Harry Potter: The Artisan's Path Chapter 86

Hi all, 

Here’s the next chapter. This chapter is a bit more light-hearted. Harry gets some surprising rewards, and Lockhart is in for some humiliation.

Chapter 86

Harry approached the chest, his heart pounding with anticipation. The key slid smoothly into the lock. With a satisfying click, the lid sprang open. A massive surge of energy erupted from the chest, pushing Harry backwards with surprising force.

The magical energy filled the chamber, bathing everything in an ethereal blue glow. Harry felt the power wash over him, tingling on his skin like static electricity. The energy swirled around him for a few seconds before dissipating into nothing.

“What the hell was that?”

He approached the chest cautiously. All that remained was a small blue pearl nestled at the bottom of the otherwise empty chest. The treasure was kind of disappointing. He was expecting something with more of a wow factor. Nonetheless, he reached for the pearl. 

As his fingers closed around the pearl, the vault began to shake violently. Dust and small fragments of rock rained down from the ceiling, and a low, ominous rumble filled the air. Realising the danger, Harry quickly pocketed the pearl, his eyes darting around for an escape route.

To his relief, a previously concealed passageway appeared on the side wall. He assumed it was providing a shortcut back to the entrance because returning the way he came would be too time-consuming. Harry sprinted through without hesitation, fuelled by the rumbling of the collapsing vault. The narrow corridor twisted and turned, but it was mercifully short.

Reaching the entrance chamber, Harry hastily retrieved the Source and his gear. He could feel the vibrations intensifying, the very air seeming to thrum with impending collapse. He leapt into the Potter Mobile, his hands shaking slightly as he started the engine. 

Just as he engaged the submersible mode, chunks of rock began falling around him, splashing into the water and creating a treacherous obstacle course. With a thunderous roar, the Potter Mobile's engine surged to life, and Harry aimed for the entrance opening up in front of him. The vehicle shot forward like a torpedo, water churning in its wake. He burst through the opening and into the lake’s murky depths.

A deafening boom reverberated through the water, the shockwave rattling the Potter Mobile's frame. Harry's knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel, fighting to maintain control. Suddenly, an invisible force gripped the vehicle, as if the lake itself was trying to pull them back into the collapsing vault.

The engine whined in protest as Harry pressed the accelerator to the floor. The Potter Mobile shuddered, straining against the unseen pull. For a heart-stopping moment, they remained suspended in limbo, the vehicle vibrating violently as it fought against the magical undertow. Then, with a final surge of power, the Potter Mobile broke free. The sudden release sent them hurtling forward, and he fought to get the vehicle under control.

Once at a safe distance, Harry turned the Potter Mobile around, staring in disbelief at where the vault had been. The massive rock formation that had housed the entrance had completely disappeared, leaving no trace of its existence. The lake bottom was smooth and undisturbed, as if the vault had never been there at all.

Suddenly, a ghost phased into the passenger seat. Harry jumped, his elbow hitting the control panel and causing the Potter Mobile to lurch sideways.

"Bloody hell, Jacob!" Harry exclaimed, his pulse racing as he steadied the vehicle. "A little warning next time, maybe?"

Jacob smiled. "Sorry about that.”

Harry frowned, adjusting their course back towards the Black Lake. "Where have you been? I thought you wanted to explore the vault."

The ghost's smile turned to a pout. "I tried to follow you in. But even when the vault opened up, I couldn't enter. Quite frustrating, actually. I was rather looking forward to seeing the inside of the vault after all these years."

Nodding, Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out the blue pearl. "Well, this is what I found. Not quite the treasure trove I was expecting."

Jacob peered at the pearl. "Hmm, interesting. But I can't say I know what it is. Doesn't look like much, does it?"

"There was something else," Harry added, his brow furrowed in thought as he navigated around a particularly large patch of kelp. "When I opened the chest, there was this massive surge of energy. Any idea what that could have been?"

"I'm afraid not. I never knew the contents of the vaults."

The trials he'd faced had been challenging, but not insurmountable. Finding the vault and the key to unlock it was the real challenge. He could not shake the disappointment he felt when he saw the pearl in the chest. Was that energy burst the real treasure? And if so, what had it done?

"I couldn’t use magic in the vault,” Harry said. “The trials were designed to test character. They all require quick thinking, courage, and physical ability over magical prowess."

