Having escaped famine, I was accepted into Hogwarts.

Chapter 96 Giving Lockhart special treatment, me? It seems like it really could be possible.

Chapter 96 Giving Lockhart special treatment, me? It seems like it really could be possible.

"As you know, I was basically forced into this situation by enthusiastic fans. They wanted me to reenact that famous scene, but you also know my true skill level. If I didn't find someone familiar with me and willing to cooperate, I would have been completely ruined. So I am really grateful that you were willing to cooperate with me."

"This is just a small token of my appreciation," Lockhart said, pulling a small bag full of Galleons from behind him. "These Galleons are a small token of my appreciation for your hard work, and also, there were a lot of people outside earlier, so I wanted to apologize."

When Hermione led the way, and Harry and Ron rushed in to stop Hermione, this was the scene they witnessed.

Kane sat on the sofa, while Lockhart sat apologetically beside him, humbly apologizing and holding a bag full of Galleons.

"..." Hermione watched this scene, pursing her lips... She knew it... She should have known.

Harry and Ron, having lived with Kane for so long, knew a little about Lockhart's true nature and the reasons behind his appearance. Hermione, however, was blushing and turning pale for some reason, feeling that she had rushed in like a clown.

At that moment, Kane and Lockhart heard a loud bang as the door burst open. Lockhart initially thought it had been blown up by enthusiastic fans, but then he saw only the three of them.

He quickly shoved the Galleon into Kane's arms, then flipped himself from the front of the sofa to the back, crouched down, and pointed at Hermione and the other two: "Kane, these must be enthusiastic fans. Protect me, kill them!"

Kane helplessly stuffed the Galleons into his arms: "They're just my friends, don't overreact. At most... it's just that it's not a very good habit for guests to come over."

Lockhart blushed instantly, and Xiao stood up laughing: "Haha, so these are your friends. I thought so. Please sit here and make yourselves at home. I'll go get you some snacks and drinks."

Lockhart soon left the living room, while Kane and the other three sat around the coffee table.

"So... if there's a suitable business opportunity next time, could you recommend me? I'm not afraid of losing face," Ron said, looking at the bulging bag in Kane's arms with some envy.

"Of course, everyone who sees this gets a share." Kane said, taking out the money bag and letting each person grab a handful, as many as they could.

Ron originally didn't want to do something that was no different from begging, but when he saw Harry grabbing some, and then Hermione grabbing some, he thought grabbing a handful of Galleons wouldn't be a problem.

"Um? Kane, could you come over here for a second? It's just you." Lockhart's voice came from the kitchen.

"I'll go check on her. Hermione, could you please put your hammer away?" Kane said, reminding Hermione afterward.

"Don't worry, no problem," Kane said as he walked toward the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Lockhart had already placed the snacks and drinks on a tray and was looking at Kane with a conflicted expression: "It's like this."

"Go ahead, I'm listening," Kane nodded.

"Your three friends, do you have any way to get them to keep a secret for me? Like, the secret about what I just did, and my magic, too?" Lockhart said awkwardly.

"Hmm...why not?" Kane raised an eyebrow. "They're all very nice people. If you talk to them properly, they'll agree. But don't just make empty promises."

After Kane finished speaking, Lockhart looked puzzled: "You mean...?"

"Your books are very expensive." Kane only said this much before Lockhart realized what was going on: "No problem, no problem. I'll take you to my study in a bit. Take whatever books you want."

Kane nodded. "Thanks a lot then."

After he finished speaking, he left the kitchen. Lockhart followed him out with a tray, placed the snacks on the coffee table, and then began to speak to Harry and the other two in a friendly manner.

Kane was absolutely right. Harry and the other two were all very easy to talk to. They readily agreed when they heard that it was just a matter of keeping a secret. They were even happier when they heard that Lockhart would give away books for free.

Aside from Hermione, although Professor Quirrell last semester had already lowered Hermione's expectations for the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor to a very low level.

However, this magic is not as powerful as Fluorescent Blink; its only highlight is the professor's skill in currying favor with the Celestial Dragons...

Although Professor Quirrell didn't teach well last semester, at least the textbook was a proper Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook, which the young wizards could learn on their own. But Lockhart's textbook...

Good heavens, it's hard to explain in a few words.

It seems this semester will be another long period of self-study. Hermione sighed, looking helplessly at the bleak new semester.

After Harry and Ron followed Lockhart to the study to get their textbooks and those of the Weasley family, Hermione gave Kane a long, thoughtful look.

She wanted to ask, but she was also a little reluctant, afraid that the answer would make her want to hang Kane on a street lamp.

Kane noticed Hermione's confusion and said, "Just ask whatever you want to ask."

"Why did Lockhart become a professor at Hogwarts? Could it be because of you?"

Hermione didn't finish her sentence; what she really wanted to ask was, "Could it be that Lockhart became a professor at Hogwarts because he flattered you?"

Kane, of course, had no idea what Hermione really meant; if he did, he would have laughed out loud.

