Gilderoy Lockhart still returned to his own mansion for Christmas.
He brought his little diary.
Before Christmas, he received a letter from Count Dentis.
In the letter, the Count said that he must return home for Christmas and must show that he loved Donna very much—because the Count had a major project with a profit margin of up to 500%. If Lockhart could not make Donna wholeheartedly devote everything to him as soon as possible, then the project would benefit someone else.
"Honey, dinner is ready!"
Donna's sickeningly sweet voice came from downstairs.
Lockhart closed his diary, rubbed his face, and wore his most triumphant smile—
"Coming, darling!"
Yes, he should be nice to Donna now, even if it was just an act, and everything would pay off once old Oliver Avery died.
Not only did Count Dentis say so, but even the little diary—Tom Riddle—said so, which made Lockhart more determined—
Perhaps after the Christmas holiday, he should start replying to Donna's letters properly?
But this woman was really foolish. He had ignored her the entire semester, yet when he returned home, she actually loved him more than before.
Lockhart swaggered downstairs and saw Donna Avery wearing an apron, carrying a plate of fried fish from the kitchen.
"Honey, you're pregnant. Don't cook yourself next time. What if you get tired?
The [Little Elf Delivery] service newly launched by Count Dentis can bring food directly to your door. The meals made by house-elves still taste great."
"You're so good to me, darling. I love you more and more. I'm willing to die for you!"
No need to die—just help transfer the Avery family's wealth into his name.
Thinking this way, Lockhart smiled:
"What death or no death, how could I be willing to let you die?"
After speaking, he prepared to eat.
Donna looked at Lockhart with a joyful expression. Even when the enchanted doorbell began to play Lockhart's self-recorded greeting, she didn't move for five or six seconds—
"This is the residence of Gilderoy Lockhart, an internationally renowned figure and writer, a third-class member of the Order of Merlin, an honorary member of the Anti-Dark Arts League, and a five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award.
Please continue to press the doorbell. If I am at home, I will open the door for you; if I am not at home, perhaps listening to the story I read is also a good enjoyment—
It was a dark and windy night, and I was walking on a country path where I couldn't see my fingers. Suddenly, a shrill roar came from my ears—I guessed it might be a werewolf…"
Donna finally realized someone was disturbing their sweet married life. She frowned and stood up. Only then did the aura of the Avery heiress return to her face.
Opening the door, she saw several black-robed wizards standing outside. The one in front had dark skin and wore a small, African-style round hat.
When Donna opened the door, these wizards tilted their heads as if listening—
She had to admit, Lockhart's storytelling was quite captivating.
"Hello, Mrs. Donna Lockhart."
"That's me. You're Aurors! You're... Kingsley Shacklebolt!"
As the daughter of the Avery family, Donna knew most of the important Ministry personnel.
"What are you doing here? It's Christmas—don't you get holidays?"
Donna was slightly nervous.
The day the tapestry was stolen, she saw John Flint's body come to life. Later, she returned to Flint's home, and the body, which had originally been lying on the table, had indeed disappeared—
This had weighed on her heart ever since.
Now seeing Aurors at her door, she couldn't help but feel something was about to be exposed.
"I'm very sorry, Madam. We received a report stating that Gilderoy Lockhart has collected dangerous dark magic items and may be connected to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. The Ministry is taking this very seriously—this is the search warrant issued by Director Stringer. Please confirm it."
Donna's heart, which had just begun to race, calmed slightly—then flared into fury.
"Gilderoy is not that kind of person! He's kind, gentle, and also Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts professor! How could he be hiding dark magic items!"
If they had said that Oliver Avery was hiding dark magic, she might believe it. But Lockhart?
Ridiculous! She had lived in this house for months—there was no sign of anything dark!
"If there's nothing, all the better. So, Mrs. Lockhart, we ask that you kindly step aside so we may search. It will help clear Mr. Lockhart's name. However, if you refuse, we'll have to detain you for obstructing official magical duty."
Donna suppressed her anger, stepped back, and opened the door. She knew that with a warrant, she had no right to resist.
"Honey, who's at the door?"
Lockhart called loudly from the dining room.
"It's nothing. The Aurors are here to investigate a case."
Lockhart laughed:
"Oh, that's rare! Maybe I could join them—after all, I haven't written a detective novel yet! I hear Muggles love those."
His relaxed tone left the Aurors momentarily stunned. Could this really be a prank?
Kingsley shook his head. Impossible.
The mysterious informant had left detailed evidence on every Auror's desk—without anyone noticing. Each set contained thorough documentation and physical proof. Whoever left it had also managed to sneak into the Ministry of Magic. This was no prank.
"Search."
The anonymous informant had also advised them not to alert Lockhart, recommending they bring him in quietly on charges of hiding dark magic. From there, he would confess to using the Obliviate Charm on others and stealing their achievements.
Regardless of speculation, Stringer had signed the warrant. If Lockhart was innocent, the search would prove it.
Lockhart appeared utterly calm. He set down his cutlery and even cheerfully offered commentary:
"Look, this is a cabinet made in 1756. There's a hidden compartment—if opened incorrectly, it burns itself! What a great place to hide things!
Come, let me show you how it works!"
Aurors: ...
They quickly cleared the first floor. Even places they hadn't thought to check, Lockhart eagerly revealed himself—beaming at their surprised expressions.
On the second floor, before Lockhart could start boasting again, Kingsley noticed the diary on the desk—the informant had said the item in question was a diary.
"Mr. Lockhart, what is this?"
Kingsley put on gloves, picked up the diary, and held it in front of Lockhart.
"That? Ah, just a regular diary."
But as he said it, the relaxed smile slipped from Lockhart's face.
Because he suddenly remembered—the diary's origin was unknown. Worse yet, it had been controlling him.
He knew for certain he had no dark magic items in his house—
Except maybe this diary.
"Nancy, bring the dark magic trace detector."
Lockhart panicked.
"No, Mr. Auror, this is just an ordinary diary. Really! Think about it—what kind of dark object would look this plain?"
Nancy didn't answer. She was already holding the detector. In fact, she didn't even need to touch the diary—just coming within five or six inches caused the detector to glow red.
"This diary is a dark magic item," Nancy announced.
Kingsley nodded and carefully placed the diary into a protective metal box.
"Alright, Gilderoy Lockhart. Please come with us to the Ministry. The current investigation into dark magic is extremely strict. You'll need to explain the origin of this diary."
Lockhart forced a stiff smile.
"Can I... not go?"
Kingsley rolled up his sleeves and said simply:
"Take him away."
End of the Chapter.
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