Chapter 122: Riddle, My Dear Friend
Nine o’clock in the morning.
Muggle Studies Classroom, sixth year advanced class.
All the students present had passed the Ordinary Wizarding Level Examination, with grades reaching good level. Unless there were any major incidents, these students would basically all obtain subject certificates in two years.
Melvin had looked at the Examination Board’s data from the previous years and made a preliminary estimate that the number of people obtaining subject certificates would roughly triple. The British Ministry of Magic and related merchants in Britain could not absorb so many professionals, so this batch of students would go far away to other countries, using their subject certificates to gain competitive advantages and take jobs from graduates of other magic schools.
The issues involved in this process were too complex to sort out in a short time.
“The household appliances chapter is foundational.
“More importantly, it’s communication and language.
“We mentioned before last year’s exam that you need to use Muggle thinking to analyze problems, to be familiar with Muggle language patterns, to try to abandon magical thinking paradigms, and to adopt a Muggle perspective—that is, the time before you learned magic.”
This was a test paper review class.
The unified exam papers were collected by the Examination Board and not returned to students after grading, but professors usually had backups, copied for students. After a summer vacation, explaining the exam questions also served as a back-to-school review to help students get into the groove.
After Melvin’s cramming-style teaching combined with a sea of questions tactic, this batch of students had very impressive scores. Mistakes were mostly due to carelessness, so there wasn’t much explanatory value, and it was finished in less than half an hour.
Melvin felt a bit unsatisfied, looking at these giggling smiling faces, feeling it hadn’t achieved the effect of switching the students’ states.
So Melvin paused thoughtfully, folding the Muggle Studies test papers while scanning the whole class, his mind wandering aimlessly.
Test paper review ended, new term content not yet prepared, suddenly nothing good to talk about.
He couldn’t end class an hour and a half early; Professor McGonagall would go mad.
Percy Weasley in the front row saw the professor put away the test papers, folded his own, and put it into a parchment document bag. As a top student with good study habits, his materials and notes were neatly organized; this document bag was specifically for storing Ordinary Wizarding Level Examination test papers.
Melvin saw the O.W.L.s marking on it and his eyes lit up: “Ahem… We’ve finished the Muggle Studies test paper. Since we’re idle anyway, let’s talk about the Transfiguration test paper.”
“??”
The whole class looked up, faces blank.
Melvin nodded slightly to Percy, conveying the professor’s will to the good student.
Percy’s mind couldn’t keep up, but his body had already accepted the professor’s instruction, unconsciously pulling out the Transfiguration test paper and handing it over.
“You and Penelope share one.”
Melvin took the test paper casually, flipped through it, tapped the lectern: “Come on, let’s look at the first Transfiguration question: Which of the following does not conform to Gamp’s Law of Elemental Transfiguration? A. Water into wine, B. Twig into quill, C. A table into two deer, D. Conjuring a flock of birds out of thin air.”
“This question tests Transfiguration laws? No, it’s the five exceptions to Transfiguration laws. Let’s look at option A first. Some students see wine and think of food, recall the first exception that Transfiguration cannot conjure food out of thin air, and pick it without thinking.”
“But is this out of thin air? It’s using water as raw material, so eliminate A… So the correct answer is C.”
The sixth-year students felt a bit awkward at first, but Professor Levent’s classes were always unique. After a few multiple-choice questions, they adapted.
Listening carefully, they found Professor Levent also taught Transfiguration quite well.
A different style from Professor McGonagall, quite fresh.
……
Coincidentally, the second period for sixth year was Transfiguration Class.
Professor McGonagall, wearing black-rimmed glasses, walked into the classroom, first did a normal headcount of the advanced class, explained sixth-year notices, very fitting for the Deputy Headmaster.
“Don’t think you can play now that the Ordinary Wizarding Level Examination is over. Sixth year is the most critical year; in two more years it’s the ultimate Wizarding Level Exam. I hope you won’t slack off.”
Professor McGonagall pushed up her glasses, unfolded the test paper: “Now we’ll go over last term’s questions.”
