"Mr. Gilderoy Lockhart's situation this time was not the same as before. He truly did bravely rescue innocent Muggles from Voldemort's stronghold... even sacrificing his precious life for it... As everyone knows, he was previously sent to Azkaban by the Harrises, but that was because of his fraud. Now that he has become a genuine hero, the Harrises will clear his name..." Allen raised his voice, drowning out the crowd's murmurs. "In fact, the little Muggle girl Mr. Lockhart saved is also a witch. She is attending the entrance ceremony at the Primary School Division today. The specific details will later be covered in a special report by the Television Station, so I won't go into them one by one here."
After hearing Allen's words, the wizards, out of their trust in him, no longer mocked or questioned Lockhart. Lockhart did not say much. At the mention of Patricia, his face filled with tenderness, and he bowed to Allen and the others, preparing to leave.
"Mr. Lockhart, the Ministry of Magic is applying for a Second Class Order of Merlin for you because of this matter. You are the pride of Ravenclaw." Allen tilted his head and added this to the departing Lockhart, then looked toward the staff table. "Professor Horace Slughorn, out of consideration for his health, will only serve as the Potions Professor for the N.E.W.T. classes this term—that is, the sixth and seventh years. The O.W.L. Potions classes from first to fifth year will be handled by Professor Severus Snape."
Professor Snape raised his eyes toward Mister Handy, his gaze cold and empty, like two pitch-black tunnels—as the triple agent of Dumbledore, Voldemort, and Allen, everyone believed it was most appropriate for him to remain at the school.
As for Professor Slughorn, his bald head gleamed in