"Right, right," Hermione said quickly, desperate to redirect her thoughts elsewhere. "What do you think about Professor Lockhart?"
The change of subject was so abrupt that Liam immediately noticed it.
Still, he didn't press her.
Hermione certainly wasn't planning to become the sort of girl who interfered in someone else's relationship.
Besides, relationships weren't always smooth sailing.
Who knew what might happen in the future?
The school year had barely started.
She still had plenty of time.
"Lockhart?" Liam repeated thoughtfully. "I suspect most of his legends are fake."
Hermione's expression immediately became complicated.
"Even if we're being generous," Liam continued, "his actual ability doesn't match the stories. With his level of skill, surviving encounters with werewolves, vampires, trolls, and other dangerous creatures would be extremely difficult."
He leaned back slightly.
"You saw his duel today. He couldn't even hit the correct target."
Hermione winced.
That had been difficult to defend.
"If he really encountered dangerous magical creatures," Liam said, "they wouldn't give him a second chance."
"But..."
Hermione hesitated.
"The stories feel real."
She looked conflicted.
"Very real."
"If he didn't experience those adventures himself, how could he describe them so vividly?"
Part of her still wanted to believe.
Lockhart had been one of her heroes.
Liam considered her question.
"There is a reasonable explanation."
Hermione immediately leaned forward.
"What is it?"
"It's only a theory."
"Tell me anyway."
Her curiosity instantly overpowered everything else.
Liam smiled faintly.
"Have you ever heard of a Pensieve?"
"Of course."
Hermione answered without hesitation.
"A magical object used to store memories outside the brain. Wizards can review memories later, analyze them more carefully, or revisit forgotten details."
She paused.
"Anyone entering a Pensieve experiences the memory firsthand, but the original owner doesn't notice."
Then she suddenly froze.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh!"
Liam simply smiled.
"You figured it out?"
"Are you saying..." Hermione's voice rose excitedly. "Lockhart visits famous witches and wizards, asks them to share their adventures, and then experiences those memories through a Pensieve?"
"That would allow him to witness everything personally!"
"Exactly."
Liam nodded.
"I think it's possible."
Hermione's eyes sparkled.
"It would explain how his books feel so authentic."
"Though I can't prove it."
Liam shrugged.
"If we wanted confirmation, we'd need to find out whether Professor Lockhart owns a Pensieve."
Hermione immediately frowned again.
"Even if that's true... why wouldn't the original adventurers expose him?"
"That part is simple."
Liam tapped the table lightly.
"Obliviate."
Hermione blinked.
"He modifies their memories?"
"Potentially."
Liam nodded.
"If he erased the relevant memories afterward, they wouldn't realize their adventures had been stolen."
Hermione fell silent.
The explanation was disturbingly plausible.
Still, one question remained.
"Why would anyone share those memories in the first place?"
She looked genuinely confused.
"Why trust him?"
Liam smiled.
Instead of answering directly, he reached into his robes.
A moment later, a green ribbon appeared.
Hermione's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"Oh my goodness!"
She covered her mouth.
"The Order of Merlin, First Class!"
The green ribbon gleamed under the library lights.
"A First Class Order of Merlin!"
Hermione looked ready to faint.
"Most people only receive one after death!"
"And you're nine!"
Liam laughed softly.
"Now imagine this."
He held up the medal.
"Suppose someone like me politely visits you and says they're interested in hearing about your adventures."
Hermione immediately answered.
"I'd tell you everything."
"Without hesitation?"
"Of course!"
She looked completely sincere.
"Anyone who receives a First Class Order of Merlin has made tremendous contributions to the wizarding world."
"If someone like that wanted to hear my stories, I'd be honored."
"Exactly."
Liam pointed at her.
"Most people value recognition."
"When a famous wizard visits them personally, they naturally lower their guard."
Hermione slowly nodded.
The logic was undeniable.
"Then, after hearing their stories," Liam continued, "Lockhart could easily erase their memories with Obliviate."
He paused.
"Again, that's only speculation."
"I can't prove he did it."
"It's simply the explanation that makes the most sense."
Hermione slumped back in her chair.
Her expression looked miserable.
As someone who loved books, she had adored the adventures described in Lockhart's works.
The possibility that those stories had been stolen from other people felt heartbreaking.
"What a disappointment."
Her voice sounded genuinely sad.
Liam watched her quietly.
Then a mischievous idea appeared in his eyes.
"Want to investigate?"
Hermione froze.
"What?"
"Let's find out."
Liam grinned.
"We can check whether Lockhart really owns a Pensieve."
Hermione immediately looked around nervously.
"That's... that's invading a professor's privacy."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"If we get caught—"
She stopped.
The truth was, she wasn't entirely opposed to the idea.
Hermione Granger possessed an adventurous streak.
And when Liam was involved, that tendency became even stronger.
"Don't worry."
Liam looked completely unconcerned.
"As long as we don't get caught, there won't be a problem."
That was not a particularly reassuring statement.
"I happen to know a useful spell."
Liam pulled out his chestnut wand.
"A Disillusionment Charm."
Hermione's eyes widened.
"At Lockhart's level, he'll never see through it."
That confidence ultimately tipped the scales.
Curiosity won.
Trust in Liam won.
"Alright."
Hermione took a deep breath.
"Let's do it."
"Excellent."
Liam raised his wand.
The tip lightly touched her shoulder.
A cool sensation immediately flowed through her body.
It felt almost liquid.
The magic spread rapidly from the point of contact until it covered her entirely.
Hermione looked down.
Her body began blending into the surrounding environment.
The effect was astonishing.
"Is this the Disillusionment Charm?"
Her voice was filled with excitement.
"That's right."
Liam nodded.
"In simple terms, the magic bends the appearance of your body to match the surrounding environment."
"It's similar to how a chameleon hides."
"Except much more effective."
Hermione listened attentively.
She had only read about the spell before.
Most students didn't learn it until their sixth year.
Experiencing it firsthand as a first-year felt incredible.
As Liam explained the principles behind the spell, he tapped his own shoulder and vanished as well.
Soon, two nearly invisible figures began walking toward the library exit.
As they passed Madam Pince's desk, Hermione couldn't resist.
She waved enthusiastically.
Then she pulled a ridiculous face.
Normally, such behavior would have earned immediate punishment.
This time, however, Madam Pince remained completely unaware.
The librarian never even glanced in her direction because she couldn't see Hermione at all.
....
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