“…”
The little wizards below exchanged glances.
As a good helper to ease the professor’s worries, Percy silently raised his hand and spoke in a complicated tone: “Professor McGonagall, Professor Levent has already gone over the Transfiguration test paper.”
“??”
Professor McGonagall’s face was instantly full of question marks.
……
At this moment, Melvin knew nothing about it. He was standing on the lectern of the third-year elite Muggle Studies classroom, overlooking the new classroom expanded nearly threefold in area.
The newly promoted third-year little wizards sat in their seats, looking around, faces beaming with expectant smiles. Four houses in class together—an unprecedented experience, full of novelty.
“Everyone remember your seats. Anyone want to switch? Speak up now!”
“…”
“Once switched and settled, no changes. From now on, these are your seats. Come on, starting from the first on the left, introduce yourselves.”
“…”
As soon as the words fell, the classroom erupted in chatter again.
Everyone had heard about last year’s Muggle Studies class self-introduction game. Each took full attention, determined to remember the faces and names of unfamiliar classmates.
A cute girl with a black ponytail stood up, voice soft: “I’m Cho Chang, Ravenclaw House. I chose Muggle Studies because I heard this class is very interesting…”
The girl sat down to applause in the classroom. As a rare East Asian face, Cho Chang was mild-mannered and helpful, popular among peers.
The second, a blonde girl, stood up, expression somewhat arrogant: “Marietta Ekmo, Ravenclaw House, Cho’s roommate…”
The feedback after her introduction was not enthusiastic, even somewhat cold. Marietta huffed impatiently.
The classroom self-introductions gradually got on track. Some were concise and cold, others cheerful and lively, adding details to deepen impressions.
The whole process was almost a reenactment of the Sorting Ceremony two years ago, when they first entered Hogwarts, nervous and not noticing surroundings. Two years later, facing same-year students and shouting names again felt novel and subtle.
The third-year students in this classroom, after two years of classes together, knew faces and personalities roughly even if not close; mainly matching images to names, which was a bit challenging.
Instant memory was always a wondrous thing; the questioned students felt it deeply.
Clearly heard someone’s introduction just ten minutes ago, mentally recited it a few times, even pictured the scene, remembered their house, hobbies, even roommate’s name—but couldn’t recall their own name.
It was right on the tip of the tongue, but couldn’t say it.
And the mischievous Professor Levent deliberately picked students with brief introductions and indistinct features for spot questions.
Students scratched heads in anxiety, wailed and roared, finally going onstage amid classmates’ jeers to show talents.
……
The bell rang, classmates still immersed in the game’s fun. Melvin got up and headed out, his swift end-of-class move faster than the students.
Then he ran into Lockhart.
“Professor Lockhart, your blonde hair is enviably smooth.”
“Is it? It’s thanks to Occamy egg shampoo. If you need, I can give you a few… one bottle.”
This new professor wore a blue wizard robe; his white teeth gleamed when smiling. He held a stack of self-made test papers, following Melvin downstairs, kindly asking: “That’s not important, Professor Levent. Do you remember what we talked about last night?”
“Have you thought it over, Professor Lockhart? Willing to reveal those magic secrets?”
Melvin glanced at the test papers, all questions about Lockhart himself—personal preferences, past dreams, greatest achievements—like a fan group entry exam.
The first was a perfect score paper, name field prominently Miss Granger.
“…”
Melvin suddenly had a toothache.
“I’m very happy to share techniques for defeating Dark Creatures with everyone, so more people avoid harm. In fact, that’s what I do.” Lockhart shifted: “But adventures and life are different. Some content isn’t convenient to show, some bloody scenes unsuitable for kids. I might need to ‘post-process’ it.”
Before Melvin could respond, he continued: “The workload is too much; no need to trouble Professor Levent. I’ll handle it and give it to you, okay?”
Melvin eyed his expression, smiled meaningfully: “Of course.”
“The Magic Mirror Club and Gilderoy Lockhart’s name will be spread by wizards worldwide.” Lockhart was full of confidence.
