Chapter 70 The Gramophone
Following Professor Lockhart through the passage of light, they walked for an unknown amount of time. Suddenly, the light ahead became blinding. Before they could lower their arms to shield their eyes, Professor Lockhart's relieved voice reached their ears, "Excellent, we're finally out."
Clearly, escaping that terrifying Chamber of Secrets hadn't been as easy as Professor Lockhart had imagined.
When the old Malfoy trio found themselves back in Hogwarts Castle, they touched the cold stone walls with some disbelief. Lucius couldn't hold back his emotions any longer, his eyes brimming with tears.
A narrow escape from death! He pressed his lips together tightly, trying not to look undignified, but his slightly trembling arms betrayed him.
Compared to the face-saving old Malfoy, old Goyle and old Crabbe were much more direct, hugging each other and shouting, "We're not dead! We're not dead!!!"
Lockhart patiently waited for them to calm down, waving his wand to cast Scourgify and a flower-healing charm, finally making them look less disheveled.
"Thank you!" Lucius was extremely grateful.
Lockhart shrugged. "Although I have dedicated my life to fighting dark wizards, the compassion and kindness in my heart compel me not to stand by and watch someone die."
How did I become a dark wizard!!!
In the past, if Lucius had been defined like this, he would have either been furious or turned hostile. But at this moment, he just kept thanking him.
Old Lucius was so enthusiastic, clasping his hands and making promise after promise, that even the righteous Professor Lockhart felt embarrassed to continue frowning at him. His attitude finally softened a lot. "Draco and Harry Potter are my two favorite students. I don't want my student to lose his father."
"If you want to thank someone, thank yourself for raising such an excellent son. He is worthy of my help."
Lucius nodded. "Yes, Severus told me that you take good care of Draco. He has learned a lot from you."
Even old Goyle and old Crabbe stepped forward to express their gratitude. Severus had also mentioned their two sons, saying that Lockhart didn't think they were stupid and had even given them the comment, "They are more wizardly and have great potential."
Severus had bluntly stated that young Goyle and young Crabbe might only encounter a professor like Lockhart in their lifetime who was willing to teach them patiently.
Lockhart really hadn't expected old Snape to say so many good things about him behind his back.
He had to admit, he was a little touched.
Although he didn't particularly need the friendship of the Malfoy group, his current goal was just to make things difficult for Voldemort.
The collapse of a great building always starts from within. He understood this principle very well.
He taught Harry Potter and the others to "find solutions based on characteristics," and naturally, he did the same himself.
Was Voldemort's greatest strength his dark magic or mysterious Horcruxes?
No!
Voldemort's greatest strength was his influence. Once he returned, people would flock to him, creating a massive momentum.
This was the aspect of the Dark Lord that worried old Dumbledore the most.
"If there is anything the Malfoy family can help you with, please don't hesitate to ask!" Lucius was very generous to his savior, constantly making promises.
Lockhart was truly not polite. Hearing this, he thought for a moment and said directly, "There is actually one thing."
"???" Old Lucius was stunned. He had mingled in the world of fame and fortune for most of his life and had never seen someone so direct. However, he still tried his best to show a sincere expression. "Please speak, the Malfoy family will do everything in its power to achieve it for you!"
"Oh, don't be so serious!" Lockhart was startled. He took out a gramophone from his ring and held it up for them to see. "Can you fix this thing?"
This…
Lucius looked at the incredibly familiar object with some confusion, his lips twitching. He really wanted to say that this thing was a toy his father had given him when he was a child.
"Of course, repairing alchemical creations is not very difficult for the Malfoy family," he replied with a smile, then signaled old Goyle beside him to take it. "I will have it repaired as soon as possible and send it to you."
Of course, it definitely wouldn't be delivered in person.
He really didn't dare to come to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!
Not only did he not dare to come, but he also planned to take all the children away today and transfer them to another school. They had to transfer.
Nowhere in this world was more dangerous than Hogwarts!
He had almost died here today!
Lucius had made up his mind. Even if Professor McGonagall tried to stop him, it wouldn't work!
Then…
They encountered old Dumbledore.
"Dum… Dumbledore!" Lucius was stunned. According to his information, Dumbledore shouldn't be at the International Confederation of Wizards meeting at this time?
He couldn't help but blurt out, "What are you doing here?"
Dumbledore scrutinized him and the two followers behind him, merely responding calmly, "I am the headmaster of the school. Where else should I be if not here, Mr. Malfoy?"
In fact, he had sensed Professor Lockhart's high-intensity use of the fairy tale book magical item in the school and had quickly Apparated back.
Then, he had watched an interesting fairy tale adventure.
To be honest, the performance of the old Malfoy trio was terrible. When Lockhart had scared them, claiming that Voldemort was going to cleanse them, these traitors, they hadn't even dared to put up too much resistance.
Based on this instinctive reaction, Dumbledore could see that when Tom really resurrected and returned, these few would probably become Tom's loyal lackeys.
However, it seemed that something had changed now.
He glanced at the quiet Lockhart beside him, nodded at the three of them, and turned to lead the way. "Come, the children are with Madam Pomfrey. This is not too big of a problem. We just need to wait for the Mandrakes grown by Sprout to mature."
"Professor Dumbledore!" Lucius gathered his courage and raised his voice. When Dumbledore turned back and gazed at him with a profound look, the words he had planned to say about transferring schools just wouldn't come out.
That's right!
He guessed it!
Dumbledore wouldn't allow their children to transfer. He definitely wanted to use the children as bait to lure out the Dark Lord!
How could this be!
But looking at Dumbledore's oppressive gaze, he felt as if a dragon had opened its mouth to them, threatening—I don't want you to say anything I don't want to hear, Lucius!
What could he do!
He didn't even dare to open his mouth.
At this moment, he wished that the two somewhat憨憨 brothers behind him could just blurt something out ignorantly. Maybe Dumbledore wouldn't do anything then.
However, when Dumbledore turned back to continue down the corridor, he turned to look at old Goyle and old Crabbe, only to find them also looking frightened and cowering with their heads lowered.
It was at this moment that Lockhart said softly beside him, "I must remind you, Lucius, perhaps the only thing that can give you and your children a sense of security at this time is Dumbledore."
"!!!"
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