Jacob nodded thoughtfully. "It would make the trials much harder for the average wizard."

As they neared the channel connecting Serpent Lake to the Black Lake, Harry noticed the absence of the Nathair Uisce. The massive creatures that had chased him earlier were nowhere to be seen. "Odd," he muttered, scanning the murky water around them. "I'd have thought those beasts would be waiting to ambush us."

Jacob chuckled. "Perhaps they've learned their lesson about chasing strange underwater vehicles. Or the shockwave scared them off. Why did you have to destroy the vault?"

“It wasn’t me,” Harry protested. "The vault must have been designed to disappear once the treasure was removed."

“I wonder how I can join you in the next vault?” Jacob said before his eyes widened. “I know! I can possess you.”

“What?”

“Don’t worry, it won’t hurt a bit.”

“That’s not the problem here. No taking over my body.”

“Spoilsport.”

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Once Harry was back on Hogwarts grounds, he shrank the Potter Mobile down to pocket size. He had made good time, so he should be able to slip back into the castle without being noticed. Before going inside, he took the Source from his inventory, eager to see what rewards his adventure had brought him.

===========

The host has completed a task!

Task #13 - Locate the Water Vault and discover the treasure that lies within. 

Reward: General experience + 200000; Shop Points + 500

The host has levelled up to 15!

The host has received a Rune Schematic piece.

All schematic pieces have been collected. The pieces have been automatically combined and the schematic stored in the host's inventory.

===========

Progress to level 16: 130310/ 500000

Level 16 Unlocks:

Feature: Magical Emporium Upgrade

===========

Harry grinned. He had finally collected all the pieces of the rune schematic he'd been gathering over the past four levels. Each piece on its own had been indecipherable, but now, with the final piece in place, the full schematic was his to explore.

Harry flipped to the inventory page and retrieved the newly completed schematic. His eyes widened in surprise when, instead of a single large diagram or a few pages of notes as he'd expected, an entire book materialised in his hands. 

Opening the book, Harry found an introduction that described the artifact in detail. His eyes raced over the words, his excitement growing with each sentence:

The Flux Automaton is a magical construct designed to serve as an infinitely adaptable assistant and guardian in magical environments. Its primary function is to aid magical researchers, artisans, and protectors by dynamically adjusting its capabilities to meet any challenge or task.

At its core, the Flux Automaton possesses adaptive magic, allowing it to learn and replicate any spell it observes. It stores an ever-growing repertoire of spells, combining and modifying them to create new, situation-specific magical effects. This adaptability extends to its physical form as well, with a semi-fluid outer shell that can shift shape for various tasks, from squeezing through small spaces to forming specialised tools or weapons.

Its developing sentience enables it to analyse complex magical problems and propose innovative solutions, making it an exceptional research assistant and problem-solver.

Advanced sensory capabilities allow the Flux Automaton to detect and analyse magical signatures, hidden enchantments, and even temporal anomalies. This, combined with its adaptive abilities, makes it an ideal autonomous guardian, capable of countering a wide range of magical threats.

The automaton continuously accumulates and organises magical knowledge, serving as a living, interactive magical encyclopedia. It can interface with other magical artifacts, enhancing their functions or repairing them, further expanding its utility in magical research and artifact creation.

The Flux Automaton represents a new frontier in magical innovation, combining the versatility of a highly trained wizard with the tireless efficiency of a magical construct. Its ability to learn and adapt makes it a powerful ally in various magical fields. 

“Brilliant,” Harry murmured.

The reward didn't disappoint. If he could build an automaton of this calibre, it would instantly propel him onto the world stage as an Artisan. The potential applications for such an artifact were staggering.

Harry flipped through the rest of the book, his initial excitement gradually giving way to a sense of daunting reality. The complexity of the project was immediately apparent, and he felt a twinge of discouragement. The intricacy of the runic arrays and the sheer number of enchantments required were far beyond anything he'd attempted before.

As he delved deeper into the specifications, Harry realised that even getting started on the project would be a monumental task, let alone completing it. The list of required materials was extensive and, in many cases, exotic. Some of the ingredients he'd never even heard of, and he suspected that many would be both rare and exorbitantly expensive.

He hoped that the upcoming Magical Emporium upgrade would provide access to some of these materials. Without such a resource, gathering the necessary components could take a long time.

