A friendly day at Hogwarts

Glenn's frown softened slightly, and his scrutinizing eyes swept towards Lockhart without leaving any trace.

As a famous clown-type character in the original work, he really couldn't think of any advantages in this person that made Dumbledore think so highly of him, so he casually threw such a huge credit on him.

However, out of trust in Dumbledore, he said nothing more and just nodded with some hesitation.

Dumbledore seemed to see the doubts in his heart and said with a smile: "I know you must have a lot of questions now. It's still early, so we can have a brief chat."

"Okay." Glenn looked at Lockhart again and nodded thoughtfully.

"As you know, our Professor Lockhart's actual combat ability is not as powerful as what he wrote in his book." His tone was calm, and he obviously knew this guy's background very early. , "But have you ever thought about why I hired him to be your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor even though I knew this?"

As he spoke, he looked at Lockhart and added: "In fact, I have to admit that I also used some unusual little methods for this."

Hearing Dumbledore's words, Lockhart's face turned slightly pale, as if he remembered the fear of being dominated by the old fox again.

This barely concealed reaction fell in Glenn's eyes, and after a moment's thought, he figured out the key to it.

Obviously, Lockhart did not take the initiative to apply to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts, as he said at the signing in Diagon Alley, but was forced to accept this offer under some special circumstances. Position.

It makes sense. As the author of the best-selling series of books in the wizarding world, with a huge fan base, he only needs to use his brain, make up stories, and continue to market his characters, and he can easily receive a lot of sales. With a lot of gold galleons, why would you risk exposing yourself to become an ordinary teacher?

Although the public at this time did not know that Voldemort, who had repeatedly failed to apply for a job, had placed a curse on this position, it was known that no one could serve as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts for more than one consecutive academic year.

Obviously, such a famous "annual throwaway" position is not as great a benefit to Lockhart as continuing to write books.

Glenn's eyes swept across his slightly embarrassed face, and then turned to Dumbledore.

"So, Professor, you specially hired Professor Lockhart to work at Hogwarts, is it also for Harry?"

Dumbledore nodded lightly and said with a smile: "According to my original plan, I hoped to rely on dear Gilderoy to help Harry grow further and let him understand that a prominent reputation does not mean everything. But now it seems Come on, the plan still can’t keep up with the changes!”

Glenn was still a bit reluctant to accept Lockhart's appearance at this time, and continued to ask: "So, do you have any new arrangements for Professor Lockhart to come over today?"

"Of course." Dumbledore looked at Lockhart with a smile and said, "Since things are changing unpredictably, from a long-term perspective, we always have to prepare some new plans. Although fame cannot represent everything, it can still do it after all. It plays a big role.”

His words were not cryptic. Glenn thought about it for a moment and suddenly understood.

It seems that the old fox's next plan needs to take advantage of Lockhart's current reputation and appeal in the wizarding world. Combined with the timing of his appearance today, the content of the plan is not difficult to guess.

"In the eyes of the officials of the Ministry of Magic, although I am well-known at Hogwarts, I am just a third-year child at best, just making trouble in school. To say that I single-handedly captured an adult A criminal, let alone a remnant of Voldemort, really has no credibility."

Glenn pursed his lips towards the unconscious Wormtail and said.

"But if we can take advantage of Professor Lockhart's reputation in recent years, the persuasiveness will indeed be much greater."

Dumbledore nodded with satisfaction, and then said to Lockhart: "Gilderoy, after this incident, your status in the mind of the Minister will surely increase, and you will soon be able to find a place in the Ministry of Magic. Continue. How to handle it next time should be what you are good at, right?"

His tone was still as gentle as ever. Although it was a bit unquestionable, there was no hint of command.

Lockhart nodded repeatedly, looking a little scared, but there was a hint of excitement in his eyes.

The Ministry of Magic, the center of the power field, was exactly where he had always dreamed of being.

Glenn looked at Dumbledore, feeling slightly confused.The image of the old man sitting behind the desk seems slightly different from what he understood in the original work.

Dumbledore, shouldn't he always be indifferent and have no interest in power?

And the current operation, supporting puppets, placing chess pieces in the center of power of the Ministry of Magic, may even subvert the power of the Ministry of Magic one day in the future. No matter how you think about it, this is not something he would take the initiative to do.

After all, Lockhart is different from Mad-Eye, Kingsley and others, and it is obviously impossible for him to play a big role in the overall fight against Voldemort in the future.

Seemingly seeing what Glenn was thinking, Dumbledore's expression changed slightly, and he said as if to explain: "Don't worry, Glenn. Regarding the matter you are thinking about, I will discuss it with you later." You talk.”

Glenn glanced at Lockhart and nodded thoughtfully without speaking.

Just at this moment, there was a burst of conversation outside the office, and there was a knock on the wooden door.

"I don't think it's time for you to show up yet, Padfoot," Dumbledore said to Sirius first without rushing to open the door.

Sirius nodded, and returned to his Animagus form in the blink of an eye. He walked around behind the desk in a few steps, lowered himself down, and hid his body behind the large cabinet.

After he hid himself, Dumbledore waved his hand gently, and the wooden door opened with a creak.

Professor McGonagall walked into the room calmly, followed by Cornelius Fudge and several bosses from the Ministry of Magic——

Amelia Burns, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Rufus Scrimgeour, Director of the Auror Office, and Barty Crouch Sr.

On the surface, Crouch, as the Director of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, seems to have nothing to do with Wormtail's reappearance and arrest, but in fact this is not the case.

You know, when he was still the director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, he personally sent Sirius to Azkaban and even skipped the trial stage.

This verdict also brought his reputation to its peak for a while, making him the most popular candidate to succeed the Minister of Magic at that time.