Merlin's Medal? Young Tom in the Diary (4000 words)

As Lucien brushed past Lockhart in the corridor, he pondered the information about the Order of Merlin.

The renowned wizard Merlin founded the Order of Merlin in the mid-11th century, the earliest magical organization in the Wizarding World.

Merlin's original intention was that wizards could help non-wizards.

Any wizard who has made contributions to the Wizarding World is eligible to receive the Order of Merlin.

After a long period of turmoil and calm, the Order of Merlin was eventually disbanded.

However, the Order of Merlin remains one of the most prestigious orders in the Wizarding World, and its awarding authority shifted to Wizengamot in the 15th century.

Lucien thought about the wizards who had obtained the second and third levels of the Order of Merlin, and there happened to be some he knew.

For example, Mr. Scamander received the Order of Merlin, Second Class, for his contributions to the study of Magical Creatures, or Magizoology.

This is beyond doubt; in the global Wizarding World, no wizard dares to claim that they are more authoritative Newt in the field of Magical Creatures.

Lockhart's third-class medal was awarded in recognition of his courage in the face of dark creatures and the methods of resistance he promoted in his writings.

The experience may not belong to Lockhart, but the methods are real and can be used as a reference for others; perhaps some readers will apply them when facing similar dangers.

The award was primarily given to Lockhart for spreading the methods used to deal with dark creatures.

Because this could be considered a contribution to the Wizarding World.

Yes, I wrote two papers, one about Transfiguration Stacking and the other about the Magical Creature Transfiguration.

The former is an in-depth exploration of an existing direction, while the latter, Magical Creature Transfiguration, truly opened up a new path for Transfiguration.

Magical Creature Transfiguration is certainly not something everyone can learn, but the layers of principles and structures contained in the paper alone are enough to greatly benefit wizards who can understand it, thus allowing them to explore more directions.

This is undoubtedly a contribution to the Wizarding World.

I just don't know how Wizengamot specifically judges and rates such contributions...

Speaking of which, Dumbledore is the current Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, why don't we ask him?

I was just talking to Dumbledore about winning the award, and he seemed a little "unsatisfied," as if he hadn't said everything he wanted to say.

If one could truly obtain the Order of Merlin, whether it be second or third class, it would instantly elevate one's fame several notches.

The increased fame will also boost the sales of my alchemy and potion products. Speaking of which, it's time to teleport out of the campus, check on the sales of those shops, and update my inventory.

Anyway, the Liuguang Apparition is very convenient, so I can just slip away on a weekend.

Lucien had thought that while Transfiguration journals and related awards would certainly make him famous, they would only circulate within the Transfiguration community.

But the Order of Merlin is different; it's an event that will shake the entire Wizarding World.

The corresponding rewards...

As for the Order of Merlin, First Class, that's highly unlikely.

After comparing the recipients, Lucien discovered a common thread: the highest-ranking Order of Merlin presumably implies saving countless lives and resolving major crises in the Wizarding World.

Let's not mention Dumbledore's medal; it was awarded to him for defeating the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.

Other winners, such as Bellatrix Knut, used Mending Charm to repair the Colosseum in Rome, which had been accidentally damaged by fans of both contestants during a broom race, thus preventing Muggle from discovering the anomaly and avoiding exposure of the magical world.

Tilly Tocker and her family saved a large number of Muggle during the Ilfracombe Incident in 1932...

In addition, some deceased individuals are posthumously awarded a first-class medal, which often does not require such a high level of achievement.

For example, Norwell Donk was posthumously awarded a prize for saving a Muggle child from an attack by Manticore...

However, there are some "exceptions" who stick to the rules: almost every Minister for Magic awards himself a First Class medal before retiring.

In summary, to live and be awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class, one must either resolve a major crisis and save the Wizarding World, or be elected Minister for Magic.

But where do so many serious crises come from that needing to be resolved?

After Voldemort is resurrected, should we blast him to smithereens in front of the whole world?

Lucien smiled and shook his head, preparing to go to Gemini to inquire about their recent business situation.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck; it was a soliloquy:

"... Manipulating monsters to create chaos... a real, undeniable adventure that will save a group of young wizards, and the future and hope of the Wizarding World..."

