The trial concluded amidst a scene of utter chaos.
Almost the moment Lockhart was taken into custody, the Daily Prophet photographer rushed forward, shoving their camera directly into Minister Fudge's face, so close it nearly brushed his nose. The camera's flash was so blinding it could have dazzled everyone on the platform.
"The defendant, Lockhart, claimed that you destroyed evidence of his crimes. What is your response to this?"
"Before the trial, you interrogated the defendant and allegedly used a Vanishing Spell on the evidence. Does this indicate procedural issues in your work?"
"Miss Jane Yu was cursed by the defendant in court. Does the Wizengamot bear responsibility for failing to protect its witnesses?"
Fudge's face turned beet red. Wiping the spit splattered on him by the reporters, he pushed the camera away and shouted loudly:
"Slander! This is all slander! Baseless accusations!"
The journalist, with her bright green Quick-Quotes Quill scribbling furiously, wore a pair of jewel-encrusted glasses and had her blonde hair styled in exaggerated curls. Her two-inch-long, bright red nails clutched a piece of parchment as her eyes gleamed with cunning.
"If the Minister believes this to be slander, then allow us to photograph the evidence you've obtained."
"You have no right to demand evidence from the Ministry of Magic!" Fudge bellowed. "That's it! This interview is over!"
With several wizards clearing a path for him, Fudge struggled to descend the platform and disappeared through the doorway.
Almost the moment he left, Jane and Dumbledore found themselves surrounded by the reporter and photographer.
"Dumbledore!" The journalist beamed with delight. "What's your take on this matter?"
Dumbledore's expression remained unchanged, but Jane could tell from the slight downturn of his lips that he was in a foul mood.
"Rita, I'm afraid I can't answer your questions at the moment."
"I need to take this child for a medical check-up. Please step aside—"
He led Jane through the crowd, and the surrounding wizards quickly made way for them.
But the reporter, whom Dumbledore had called Rita, snatched the camera and persistently followed them, snapping photos while bombarding them with questions:
"Is this child under your care? How do you feel about her being cursed?"
"Do you believe Fudge was negligent in his duties?"
When Dumbledore refused to answer, she even tried to grab Jane, only to be stopped by Amelia Bones, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
The short-haired, grey-haired witch's voice was loud and commanding, and her stern expression was intimidating:
"I believe the permitted interview time has ended, Miss Skeeter."
She turned to Dumbledore and Jane, nodding to indicate they should leave.
---
Dumbledore Apparated Jane to the Hog's Head Inn with remarkable speed.
Aberforth, who had been wiping glasses with a rag, froze mid-motion, staring at his brother's grim expression in astonishment.
"Why are you here at this hour?" He glanced at the clock. "Good thing there aren't many people here."
He began brusquely shooing away customers, eliciting grumbles from the patrons. In no time, the first floor was empty.
"She's been cursed," Dumbledore said succinctly. "I need a place where we won't be disturbed to examine her."
Aberforth waved his wand to set up several protective spells, then checked the bar for any eavesdropping devices left behind by customers before signaling Dumbledore to proceed.
Dumbledore began casting various spells on Jane, but his expression grew more puzzled with each one.
"What's going on?" Aberforth asked from the side. "Who cursed her? Can it be lifted?"
Dumbledore paused mid-spell, pulled out a chair, and sat down as if he had encountered an unsolvable riddle.
"Lockhart… Strange, very strange… Her soul seems unaffected… This situation is unprecedented."
Aberforth erupted in frustration:
"Lockhart? That pompous fool? Are you sure he's even capable of casting a curse? I bet he doesn't even know how to use a wand properly!"
Dumbledore nodded, then shook his head.
"He certainly lacks genuine skill, and he wasn't even carrying a wand at the time. I don't think the curse could have succeeded."
"But…" His expression remained perplexed as he looked at Jane. "Your body has definitely undergone changes. Such magic…"
Aberforth waved his hands in the air, his anger palpable.
"So it did work? Damn it! I left the kid with you for two days, and you let her get cursed—"
Dumbledore picked up his wand again and cast two more spells, yet he still couldn't figure it out.
"I'm not sure… It seems both successful and unsuccessful, but I believe Lockhart must have paid a price."
"Jane, do you feel any discomfort?"
Jane shook her head. She felt invigorated, her body brimming with energy.
She even felt like she could run thirty laps around the village outside the pub.
And carrying such a curse was like having a buff applied to her!
Though it might mean she'd have to learn a new language…
Like German or French…
So she said to her guardian, "I really don't think there's anything wrong. Perhaps we can just let it be and not worry about it?"
"After all, it's not exactly a malicious curse."
But Dumbledore clearly didn't agree. He looked at her with guilt and sorrow in his eyes.
"No, there must be a way. I'll find a way to lift it."
This child was so considerate, reassuring them just to ease their worries!
It was heart-wrenching how understanding she was!
Expulsion? Leaving Britain? Wandering aimlessly?
Not a chance!
As her steadfast protector and responsible guardian…
—he would never let this curse come to fruition!
He then began analyzing the curse's principles, speaking with precision:
"Curses are versatile. They stem from a wizard's negative emotions and require advanced skill and powerful magic to execute."
"And Lockhart clearly lacks such skill and magic. The only thing supporting his curse was his hatred."
"This means he must have paid a significant price… You must have noticed that your magic has grown stronger."
Jane suddenly understood.
No wonder she felt so much better!
Her back didn't ache, her legs didn't hurt, and she no longer felt nauseous after Apparating!
It turned out to be a magical nourishment package from Lockhart!
Thank you, dear old friend, for this timely blessing!
No gift could be more sincere than this!
Dumbledore wiped his wand and continued:
"To complete the curse, he sacrificed his magic, transferring part of his power into your body."
"Thank Merlin—" he muttered under his breath, almost inaudibly, "that he didn't learn how to split his soul."
Aberforth, however, grew even angrier, glaring sharply at his brother.
"What are you planning to do? From the sound of it, you almost seem to think the magic boost from the curse is a good thing?"
Dumbledore pressed a hand to his forehead and spoke helplessly:
"Relax, Aberforth. This isn't a curse that will take immediate effect. We have plenty of time to resolve it."
"I'll take her to consult some old friends of mine. I'm sure there's a way. Just as I originally planned—"
Aberforth clutched his ears as if allergic to the word "plan."
"Enough! Enough! No more plans!"
"Just go! Go! How much longer do you intend to delay the child?"
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