Rita Had Been Conquered?

According to the house-elves themselves, he had stopped Harry from returning to Hogwarts because he knew of a terrible conspiracy.

If it was about the Chamber of Secrets, then he must have known something else as well.

Perhaps he had even known that person—the one suspected of being possessed by Voldemort.

Vincent curled his lip at Dumbledore, indicating that he understood the hint.

There were hundreds of house-elves in the kitchens, and he happened to be on fairly good terms with them.

As long as he learned their names through the Marauder's Map, he would most likely find out their identities and backgrounds.

Even if they did not know, there was still Viktor, a vampire who was likewise unaffected by the Anti-Apparition Jinx.

With a plan in place, Vincent could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Professor, victory deserved an equally grand celebration!"

Dumbledore wore a pained expression as he signed the permission slip Vincent handed him.

Gryffindor's celebration banquet.

The only students absent were the Slytherin team and the Black Swan Club, while Snape was the only professor missing.

That outcome came as no surprise.

If they had all been there, that would have been the truly abnormal thing.

Even more conspicuous than the red-and-gold decorations were the seven members of the Gryffindor team.

Through this match, they had grown more united and learned to trust one another even more.

Aside from Captain Wood, McGonagall was the happiest person there.

This was the golden age of the Gryffindor team!

Lost in her thoughts, she quietly took out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears.

"Look at today's evening paper!" Lee held a newspaper high and waved it vigorously.

After delivering the newspapers, the owls had all been enthusiastically invited by Gu Gu to stay for the feast.

Dumbledore calmly opened the copy of The Evening Prophet before him.

The instant he saw the headline, his hands gave a slight tremble.

After reading the front page, he narrowed his eyes at Vincent.

"Greatest Chaser in History! Speed Rivaling a Muggle Rocket!"

The article was outrageously exaggerated. It claimed that if the England national team had Vincent, they would never again suffer a narrow thirty-point defeat to Canada in a five-day final, as they had two years ago.

The front page was not merely flattering him on purpose. It included several action shots of him scoring, as well as one of him carrying Harry while dodging a Bludger.

The byline at the bottom read Rita Skeeter, the most infamous reporter in the British Isles.

Would she really be so kind?

"Of course I know her," Vincent said, feigning composure. "Maybe she still has a conscience and couldn't bear to slander me the way she slanders everyone else."

"Then why you?" Hermione pointed at a line in the evening paper.

"She said you had excellent character and were outstanding in every way, and that when you grew up, you would definitely be more popular than Lockhart."

Fred and George broke into mischievous grins. "Oho, looks like our esteemed president has conquered that old witch. He dazzled her so thoroughly with his personal charm that she's completely smitten."

"Bullshit!" Vincent straightened his back.

"How could you say that? Just because she used to spout nonsense all the time doesn't mean everything she says is false, does it?"

"Look!" He pointed at the final line. "She even dared to swear on her career. Can't we trust her just this once?"

"Vincent is right!" Lockhart reached out and pushed Cedric and Rolf aside. "Everyone should be given a chance to turn over a new leaf!"

He draped an especially friendly arm around Vincent's shoulders. "Rita Skeeter must have had some hidden difficulty, which was why she went to such lengths to write those sensational reports."

Hermione did not look pleased. "Professor, are you saying she's a fame-chasing, profit-seeking reporter?"

"Exactly."

"Oh."

Lockhart held his head high as well. "Perhaps Vincent awakened Miss Skeeter's conscience. After all, you and I both know just how outstanding he is."

Hermione could not shake the feeling that something was off.

That angle, that timing.

"Everyone, enjoy yourselves. I have something to discuss with Vincent."

"I can refu—"

"Don't be like that." Lockhart tightened his hold. "It's only a small matter."

Vincent slipped free of his large hand. "Professor, let's talk outside."

As Hermione watched the two of them walk farther away, the sense that something was wrong only grew stronger.

"Lockhart isn't acting normal."

"That's right."

"Should we follow them?"

"Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

"What are you scared of? Let's go~"

Once outside the castle, Lockhart immediately got to the point.

"Vincent, I know you and Miss Skeeter have some sort of unspeakable relationship."

"Absolutely not, Professor."

Lockhart gave him a knowing look. "Don't rush to deny it. I have no intention of exposing your relationship, either."

Vincent shook his head firmly. "If we absolutely had to call it a relationship, then it would be that of interviewee and visitor."

"I don't believe that."

"Then add fellow alumni?"

Lockhart looked at him as though he saw through everything. "I know this is a secret, so I will definitely keep it well. You understand what I mean, don't you? I'm actually very good at keeping secrets."

Vincent glanced behind him. "Professor, I'm not quite sure what you're trying to say."

"You know. Of course you know."

Smiling, Lockhart lightly patted his shoulder. "Since Miss Skeeter has turned over a new leaf, it is time for certain false reports to be clarified."

"I still don't understand."

The five people hiding behind the door wore expressions full of contempt.

First, because of Lockhart's hypocrisy; second, because Vincent was still pretending not to understand.

At this point, wouldn't it be better to expose it directly?

"Vincent, I'll take that as you understanding."

"No, I don't understand."

Lockhart's smile widened. "Actually, I know everything. You wouldn't want the image you've painstakingly cultivated to collapse, would you?"

Was that a threat?

It was actually a threat?

Vincent continued playing dumb. "You know everything?

You know that before I graduate, I plan to create the Sorcerer's Stone, then lead England's Quidditch team to win the World Cup, and finally become Britain's youngest Minister for Magic?"

"Uh..." Lockhart froze for quite a while.

He seemed to be considering how to respond, and his expression did not look very good.

"Vincent, you will definitely achieve your dreams."

"Thank you for the encouragement." Vincent smiled with particular sincerity. "Professor, I'm actually not very greedy. As long as I can achieve one or two of them, that'll be enough."

Lockhart stiffly pulled half a fake smile. "You truly are exceptional, unlike me, who still hasn't achieved my dreams."

"You will surely eliminate all evil from the world and sell your line of hair-care products to every corner of the globe."

The half-smile on his face instantly froze. Then he patted Vincent's shoulder again. "Thank you for your blessing. I still have a small matter to take care of."

He hurried into the castle as if fleeing, failing to notice anyone hiding by the door.

Vincent waited a moment before strolling inside openly.

"Did you get lost?"

"No, we were just passing by~" Fred and George walked away without the slightest embarrassment.

Rolf suddenly supported Cedric. "Oh dear, I need to hurry and take you to the Hospital Wing."

Hermione felt a little guilty under his gaze.

"I—I got lost."

"Oh."