Harry Potter and the Obscurus

Chapter 34 Locking Down Hogwarts

After discovering the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Malfoy split into two factions. Harry and Ron believed they should use their intelligence advantage to catch the culprit who attacked their classmates. Malfoy and Hermione, however, thought they should prioritize contacting the professor to deal with the Basilisk threat.

In fact, Harry partially agreed with Hermione and Malfoy's ideas. He changed his mind because Moran was obsessed with finding the real culprit and the diary. Even though his "second personality" had more and more secrets it was unwilling to share, Moran remained the person he trusted most in the world.

Finally, unable to reach a mutually satisfactory conclusion in a short time due to the conflicting opinions of the young wizards, Harry, being Parseltongue, immediately declared that he had the final say on when to use the Chamber of Secrets entrance. Consequently, the group of four had no choice but to agree to his plan of "remaining put and waiting for the right opportunity."

……

As Lockhart had predicted, Fudge led his men to the castle for an on-site inspection the weekend before the Ministry of Magic officially issued the transfer order. Harry, as promised, spoke highly of his Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Then, on the morning of the following Monday, the entire Hogwarts community heard the news of Lockhart's appointment as Headmaster.

"Did I hear that right, Lockhart? The flamingo?"

Ron's wide-eyed expression even reminded Harry of Dobby, but as the instigator in "a sense," he was too embarrassed to join his friend in complaining. He unusually said:

"In some ways, it's not entirely a bad thing. At least since the start of the semester, Lockhart has given our college the most credits and assigned the fewest assignments."

Ron was surprised that these words came from Harry's mouth, but before he could refute them, he heard an even more unbelievable voice.

“But he really isn’t cut out to be a headmaster. He can’t even be a good teacher. Even if nothing had happened with the Chamber of Secrets this year, we still can’t entrust Hogwarts to him.”

Harry and Ron both stared at Hermione as if they'd seen some rare magical creature. The little witch understood why her friends were making those faces, but being stared at like that still made her a little embarrassed.

"Okay, okay... I admit I was too superficial before."

Hermione seemed a little embarrassed, as if trying to end the conversation. But Ron wasn't about to let her off so easily; he smiled and asked:

"How many self-praising, greasy articles did you read before you realized he was actually an incompetent fool?"

Hermione replied:

"Some things don't need to be read, nor can they be known through books. Harry, I used to..."

Before she could finish speaking, Harry raised a hand to interrupt her:

“It’s alright, Hermione. I know you’re a smart person and will be able to tell what true talent is and what’s all show and no substance sooner or later. Now that you’ve seen Lockhart’s true colors, I don’t need to worry anymore.”

Seeing Harry's paternal expression of relief, Hermione was first taken aback, then a faint sadness flickered across her face. She pouted, lowered her head, and hid her expression behind her brown hair, whispering:

"Um... I'm sorry for making you worry before."

One second Mo Ran in the live stream was deeply moved by Harry's trust in her, and the next second she was stunned by Harry's words.

It turns out that Harry's previous behavior, and the jealousy he sensed from his host, wasn't because Hermione had any special feelings for Lockhart. He was simply resentful that someone without real talent was being praised by his best friend.

In Harry's view, only people like Professor Dumbledore or Mr. Nicolas Flamel were worthy of being worshipped by the wizarding world; even Professor Snape was not good enough to be called an idol.

Therefore, whether it was showing off his alchemy knowledge to Hermione before school started or demonstrating wandless spellcasting in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Harry had no romantic feelings whatsoever. He simply wanted to show Hermione what real skill and true erudition were.

After reflecting on Harry's treatment of Hermione again, Mo Ran wasn't as shocked as before. He didn't mind Harry dating, even if he was young; as a spectator, he was quite happy to watch. However, he completely forgot how much pressure he had put on Harry.

A savior who has been deeply aware of his mission since the age of 11 spends his days studying and practicing all sorts of magic. How could he possibly have the time and energy to fall in love?

"Hey……"

Mo Ran sighed inwardly.

"Forget it, I shouldn't get involved in Harry's relationships, whether he's in one or not. Let nature take its course."

……

That evening, while the students were having dinner, Lockhart delivered a rather informal but lengthy inaugural address in the auditorium.

"Being able to serve as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is both a blessing and a curse for me. I am certainly confident in my ability to fulfill this role, but I also know that Dumbledore is the irreplaceable figure in the hearts of the students. Therefore, during Dumbledore's absence, I will do my best to fulfill his responsibility of protecting the school. First, let me tell you what it was that attacked Mrs. Norris and the first-year Gryffindor students during this time..."

