novelraw Chapter 294: House-Elves, Guardian, and Eve of the Banquet
Chapter 294: House-Elves, Guardian, and Eve of the Banquet
A realization struck Ciel.
Able to freely enter and exit every area of pureblood families. Subconsciously ignored by wizards, not even treated as living beings. Considered absolutely loyal by all wizards. Plus, possessing magic that wizards couldn't even imagine—wasn't the answer right before his eyes?
He took a deep breath.
House-elves! Could the key to the information leak be here?!
If other wizards heard this speculation, they'd probably find it incredible. After all, probably no wizard in the entire magical world would doubt house-elf loyalty.
But Ciel knew better. House-elf loyalty wasn't absolute. Like Eugene, the house-elf in Poggy Chalman's household that he'd encountered—hadn't it betrayed its master due to unbearable abuse, trapping him to death on Driad Island?
Even though Poggy Chalman deserved his fate, it proved house-elf loyalty wasn't so unshakeable. Moreover, in the original story, such things happened in the Malfoy household. The house-elf Dobby had secretly betrayed the Malfoy family.
If so, everything made sense. Whether Snape or Lucius, both were Slytherin House alumni. Since their school days, the mindset of not treating house-elves as people had been ingrained in them. To them, house-elves were just moving furniture. Naturally, they wouldn't guard against them.
This was the only information leak channel Ciel could currently imagine. His primary suspect was naturally Dobby from the original story. After all, who could guarantee that Dobby's betrayal in the original wasn't its first time?
However, this was still just suspicion. He needed to find Dobby and personally confirm. As for where to find Dobby, Ciel squinted. If he remembered correctly, during the first half of this summer vacation in the original story, Dobby constantly guarded near the Dursleys, intercepting letter after letter between Harry and the magical world.
At the Dursleys' banquet in the original story, Dobby had even caused complete chaos, with everything blamed on Harry, resulting in Harry's confinement. The banquet wasn't far off now. To find Dobby, the Dursleys' house was the most likely place.
But this returned to the problem Ciel had considered when receiving Mr. Dursley's letter. He should still bring a "guardian." This could save much trouble. But who exactly to find?
Snape was completely out. His injuries would take considerable time to heal. Ciel had also considered finding Lucius Malfoy. This high-society aristocrat's bearing would absolutely crush the Dursleys, perfectly fitting the identity he'd created.
But having Lucius play his "guardian" posed a problem. The moment they entered, Dobby would see its master and immediately flee. If truly related to it, even after a brief delay, Dobby might be like the scarred wizard—never remembering anything relevant. Ciel didn't want to constantly worry about information leaks afterward.
This time it leaked Alihotsy matters. What if future leaks involved more critical things?
Just—who to find?
Then Ciel remembered someone he'd just seen. That deep purple gorgeous robe, meticulously styled hair, plus that peacock-like smile. His eyes immediately brightened.
How could I forget him? Gilderoy Lockhart—useless at everything, bragging number one. Banquets are precisely where he performs!
He immediately headed toward where he'd previously killed several Dark wizards using Lockhart as cover. Upon arrival, he discovered Lockhart was still there, face full of self-satisfaction, looking at Dark wizard corpses on the ground while striking various flashy poses.
"You said you could provoke anyone else—why provoke me? I'd already shown mercy, ready to spare your lives. I, Gilderoy Lockhart—Order of Merlin, Third Class medal holder, Dark Force Defense League honorary member, five-time Most Charming Smile Award winner, thirty-three consecutive weeks on the bestseller list—oh right, another piece of news I originally planned announcing at my Flourish and Blotts signing—but I can quietly tell you now. I'll also become Hogwarts next academic year's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Dumbledore's invitation was simply irresistible. You Dark wizards running into me at this time—alas, perfectly becoming my teaching materials—"
Ciel listened to Lockhart's self-praise. Initially, he was somewhat patient, but soon his face twitched several times. Lockhart seemed capable of continuing endlessly for another half hour. This made Ciel unwilling to wait another second.
With a wand wave, Mage Hand manifested. Lockhart suddenly felt his robes being tugged by something, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground. Just as he fell, seeing stars and opening his eyes as he tried to stand, he saw another scene that turned his expression deathly pale.
Those corpses on the ground actually started twitching. Then they raised their heads—hollow eyes staring directly at Lockhart—and emitted clicking sounds throughout their bodies as they crawled toward him!