“Speaking of which…”
Melvin paused. This writer before him was a thief, but his true face not yet exposed, quite famous in the wizarding world, acquainted with many wizards.
With a don’t-waste-it mentality, he pretended to hesitate: “The Projection Mirror matter might need your help, Professor Lockhart.”
“You say.”
“Do you know people in the Department of Magical Transportation?” Melvin explained proactively. “The Magic Mirror Club is preparing small Projection Mirrors, using the Floo Network to transmit moving pictures to everyone’s home, so they can watch without going to the tavern.”
“So everyone can easily see it!?”
Lockhart was overjoyed, smile even brighter.
“Ideally yes, but some Ministry officials—you know, a small portion—reject Projection Mirrors, even caused trial lawsuits.” Melvin looked like a persecuted innocent merchant. “Umbridge, and… Minister Fudge.”
“…”
Lockhart deflated instantly. He had connections, but not against the Minister, and didn’t want to offend powerful officials.
Melvin timely offered steps: “The Ministry isn’t some people’s private company. We don’t need to convince these narrow-minded people. Just connect with the Department of Magical Transportation, and things will improve a lot.”
“You mean…”
“There’s a third-year student, Marietta Ekmo.”
“Mrs. Ekko from the Department of Magical Transportation!”
Lockhart got it immediately, naturally taking the task: “Leave it to me. We’ve met at many events; half a year ago at the Parkinson Easter ball, we even danced a waltz.”
“Professor Lockhart has such wide friendships.”
Melvin then realized this new colleague was actually helpful, needing just a compliment or two to give his all.
In a way, he was the same as senior Riddle.
……
Back to the dormitory in the evening.
The old diary was taken from the cabinet. Seeming to sense the outside vibration, Riddle senior’s caring greeting appeared on the paper, asking if he encountered trouble with students and colleagues.
Melvin was in a good mood, dipped the quill in ink, wrote fluently:
「Very smooth, no trouble at all. Students are easy to get along with, colleagues very friendly, especially the similarly new Professor Lockhart, enthusiastic and helpful…」
Melvin simply obscured his matters with Lockhart before writing them; in the diary, it was no longer Projection Mirror and adventure story cooperation, but Occamy eggs and shampoo.
「This is a very profitable business, but Occamies are clearly protected creatures. I think I shouldn’t… But Lockhart says as long as we get Ministry permission, it’s legitimate business. He plans to start with officials from the Department of Magical Creatures.
If I had more Galleons, I could let more Occamies grow safely, but this comes at the cost of sacrificing some Occamies… I can’t decide, Tom, my friend. Please tell me the right choice.」
「…」
The diary was silent for a long time. This Hufflepuff clearly had selfish motives, hesitating due to conscience while justifying his greed.
Just like a soul struggling on the cliff of desire, about to fall.
This was right up senior Riddle’s alley. The diary eagerly advised:
「Melvin, my dear friend, I don’t mean to interfere with your choice; I’m just providing some reference.
As you said, that Mr. Lockhart is a wizard chasing fame and profit. He seems friendly and kind, but under the gorgeous facade, he’s essentially a businessman. He approaches you just to get your help processing Occamies. Unconstrained cooperation with such a wizard will end in nothing. You need to bind interests with interests, use some methods to make him sincerely work for you, or cooperate with you…」
Melvin nodded repeatedly reading it.
Senior Riddle lived up to his name, seeing through Lockhart’s essence from a few words, giving very practical advice.
Negotiating Projection Mirror with Mrs. Ekko couldn’t fully rely on Lockhart; he was best as an introducer broker.
Lockhart was keen on making adventure stories, no short-term results. Meanwhile, have him help with other work. As an Obliviate master, skilled in memory image post-processing; the semi-finished Animal World workload was huge, perfect to entrust to him.
Being pen pals with senior Riddle was endlessly beneficial.
They chatted until ten at night. The Lockhart cooperation topic ended; the diary silent a moment, ink swirling into new words:
「By the way, how’s that Harry Potter you mentioned before?」