All the students except Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Malfoy changed their previous impatient expressions and looked intently at the podium in the center of the teachers' table.

"It's a basilisk monster."

Lockhart said seriously:

"You may not recognize this monster, but I am very familiar with it. The first recorded basilisk was created by the Greek black wizard 'Herbo the Despicable.' After many experiments, this guy successfully hatched a male egg under a toad's body, thus creating a dangerous giant serpent with extraordinary abilities."

"This giant snake is covered in green scales and can grow to over 50 feet long. Its scales are hard, powerful, and its venom is deadly. But compared to its most dangerous weapon—the basilisk's gaze—all the characteristics I just mentioned are utterly insignificant."

"Anyone whose eyes meet the basilisk's gaze will die instantly, and no magic can reverse the damage of this terrifying magic. Fortunately, in the two attacks that occurred at our school, the victims did not make direct eye contact with the basilisk; they were merely petrified. Once Professor Sprout's mandrake matures, it can revive them."

At this point, Lockhart spread his palms and pointed to Professor Sprout's location. This series of actions immediately drew a large number of female students to stand up and applaud, as if the ridiculous things he had done in class and in the dueling club had never happened.

Lockhart, his eyes crinkling with laughter as he regained the adoration of his fans, continued:

"Everyone, don't panic, don't panic. I have another piece of good news to share. Although the basilisk is powerful, fierce, and dangerous, it is not without its weaknesses. The crowing of a rooster is absolutely deadly to the basilisk. Therefore, whether it is a live, ordinary rooster or a magical rooster created through shapeshifting magic, before the basilisk is killed, I will work with the teachers to set up a rooster in every part of the castle, ensuring that there is at least one rooster in every classroom, every dormitory, every stairwell, and every corridor to protect everyone."

Thunderous applause resounded throughout Hogwarts' Great Hall, with even some of the teachers applauding Lockhart. At that moment, almost everyone agreed that the man before them was indeed the dashing and powerful protagonist from the books.

Lockhart became increasingly agitated as he spoke, and at this point he no longer wanted to simply read from the script.

"Don't worry, everyone, I will definitely protect you. In fact, if that basilisk hadn't been so cunning, I would have been perfectly capable of killing her before anyone got hurt! In a month at most, Hogwarts will no longer be threatened by the Chamber of Secrets or the so-called Slytherin heir. I mean what I say!"

Harry, sitting at the Gryffindor table, rolled his eyes so hard they almost reached the sky. Although he had sensed that Lockhart's words were getting increasingly off, the sudden deadline assigned to him for this task still made him quite annoyed.

Seemingly spotting Harry's expression in the crowd, Lockhart instantly sobered up a bit. He coughed twice with a smile and said:

"Ahem... Finally, I also need to thank a classmate, the pride of Gryffindor House—Harry Potter. Since the attack, he has provided me with many clues, promised to become my assistant later, and used his... um... special talent to help me find the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. So, everyone, please give him a round of applause!"

These words immediately cooled the atmosphere in the auditorium considerably, and after a while, sporadic applause rang out from a few different places.

The expressions of the four heads of the faculty varied. Professor Flitwick and Professor Lauter looked at Rohart with disdain and surprise, respectively. Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape, on the other hand, looked at Harry with complex emotions of worry, anger, and disappointment.

"All right!"

After finishing his impromptu performance, Lockhart returned to the main topic, saying:

"Although the requirements I am about to make are very demanding, as the headmaster, I have the right to require everyone to comply with them. I require all students to be back in their respective house's common room by 6 p.m. and not to leave without permission before class the following day. Students must be escorted by a teacher to class. No student may act without a teacher's accompaniment. All Quidditch matches and club activities are temporarily suspended until I resolve the matter of the Chamber of Secrets."

"Oh my god! Besides Harry, he also helped me find the Chamber of Secrets and kill the Basilisk!"

"Alright, that's all I have to say. Now, please take your seats. The teachers will escort you back to the common room and your dormitories shortly."

On the way back to the Gryffindor common room, Ron, who had also noticed the Headmasters' expressions, for some reason once again pinned the blame on Snape. He said:

“Did you see Snape’s expression? Harry? He must have applied for the headmaster’s position too, but he didn’t get it and lost to someone like Lockhart. That’s why he was so angry when he heard that Lockhart got your help.”

In the original story, Harry and Hermione would certainly agree with this assessment. Fortunately, after being influenced by Mo Ran, both of them experienced improvements in their intelligence and logical thinking abilities. Otherwise, they might have impulsively followed in their footsteps from the original story.