Lucien stopped and turned to look at Lockhart's retreating figure.

Ah yes, that's what Lockhart said.

soon.

October is coming soon.

The cold, damp air permeated the castle, causing many students and teachers to catch colds, with sneezing and coughing sounds echoing throughout.

But soon, Madam Pomfrey came up with a solution: she concocted a cold medicine that was remarkably effective, except that it would cause steam to spray from the user's ears for several hours.

The sneezing and coughing have decreased, replaced by sounds like train whistles.

Hogwarts thus became shrouded in smoke, which actually fit the fantasy of a magical castle.

As Lucien entered the castle gates, he saw many students with steam rising from their ears. Some seemed unfazed and even shook their heads as if it were funny, but others felt embarrassed and covered their faces with books or sleeves or simply wore scarves.

Hmm, how about developing a magic potion to cure the cold? It shouldn't be difficult, as long as it doesn't have such obvious side effects.

These are products that tend to be seasonal; they're used more often in autumn and winter.

"Phew, it's been raining so much lately. Thank goodness for the Water-Repelling Bracelet you invented, Lucien, otherwise we'd be covered in water and mud during training!"

As he spoke, Harry raised the azure bracelet on his wrist. Although it was pouring rain outside, his robes were not wet from the rain after he finished practicing Quidditch.

Lucien glanced at Harry's Water-Repelling Bracelet and thought to himself, "How can it not rain frequently? Aether can't stay still; she often has to be released from the Box World to fly and play in the real sky."

Aether, the Thunderbird buddy that Lucien brought back from Arizona.

Thunderbird can cause storms to gather during their flight, further exacerbating the already damp and rainy conditions in Britain.

Lucien, recalling the difficulties Quidditch players faced during training, designed an alchemical artifact called the Water-Repelling Bracelet, which automatically covers a person with a Water-Repelling Charm and Scouring Charm, protecting them from rain and mud.

Believe it or not, besides the Quidditch teams buying them all, other wizards also contributed a lot to sales.

It's not expensive anyway; it's just a bracelet. Isn't that simpler than holding an umbrella or casting a spell to protect yourself from the rain?

More and more young wizards experienced the convenience and comfort brought by various alchemical tools and potions, and they sincerely praised Lucien for bringing all of this to fruition.

Loyalty!

"Indeed, thanks to Lucien's invention, it's become much more convenient for me when I'm leading the team in training."

Hearing these sarcastic remarks, Harry was annoyed and speechless. Ever since Flint was put in solitary confinement and Quidditch training was stopped, Malfoy had somehow started leading the Slytherin team in Quidditch practice.

From then on, whenever the two met, if Malfoy didn't mention it three or five times in front of him, he was considered introverted.

"Malfoy, isn't your captain's confinement over yet?"

Harry's impatient question made Malfoy laugh, and he shrugged in feigned frustration.

"Sigh, I don't know. Anyway, Headmaster Snape has a lot of toads, rats, bats, and stuff to deal with."

The Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts's office.

On Lockhart's desk lay the worn-out diary. Sometimes he would scribble on it with a bright Peacock Quill, and sometimes he would talk to himself:

"That, that monster, it won't kill people, really?"

"I just wanted to make a big splash; I had no intention of going to Azkaban. That's not something to be celebrated..."

"That monster looks a bit scary. It's so big, it must be able to eat people, right?"

Lockhart wrote these worries and fears in his diary, and miraculously, his handwriting would disappear as soon as he finished writing, as if swallowed by the paper.

In just two or three seconds, new words will appear in the same spot:

"That's Basilisk. With my method, you can completely control it."

"Don't worry, as long as you don't look directly into the Basilisk's eyes, the worst that can happen is petrification, and that can be fixed; at most, you'll be bedridden for a few months."

"Besides, no one will know that you orchestrated all of this. The world will only remember Gilderoy Lockhart for subduing the Basilisk, saving Hogwarts, protecting the young wizards from danger, and becoming a hero of the Wizarding World!"

