Although Lockhart was very curious about how Draco had "subdued" Kreacher, he had no choice but to set that burning curiosity aside for the moment, since he still had an important mission to carry out.
After all, compared with the long-dead Black, Lockhart was far more interested in having a thrilling wizard duel with Draco or Voldemort.
But before that, he had to fulfill his agreement with Draco.
...
Nagini, the great serpent.
Ever since Voldemort's return from death, it had been easy to notice that this great serpent was almost always at his side. The two could practically be called inseparable.
For the mad Dark Lord, who trusted only himself, this should have been impossible.
Rather, almost no living creature would willingly approach a Dark Wizard like Voldemort, let alone live by his side for any length of time.
Voldemort often stroked Nagini's head, and even allowed her to rest on his shoulder. When speaking to Nagini, Voldemort was relatively gentle, and she had never once angered him.
Even when she failed to capture Harry in Godric's Hollow, Voldemort showed no intention of blaming her. Had it been any Death Eater under him, they would surely have suffered severe punishment long ago, instead of having the matter treated as if nothing had happened.
It was worth noting that Nagini not only obeyed all of her master's orders, but the two of them could also communicate with each other through their minds.
Of everything just mentioned, no one but Nagini, the great serpent, could do any of it.
Clearly, to Voldemort, she held an unusual significance. It was not merely because Voldemort was a Parselmouth.
And now, Lockhart and the others had set their sights on this rather special great serpent.
Lockhart and Kreacher, arriving late, formed a triangle with the dragon and the serpent.
Speaking of which, Lockhart was certainly not unfamiliar with Norberta, the fire dragon flying in the sky.
However, that was not the focus of this trip.
He withdrew his gaze and looked at the great serpent before him, who had already taken an attacking posture. "A pleasure to meet you, great serpent Nagini... no, Madam Nagini."
Lockhart removed the purple top hat from his head and performed the sort of gentleman's bow one would only see at a banquet.
With the slight curve of his lips and that composed bearing, if this scene were printed in Witch Weekly, it would surely win Lockhart his sixth Most Charming Smile Award.
In any case, although Lockhart was not a Parselmouth, the great serpent before him seemed to understand. A trace of complicated feeling and memory flashed through her eyes.
It was as if, a very, very long time ago, this was how she should have been addressed.
Madam Nagini.
...
Lockhart put his top hat back on.
Without the slightest hurry, he took a few steps forward, not even caring about the fangs Nagini was baring in warning.
Moving with steps almost like a dance, Lockhart drew his wand and spoke in a teasing tone. "Originally, she was a Blood Malediction carrier. Because of a blood curse inherited through the maternal line of her family, she could shift between human and serpent forms, but the curse would eventually reduce her completely to a beast."
"Hissss."
"It's worth mentioning that the girl's beast form was a twelve-foot-long giant snake~"
"....."
As if he were telling a story, Lockhart continued speaking with great relish, even though his audience consisted of a snake, a dragon, and a House-elf.
"Later, for unknown reasons, that giant snake became Voldemort's pet."
"....."
"And was turned into the Horcrux of our wondrous and mad Dark Lord!"
The moment his words fell, Nagini's coiled body exploded with astonishing speed.
Those cold, gleaming fangs were naturally aimed at Lockhart's vulnerable neck.
Beneath the night sky, Nagini revealed her fangs for the first time, showing everyone that she was not merely a harmless pet.