Professor McGonagall was equally surprised by many of the magical theories Liam proposed.
Some of them pushed beyond even her own understanding.
The more they discussed magic, the more convinced she became that Liam was the sort of genius capable of changing the wizarding world itself.
The thought was exhilarating.
Very few professors ever had the opportunity to teach a student who might someday redefine magical theory.
Because of that, she answered every question he asked with unusual patience and enthusiasm.
...
After a full day of classes and his usual training session with Cassandra, Liam once again cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself and made his way toward Lockhart's office.
Inside, Gilderoy Lockhart sat behind his desk, humming cheerfully as he signed stacks of autographed photographs for his admirers.
Everything appeared perfectly normal.
Then—
Click.
The office door suddenly slammed shut.
Lockhart nearly jumped out of his chair.
His quill dropped onto the desk.
For several long seconds, he stared at the closed door.
"Ahahaha..."
His laugh sounded forced.
"Again?"
A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.
"Well... I've worked hard enough today."
He stood up nervously.
"Clearly it's time for me to get some rest."
Without wasting another second, he hurried toward the door.
Unfortunately for him, Liam had already reinforced it with a Permanent Sticking Charm and additional anti-unlocking enchantments.
The door didn't move.
Lockhart tugged harder.
Nothing happened.
Cold sweat immediately began pouring down his face.
"Alohomora!"
He pointed his wand dramatically at the lock.
A flash of white light erupted.
The next second, Lockhart was blasted backward and crashed into a wall.
Liam nearly sighed.
Even Alohomora had been mispronounced.
At this point, it was genuinely impressive.
After sliding down the wall, Lockhart slowly got back to his feet.
"Whoever you are..."
His hands clasped together desperately.
"Please don't hurt me."
"I have money."
"A lot of money."
"I'll give you everything."
He looked close to tears.
Satisfied that the lesson had gone far enough, Liam finally dropped his Disillusionment Charm.
His figure appeared in the middle of the office.
"Professor Lockhart."
Liam smiled pleasantly.
"You don't look very well."
Lockhart froze.
"Liam?!"
The terror on his face instantly transformed into joy.
"Thank Merlin!"
He practically lunged forward.
"Have you come to save me?"
He grabbed Liam's shoulders.
"Hurry! This office is cursed!"
"Get me out of here and I'll award the remaining fifteen points to Slytherin!"
Liam stared at him for a moment.
Then a pulse of magical power exploded outward.
Lockhart was sent flying backward and landed flat on the floor.
"Idiot."
Liam looked down at him.
"I'm the one who locked you in here."
The smile immediately vanished from Lockhart's face.
"What?"
His expression twisted with anger.
"You little—"
He struggled to stand.
"I'll deduct twenty points from Slytherin!"
The moment he tried rising, however, a crushing pressure slammed down onto his body.
Lockhart found himself pinned helplessly to the floor.
Then Liam calmly stepped onto his head.
The office became deathly quiet.
"My dear Professor Lockhart."
Liam's silver eyes were ice-cold.
"You don't seem to understand your current situation."
Lockhart's entire body trembled.
"In Knockturn Alley," Liam continued softly, "you'd struggle to find anyone foolish enough to speak to me that way."
The color drained from Lockhart's face.
His eyes widened.
Then, slowly, absolute horror appeared.
"Y-you..."
His voice shook.
"Black hair... silver eyes..."
He swallowed hard.
"You're... you're the Black-Haired Reaper?"
Liam smiled.
"Interesting."
"You've heard of me."
Lockhart immediately abandoned all remaining pride.
"Yes!"
He nodded frantically.
"I know who you are!"
Every Dark Wizard rumor he had ever heard suddenly returned to him.
The Black-Haired Reaper.
The Silver-Eyed Death God.
The child who walked out of Azkaban.
The monster that even Death Eaters avoided provoking.
"Please don't kill me!"
Lockhart practically screamed.
"I'll do anything!"
"I'll give you all my money!"
"I'll do whatever you want!"
The panic was genuine.
Once he understood who stood before him, all thoughts of resistance vanished.
"I could kill you right now."
Liam's tone remained calm.
"If I wanted you dead, you'd already be dead."
Lockhart nodded violently.
"Yes!"
"Absolutely!"
"I understand!"
Watching him grovel was almost amusing.
People like Lockhart were easy to control.
They valued survival above everything else.
"Then listen carefully."
Liam removed his foot.
"I want you to work for me."
Lockhart blinked.
"What?"
"You'll be my public face when needed."
Liam's voice remained cold.
"I don't need you for combat."
"Frankly, you're useless in that area."
Lockhart looked slightly offended before quickly remembering he was speaking to a terrifying Dark Wizard.
He wisely remained silent.
"You have influence."
"You have fame."
"When I need those things used, you'll obey."
Liam took another step forward.
"And if you don't..."
His silver eyes narrowed.
"I'll expose everything."
Lockhart's heart nearly stopped.
"You stole your stories."
"You erased memories."
"You built your reputation on other people's accomplishments."
Liam's voice became softer.
"And if that's not enough motivation, the Black-Haired Reaper will personally come looking for you."
Lockhart immediately collapsed to his knees.
"I understand!"
His answer came without hesitation.
Every memory Liam had described was real.
Moments earlier, Liam had already confirmed everything through Legilimency.
The stories.
The memory theft.
The repeated use of Obliviate.
Every suspicion had been correct.
"Please!"
Lockhart lowered his head.
"Allow me to serve you!"
"As long as I don't have to fight anyone, I'll gladly use my reputation for your benefit!"
Liam almost laughed.
At least the man was honest.
"Look up."
Lockhart immediately obeyed.
The moment their eyes met, Liam's silver pupils deepened.
Ancient domination magic surged outward.
Lockhart felt something settle deep within his mind.
A connection.
A command.
A chain.
The sensation disappeared as quickly as it came.
Yet something fundamental had changed.
"From now on," Liam said calmly, "when we're in public, you'll treat me like any ordinary student."
Lockhart looked horrified.
"What?"
"You heard me."
"But that's impossible!"
Lockhart protested instinctively.
"You're my master!"
"How can I act disrespectfully toward you?"
A faint smile appeared on Liam's face.
Excellent.
The resistance itself proved the domination spell had worked perfectly.
Without it, Lockhart would never dare object to anything.
Now his loyalty had become genuine.
"Are you questioning my order?"
Liam asked.
Lockhart immediately froze.
Then he lowered his head.
"My apologies."
Without hesitation, he bent down and kissed Liam's shoe in complete submission.
"I would never question your orders."
....
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