[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hogwarts-learning-panel":3,"chapter-hogwarts-learning-panel-hogwarts-learning-panel-chapter-423":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Hogwarts Learning Panel",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2250661,4210,"Chapter 423: The Fat Cat","hogwarts-learning-panel-chapter-423",423,"\u003Cp>Soon, the door to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom office was knocked on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Professor Lockhart, are you in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione smoothed her nervous nerves and greeted him like a shy little witch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come in, my dear Granger; I’m preparing for tomorrow’s lesson.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lockhart held a copy of *My Magical Self*—Hermione believed he’d rather clip his own hair than prepare for tomorrow’s lesson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Professor, we’ve formed a small fan club nearby—we’d be honored if you’d come see it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione spoke according to plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, my good assistant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lockhart flashed a self-satisfied smile, then feigned deep thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione assumed he’d agree eventually, but she added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Professor, could you bring at least fifty signed photos?… I think everyone…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words cut through Lockhart’s theatrical contemplation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifty?… Thank you for reminding me, my dear Granger. Yes, that’s important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, it does seem a bit conceited. But one day, you’ll be just like me—carrying stacks of photos wherever you go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chuckled lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone is eagerly awaiting your arrival.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione felt sick, but still feigned shyness as she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a pity, dear Granger—you should’ve come sooner. I’ve been studying an ancient and powerful magic lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s an immensely important spell, after all—my duty is to teach you how to defend against the darkest forces known to the wizarding world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lockhart grinned with theatrical solemnity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione froze, then felt cold sweat seep from the back of her neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she have forgotten!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tomorrow was the weekend—the Dueling Club’s event day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Professor Snape, in his foul mood lately, had made Lockhart’s life miserable—he was clearly trying to avoid it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had she handed him such a perfect escape?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, well, I’ll tell them—you’ll understand, I’m sure…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione put on a look of profound disappointment, though her heart turned to ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plan would be delayed, she thought—but after the weekend, Lockhart would still agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Truth Potion would need to be preserved somehow—she could only turn to Wizard Sean for help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell him about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a very low voice spoke, controlled by a special charm audible only to wizards within a narrow range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Hermione heard Wizard Sean’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you sure, Wizard Sean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione muttered as if disappointed, addressing Wizard Sean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wizard Sean’s voice was faint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lockhart beamed at Hermione, she suddenly lifted her head and feigned dismay:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s such a shame, Professor Lockhart—we’ve finally managed to invite Mr. Hermes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He agreed to join us at the request of the International Alchemical Society, as he’s preparing to publish an alchemy book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even wanted to ask you for advice on writing—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione sighed, then stole a glance at Lockhart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lockhart stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That gentleman sent us a letter—here, this is what his owl delivered along with it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione pulled out a small biscuit—the cat on it was purring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, of course—oh my, of course—he should come to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six months straight at the top of the bestseller list—what an unprecedented achievement! I must go, I must go…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lockhart paced the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six months ago, Dumbledore had approached him with a position at Hogwarts, hinting he could teach Harry Potter, then a second-year—and that being “the famous Harry’s” teacher would grant him greater fame than any other endeavor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he’d hesitated only briefly before accepting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he wouldn’t let this opportunity slip either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d thought becoming Harry Potter’s teacher would make him famous enough—but now he might even be featured on Chocolate Frog cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just imagine—after this book is published, what title will the wizarding world give him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How thrilling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, I must Making Guide him—it’s unquestionable, and only I can. So, the finest student in the year, Miss Granger, could you tell me where my Hermes… fan club is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lockhart wore an exaggerated smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll take you there right now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione’s lips twitched, then she quickly smoothed her expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d known this man would do anything for fame—but seeing him act so brazenly, she nearly failed to hide her contempt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lockhart followed Hermione out of the office, excited yet slightly suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the office, several of Lockhart’s portraits chattered incessantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll become the most famous wizard!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The painted Lockhart said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wise Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The watering Lockhart said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greatest Wizard!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bowing Lockhart said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words completely shattered his judgment—he felt flushed with triumph, his future glowing bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evening. The corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This corridor had always been frequented only by the Castle Cat Club members—but now, as they passed the black cat statue, they saw young witches and wizards leaving dried fish as offerings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their fish always vanished by morning—Hermione had once noticed Mrs. Norris greedily devouring them in the corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body had grown a full circle fatter—from bony to normal, now trending toward fat-cat status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the leader of the feeding effort, Hannah showed no annoyance; her eyes sparkled as she said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mrs. Norris is the castle’s caretaker, and the true Hogwarts Castle is the lucky spirit cat—how could we interrupt her beloved servant’s meal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione thought perhaps the young witches and wizards were performing a daily good deed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she let it pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing the Castle Cat statue and climbing several floors, the tapestry of “The Troll Bludgeoning Barnabas” stood opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lockhart looked left and right but found no gathering place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Professor, please wait a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione hurriedly said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked back and forth along the corridor three times—and a door appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As her hand touched the brass handle, her body trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was far too nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if Jia Jia Siting lost focus?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if Jia Jia Siting targeted the wrong person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if Lockhart realized the truth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, her gaze hardened—she and her companions had sworn to trust one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes sharpened, like Professor McGonagall’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone is waiting for you—Mr. Hermes is here too. Please, go in quickly, Professor Lockhart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said.\u003C\u002Fp>",986,"2026-06-19T10:00:42.198Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6781a26ed59d875f850f96bd3f6812507704e3d957bb30f8b947fb8ec43445c1","hogwarts-learning-panel-chapter-424","hogwarts-learning-panel-chapter-422",526,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhogwarts-learning-panel-cover.jpg"]