With a sigh, Harry closed the book and carefully stowed it away in his inventory. As exciting as the Flux Automaton project was, he had to be realistic. It wasn't something he could tackle anytime soon. His plate was already full of projects that needed to be completed, in addition to his schoolwork.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

After breakfast, Harry made his way to his workshop. He decided to focus on general crafting to accumulate the remaining points needed to upgrade his workshop level. The reward of a wardstone aligned perfectly with his next major project—modifying the wardstone for the Potter manor. He hoped it might offer fresh insights he could incorporate into the Potter wardstone to make it stronger. 

He felt that the wardstone was a priority, as the manor couldn’t be built until it was reinstalled. Furthermore, he would complete two tasks once the Potter Manor was complete, and earn himself a glut of experience. 

At lunchtime, Harry's concentration was broken by the arrival of his girlfriends. They insisted on dragging him outside for a picnic, arguing that he needed fresh air and a break from his work. He allowed himself to be led out onto the grounds.

The group settled beneath a large oak tree near the lake, spreading out a checkered blanket and unpacking an assortment of sandwiches, pies, cheeses, fruits, and pumpkin juice. 

They spent the next ten minutes eating and discussing various topics. After finishing his meal, Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out the water pearl he had retrieved from the vault. Alongside it, he produced an appraisal scroll.

"I've been meaning to check this out properly," he said, placing the pearl on the scroll. "Let's see what we're dealing with."

His girlfriends leaned in curiously as words began to materialise on the parchment:

Alchemist's Dewdrop (Fae)

The Alchemist's Dewdrop is an item that possesses the ability to generate an endless supply of pure water. Unlike ordinary water, the liquid produced by the Aqua Vitae Pearl is imbued with raw magical potential. This makes it an ideal base for potions, enhancing their potency, stability, and efficacy far beyond what can be achieved with normal water. Potions brewed with this water are known to be more powerful, have longer shelf lives, and often require fewer ingredients to achieve the desired effects.

To activate the pearl, a witch or wizard must inject their own magic into it. The process requires focus and intent, similar to casting a spell. The amount of water produced is directly proportional to the magical energy invested. A small trickle might only require a minor magical effort, while filling a cauldron would demand significant magical exertion.

As they finished reading, Daphne's eyes lit up with excitement. She turned to Harry, her expression morphing into an exaggerated puppy-dog look.

"Harry," she began, her voice taking on a pleading tone, "you know my birthday is next month, right? This pearl would make the absolute best present ever. Just imagine the potions I could brew with it!"

Harry couldn't help but chuckle at her attempt. "You know, Daphne, the puppy-dog look doesn't really suit your personality. You might have had better luck going the seductive route."

Daphne immediately tried to shift her expression, but Harry's laughter only grew. "Nice try," he said, shaking his head in amusement. "But you can have the pearl. It'll be put to good use in your hands."

Her face lit up joy, but before she could respond, Harry added, "Just keep it under wraps for now, alright? We don't want word getting out about something this valuable."

Daphne nodded solemnly, already cradling the pearl as if it were the most precious thing in the world. "Of course. I'll be the very soul of discretion."

Susan, watching this exchange with amusement, piped up, "Well, now you've set a precedent, Harry. I expect we'll each be getting a treasure from the other vaults, won't we?"

Harry shrugged. "Knowing my luck, all the other treasures will be completely unrelated to my artisan work."

“Can you tell us what happened in the vault?” Hermione asked. 

Harry nodded. He had already told them some details, but not the entire story. They listened intently as he described his encounter with the Nathair Uisce, up until the strange energy was released from the chest.

Susan's eyebrows furrowed. “I have a feeling that it’s going to come into play at a later date. "What do you think that energy was?" 

Harry shrugged. “I don’t know, but I think you're right. We will see if it occurs again when I find another vault.”

“Are you sure you should be tackling the vaults on your own?” Hermione asked, looking worried. “You were able to handle this one, but it doesn’t mean you will always be so lucky.”

"I am not sure if more than one person can enter at a time," Harry said. "The trials are intended to test an individual, and it wouldn’t make sense to cheat by adding more people."

“I suppose.” 

Daphne handed him the pearl. “Can you show me how the pearl works?” 

Harry interjected some magic into the pearl, and a stream of water began gushing out of it. Daphne cupped her hands to capture some and drank it. 

“It tastes sweet,” Daphne said.

“Should you be drinking that?” Gabrielle asked.

