While Hermione explored Lockhart's memories through the Pensieve, Liam continued searching the office.
Despite Lockhart's pathetic performance in combat, Liam refused to lower his guard.
Strength alone wasn't everything.
He knew that better than anyone.
In the past, he had personally used harmless appearances to lure countless unsuspecting Death Eaters into traps.
A smiling hunter could be far more dangerous than an obvious predator.
Lockhart's magical power was weak.
His wand skills were terrible.
Yet Liam couldn't rule out the possibility that the man possessed some unusual talent hidden elsewhere.
Because of that, every item in the office received careful inspection.
There was another reason as well.
Lockhart had already shown obvious hostility toward both Liam and Cassandra.
Liam had no intention of simply ignoring that.
Either Lockhart would eventually be removed from Hogwarts...
Or he would become useful.
After all, the man possessed something valuable.
Influence.
Fame.
A public image recognized throughout Britain.
With enough pressure and leverage, someone like Lockhart could become a surprisingly useful tool.
He wasn't useful in battle.
But spreading stories?
Manipulating public opinion?
Building someone's reputation?
Those were areas where Lockhart's shamelessness might actually become an advantage.
Two hours passed.
When Hermione finally emerged from the Pensieve, her face was glowing with excitement.
Meanwhile, Liam had finished searching every corner of the office.
Nothing inside posed any threat whatsoever.
At last, he was satisfied.
Lockhart truly was harmless.
"At least compared to me," Liam muttered.
Hermione looked up.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Liam smiled.
"How was your first experience using a Pensieve?"
Hermione immediately lit up.
"It was incredible!"
Her eyes sparkled.
"It felt like I actually lived through those adventures myself!"
The excitement in her voice was impossible to miss.
"Thank you, Liam."
She smiled brightly.
"If you hadn't brought me here, I never would've experienced something that amazing."
Liam chuckled.
"Then it was worth it."
He stood up.
"We should probably leave before Lockhart comes back."
Hermione nodded.
The two quietly exited the office.
They left the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom and eventually found a secluded corridor.
Only then did Liam remove the Disillusionment Charm.
As their bodies returned to normal, Hermione immediately remembered what she had seen.
"That Lockhart is awful."
She looked genuinely angry.
"He stole those brave wizards' memories and used Obliviate on them!"
Her fists clenched.
"Shouldn't we tell Professor Dumbledore?"
"Maybe then he'll finally get punished."
Liam considered it.
"Realistically?"
He nodded.
"Yes."
"He belongs in Azkaban."
Hermione blinked.
"Azkaban?"
The name immediately caught her attention.
"Why was he so frightened when Cassandra mentioned Azkaban?"
Although Azkaban was famous throughout the wizarding world, most books barely discussed it.
The reason was simple.
People who left Azkaban rarely wanted to write about it.
Dementors devoured happiness.
They consumed hope.
Most prisoners emerged emotionally broken.
Naturally, very few went on to publish memoirs afterward.
Liam was an extremely rare exception.
"Azkaban is guarded by magical creatures called Dementors."
Hermione listened attentively.
"They feed on positive emotions."
His voice became quieter.
"They consume happiness, hope, and good memories."
"The longer you stay near them, the more those feelings disappear."
Hermione shivered.
"That sounds horrible."
"It is."
Liam nodded.
"Eventually, all that's left are your worst memories."
"Your fears."
"Your regrets."
"Your pain."
The image alone was terrifying.
Now she understood why Lockhart had looked ready to faint when Cassandra threatened him.
"No wonder."
Hermione shook her head.
"That place sounds awful."
"It is."
Liam smiled faintly.
"Speaking from experience."
The corridor suddenly became silent.
Hermione stared.
"What?"
"I said I'm speaking from experience."
Liam repeated casually.
"I lived there for a while before coming to Hogwarts."
The silence deepened.
Hermione looked completely frozen.
Then she laughed nervously.
"That's not funny."
"I'm not joking."
Liam's answer was immediate.
"You..."
Hermione stared at him.
"You actually went to Azkaban?"
"Yes."
The confirmation left her speechless.
Liam had expected this reaction.
This was one reason he preferred revealing things early.
If someone couldn't accept his past, it was better to learn that sooner rather than later.
Real friendship required honesty.
And Liam understood very well that his worldview differed enormously from the sheltered students of Hogwarts.
"Why?"
Hermione finally asked.
Her voice sounded small.
"Why were you sent there?"
Liam shrugged.
"Two Muggle criminals tried to rob me."
Hermione blinked.
"I killed them."
Then he added calmly,
"The Ministry arrested me afterward."
For several seconds Hermione simply stared.
Then relief flooded across her face.
"Oh."
Liam blinked.
"Oh?"
"I thought you'd killed an innocent person."
Hermione sighed.
"You scared me."
The response caught Liam completely off guard.
"That's it?"
"Of course."
Hermione frowned.
"You were a child."
"They were adults."
"They attacked you first."
She looked genuinely confused about why this was even a debate.
"If I were threatened by adults, I'd be terrified too."
Liam remained silent.
Technically, that wasn't what happened.
He hadn't killed because he was frightened.
He had killed because killing hostile people was efficient.
But correcting her misunderstanding right now probably wasn't wise.
So he simply nodded.
"Something like that."
Hermione accepted the answer immediately.
Then her expression became angry.
"That's ridiculous."
"What is?"
"The Ministry."
She crossed her arms.
"They weren't there when you needed help."
Liam laughed softly.
Hermione ignored him.
"They didn't protect you."
"They didn't stop the criminals."
"But suddenly they appeared when it was time to punish you."
Her voice grew more passionate.
"That's completely unfair."
"Most Aurors are stretched pretty thin," Liam said.
"It's difficult to watch every child in Britain."
"That doesn't change anything."
Hermione looked stubborn.
"If their job is protecting people, then they failed."
Liam raised an eyebrow.
"You're criticizing the entire magical justice system."
"Maybe it deserves criticism."
Her answer came without hesitation.
"They should've protected you first."
"Instead they punished you afterward."
She shook her head firmly.
"I don't think that's right."
Liam found himself smiling.
For the first time in his life, someone was arguing that his imprisonment in Azkaban had been unfair.
The experience was surprisingly strange.
But also...
Pleasant.
"Maybe you're right."
Hermione looked satisfied.
"Obviously I'm right."
Liam laughed.
Then his expression became thoughtful.
"Then how about this?"
Hermione tilted her head.
"What?"
"One day, let's change it."
His eyes met hers.
"If people like us gain enough influence..."
He paused.
"We could build something better."
The seriousness in his voice caught her off guard.
"A better system?"
"A better world."
Liam smiled faintly.
"I think someone like you could help make that happen."
For a moment, Hermione simply stared at him.
Because in Liam's eyes, she saw something she rarely found anywhere else.
Belief.
He genuinely believed she could make a difference.
....
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