Mysterious Journey
Chapter 1002 Employee Benefits
Gilderoy Lockhart whispered, making no attempt to struggle.
As one of the earliest members of the Major Arcana, he knew better than anyone how abrupt his existence was.
Apart from him, the other Major Arcana, including "Miss Fool," all possessed remarkable magical prowess.
Even Xenophilius Lovegood, the editor of *The Quibbler*, likely had considerable real strength. After all, he knew so many magical secrets before joining the organization. If he didn't have unfathomable power to rely on, he would have died countless times.
Among them, as a "convicted" member forced into the organization, his status didn't stem from his power.
Gilderoy Lockhart was well aware that his Major Arcana status came more from the dangerous secrets he knew.
As the foundations of the Foundation, the Destiny Group, and even Gringotts Wizarding Bank gradually solidified, good luck couldn't favor him forever.
Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and Scamander selecting their respective successors was a signal.
The system of passing down traditions from old to new was also beginning to take shape.
Putting aside Xenophilius Lovegood's hidden and unfathomable magical attainments for now.
Just the blood ties between him and the "Priestess-in-training," as well as the long-standing plans revealed in *The Quibbler* articles, were enough to establish that he was qualified to become a protector and guide for the "later generation" of fledgling eagles who hadn't fully spread their wings after the deaths of the three old wizards.
As for the other two Major Arcana, one was an immortal alchemist, and the other was a hero in disguise.
The only discordant note was him—Gilderoy Lockhart.
Whether in terms of age, background, or even strength and influence, he was simply too conspicuous for the future "Fool's Era."
"How much time do I have left? Miss Kaslana, Miss Granger."
Gilderoy Lockhart's expression was calm as he took a breath and turned to look at the two witches.
Undoubtedly, the Basilisk hunt was a large-scale hunt that could easily result in a "justifiable death."
With Ellena and Hermione's sudden visit today, the last trace of luck in Lockhart's heart was almost completely shattered.
The Hyperion was hovering above the Black Lake, and any resistance or escape was futile. As a high-ranking black-robed wizard who had witnessed the Hyperion's attack and commanded a local "Brovarya Retreat Plan," Gilderoy Lockhart naturally wouldn't let himself be too embarrassed in his final moments.
"Huh? What time? Didn't you decide that yourself?"
Ellena frowned in confusion, shaking her head at Hermione's questioning gaze.
"Besides, I already said, I'm just here with Hermione today… she just wants to get some answers."
"Professor Lockhart, are you misunderstanding something?"
Hermione unconsciously twirled her hair, bit her lip, and carefully chose her words.
"How about we change locations and continue somewhere more private? I know this is a bit sudden, but I think if some questions aren't resolved, it's very unfair to me, to you, and even to more people…"
Twirling her hair! Twirling her hair! And she's biting her lip too!
Lockhart's pupils contracted violently.
His face was pale, and after hesitating for a few seconds, he said softly with a last glimmer of hope.
"I-I want to see Professor Dumbledore…"
"Of course, we can go to the Headmaster's office, it's quieter there."
Ellena said quickly, looking around at the surroundings, her eyes lingering on a ghost not far away for a few seconds.
"This isn't a very suitable place, is it? Do you have any other unfinished arrangements?"
Although she didn't know why Lockhart seemed a little uncomfortable, she didn't plan to stay here for too long.
The ghost rider from the Headless Hunt hadn't gone far. He was floating back and forth a few dozen meters from the Hogwarts gates, unobtrusively observing the three people standing by the door during his "head" games, as if he thought his behavior was very secretive.
However, for the "Fool" and the "Hanged Man," this was obviously too childish.
If it were during the highest level of martial law in Ulyanovsk, that guy would have been hit with two rounds of Obliviate spells.
"Uh, now? I thought it was tomorrow—"
Lockhart blinked, his fingers fidgeting in his robes.
However, his gaze finally landed on the necklace revealed on Ellena's fair neck.
What was he thinking? Miss Fool, the Third-Generation Demon King, the Gringotts Goblin Queen—there was no way he could have a chance to resist.
That was a magical necklace blessed by Grindelwald, Dumbledore, LeMay, and a host of top wizards. Even Voldemort in his prime couldn't break through the shield with a surprise attack, let alone an ordinary person like him with low magic power and only a few clever tricks.
More importantly, he was too close to Ellena now.
Within two steps, Ellena was almost invincible—that was the assessment Newt Scamander had secretly told Lockhart before.
"Of course, it's now, the holidays start tomorrow, and Ministry of Magic officials are coming."
Ellena glanced at Gilderoy Lockhart with a puzzled look. Was this guy's brain short-circuiting again today?
At the same time, Hermione also noticed something was wrong and explained in a somewhat flustered manner.
