"Lockhart! Get over here!"
Fudge rushed to the edge of the sealed space and shouted, "Act now! Break this barrier and get me out!"
Fudge knew the people Lockhart had brought with him very well.
There weren't many of them, but every one was an ace from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, an elite veteran who had spent years on the front lines fighting brutal Dark Wizards to the death.
These were hardened fighters who had truly shed blood and walked the razor's edge between life and death countless times.
If Lockhart was willing to act, their combined strength might just break through the Witch and Dumbledore's blockade.
As long as he could escape Hogwarts Castle, he could Apparate back to the Ministry of Magic, expose the Witch's atrocities to the world, and rally all of Europe against her!
Yet Lockhart simply stood where he was, his smile unchanged.
Fudge waited a few seconds. When Lockhart didn't move an inch, his heart sank.
"Lockhart! Didn't you hear me? I order you to act!"
Growing frantic, Fudge shouted with bloodshot eyes, "If you help me today, I'll promote you to Deputy Minister for Magic as soon as we get back!"
"I promise, when I step down, you'll be the next Minister for Magic! You'll have my full support!"
At that staggering promise, Umbridge nearly ground her teeth to pieces with envy as she lay on the floor.
Watching Fudge desperately dangle one empty promise after another, Lockhart's expression finally changed.
"Very well. Since you want me to act, I will!"
He smiled faintly, turned, and looked toward Hermione on the raised platform.
Then, under everyone's shocked gaze, he bowed respectfully.
"Lady Witch."
Lockhart's voice was gentle, but every word rang clear. "I was delayed because I went to fetch someone