Lockhart's legs were too weak to stand. He crawled backward repeatedly, trying to distance himself from these resurrected corpses. But moments later, he suddenly froze. What am I afraid of? I have miraculous magic protection—I'm Dark Magic's nemesis. They were defeated by me alive—why should I fear them dead?
Lockhart confidently waved his wand. "Fulgur Gilderoyensis! Dazzling Banishment!"
A cluster of dazzling golden light shot from his wand tip, along with golden glitter that stuck to the corpses' foreheads. But this didn't slow them in the slightest.
Lockhart gulped, then waved his wand again. "Feli Defendo! Luck Shield!"
A transparent bubble appeared before him, but it couldn't block the crawling corpses even for a moment. It popped like a soap bubble.
Lockhart's face turned completely pale. He didn't understand why his previous miracles had vanished. But before he could figure this out, an icy, sticky hand grabbed his wrist. Seeing the corpse gripping him, Lockhart's eyes rolled back, vision darkening as he fainted.
Ciel showed some surprise. Thought he could last longer. Fainted this quickly? Such psychological quality—yet he could risk adventures gathering precious story materials. In some sense, Lockhart was quite dedicated.
He stopped his ancient shadow magic. Those shadows, secretly wrapping the corpses and making them twist and move, immediately merged back into the ground, then formed a huge shadow vortex, swallowing the corpses and their remaining traces.
Ancient shadow magic is still useful. Pity these corpses are now thoroughly dead objects—otherwise, after shadow swallowing, my Black Shadow Legion could gain several more members.
Slightly shaking his head, Ciel brought Lockhart away from the scene.
Cold. Shaking.
Lockhart suddenly shivered, opening his eyes. Images in his mind still lingered on those corpses' ferocious appearances. But the next second, the scene meeting his eyes made him even more terrified. He was suspended over a seaside cliff. Below were pitch-black surging waves and densely packed reefs.
Lockhart had no doubt that if he fell, he'd immediately become a bloody pulp.
"Anyone there? Save me!"
Just as Lockhart called for help, behind him came a hair-raising sound like scraping scales. "Professor Lockhart, I advise you to speak quietly. This is a place I specifically found for you—nearby, nobody will pass by."
Lockhart's voice trembled even more. He couldn't see the other's appearance, but just hearing this voice felt absolutely malevolent. Probably like those Dark wizards, also some inhuman ghostly thing!
"You—what do you want? We can negotiate, everything's negotiable."
While Lockhart begged for mercy, a stack of photos was placed before him by a scale-covered hand. Seeing the contents of the photos, Lockhart's face showed utter despair. They showed precisely his disgraceful behavior facing those corpses, including him fainting.
The voice behind carried some mockery. "Presumably Professor Lockhart wouldn't want these photos appearing on tomorrow's Daily Prophet front page? After all these years, you used Memory Charms, stealing so many wizards' achievements to reach today—this must have been very difficult. If these photos spread, all those years of effort might go down the drain."
Having his greatest secret exposed made Lockhart feel an even deeper chill. "You—don't do this—what exactly do you want me to do? Anything's fine."
The voice said quietly, "You're very clever, Professor Lockhart—I quite appreciate you. Rest assured, as long as you obediently listen and manage your mouth, I'll return these photos at an appropriate time without damaging your reputation whatsoever. Might even help you go further."
Lockhart gulped, then heard surprising orders. "Now is the first thing you must do—by tonight, before dinner, dress as Muggle world high society. Your identity will be that of an ancient, wealthy Muggle family member. You'll accompany your nephew, Ciel Sprout, to attend a Muggle family banquet, completing a business deal. Don't be surprised yet—yes, precisely that Sprout from Hufflepuff House. Also attending this banquet will be the Savior, Harry Potter. Understand?"
Hearing these orders, Lockhart's face showed complete confusion. He truly couldn't imagine why this mysterious wizard suspended him here for such matters. But why?
Then his heart surged with alarm. Could it be for Savior Harry Potter? Must be—otherwise what's worth such elaborate efforts? Want me to approach Harry? This definitely hides a huge scheme, possibly involving Dumbledore and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
Everyone knew how special Harry was. Lockhart's mood grew increasingly terrified.
As for Ciel's name, he didn't pay too much attention. This Sprout family child wasn't even a second-year yet, right? It should just be someone being used. The purpose of using him was even more obvious, definitely also for approaching Harry.
But everyone knew Ciel was Professor Sprout's treasure. Being able to use him meant Professor Sprout might also be threatened. Thinking this way, the scheme behind this was simply terrifying.
