Harry Potter: From Muggle Cousin to Conceptual Wizard

Chapter 295 Research Mission Issued! An Indispensable Contract!

Lockhart couldn't figure it out and became increasingly wary of Dudley.

Hearing Dali's arrangement, he could only nod and accept his fate.

“Thirdly, it’s related to your expertise in the Oblivion Spell,” Dudley said.

Lockhart's heart skipped a beat; he thought Dudley was going to settle the score with him for the Oblivion Spell he had just cast.

Fortunately, Dali's next words dispelled his concerns.

Instead, they were enveloped by another kind of heavy pressure.

Dudley said, "Lockhart, since you are skilled in the Forgetting Curse, you must be quite talented in the areas of countering the Forgetting Curse and eliminating its aftereffects."

I need your help with something personal. Neville Longbottom, a first-year student at Gryffindor, is my friend and companion, and also a boy with a tragic past.

When he was young, his parents were driven insane by the Cruciatus Curse of the Death Eaters and were sent to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Arts.

His grandmother couldn't bear to let him grow up with such painful memories, so she kept casting a spell of oblivion on him, hoping to make him forget this pain.

Over the years, although Neville appeared to grow up healthy, he developed serious long-term health problems.

The numerous forgetfulness spells cast on him made him extremely forgetful and slow-witted, and also made him timid and hesitant, obscuring his brave nature.

"I need you, master of the Oblivion Charm, to help Neville overcome this aftereffect and regain his normal, sharp, brave, and decisive nature as soon as possible."

"This...this matter..."

Lockhart looked troubled. He was good at using the Oblivion Curse, but he never cared about burying the dead, or rather, he cared about erasing the dead but never about restoring them.

He would love for wizards who have been hit by his Oblivion Curse to never remember the relevant memories for the rest of their lives. Why would they bother to study the counter-curse of Oblivion Curse or how to eliminate the aftereffects of Oblivion Curse?

"What's wrong? Is something bothering you?"

Dudley saw through Lockhart's hesitation and asked in a rather cold tone.

“Indeed, I…” Lockhart said with a mournful face.

But before he could finish speaking, Dudley interrupted him:

"If you have difficulties, then overcome them! I'm speaking to you nicely because you're sensible and understanding. If you lose that sense of sensibility and understanding, don't blame me for taking drastic measures!"

Do you think that blood-stained cross over there is just for show?!

Lockhart immediately cowered upon hearing this, stealing a glance at the Cross of Painful Retribution in the distance, becoming even more timid.

He quickly replied, "I'll do as you say, I'll do as you say! I'll get a result as soon as possible."

"Once you have the results, come to me for verification first. Don't rush to ask Neville for help, understand?" Dudley reminded and emphasized.

Lockhart, in the original story, was a bizarre character who could heal Harry's broken bones to the point of 'bone disappearing' with a single spell.

Therefore, even in Lockhart's area of ​​expertise, the Oblivion Charm, Dudley would not be careless and would not entrust Neville's safety entirely to this unreliable idiot.

“I understand, Assistant Professor Dursley,” Lockhart replied dejectedly.

He's very confident when he's putting on airs, but it's really asking too much of him to calm down and study things.

But since things had come to this, he could only try his best.

"I understand, that's good! Let's sign the magic contract!"

Dudley wouldn't believe the verbal promises of a big liar, so he immediately drew a magical contract in mid-air, listing out all the arrangements and setting up consequences for Lockhart that were completely unacceptable to him.

Lockhart saw that Dudley had stipulated in the contract that if he violated Dudley's rules of conduct or failed to complete the tasks assigned by Dudley on time, he would be cursed with a powerful curse, lose the ability to smile, and become covered in filth and stench, becoming utterly unrecognizable.

In addition, there is one more crucial point.

Dudley will spread the word of his deception throughout the magical world of every country.

Lockhart was ruined and became infamous.

"Put your hand on it!"

After Dudley finished drawing the magic contract, he ruthlessly gave Lockhart his orders.

“But… Assistant Professor Dursley, you asked me to produce feasible results in treating the aftereffects of the Neville Oblivion Curse by late June next year, before summer vacation. Isn’t that a good deadline…”

Lockhart cautiously argued for himself.

"Mr. Lockhart, are you still that star wizard with numerous honors, confident and charming? Are you still a Ravenclaw graduate known for your wisdom and research?"

"If you can't even produce a preliminary research result in your area of ​​expertise within six months, then I don't see what value you have..."

Dudley, not backing down, spoke to Lockhart in a sarcastic and threatening tone.

"I agree! I will definitely produce results on schedule!"

Lockhart feared that Dudley might actually think he was no longer of any use and would silently kill him in this gloomy and terrifying room.

No longer daring to haggle, they immediately reached out and pressed their hands on the magic contract that was floating in mid-air.

The magical contract instantly transformed into a beautiful and exquisite chain-like bracelet, which was placed on Lockhart's arm and disappeared into his body.

From this moment on, Lockhart must act strictly in accordance with the terms of the contract.

He dared not violate the contract in the slightest, because he could not bear any of the consequences of the contract's backlash.

Seeing that Lockhart had accepted the contract, Dudley's expression softened slightly. He reached out and patted Lockhart's shoulder, secretly attaching a trace to him.

Then, adhering to the principle of giving a sweet treat after a beating, he began to comfort her:

"As long as you work diligently, teach earnestly, and conduct research diligently, the future is still bright!"

Think about it: isn't the heartfelt love and respect of the entire school more valuable to your reputation than superficial worship?

Think about it again. You've figured out a way to cure the aftereffects of the Forgetfulness Curse. Wouldn't that achievement earn you another Medal of Honor from the Order of Merlin?

Moreover, this isn't just a third-class medal you previously earned; with this contribution, it's not impossible for you to obtain a second-class medal, or even a first-class medal.

Furthermore, I promise you, as long as you reform yourself properly and do your job well, I will get Headmaster Dumbledore to speak well of you in the news reports, further enhancing your reputation!

Dali's ability to paint a rosy picture... no, his skill in envisioning the future is first-rate.

Even Lockhart, a wizarding star immersed in adulation and praise, couldn't help but yearn for the future Dudley spoke of.

My mood has improved a lot.

But after a while, Lockhart sensed something was wrong. He looked at Dudley, and asked with a mixture of doubt and fear:

"Dursley, I know how to get things done, but what do you mean by 'reform'? I need reform? How are you going to reform me?!"