“It’s fine. If it can be used in potions, it is safe to consume." Daphne grasped Harry's arm. "Could you teach me how to inject magic into objects? It would be inconvenient to have to come to you every time I needed to use it."

“Sure.”

"It's interesting that it's labelled as a Fae item," Hermione observed. "Was it created by the Fae, or is it a naturally occurring item in the Fae realm?"

“Who knows?” Harry mused. “You should be careful with it, Daphne. Anything related to the Fae should be used with caution.”

Daphne nodded.

“How did Galahad get his hands on it?” Susan asked. “Did he find it somewhere? Are there other items out there that are related to the Fae Realm.” 

“I’m beginning to think that Galahad is connected to the Fae Realm in some way,” Harry replied.

“That makes a lot of sense,” Hermione agreed. “The Fae Realm is unfathomable. How else would he have lived for so many centuries?”

They continued to discuss the subject, but no further conclusions were reached. 

"I've been researching the Squibs," Hermione said. "It's been... challenging, to say the least. The information is incredibly scarce and what I have found is often fragmented or contradictory."

If they were going to find the group of Squibs that were tied to Lewis and Galahad, they needed to narrow down the number of Squibs that had been present during the war. Hermione had taken on the task since she was the best at research. 

"That's not surprising,” Daphne said. “For many pureblood families, having a Squib in their family is seen as a terrible embarrassment. They aren't likely to publicise such information. They would rather throw them to the Muggle world and pretend they don’t exist."

"It's awful," Susan added, frowning. "Treating family members like that just because they can't do magic. I could ask my aunt if she has access to any records. The DMLE might have kept track of Squibs."

Harry considered this. "That would be helpful, Susan. Thank you."

Daphne reached into her bag and produced several vials filled with a dark blue liquid. "I've finished brewing the potions for the ritual," she said, handing them to Harry. "Now that we have these, you and your grandfather can perform it soon. You just need to wait for the specific date, right?"

Harry nodded, carefully storing the vials in his bag. "Thanks, Daphne. Yes, the ritual needs to be performed during the new moon. That's in just over two weeks."

Grateful for their help, Harry leaned over and gave each of them a kiss. Hermione blushed slightly, still not entirely used to such public displays of affection. 

Gabrielle pouted. "Hey! Where's my kiss?"

Before Harry could respond, they were interrupted by the arrival of Luna, Astoria, and Ginny. The three girls plopped down on the edge of the blanket.

Astoria, catching the tail end of the conversation, grinned mischievously. "What about me, too?" she asked, batting her eyelashes exaggeratedly.

"What about me, three?" Luna asked.

Ginny opened her mouth, but Harry held up his hand. "Alright, that's enough," he said, trying to sound stern but unable to keep the amusement from his voice. "You're going to get me in trouble."

"Have you been behaving yourselves?" Daphne asked, eyeing the trio suspiciously.

"Not at all," Astoria smirked. "Where's the fun in that?"

Daphne frowned. "You're starting to get a reputation for being troublemakers."

"Well, we are called the Terrible Trio. We have to live up to our names," Ginny replied.

"Have you been hanging around Fred and George?" Harry asked.

"They've been teaching us some pranks," Ginny said, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "It's about time I put that imbecile in his place."

Hermione frowned but held her tongue, clearly torn between disapproval and curiosity.

"When should we expect this happy event?" Susan asked, leaning in with interest.

Ginny shook her head. "That would ruin the surprise. But it should be within the next week."

"If we are going to pull a prank, I really hope it involves his hair," Luna said.

The group turned to look at her, puzzled. "His hair?" Harry asked.

Luna nodded solemnly. "Yes, his wig, to be precise. Did you know it's actually a sentient creature called a Coiffwump? They feed on vanity and bad poetry."

There was a moment of stunned silence before Astoria burst into giggles. "A Coiffwump? Luna, you're brilliant!"

"Oh yes," Luna continued, warming to her theme. "They're quite rare. The last known sighting was on the head of Gilderoy the Gaudy, a mediaeval wizard famous for his flamboyant robes and spectacularly backfiring spells. Quite a coincidence, don't you think?"

Even Hermione couldn't suppress a snort of laughter at this. 

Ginny's eyes lit up with mischief. "Luna, you've just given me a wonderful idea for a prank.”

Everything shuddered as the trio gathered together and started discussing their idea in hushed whispers. 