"At that time, praise, admiration, honor, fame... you'll have it all."

Lockhart's breathing quickened as he read the diary entries, but he hesitated before writing:

"Tom, but I'm still worried..."

As Lockhart's pen fell, he was unaware that wisps of barely perceptible life force and soul energy were being drawn from his body, disappearing onto the paper along with the ink.

They made their way to the depths of the diary.

This is a spacious circular room filled with many strange and unusual silver objects. The walls are covered with picture frames, but it is empty. A Sorting Hat sits casually on a shelf.

If someone familiar with the room were to see it, they would be surprised to find that the overall layout is very similar to the Headmaster's Office at Hogwarts, although the specific details of the furnishings are quite different from the Dumbledore is currently using.

A sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy was lounging lazily in the large chair.

His hair was jet black, his eyes were black, and his face was pale, but his features were indistinct.

A diary lay open in front of the boy; it looked brand new, as if it had just been put into use.

Lines of ink appeared on the diary, Lockhart's handwriting.

The dark-haired boy, whom Lockhart called Tom, twitched his nose slightly.

"There's still too little vitality and soul energy."

His features became a little clearer. Tom looked at the contents of the diary and then let out a mocking sneer:

"Cowardly, greedy, and ignorant—I really don't know whether to call him gullible or not."

Tom already knew exactly what Gilderoy Lockhart wanted: fame and a real, public adventure.

Under his influence, Lockhart quickly agreed to the proposal to create a crisis using the Basilisk.

However, once Lockhart actually entered the Chamber of Secrets and saw the Basilisk as Tom had pointed out, he actually chickened out!

He began to struggle with whether to release the Basilisk, whether to manipulate it to cause chaos and panic, or whether to ultimately defeat it to gain honor and fame...

Lockhart had always followed Tom's instructions, and through this open-minded compliance, Tom was able to steal more life and soul from him.

However, Lockhart's hesitation and reluctance to act have actually slowed down the progress.

Tom needs that vitality and spiritual energy; he needs to use it to strengthen himself.

The current "Tom" is merely a fragment of his soul hidden within the diary. It was accidentally separated from the original Tom Riddle when he was sixteen years old and merged with the diary to become Horcrux.

As long as Tom absorbs enough souls and lives, he can complete himself and obtain a new body.

Then, the young Tom Riddle will be able to reappear in the world, reunite with his original self, and...

"No, I am who I am. Let's not reunite yet. Let's observe first. Hmm, I wonder how the original body is doing now. Has it reached the pinnacle of magic, become the headmaster of Hogwarts, and become the ruler of the Wizarding World...?"

Tom picked up his pen and wrote in his diary:

"Gilderoy, my friend, if you're really worried, we can test it on animals first, and see if the Basilisk truly obeys your commands?"

The writing here is also disappearing rapidly. To ensure the plan goes smoothly, Tom will control the Basilisk to cooperate with Lockhart's performance.

But once he absorbed enough life and soul...

"Then we should make this a real show! If a lot of young wizards die at Hogwarts, Dumbledore should be kicked out of his position as headmaster!"

Tom remembered the fire that Dumbledore lit with his most treasured cabinet when he came to pick him up from the orphanage!

The flames were fierce and beautiful, leaving a deep impression on Tom.

Tom also remembered that even though he performed very well at school and was loved by his teachers and classmates, only Dumbledore treated him like a thief!

When Tom learned from Lockhart that Dumbledore had become the current Hogwarts Headmaster...

Resentment and anger reignited.

"How could such a narrow-minded old man, who doesn't understand my talents, become the principal? He's just forcing others to accept his will, just like he used magic and power to oppress me back then!"

Tom wants to gain a body so he can expel Dumbledore from Hogwarts.

Therefore, he wanted Lockhart to follow orders and, step by step, offer his life and soul to him!

Seeing the words appear in the diary, Lockhart gripped the Peacock Quill in his hand, clearly still somewhat uneasy.

"Using animals for experiments? Those students certainly have a lot of pets, and there's even a cat wandering around the school. Tsk, how can a prestigious magic school have such a dirty stray cat..."