Originally, Percy was slightly critical of his father's behavior of "knowing the law and breaking the law", but the increased pocket money also made him obediently shut up - he had just made a girlfriend, and the expenses were much higher than before.

Ron also knew exactly where his rat tonic, new robes, and new textbooks came from, and Mr. Weasley even promised to pay him if he could become a prefect or get on the Quidditch team. buy a new "sweep"

"I wish you a high career, sir," he meant.

Hermione looked at her two buddies suspiciously, and found that they suddenly seemed to know Lockhart better than she did, which made her uncomfortable.

Chapter 160 The Raven Staring at the Sky

In addition to Ron, Lockhart also met Percy Weasley.

Percy straightened his chest at the sight of Lockhart, as if impatient to show something. And Lockhart looked at him and understood what he was doing—Percy had a student president badge pinned to his chest.

"Congratulations on being elected student president." Lockhart congratulated him solemnly

"Thank you, sir, I heard that the principal took your opinion into consideration during this process" Percy also replied solemnly, "It's just that there will be a lot of work to be done by the student council this year, and I have passed 12 more." Owl (wls): I have to take the final exam, I'm afraid I can't breathe because of my studies, not to mention the student council..."

"Is it still enough?" Lockhart asked deliberately. "If it doesn't work, you can assign some power to the following."

""Probably no problem. "Percy hurriedly stopped his pretentious behavior. "I have previewed the homework in advance, and then I just need to review it step by step. Not only academic performance, but also practical work experience is very important. "

\"That's right.\" Lockhart nodded.

Academic performance never represents a person's full strength. There are people with high scores and high abilities - such as Barty Crouch Jr. There are many people, but there are also high-scoring and low-level Aurors like Delixi in the Ministry of Magic. day.

Don't look at Delixi's achievements in "Newts", all of which are "excellent", but their strength is really unsightly.

It's okay to be killed by Dumbledore one-on-one, after all, that is Dumbledore, and he can be considered agile if he can pull out his wand.

But then Delix failed to participate in the siege of Hagrid. After Voldemort returned, he was cast by the Death Eaters under the Imperius Curse, and when he led someone to kidnap Neville's grandmother, she was defeated by her (Mrs. Longbottom did not even pass the spell exam that year). This kind of performance is difficult to convince it is still - an "elite Auror"

Percy will definitely go to work at the Ministry of Magic in the future, and Lockhart undoubtedly recognizes his examination ability and writing ability, but to talk about his ability to practice magic... it is better not to mention it.

Whether or not Dumbledore had originally intended to appoint Percy as student president, Lockhart could now tell Percy that it was the result of his influence.

Such a result will undoubtedly increase Lockhart's "credit" on Percy's side. In the next year, Lockhart intends to completely turn the club he stayed at the school into his own backup base, and Percy is undoubtedly the A key piece.

After entering the seventh grade, as long as the students at Hogwarts don't worry about their future like some fools in the senior year, then their biggest worry now is undoubtedly the problem of work, and Lockhart intends to Use this to woo them.

"Whiz Harder, I can help write letters of introduction, I believe they will give me some face, you can usually pay more attention to see who is good at writing. The same is true for "Witch Weekly", you can ask Kerry Miss Watt went there for a job..."

Percy clears his throat: Makeup is going to join me at the Ministry of Magic too"

"real?"

"Yes."

"Well, I don't think it's a good idea. One inside and one outside is a better cooperation, but since you insist... In short, I can also help write recommendation letters for Witch Weekly. Remember to find me a few good ones. Girls who talk about gossip. Plus the oil wells in Nigeria are about to be drilled, and I need someone to help keep an eye on the futures market, the oil extraction, and the barges. Lastly, the Ministry of Magic, my roots are shallow, but there are no people I greeted several departments..."

Percy listened intently, because he knew it was Lockhart doing him a favor. If the student council president can offer jobs to people of his own faction before he graduates, his authority will undoubtedly be greatly enhanced, which is also a good opportunity for Percy

"I understand what you mean... When we also work, we will carry on this tradition and carry it forward." Percy solemnly assured.

The drum didn't need to be hit with a hammer. Seeing that he understood, Lockhart didn't say much. After all, Percy was the only one who knew that Lockhart intended to form a party.

After chatting with Percy about this year's student union, Arthur and Molly finally finished their own things and walked over with two big carts.

After seeing Lockhart, Arthur hurriedly stepped forward to say hello, and whispered to him, "Don't tell his wife that he has made a quick profit."

"Little vault?" Lockhart winked at him.

"No, but...that's illegal after all, isn't it?" Arthur lowered his voice

"Then find a way to make it legal," Lockhart said lightly, "As long as Muggles can't see it, it doesn't violate the Statute of Secrecy and the Protection Act.

"Is this...isn't it good?" Arthur asked uncertainly.

"What's so bad? We've helped Muggles lower the price of crude oil, wizards make their own money, the Ministry of Magic can collect a trade tax, and the world is more prosperous because of it... Tell me, what's so bad?" Loja Come with your mouth open.

Arthur stopped talking, seemingly persuaded by Lockhart.