What do you mean Lockhart is currying favor with him? It's clearly the whole of Hogwarts plus Dumbledore plus him currying favor with Lockhart. Otherwise, how could they possibly manage to sacrifice a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for the unspeakable Hogwarts every year?

However, the problem was that Hermione didn't finish her sentence, so Kane nodded.

"If you insist on saying that, it's not entirely wrong. It's true that Lockhart came to Hogwarts as a professor because of me." Kane nodded quietly. After all, Lockhart specifically asked him to be his adventure partner. What could he do? He was powerless to do anything about it.

Although Lockhart's social experience was no match for that of the over 100-year-old Dumbledore, he was nearly tricked by Dumbledore, and his so-called adventure was just a formality with Lockhart, playing around with some bizarre little plots.

But if we have to say something, Lockhart did become a Hogwarts professor because of Kane himself.

Hermione heard the answer she least wanted to hear and sighed helplessly.

She wanted to say that the sky in the magical world was dark, but upon closer reflection, perhaps the sky in the magical world had never been bright.

After all, Hogwarts, the center of the entire English wizarding world, has been subjected to a game of power by the Celestial Dragons. If they've resorted to such abstract and grandiose schemes as selling official positions and titles, what hope is left for England?

Is there any future for a Muggle wizard like myself?

I don't know if other Muggle wizards have any, but Hermione certainly does, since she's been a good friend of this Celestial Dragon since her first year, and in a sense, she's practically a Celestial Dragon herself.

But I don't want to live that kind of life...

Rather than accepting Kane's help and potentially rising to great heights, I still prefer to make my own way in the world through my own efforts. Kane is a good person, but I don't intend to stay in this filthy English magical world. When I graduate from Hogwarts, that will be the day I, Hermione Granger, officially leave.

Soon Harry and Hermione followed Lockhart out of the study carrying a huge pile of books. Only after stuffing all the books into the little pumpkin's mouth could they stretch their tingling arms.

They sat there for a few more minutes until they finished all the snacks in front of them before getting up and leaving.

However, Lockhart awkwardly pulled Kane back at that moment.

"Can we talk to Kane alone for a bit?"

Kane shrugged. "Of course, why not?" With that, he stayed behind, while Harry and Ron didn't think much of it and went straight out.

As for Hermione...

She already knew.

Hermione, after thinking for a long time, also went outside.

Only Kane and Lockhart remained in the room.

"What's wrong?" Kane asked.

"That's how it is." Lockhart rubbed his hands together awkwardly.

"You know my magic has never been very strong, but I'm going to Hogwarts as a professor in a few days, and honestly, I don't want to give myself away."

Kane nodded. "Ah, so you're planning to cram for this?"

Lohart nodded: "That's right, Kane. Can you help me?"

Kane raised an eyebrow, crossed his arms, and looked at Lockhart, who looked utterly miserable. "We've got a pretty good relationship, so of course I want to help you. But I'll only be a second-year student when school starts, so I can only help you catch up on your first-year material at most."

"However, that's not entirely true. Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts textbooks mostly teach how to fight against dark magical creatures, and the application of offensive spells is not very common in lower grades."

"Perhaps I can ask Dumbledore for you. He might be willing to give you a reading list or outline for those who have turned back from their ways. That way, your progress in learning magic might be faster. And no matter how embarrassing you are, it will probably only happen in your sixth or seventh year. As for them..."

"After all, they're all so old, they probably already know what kind of person you are," Kane said, raising an eyebrow.

"Thank you, thank you Kane." Lockhart breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hmm, I'll head out now." Kane said as he left Lockhart's house. After wandering around Diagon Alley for a while, he found the Weasleys and Harry sitting in an ice cream shop. They were all fussing over Mr. Weasley.

"What happened? Mr. Weasley looks injured." Kane quickly ran over and asked.

"Oh, Kane! It's nothing, I just had a fight with that Malfoy guy, and of course, I won!" Mr. Weasley said excitedly.

"Wow, you're really amazing," Kane quickly flattered, then asked quietly, "So why were you in such a sorry state even with two extra players?"

"It is not something a knight should do to outnumber the enemy, so our duel must be a sacred wizard duel, one-on-one."

Mr. Weasley explained.

"Ah... alright." Kane still didn't understand why they wouldn't take advantage of the situation when they could outnumber the Weasleys, even though the Weasleys were much larger...

Well, maybe it really is what they call chivalry.

Kane didn't figure this out until he returned to the Weasleys' house. Well... everything was fine. The Weasley twins were upstairs making inventions, Mr. Weasley had gone back to work at the Ministry of Magic, Harry and Ron were playing wizard chess, and Percy Weasley was still fiercely competing.

And then there was Ginny, who was sitting opposite him, using a leather notebook to cover herself, seemingly writing and drawing something. Finally, she flipped the notebook over completely.

"Kane, look, this is a drawing of you too, isn't it beautiful?" Ginny showed off her artwork with a grin.

"Of course it looks good," Kane complimented with a smile.

After saying that, Ginny put the notebook on the table and went out to play with Luna. No one noticed that the ink on the notebook was Kane's face, which slowly faded and eventually disappeared.

After a long time, Hogwarts finally reopened.

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