilderoy Lockhart's secret ambition?]
[What do you consider Gilderoy Lockhart's greatest achievement to date?]
There were three whole pages of such questions, enough to make one's head spin.
Wayne couldn't be bothered to write and simply copied Hermione's answers. The young witch glared at him but didn't stop him.
Half an hour later, Lockhart collected the exam papers, lavishing praise on Hermione and Wayne for answering all questions correctly and awarding ten points each to Hufflepuff and Gryffindor.
Wayne observed that although this man was an idiot, he possessed the authority to award house points...
This could potentially be exploited.
"Now, let's get down to business." Unaware that he'd caught the attention of a cunning little badger, Lockhart bent down to place a large cage he'd brought in onto the desk.
"Right then – be warned! My task is to teach you how to defend against the foulest creatures known to the wizarding world. This is dangerous work, but as long as I'm here, you won't come to any harm."
The curiosity of many students was piqued as they craned their necks, holding their breath.
Lockhart dramatically removed the cage's cover.
"Excellent." He announced theatrically. "Freshly caught Cornish Pixies!"
Seamus couldn't suppress a derisive snort.
This?
These things were less dangerous than he was – at least he could occasionally produce some explosions. These measly XX-class creatures only knew mischief and pranks.
Annoyed by Seamus's attitude, Lockhart opened the cage door and proclaimed loudly: "Now! I shall demonstrate how to deal with them!"
Lockhart waved his wand with extravagant flourishes, incanting a spell Wayne had never heard of, which resulted in absolutely nothing happening.
His wand was promptly snatched by the Pixies and rudely tossed out the window.
The tiny creatures then proceeded to wreak havoc – flinging ink bottles, shredding textbooks, and turning the classroom into complete chaos.
Seeing the situation deteriorating, Lockhart attempted to flee, but Wayne wouldn't permit it.
With a subtle flick of his wand, the classroom door locked securely, then he swept it towards the Pixies, casting an Agitation Charm.
The creatures went berserk, tearing at Lockhart's expensive robes.
"Someone help me! Quickly! Capture them – that's your lesson task!"
The students were too busy protecting themselves to spare him any attention. It wasn't that no one tried to fight back, but the Pixies were too nimble for spells to hit them.
Hermione moved to intervene, but Wayne stopped her, chiding disapprovingly.
"Are you underestimating Professor Lockhart? He's just entertaining everyone."
"Really?" Hermione looked doubtful, but seeing Lockhart's pitiful state, she grew alarmed.
"But he's bleeding!"
"Part of the act."
"His eyes got scratched!"
"Still part of the act."
"He's fainted!"
"That's also part of the–"
Hermione could stand no more. Brandishing her wand, she shouted: "Petrificus Totalus!"
Over half the Pixies froze mid-air, their wings ceasing to flap as they dropped lifelessly to the floor.
Lockhart, who'd been hoisted aloft, came crashing down, his thigh striking the lectern.
Encouraged, the young witches and wizards began casting Stunning Spells and Freezing Charms. Though their aim was poor, they eventually subdued all the Cornish Pixies.
Surveying the unconscious, bloodied Lockhart, panic set in.
"Is he... dead?" Toby ventured nervously.
"First lesson already... Has the curse grown stronger?" Seamus gulped.
"He's still breathing." Harry reached out to check, just as the bell rang for the end of class. He and several boys carried Lockhart to the hospital wing.
Wayne turned to Hermione. "Still think he can break the curse now?"
The young witch pressed her lips together and said nothing.
...
Lockhart had been injured during his very first lesson and hospitalised.
This news spread through Hogwarts like wildfire.
By lunchtime, Wayne could hear everyone discussing Lockhart and the Defence Against the Dark Arts curse.
Previous professors had at least lasted most of the academic year before encountering problems. Some even survived an entire year before the curse took effect – Quirrell being one example.
But Lockhart was the first to suffer such misfortune during his very first lesson.
Speculation ran rampant about whether the curse's effects had intensified. At this rate, they'd have an annual turnover of professors becoming monthly.
They might as well cancel the subject altogether. What if the curse began to affect the students?
Lockhart's dreadful performance also raised doubts among many, though one failure wasn't enough to shake his die-hard fans.
Numerous students still defended him, claiming he'd just been nervous and unprepared, insisting he'd improve.
"I reckon you had something to do with this."
Cedric rubbed his chin thoughtfully. At fourteen, faint down already shadowed his jawline. "Last term, you made Quirrell cry."
"Slander. Careful, or I'll sue for defamation." Wayne remained expressionless, twirling pasta on his fork. "It was all the Cornish Pixies' doing. Nothing to do with me."
His reaction only deepened Cedric's suspicion. But he didn't press further. Truthfully, if exposed, it would only prove Lockhart incompetent for failing to handle such simple magical creatures.
The corner of Wayne's mouth twitched upwards.
This Lockhart... another plump sheep no less lucrative than Quirrell...
Not only had his first lesson contributed five hundred points, but it also triggered a mission.
[Detected fraudster attempting to deceive the host. Issuing long-term mission – 'The Demon King's Retribution'.]
[Rewards determined by Lockhart's level of suffering. Mission concludes at the academic year's end or the target's death.]
Thankfully, this one wasn't called 'Fallen' again.
Otherwise, Wayne might genuinely suspect himself of being some reincarnated scoundrel.
...
Lockhart's injury didn't remain Hogwarts' top headline for long.
Because... something far more explosive occurred during the evening feast.
Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge arrived at the school accompanied by several Aurors and Arthur Weasley.
"Harry, wonderful to see you safe and sound."
With Professor McGonagall in tow, Fudge made straight for the Gryffindor table, embracing a stunned Harry enthusiastically.
An Auror produced a camera, snapping several shots in quick succession.
"Rest assured, I've established an investigation team regarding the platform incident. We'll get to the bottom of this."
Fudge beamed, clapping Harry's shoulder with meaningful emphasis. "Harry, you must believe the Ministry will always stand with you."
He urgently needed Harry's statement now. In just one day, the Ministry of Magic had received a flood of letters of accountability from wizards across the country.
Some were concerned about the platform issue, while others were worried about Harry. In short, they all expressed dissatisfaction with Fudge and the Ministry's inaction.
This gave Fudge quite a fright – these represented tangible approval ratings that absolutely couldn't be allowed to deteriorate further. So after making contingency arrangements, he hurried to meet Harry and Dumbledore.
Harry quickly grasped the situation and replied calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Minister Fudge."
"I'm quite all right now, it's just about the investigation into Mr Weasley..."
"What investigation?" Fudge laughed heartily. "Arthur is absolutely fine; the previous investigation was merely a routine procedure. He's done splendidly, absolutely splendidly. The Ministry has decided to promote him!"
At this, Harry finally relaxed, flashing a relieved smile at Arthur behind Fudge.
After some staged photo opportunities, Fudge went to discuss matters with Dumbledore.
Meanwhile, Mr Weasley made his way down to the basement and called Wayne out.