[208] Pockets Full of Secrets

Facing the stares, Hall simply shrugged. "What are you saying? I don't understand."

The others groaned. Now they were certain. That damn Hall — he was itching to get those Galleons out of their pockets.

"What's with all this talk about money? Isn't that vulgar? Just tell me if this thing is useful or not."

They all fell silent. It was useful, extremely useful.

"There's just one downside," Harry whispered. "The card lights up every time a message comes in. The professor can easily spot it. I'm too afraid to use it in Potions class."

Hall gave Harry a look. Fred and George had invented this to facilitate daydreaming in class. Who gave Harry the audacity to daydream in Snape's class?

"No need to explain. If Snape catches you, he'll definitely deduct fifty points from Gryffindor. I think that's great."

"As for the shortcomings you mentioned — the new generation of products completely eliminates this problem." Hall paused. "However, they were developed in collaboration with other people, so the cost is higher."

Draco explained: "It's difficult for one person to run this kind of business. Small wooden blocks and magic cards target Hogwarts students, so prices are lower. But if Hall wants to expand..."

Hermione nodded. "Making a new generation isn't easy. Cooperation is normal."

"Don't worry." Hall winked. "I control the technology. I even have the upper hand."

He briefly explained the notebook's features, even pulling out a finished copy. Everyone's eyes lit up.

"How much does it cost?" Hermione hesitated.

"Six thousand Galleons."

Draco and Zabini stared. Harry and Ron gaped.

Hermione touched the notebook, checking all the features. "This price... it's reasonable."

"It's completely unreasonable!" Ron complained. "It's totally beyond what a normal person can afford!"

Harry: "Um... actually, it's not that we can't afford it...?"

Ron cried. So he was the only poor one. Hermione's father was a dentist — buying one might be difficult, but not impossible if they gritted their teeth.

"Forget it. I think magic cards are quite suitable for us." Zabini gave up. The Zabini family could afford six thousand, they just felt it was unnecessary.

Hall smiled. Unnecessary? No. He was certain plenty of people would buy the notebook — who wouldn't want the same notebook the Minister for Magic had? Maybe you could even add her as a friend.

Hall tried to avoid it, but he still had to confront his Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.

"Professor Lockhart." Hall wore a fake smile.

Unlike Hall's fake smile, Gilderoy Lockhart's was exceptionally warm. "Mr. Hall Weasley! I've heard more than once about your feats at Hogwarts!" He was dressed extravagantly, like a medieval knight, his movements extremely flamboyant.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Would it work if Hall used a complete Obliviate on him right now? If all else failed, maybe Avada Kedavra.

Hall was visibly annoyed. If Lockhart had even a shred of real talent, Hall wouldn't have minded. The problem was — this guy didn't.

"Professor Lockhart, what can I do for you?"

Lockhart seemed completely oblivious. "A first-year who substituted for a professor, a second-year who won the Triwizard Tournament — Mr. Hall, you must have accomplished other great feats in your third year! I think you're very similar to me! I wonder if you've ever seriously read my works, like Sailing with Vampires..."

Hall rudely interrupted him. "Professor, just say what you're thinking. I need to see Headmaster Snape later."

Lockhart shuddered at the thought of Snape.

"Hall, you must have a lot of connections, right? I heard you and the Malfoy family..." He winked. "And Headmaster Dumbledore favours you. My bestselling books — if they could be made into movies..."

Hall understood his purpose. "Professor, I think you've come to the wrong person. Compared to a student like me, shouldn't you be looking for someone with more influence?"

Lockhart's expression was conflicted. He'd had the best relationship with Witch Weekly — he'd won Most Charming Smile for several consecutive years. But this summer, Witch Weekly's sales plummeted thanks to The Ladies. Lockhart tried reaching out to The Ladies — and was rejected because his physique wasn't good enough. Too little muscle. Too skinny.

Disgraceful! Utterly humiliated!

He'd blocked The Ladies and tried to return to Witch Weekly. But Witch Weekly, though struggling, had learned of his intention to switch sides. They hadn't abandoned him, but they'd lost their fervour. They'd provide regular columns, but helping him make a movie? Impossible.

That's why Lockhart sent his resume to Dumbledore. If he couldn't find suitable connections outside, perhaps there were students at Hogwarts with connections. After careful observation, he'd set his sights on Hall.

Hall extracted all this through roundabout questioning. He was speechless.

Good heavens. Hall hadn't expected that Lockhart's presence at Hogwarts this year was somehow related to him.

"Professor, I'm just an ordinary student."

"No, no, no!" Lockhart's eyes practically gleamed. "You're a capable student! You have many secrets!"

Hall's face darkened. "Because being brilliant necessarily means having secrets?" He met Lockhart's gaze directly. "Then, Professor, you must also have many secrets that no one knows? Like those novels..."

Hall paused, then smiled again — as if to say: I know all your secrets.

Gilderoy Lockhart fell silent.

"Hall." Draco, having waited a long time, called out.

Hall glanced back. "Coming."

He turned to Gilderoy Lockhart. "Professor, is there anything else?" He spoke through clenched teeth.

Lockhart opened his mouth, then fell silent.

Hall nodded and left.

Whatever Lockhart wanted, Hall wasn't interested in paying the price for his unrealistic ideas.

Draco stood waiting a short distance away, his brow furrowed in annoyance — not at Hall. "What does Lockhart want with you? A useless good-for-nothing..."

Though Lockhart had tried to maintain good relations with his students over the past two months, his teaching was far from exemplary. Every lesson revolved around himself. Every question related to his book series. Only Hermione had a soft spot for him.

"One year," Hall patted Draco's shoulder. Next year they'd get a new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.

"Changing it wouldn't necessarily make it any more reliable..." Draco spoke the blunt truth.

Hall stroked his chin. "The reason the DADA professor keeps changing is because of Voldemort." He casually dropped the name.

Draco's face paled slightly, but after spending so much time with Hall, he wasn't terrified.

"Voldemort cursed the position. Breaking that curse is difficult." Hall nodded. Otherwise, Dumbledore wouldn't have remained inactive all these years. For Hall to research how to break it would be either impossible or too time-consuming.

"You want to break this curse?"

Hall shook his head. "It would take at least a year or two. By then I'd be graduating. Instead of breaking the curse, let's attack the source and eliminate the one who cast it. It'll disappear on its own."

Draco was shocked into silence. How did Hall come up with such an outrageous idea? But following Hall's line of thought... it didn't seem impossible.

"You'd better not think about it!" Draco was genuinely afraid Hall would one day duel Voldemort.

Hall shrugged. He'd already thought of everything. Deal with Voldemort, bring Lupin back as DADA professor. Lupin certainly wouldn't refuse.