Chapter 83: Legendary Golden Wizard Stickers

Due to time constraints, besides giving him the book, Lockhart invited Silven to dinner at the Leaky Cauldron.

Silven had no reason to refuse a free meal.

Old Tom’s cooking was mediocre, but its unique flavor had its fans—Lockhart was one of them. He seemed especially fond of the place, always arriving in elaborate robes and sitting in the most conspicuous spot, as if ready at any moment for an interview by the Daily Prophet’s food column.

Unfortunately, he had never once been approached.

Because, including Silven, most wizards were not accustomed to this distinctive taste. Old Tom might have lived in Spain in his youth, for every dish he made contained garlic—and he used it generously.

Silven had once suspected whether Quirrell had drawn inspiration from here to use garlic to mask the rotting stench within Voldemort’s soul.

…

After a modest Anglo-Spanish-style dinner, Lockhart ordered two bottles of butterbeer and began chatting with Silven.

Most of the time, Lockhart recounted his legendary adventures while Silven listened.

Lockhart was indeed gifted at storytelling; if you ignored the self-aggrandizing parts, his tales were quite entertaining.

“These experiences introduced me to many friends—the prince of an African wizarding tribe, who still sends me special little gifts, and the mysterious vampire hunter with whom I once shared a cup of Wolfsbane potion beneath a full moon.”

“I don’t mean to boast about how close I am to them,” Lockhart said, looking at Silven and winking meaningfully. “But if you need help, perhaps I could assist your Outstanding Wizard Series stickers.”

“That’s wonderful,” Silven smiled. He knew Lockhart wouldn’t send him a letter for no reason, nor invite him to dinner without intent.

“It’s a pity—the theme and subjects for the first issue are already mostly decided.”

Silven pulled out a glossy poster he had prepared in advance, its top bearing golden cursive script.

【Hogwarts Professors Series】

Below it were six different wizards: Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, Pomona Sprout, and Severus Snape—the four Heads of Houses.

Two more figures appeared at the top: one shimmering silver, the other radiant gold—clearly distinct from the other four—but neither had a face.

“This is…”

“Someone suggested I avoid the dilemma of choosing a representative by leaving them faceless,” Silven said, waving his wand—the golden figure’s face instantly became Dumbledore’s.

“I…” Lockhart started to speak, but Silven continued:

“But I didn’t expect you, Mr. Lockhart, would be joining Hogwarts too—and as the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, the most dangerous position.” Silven’s voice grew increasingly excited. “This must be fate’s guidance.”

As he spoke, he waved his wand again.

The golden Dumbledore vanished, replaced by Lockhart, striking his signature pose from Witch Weekly.

Dumbledore became silver.

“Ah, this… hah… this…” Lockhart’s cheeks flushed, his whole body trembling with excitement.

This was his true goal—to appear on every wizard’s wand, expanding his fame further.

He hadn’t expected it to be this easy. He hadn’t even needed to do anything extra—just shared a meal with this admirer. Lockhart gloated inwardly, already imagining his smiling face glowing on tens of thousands of wands.

So elated, he failed to notice the poster’s oddity.

If this was the Hogwarts Professors Series, why were there two figures above the four Heads?

After all, Minerva McGonagall, besides being Head of Gryffindor, was Deputy Headmistress—the perfect candidate for the silver sticker—yet she had been placed among the ordinary ones.

“This is too much… how could I… how could I possibly be compared to Albus…” Lockhart feigned humility, yet feared Silven might change his mind.

“Fine, if you insist—it doesn’t matter. Compared to Albus, who’s spent the last few years locked in the castle grading papers, my achievements are clearly more… lively and vibrant, aren’t they?”

He had convinced himself.

“Alright, alright—I’ll do it as a small gesture of support for future students,” Lockhart said. “I’ll buy a hundred of these stickers and slip them into my book, ‘The Magical Me,’ as a surprise tomorrow.”

As he spoke, Lockhart unconsciously exuded superiority, as if choosing stickers as a gift was a tremendous honor bestowed upon Silven.

In a way, this mindset was natural—Gilderoy Lockhart’s name was truly famous in the magical world, with countless admirers. Though his fame had waned slightly in recent years, he was still a household name.

“Of course, no problem, Mr. Lockhart,” Silven said, first appearing thrilled, then hesitating. “But… it might be… a little bit expensive.”

“No problem. How much?” Lockhart said dismissively.

“In making the Legendary Golden Wizard Stickers, I used real gold for embellishment,” Silven said carefully, holding up two fingers. “So each sticker costs two Galleons.”

Lockhart’s expression froze.

Wasn’t it two Sickles? How did it become Galleons?

One tiny sticker equaled half the price of his book—indeed, not cheap!

Seeing his fluctuating expression, Silven continued: “Of course, I could reduce costs slightly—I could use ordinary gold paint instead. Then it would only be ten Sickles.”

“No. Use real gold,” Lockhart gritted his teeth. How could ordinary gold paint reflect his status? That would be dishonest.

“Still a hundred?” Silven asked with a smile.

“I just remembered—I should create a bit more surprise,” Lockhart’s eyes flickered. “Then I’ll take… fifty. I’ll fill the rest with Magical Creature stickers.”

Fifty stickers meant a hundred Galleons. Though painful to give away for free, it was still within acceptable limits.

Unfortunately, the price of ‘The Magical Me’ had already been announced by Flourish and Blotts yesterday. If he could adjust the price and include two Galleons in the cost, even giving one gold sticker with every book wouldn’t be a problem.

But it wasn’t his decision alone—he’d have to pay out of pocket as a special gift.

“Of course, as you wish,” Silven smiled even wider.

“But the Legendary Golden Wizard Stickers are complex and labor-intensive to produce. I might not have that many ready right away.”

Lockhart’s eyes lit up—if Silven couldn’t deliver, perhaps he could conveniently reduce his spending…

“I’ll deliver them to Flourish and Blotts tomorrow,” Silven said before Lockhart could speak. “I remember the signing is at noon—I guarantee they’ll arrive before it begins.”

“N-no problem,” Lockhart said, visibly pained.

That meal had cost him dearly.

But “Legendary Golden Wizard Stickers”… what a perfect name—like it had been made just for him!

…

(End of Chapter)