From then on, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry entered its most stringent period of lockdown in history books. Harry and Lockhart became the most discussed topics, second only to the Basilisk and the Chamber of Secrets. Some said that the two, working together, could definitely resolve the crisis, while others said it was all a show, and that there were even some dirty money deals behind it.

Days passed, and the diary remained elusive. Fortunately, thanks to the lockdown measures and the protection of the roosters, the Hogwarts students were no longer attacked by the Basilisk. The younger and older students reacted to this with completely different attitudes.

Many of the Weasley twins' young wizards had transformed their initial fear into excitement. At first, they simply chattered and exchanged amulets and exorcisms for better protection. This quickly turned into a quirky and "fashionable" pastime. Encouraged by Fred and George, Neville got himself a stinking green onion head, a delicate amethyst, and a rotting salamander tail. This might not repel the basilisk, but it would certainly ward off his classmates.

As for the graduating seniors, they offered more speculation about the "dirty deal" between Harry and Lockhart. Some even suggested they were a couple, otherwise why would Harry go to the headmaster's office every day?

……

Harry didn't care what others thought of him; what bothered him more was Lockhart's statement in a public speech: "In a month at most, Hogwarts will no longer be threatened by the Chamber of Secrets and the so-called Slytherin heirs."

In truth, both Harry and Mo Ran had long since run out of patience. What had sustained them until now was only Mo Ran's sense of the bigger picture and Harry's unconditional trust.

With the Christmas holidays just a week away, and as Lockhart had promised, students could return to school for their normal studies after Christmas. Taking advantage of the time when most students were away, Mo Ran and Harry began preparing for their final battle against the Basilisk.

……

"Honestly, I've wanted to get rid of that basilisk for ages. Because of it, I haven't played Quidditch in ages!"

Hearing Harry's excited voice, Mo Ran remained silent for a moment before slowly revealing the secret of that night in September.

“Harry, listen to me, there are many things I haven’t told you this semester, but…”

"It's okay! I trust you!"

"No, listen to me first..."

Mo Ran suppressed the emotion that brought tears to his eyes, and while playing his memories of fighting the Basilisk in Harry's mind, he said:

“I actually knew the location of the secret room and what the monster inside was all along, but there’s something more important behind it. Do you remember what we got from the Room of Requirement last year?”

"Um……"

"That crown and the diary are essentially the same thing; they are Voldemort's Horcruxes. Simply put, Voldemort will never be completely destroyed unless all the Horcruxes are destroyed. I was worried before that our actions were too aggressive and would scare away the diary's owner, but then I realized..."

"The reason Voldemort's diary appeared in the castle was that he wanted to use this opportunity to drive away Dumbledore, resurrect himself, and then conquer Hogwarts School, this fortress."

Harry quickly followed Mo Ran's train of thought and asked:

"So, what made you agree to my suggestion to kill the Basilisk at Christmas? Was it because you felt confident after receiving the Obscurus from Professor Scamander?"

Mo Ran replied very solemnly:

"That's just a small part. The main thing is that I sense there's a deeply hidden mastermind behind the scenes, only revealing its hand after we take action. The reason I'm telling you this is because I think you might notice some details that I haven't."

Having already mentally rehearsed the general outline of the "Battle of the Snakes and the Siren," Harry thought carefully for a moment, then said with a hint of regret:

"I... don't seem to have found anything suspicious... perhaps it really is as you said, some problems will only be exposed after we take action."

Mo Ran controlled a portion of the black mist to emerge from Harry's palm, and relying on his memories of watching movies in his previous life, he displayed the five Horcruxes made of physical objects, excluding Nagini.

“I’m sorry to have to face all of this at such a young age, but I don’t think we should keep these things from you as secrets. So far, I know of five Horcruxes from Voldemort’s memories—Ravenclaw’s tiara, Slytherin’s locket, Hufflepuff’s cup, the diary, and a ring.”

Harry's eyes were glued to the shape of the Horcrux, not wanting to miss a single detail, and soon he noticed a problem.

"So there aren't any Gryffindor relics here...?"

Mo Ran replied:

“Yes, maybe he just didn’t find them. But Harry, finding the Horcruxes is only the first step; destroying them is no less difficult than finding them. One of the reasons I agreed to deal with the Basilisk first is because it has something that can destroy Horcruxes—its venom.”

……

Harry, who was engrossed in memorizing the shapes of the Horcruxes, was completely unaware that a pair of eyes were secretly watching him from the seemingly empty end of the corridor.