"Professor Lockhart, it's like this—Ellena said before that all your previous records were erased. Therefore, no one except the Major Arcana knows about your past experiences. But I think some things still need to be…"
Crap, she shouldn't have listened to that mischievous white-haired furball.
How could she ask such a question? Professor Lockhart, such a smart wizard, must be very embarrassed now, right?
Hermione looked around evasively, finally looking past Gilderoy Lockhart's body and landing on the research institute behind him.
"Ahem, that's true."
Lockhart followed Hermione's line of sight and looked back, glancing at the research institute with some reluctance.
"This can be considered… a good result. At least the situation is much better than that rat's—"
Finally, he could say goodbye to that Russian shrew.
But this was also a good thing, right? The nightmare was finally over.
At least, whether in the wizarding world or among those Muggles, Gilderoy Lockhart was sacrificing himself as a hero.
"Rat? Peter Pettigrew? What are you talking about?"
Ellena glanced at Lockhart with a strange expression, her eyes sweeping across his pale face.
At one point, a bizarre and ridiculous guess suddenly popped up in her mind.
"Hey, wait, you don't mean…"
Ellena raised her eyebrows, looking at the heartbroken wizard with amusement.
"Professor Lockhart, you don't think… we're here to secretly execute you, do you?! No way, no way?"
"Huh, it turns out—cough cough, haha, of course not, how could it be?"
Lockhart was stunned for two or three seconds, then chuckled dryly, his expression somewhat embarrassed and a bit skeptical.
Unlike the other clueless wizards, he knew too well how terrible this witch's Highness was. It was possible that this was just a cat-and-mouse game, but judging from the probability, he had probably scared himself again.
Luckily, he didn't act just now, otherwise, he would have been asking for death!
Lockhart thought with some relief. If he had drawn his wand just now to "fight to the death," it would really have become an execution scene.
"Let's go, let's go back to the Headmaster's office to talk in detail—"
Ellena glanced at Lockhart, raising her eyebrows thoughtfully.
It seemed that this "Hanged Man" Mr.'s ideological transformation was quite successful.
Although he was prone to overthinking, at least he wasn't too threatening—judging from Lockhart's expression, her absurd guess just now was probably correct—but even so, Lockhart hadn't done anything irrational, which was a major plus.
Of course, on the other hand, in fact, Ellena had long given up on the plan to "clean up" Lockhart.
It wasn't easy for Hogwarts to cultivate an excellent graduate, and a genius like Lockhart was even more valuable. She wasn't an unreasonable rogue leader.
"After the Christmas hunt is over, why don't you go to the surrounding cities to relax and rest?"
Ellena looked at Lockhart and thought for a moment. "The combination of work and rest is very important. The Destiny Group has arranged a few small fan meet-and-greets for you. Don't worry, they're all one-on-one small meet-and-greets, you can prepare a little and change your mood—"
"Don't decline, this is also one of the tasks the organization has given you. You're also in your thirties, it would be best if you could get married and start a family."
Before Gilderoy Lockhart could refuse, Ellena waved her hand, her eyes quickly glancing over the little sidekick beside her.
"Alright, let's talk as we walk—"
"Miss Kaslana," Lockhart said with a strange expression, "You, we… will arrange this?"
"This is a basic benefit for senior members, Professor," Ellena replied briefly.
At the same time, Hermione had finally guessed a little from Ellena and Lockhart's conversation.
Hermione turned around silently, following Lockhart and Ellena towards the castle, her mood particularly complicated for a moment.
Before coming here, she had imagined many situations, but what she didn't expect was that Professor Lockhart's position in the Major Arcana and his fear of Ellena were so outrageous—perhaps she shouldn't have beat around the bush and should have been straightforward like Ellena, it would have been better, right?
However, basic benefits for senior members?
Hermione looked at the "Fool" and the "Hanged Man" who were talking softly with confusion.
What did that mean? She had read the Major Arcana rules and a summary of rights before, but there wasn't this clause in it?
If Professor Lockhart, as the "Hanged Man," was involved in this benefit, then in theory, she, as the "Justice-in-training," and Luna and Hannah, should also be involved in this… but what was it exactly?
Obviously, the secrets of the Major Arcana were not as simple as she thought.
She silently noted the conversation between Ellena and Professor Lockhart in her heart, preparing to ask about it slowly later.
Since experiencing the "clothing inquiry" on the Hyperion, Hermione realized an important issue:
Without the most basic question preparation, even if Ellena promised not to lie, it would be difficult for them to torture any valuable information.
And in this case, the "details" revealed when Ellena and other Major Arcana members talked were very important. All the words and dialogue content she didn't understand were the key to understanding the "adult world."
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Yay!