Lockhart's mind had already imagined countless conspiracies. Even combining this year's Ministry actions, Lockhart reasonably suspected—could this be Fudge's arrangement, wanting to completely escape Dumbledore and make Dumbledore step down?
These various thoughts made him completely abandon resistance. Immortals fighting—not something frauds like me can participate in. Better preserve myself first.
"I—I understand. I'll perform well."
After Lockhart said this, the force suspending him suddenly vanished. Amid his exclamations, he fell onto the cliff. The still-shaken Lockhart turned around—discovering that behind him was empty. The previously speaking mysterious wizard seemed to have vanished instantly.
This made Lockhart's heart surge with even more chill. He gasped heavily, then dared not hesitate or delay whatsoever. He immediately withdrew a small mirror from his chest to groom his hairstyle. Simultaneously, he constantly practiced his trademark smile in the mirror.
After all, this concerned everything ahead. The sun had already risen. The time for preparation wasn't much.
Meanwhile, at Number 4, Privet Drive.
Vernon Dursley, who had been constantly awaiting Ciel's reply, finally received his anticipated letter.
"Tonight we'll have two distinguished guests! Two! The honorable young Master Sprout, plus his uncle—the letter says he's even a knight! No dietary restrictions—they like warm home-cooked dinners like ours. Oh God, this is high society—so approachable!"
Mr. Dursley chattered extensively, arranging tonight's banquet matters. But his greatest worry was one thing.
He stomped upstairs, knocking on Harry's door. The door opened a crack moments later, revealing Harry's head. These past days, Harry's cheeks seemed fleshier. Those shabby glasses had also been replaced with new ones. Even his clothing fit much better than before.
But this scene made Mr. Dursley's heart ache tremendously. Those were expensive name brands that even Dudley had clamored to buy, which he couldn't bear spending on! All to let the soon-visiting young Master Sprout know they hadn't mistreated this distant relative!
But recalling the gleaming gemstones Ciel had withdrawn in the office last time, plus this compensation was generous enough for him to retire immediately, Mr. Dursley still gritted his teeth. He instructed Harry in the gentlest tone possible:
"You know how important tonight is. You can sit at the table eating, but remember—"
Harry replied extremely quickly. "Don't say improper things, don't make strange movements. Everything must appear polite, especially to get along harmoniously with Dudley. Rest assured, I've memorized everything."
Mr. Dursley repeatedly reminded him, while simultaneously trying suspiciously to peek through the door crack into the room. Seeing this, Harry quickly said, "I still have much etiquette to memorize—you know, I'm very negligent regarding high society etiquette. I don't want to display poor manners."
Mr. Dursley's eyes immediately widened. "Then what are you waiting for? Quickly memorize!"
Harry quickly shut the door, exhaling deeply.
Thinking of the preparations the Dursleys made for receiving Ciel, he couldn't help giggling. Thanks to Ciel's blessing, he'd finally confirmed he wasn't forgotten by magical world friends. These days, he'd also lived extremely comfortably at the Dursleys'.
But moments later, seeing the strange-looking house-elf in his room calling itself Dobby, Harry again felt a headache. "I told you—I'm very safe at Hogwarts. I belong there. I absolutely won't skip reporting to Hogwarts, nor do I need your protection!"
Dobby shook its head. "No. Harry Potter is in danger. Dobby must protect Harry Potter."
With that, it snapped its fingers and vanished without a trace. Harry felt helpless, only silently praying this strange little elf wouldn't add more trouble.
But soon, thinking he could finally reunite with magical world friends and enjoy an interesting dinner together, plus appreciate the Dursleys' flustered expressions, Harry tossed this matter aside.
Currently, Dobby was hiding behind trees beside the Dursley house, looking up at Harry on the second floor with resolve. Harry Potter doesn't know what dangers he faces. So Dobby must help Harry Potter in Dobby's own way. This Muggle banquet seems very important—Dobby must ruin it. Even if Harry Potter suffers some grievances, even gets expelled from Hogwarts, it's better than losing his life.
As for those two attending the banquet—who were they again? Dobby had only been focused on talking with Harry Potter—Dobby was too excited. Dobby had been punishing himself. But those don't matter—anyway, just two Muggle businessmen. For Harry Potter, Dobby can only let them suffer a bit.
If necessary—
Dobby suddenly smashed its head against the tree, making it rustle loudly. "Bad Dobby, bad Dobby! But Dobby is doing the right thing. To spare Harry Potter from death, slightly, mildly harming two Muggles isn't a big deal."
"Most important—what's that phrase again? Right, Dobby remembers—for the greater good."