As long as it is profitable, capitalism can find a way to make it legal, which is the basic operation. Arthur Weasley is still a little too timid, and he is afraid to make a few thousand pounds of "processing fees". He has to change to other pure blood, I am afraid that he will be upset by it.

Mouth wide open.

Without giving him much time to think, Molly also rushed over and greeted Lockhart very enthusiastically, saying that she wanted to thank him.

"Even Fred and George passed their exams, it's just not good to have a good teacher... I don't have to worry about them finding a job after graduation."

"What do you mean by 'even we have passed'?" Fred and George were very dissatisfied, "We are just a little bit partial, just partial. "

"I testify...they're all very good kids, and they can get good grades in one of their classes, if they're interested in that class," Lockhart said with a smile.

After sending Harry here, Lockhart's mission was considered complete. The Weasleys took over the rest of Harry's journey, and Harry was going to the Burrow to spend the rest of his days.

\"The Ministry of Magic will send two vehicles to take us to the station," Arthur told Lockhart. "Harry's protection has now been raised to level 1."

"I see." Lockhart pouted at the few Aurors who were dressed in casual clothes behind him.

"After Hogwarts, the Dementors will take over the security work... If I say it, this is a complete mess." Arthur was uninterested. "Unfortunately, there are not enough people in the department, so they can only be used."

The Ministry of Magic has no money, so finances are always tight, and it's normal to have no budget for emergencies, and there's really no way for Fudge to use Dementors to defend Hogwarts, because they're "free" , as long as a little miscellaneous people and creatures of happiness can pass.

It's just that the teachers and students at Hogwarts will not have a good time during the year surrounded by Dementors.

The biggest headache for Lockhart is not at Hogwarts, because

He knew that Harry would not be killed by Black.

What he really needs to worry about is the dementor. With the dementor in Hogsmeade, the business of the shop there will definitely be greatly affected, and the villagers who are angry with the dementor will definitely vent it on magic. On the head of the department staff, it would be difficult to convince them to join their plan.

It is precisely because of this that Lockhart took a lot of willpower to restrain himself, and did not immediately put his black hand on Ron's rat.

Forget it, there will be opportunities in the future.

Lockhart returned to his London house after buying some magic developer for photos in Diagon Alley, a table with combination-lock drawers and a self-massaging chair.

Although it is said that he is now the director of the "Competition Commodities Trade Office" under the "Committee of Trade Standards" of the International Magic Affairs Cooperation Department, the establishment given to him by the Ministry of Magic does not even count as a grass-roots team, but an out-and-out empty shell.

Three hundred Galleons, he could apply for it once every six months—this was the office budget granted to him by the Ministry of Magic.

Although Ms. Rutkin of the Trading Standards Committee said she was also a fan of Lockhart's books, when it came time to ask for funds, she still didn't give a single nut. And when giving him funds: Ms. Rutkin also advised him to save some money, because the funds in the ministry were running out, and this was due to Barty Crouch's additional instructions to take care of, and she gave so much money. .

Looking at the 300 Galleons in hand, Lockhart also has a deeper understanding of the constraints of the Ministry of Magic, and this also gives him greater confidence, because the Ministry of Magic is poorer, and he will introduce a series of new fiscal policies in the future. , the more people who support it.

Although the funding was not much, Barty Crouch still said that he would "see results" within six months, otherwise he would reconsider Lockhart's position.

After hearing the familiar order, Lockhart couldn't help feeling that Crouch was at this point.

Compared with the bosses in his previous life, it is no different. He wants the horse to run, and he wants the horse not to eat grass, and he even catches a good guy and uses it to his death.

It seems that I have to be careful, and I must not act casually, otherwise I am afraid that my boss will assign a huge amount of tasks, and finally I will be exhausted. But after thinking for a long time after his rebirth, he realized that work is for a better life, not to make life work.

Lockhart wanted to rush to Hogsmeade immediately and fix his office there, but when he took out his pocket watch and glanced at it, he changed his mind.

It's already three o'clock, let's make eggs, let's drink tea first! Chapter 161 Settled

After seeing the "office" that Lockhart had chosen, Mrs. Akemore, an official sent by the Ministry of Magic to check, was a little disbelieving.

Although she has asked many times, Yi Dan couldn't help but ask again:

"God, do you really want to live here?"

It was inevitable that she would be surprised, because Lockhart's final choice was neither the second floor of the Three Broomsticks, nor the house of any Hogsmeade resident, but a very famous place in the whole of England. "Haunted House" - Screaming Shack

Looking at the messy claw marks and pale footprints left everywhere in the wooden house, Mrs. Akemore's scalp suddenly felt numb.

It's just that Lockhart doesn't seem to care about it.

"There's no way. Although it's a bit rudimentary, the funds are limited. Every copper nut must be used on the blade. This kind of official support can be reduced as much as possible." He said.

"But it's haunted... oh, I almost forgot, you dealt with female ghosts and ghouls

Mrs. Akemore just wanted to continue to persuade him, but after thinking about Lockhart's experience, she suddenly felt that it seemed nothing.

Whether it is a red ghost, a giant spirit, a ghost, a shadow, or a demon, it will only become a footprint on this guy's record list, right?