“Can you tell me more about this Coiffwomp, Luna?” Gabrielle asked.

“You can’t be serious!” Daphne scowled.

“What?”

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

26th January

Harry sat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, absentmindedly pushing his scrambled eggs around his plate. The usual breakfast chatter surrounded him, but he found it difficult to focus on any one conversation. His mind was preoccupied with the Potter Wardstone he had been working on for the last few days.

He had hit a snag, which made him irritable. He had been unable to concentrate on anything else, and his grandmother had noticed his lack of attention in class. His ears were still ringing from the scolding she had given him. She was pretty lenient about extracurricular activities, but only if he did his best in class.

A familiar screech cut through the din as Hedwig swooped down from the enchanted ceiling. The snowy owl landed gracefully beside Harry's plate, a rolled-up copy of the Daily Prophet clutched in her beak. Harry took the newspaper, offering Hedwig a piece of bacon as thanks.

As he unrolled the Prophet, the bold headline caught his eye: "Potter's Proxies: The New Power in the Wizengamot". 

Harry grimaced. He'd known this was coming, but seeing it splashed across the front page made it all feel terribly real.

Neville, noticing Harry's expression, leaned over. "What's it say, Harry?"

Harry cleared his throat and began to read aloud, keeping his voice low:

"In an unprecedented move, Harry Potter, recently revealed as the Heir to all four Hogwarts founders, has appointed proxies to fill the long-dormant Founders' seats in the Wizengamot. This decision has sent shockwaves through the magical community, with experts predicting significant shifts in the balance of power within Britain's wizarding government.

Each Founder's seat carries four votes, giving Potter's chosen representatives a total of sixteen votes in the Wizengamot. This substantial voting bloc has the potential to sway critical decisions and shape magical law for years to come.

Potter's selections for these influential positions have raised eyebrows and sparked debates across magical Britain. Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress at Hogwarts, and his grandmother will represent Gryffindor. Remus Lupin, a known werewolf, has been appointed for Ravenclaw. Nymphadora Tonks, the young Artisan, will speak for Hufflepuff, while Violet Rosier will represent Slytherin.’

These choices have already ignited controversy. Lucius Malfoy, a prominent member of the Wizengamot, expressed his concerns: 'Appointing a werewolf to such a position of power is not only reckless but potentially dangerous. It sets a troubling precedent for creature involvement in our government.'

Others, like Griselsa Marchbanks, view the appointments more favourably. 'This is an opportunity for fresh perspectives in our governing body. Mr Potter's choices reflect a desire for balance and progress.'

The reactivation of these seats raises numerous questions about the future of magical governance in Britain. Some legal experts question the validity of the Founders' seats after centuries of inactivity. Archibald Bludger, a wizarding law scholar, commented, 'We may see challenges to the legitimacy of these appointments. The Wizengamot Charter of Rights is frustratingly vague on matters of inherited seats, particularly those dormant for so long.'

As Mr Potter is not yet of age, his ability to appoint proxies has also come under scrutiny. However, sources close to the matter insist that as the recognised Heir, Potter has the legal right to name representatives until he can take the seats himself.

The potential policy implications of this power shift are vast. Insiders suggest that Potter's faction may push for reforms in magical education, creature rights, and Muggle-born integration. The group could also influence legislation on dark magic and international magical cooperation.

Public opinion on these developments remains divided. Fitzwilliam Fortescue, a shopkeeper in Diagon Alley, shared his thoughts: 'It's about time we saw some changes. The same old families have been running things for too long.' However, Cordelia Nott, a pureblood witch, expressed concern: 'This upset to tradition could have dire consequences. We must tread carefully.'

As the wizarding world grapples with these changes, all eyes remain on Harry Potter, the young wizard at the centre of this political upheaval."

Harry finished reading and looked up at his friends. Hermione's brow was furrowed in concentration, while Neville looked slightly overwhelmed.

"Merlin's beard, Harry," Neville said, shaking his head. "Sixteen votes? You're really in the thick of it."

Hermione nodded. "Your proxies could push through all sorts of reforms."

“It’s going to upset a lot of people,” Daphne said, arriving at the table. “Maybe you should have a couple of bodyguards watching your back.”

Fawkes decided to make an appearance and flew down, landing on the table. No one looked up from their breakfast. They had grown accustomed to the phoenix flaming into the Great Hall.

