"Dear Professor Lockhart,
Please forgive my boldness, but I cannot contain my emotions.
I am a fifth-year witch from Mahoutokoro. Just last year, while wandering through a bookstore on Tenpin Street, I discovered a smile that warmed my heart, at a time when I had just come out of a disastrous romance, your smile cast a ray of hope into my otherwise gray world.
Without you, I truly do not know how I would have gotten through those dark days, your brilliant stories saved me from despair and added color back to those black-and-white memories.
Thus, upon learning that I might meet you during this inter-school exchange, can you imagine my excitement?
After turning similar thoughts over in my mind countless times, I finally mustered the courage to send this letter.
If you are willing, tonight, in the open field near the observatory tower away from the Hogwarts camp, I will be waiting for you."
There was no signature, but both the elegant handwriting and the faint scent of perfume unmistakably revealed the sender's identity. Lockhart didn't even look at the remaining envelope on the desk; he hurriedly used magic to incinerate the letter.
After taking a few deep breaths, Professor Lockhart slipped out of the camp without anyone noticing.
••┈┈┈┈┈༓┈┈┈┈┈•••
Mahoutokoro's campus was not large but exquisite.
Thanks to prior briefings about the school, Lockhart had some idea of the layout, and despite spending a fair bit of time, he eventually found the right path.
In the shadows of the open field, he soon spotted a figure, based on the silhouette, it was a beautiful young woman, with a fiery figure and flowing golden hair.
Lockhart steadied himself, making no sudden moves. Instead, he positioned himself where he could be heard clearly and spoke confidently:
"All right, young lady, I'm here, but not in the way you think.
I admit I might be a bit flirtatious, but as a professor, I would never take liberties with my students, that would be irresponsible for my career.
I'm delighted that my books have helped you in times of confusion. Truly, being able to help others brings me great joy. But, young lady, as a student, what you should do now is offer a brave smile, laugh at the miserable things of the past, and bid them farewell. Of course, if you wish, you may even scold me a little, then go on and pursue your own life with a smile."
After saying this, Lockhart noticed the young woman did not respond, he couldn't tell if she had heard his words.
Deciding to give her a friendly hug and then let her go, he took a few steps forward, when suddenly a voice rang out:
"Stop! Don't touch it!"
From behind a tree emerged a figure chewing gum. With a flick of his wand, he made the gum vanish, then leaned against the tree, sending a warning spell toward Lockhart.
The spell successfully halted Lockhart's approach and simultaneously startled Allen, who had been hidden nearby.
It wasn't the sudden appearance of the man that startled Allen, nor the spell itself, it was that, after the warning, he finally sensed danger from the young witch standing there.
Here's what had happened:
After successfully having Harry intercept the fan letters, Allen had placed a letter on Lockhart's desk.
The letter was written in the style of an elderly wizard who had once defeated a mountain spirit, claiming that upon seeing a young wizard daring to hunt powerful creatures, he wanted to share experiences and insights, a treasure for both.
Could Lockhart refuse such a request?
Of course not, Allen had him right where he wanted.
Why at midnight?
Allen had gotten intel from a second-hand bookstore owner, wizards capable of defeating famous magical creatures often kept illegal stockpiles. These items were premium components for magical tools, and a midnight meeting allowed discreet exchange.
Unfortunately, when Allen arrived at the designated spot, someone had beaten him to it, a gum-chewing man had set up a dummy and cast protective spells, then hidden behind a tree.
Allen had almost abandoned his plan, but when he heard the man mention "Lockhart," he paused, deciding to observe. If this person sends Lockhart to the hospital, won't that make my job easier?
Lying in the tree, he watched Lockhart's teaching performance unfold, he was impressed.
Allen had to admit, he respected this guy, he was cunning beyond imagination.
Just how perverse do you have to be to come up with such a sly plan?
Almost instantly, Allen realized what the man was doing, posing as a female fan to lure Lockhart out?
This… there's no way Lockhart could fall for this trap. It's the ultimate weapon!
Yet, Lockhart didn't take the bait. Allen even considered sparing him a beating, but then remembered how ruthless Lockhart could be in setbacks, so he stayed firm.
The man's tactics were even more brutal, he had placed twenty-five entirely different jinxes on the dummy!
How ruthless! If he hadn't warned Lockhart, Allen might not have noticed the subtle magical fluctuations hidden in the dummy's form. Even he would have stepped into the attack radius of at least five jinxes without realizing it. Each jinx was triggered by a hug.
Allen's heart sank, if Lockhart had slipped, the consequences would have been far worse than any beating Allen could deliver.
Yet Lockhart passed the dummy's test unscathed, otherwise, the man would never have offered a compliment.
"All right, you may be a little foolish, but without a doubt, you are qualified as a professor," said the mysterious man, shrugging as he removed the dummy's magic. Allen noticed faint beads of sweat on Lockhart's nose.
"Now, I admit defeat wholeheartedly, indeed, someone capable of outclassing me in teaching earns my respect in other matters as well."
The mysterious man casually removed his disguise, revealing a familiar face that both Allen and Lockhart instantly recognized.