Lockhart didn't care what the people from the Ministry of Magic were thinking. After looking around at the Shrieking Shack, he was satisfied with the environment.

Although it's not very big, there are two rooms inside and one outside, just one for working and one for sleeping, which is enough.

A bachelor, what do you want a house that big, right?

More importantly, the rent here is cheap enough.

The screaming shack and the secret passage below belong to the property of Hogwarts. Dumbledore also chose to place the werewolf Lupin of the full moon night here, and for the sake of confidentiality, he deliberately did not prevent the residents of Hogsmeade from Haunted rumors spread here, so no one dared to approach it for a long time.

While this would save Hogwarts rent, the secret passage would also make it safer. It was originally left behind so that messengers could be sent to the castle for help when Muggles attacked the castle.

And Dumbledore himself is the kind of person who can say to Harry, "Smash it as much as you like, I have too much property", so I don't care too much about this small amount of money.

Now Lockhart can rent this place for a small sum of 5 Galleons per month. any decree.

Although if Lockhart wants to spend money in Hogsmeade with his personal financial resources, he can't afford it, but it will inevitably fall into the ground, making people wonder what he is doing here.

Looking at the surrounding environment, Lockhart popped his wand from his sleeve and started cleaning: "Clean up!"

With the sound of his incantation, most of the dust in the house was immediately removed, and the dim windows of the cabin became much cleaner.

Next, he turned to Mrs. Akemore: "That's about it. Next, please open the Floo network at that fireplace..."

Mrs. Akemore was in the Floo Network Office of the Division of Magical Transportation. Without the approval of the people in her office, the new fireplace would not be able to connect to the Internet, and Lockhart would have to use someone else's fireplace.

Mrs. Akemore looked left and right, and when she found that there were still many corners of the house, she shook her head gently.

"It can be dealt with in a blink of an eye... But I have to tell you, if your cleaning skills are half the level of your ability to fight black magic, this room wouldn't be so dirty."

Although all wizards can use cleaning spells and packing spells, the same spell, if used by someone who can't clean, is not as good as those housewives. Your level of cleaning with bare hands directly determines your level of using housework spells. .

It's like Nymphadora Tonks, she can only use the Packing Charm to tuck the pile into a mess, but Mrs. Weasley and her aunt can use the Packing Charm to keep things in order.

Lockhart shrugged. "Bachelor, you have to understand."

"Yeah, I understand. Although it's just a colleague, I still suggest that you start a family quickly, so that you can work without distractions... Can you find me some firewood?"

In order to prevent the middle-aged woman from nagging, Lockhart hurried out of the house and picked up some dry branches from the ground.

Mrs. Akemore lit them in the fireplace, then pulled out what looked like a sprayer, and sprayed it into the fire.

The green flames suddenly rose, and Mrs. Akemore dropped something in it, then read "Hephaestus" aloud, then turned back, announcing that the Floo network connection was complete .

"As you requested, this fireplace has been connected to the Floo network, and the number is 10086. The annual inspection will be done every three years for the first 30 years, and every year for the next 30 years. Do you understand?"

"Thank you, Mrs. Akemore," said Lockhart thankfully.

According to the rules of the Ministry of Magic, the staff who connected to the Floo network must try it out for themselves, so Mrs. Akemore sent him directly from the fire back to the Ministry of Magic after connecting him to the network, leaving Lockhart alone. man, let him set up his own office.

Of course Lockhart won't just clean this place by himself, he's called a lot.

Be, let him and himself clean the screaming shack all over again.

He arranged the filing cabinets, desks, calendars, world maps, and British maps that he had received at the Ministry of Magic in the outside of the Shrieking Shack, and planned to use it as his office, while the inside was placed Wardrobe, bed and full-length mirror as bedroom.

In addition, the map flying carpet that Lockhart took out when he resigned from Hogwarts was also thrown into his new bedroom by Lockhart, and used it to cover the secret passage to Hogwarts. There's no use throwing it at the Ministry of Magic.

While cleaning the outside of the Screaming Shack, Dobby finds something.

\"Benevolent master, Dobby found a pile of straw and put it behind the door." He hurried to report.

"How long have you put the straw?" Lockhart continued to organize the official services in his closet. "Throw it in the fireplace and burn it, just to roast the humidity in the room."

"It's still new, and the pads are still a bit wet, and if you throw it into the fireplace, it will burn up with bad ash smoke, the master will choke, and Dobby will have to stick his head into the fireplace to punish himself. …”

"Don't." Lockhart hurriedly stopped. "Your pocket housekeeper needs to be made to order. If you burn it, you can't buy it again... Since you can't burn it, take it outside and throw it away."

"OK."

Dobby jumped out, and magically held up the bundle of straws, ready to throw it out.

However, just as he opened the door, a pair of gray, huge eyes suddenly appeared behind the door.

Dobby jumped back in fright, then sat on the ground, and the straw lifted by magic flew into the sky.

"Ah!" he exclaimed.

Lockhart popped out his wand as soon as he heard the sound, then the cat slumped and leaned against the door

out to see what happened.