Fawkes stretched to make himself appear larger and trilled at Daphne.

“I think he’s saying that he is the only bodyguard Harry needs,” Hermione said in amusement. 

As they discussed the article, Harry noticed the Great Hall had grown quieter. He looked up to find many students staring at him, some whispering behind their hands. The weight of their gazes made him uncomfortable.

Suddenly, Draco Malfoy's voice cut through the murmurs. "Feeling important, are we, Potter?" The Slytherin boy swaggered over, his face twisted in a sneer. "Thinking you can just waltz in and change how our world works?"

Harry turned to face Malfoy, his expression a mixture of weariness and annoyance. "You know, Malfoy, I think I preferred it when you were quiet. Your voice has certainly gained an impressive level of irritation since then."

Malfoy's pale face flushed with anger. "Answer my question, Potter!"

"It's none of your business, Malfoy," Harry replied. "But since you're so concerned, I'm not trying to change anything. I'm just doing what I think is right."

Malfoy scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "Right for who? Mudbloods and creatures?" His gaze flicked to Hermione, who stiffened at the slur. "I suppose we know who's really pulling the strings here."

Hermione scowled.

Before Harry could retort, his grandmother appeared beside them, her expression stern. "That's quite enough, Mr Malfoy. Twenty points from Slytherin for your foul language. Return to your table at once."

As Malfoy skulked away, muttering under his breath, Minerva turned to Harry. "Have you read the article?"

Harry nodded, running a hand through his messy hair. "Yeah. I was actually expecting it sooner."

"There's a Wizengamot meeting coming up, so it's bound to be a topic of discussion," Minerva said. "Speaking of which, we need to convene with the others and discuss any new bills we might propose."

Harry sighed. "Can't grandfather handle it? He is the leader of the alliance, after all."

"It's about time you start learning these things as the Potter Heir, Harry."

"I thought you were waiting until I was fifteen before I had to learn all this political stuff?" Harry grumbled.

"Who asked you to become the Heir of all four Founders?" McGonagall countered, a rare hint of amusement in her voice.

Harry opened his mouth to argue, then closed it again, realising he had no good response. 

His attention was suddenly grabbed by a commotion at the staff table. Professor Lockhart had leapt to his feet, his hands frantically clutching at his golden locks. To everyone's astonishment, his hair seemed to be... moving?

"No, no, no!" Lockhart shrieked, his voice reaching a pitch that could shatter glass.

Despite his best efforts, the wig slipped off his head, revealing a gleaming bald pate. The Great Hall erupted into laughter.

The wig, now free from its host, landed on the table with a soft thud. To the students' amazement, a mouth appeared on the hairpiece, splitting into a wide grin.

"Cor blimey," it said in a cockney accent, "that's a weight off my mind! You've no idea how stuffy it is up there. All hot air and no substance!"

The laughter in the hall doubled in volume. Even some of the teachers were struggling to maintain their composure. 

The wig, apparently not content with its newfound freedom, suddenly sprang into action. It leapt off the staff table and scurried across the floor, heading straight for the Slytherin table.

Panicked students scrambled to get out of its way, but the wig was too quick. With a mighty leap, it landed squarely on Draco Malfoy's head.

The hall fell silent, everyone holding their breath to see what would happen next. For a moment, the wig sat still, as if considering its new perch. Then, it spoke again:

"I thought Lockhart's head was bad, but this one's even worse! It's all pointy angles and nasty thoughts in here. I think I'd rather be bald!"

With that, the wig launched itself off Malfoy's head, leaving his usually sleek hair in complete disarray.

As the hall once again dissolved into laughter, Luna's dreamy voice could be heard above the din.

"Oh, how wonderful!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with delight. "I told you all about the Coiffwump, didn't I? They do so love a dramatic exit. Although," she added thoughtfully, "I've never seen one quite so picky about its hosts before. Perhaps this one's developed a taste for intelligent thoughts. It must have been terribly hungry after being stuck on Professor Lockhart's head for so long."

This final comment sent the students into hysterics. Even the teachers couldn't contain themselves any longer. As Lockhart fled the hall, his bald head shining like a beacon, Harry caught Luna's eye and grinned. Whatever else happened today, this was certainly going to be a Hogwarts breakfast to remember.

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Harry completes the Potter wardstone, and a certain group meets to discuss some sinister plans.

Thanks for reading.