Hogwarts Homecoming

Under the warm sunshine, which is completely different from Hogwarts, dozens of prisoners in Avalon Prison are wielding shovels and pickaxes, sweating profusely in the neatly divided black soil.

On both sides of the strip-shaped field, there were four eight-eyed spiders guarding each side, staring at the prisoners as they worked.

"Currently, the total number of prisoners admitted from Azkaban Prison and those admitted in recent months is 372--"

The prison management regulations are strict, and the prisoners are all immersed in their work without even looking around.

Barry, on the other hand, led the little wizards to stand a little further away and briefed them on the situation in Avalon Prison.

"372?"

Hermione, who was very sensitive to information, immediately shouted,

“But here”

"There are only eighty-six people here--"

Mr. Barry nodded and said pleasantly,

"Most of the people transferred to Azkaban are serious criminals with sentences of more than ten years, and these prisoners..."

Barry paused and organized his words a little,

"Their sanity has been severely damaged by the fear spread by the dementors, and they are unable to adapt to the normal management of Avalon Prison. Moreover, these prisoners always show strong aggression when they gather, so, We had to separate them into separate areas.”

Harry nodded gloomily.

Everyone knows the horror of Azkaban. Even wizards like Hagrid and Remus, who in Harry's opinion do not lack courage, will have fear flashing in the depths of their pupils when Azkaban is mentioned. .

Although things have passed, Harry always thinks about Sirius being imprisoned in Azkaban for more than ten years.

He could not help but feel hatred for Peter Pettigrew.

Under normal circumstances, it would be boring to watch a group of prisoners plowing and harrowing the fields, but none of the little wizards showed any impatience.

They looked in silence at the prisoners wielding hoes in the fields, with unspeakable emotions in their hearts.

Most of these people were decent wizards when they were living outside, but after being arrested, they looked like this.

This can be regarded as the Ministry of Magic or Professor Blaine's 'virtuous government'.

If they were imprisoned in Azkaban, the prisoners could only stay in a small prison cell without seeing the light of day, waiting fearfully for every visit of the dementors.

"Professor Blaine"

Looking at the short old man bent over plowing the fields in the bright sunshine, Theodore tried his best not to let tears fall. An unspeakable sadness and hatred tortured him.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally looked at Professor Brain, with a pleading tone in his voice.

"Can I go help my father?"

Favors cannot be taken away.

Amosta was not so cold. He nodded and said softly,

"Go and have a nice chat--"

After receiving permission, Theodore immediately ran out, picked up a hoe from the ridge, and ran towards his father.

"If you know anyone here, you can go up and have a chat. Don't worry, with me here, there won't be any surprises-"

Amosta said to the remaining little wizards.

Professor Brain's words caused a commotion among the young wizards, and hesitation appeared on some people's faces.

And Amosta didn't try to persuade him. He walked towards a female prisoner with thin shoulders not far away.

"How do you feel, Ms. Jasuna?"

"If it's compared to Azkabambi, I can't find anything wrong——"

The female prisoner rubbed her sore palms, nodded gratefully to Amosta, and then asked impatiently,

"How is old Enma doing?"

"Harry."

Seeing Professor Blaine chatting smoothly with a prisoner, Hermione's face became even more hesitant.

"Oh, I don't care--"

Harry shrugged, guessing what Hermione was thinking,

"If you want, let's go talk to him."

The two men were discussing, of course, Gilderoy Lockhart.

He had been their Defense Against the Dark Arts professor in their second year, and Hermione had so far been reluctant to recall her obsessive admiration for a great liar.

After all, someone as smart as her would actually respect a despicable wizard like that.

but

After seeing Gilderoy Lockhart again, Hermione no longer felt any shame in being deceived.

But just as Harry said, she wanted to have a chat with this person, simply to find out what Gilderoy Lockhart was like now.

"Come on, Harry—"

Taking a deep breath, Hermione took the lead and walked forward with determination.

The two of them crossed a piece of farmland that was mostly turned over, one foot deeper and one foot shallower, and approached the blond wizard.

Although they are busy working, there is no prisoner who is not secretly observing these little wizards at Hogwarts.

Regardless of whether any of these young wizards were acquainted with them, this made them deeply moved. After all, they were once the proud sons of Hogwarts.

Judging from Lockhart's flinching neck, he seemed a little afraid of facing Hermione and Harry.

"Professor Lockhart—"

Hermione walked behind him, folded her hands, and called softly.

Lockhart couldn't pretend he couldn't see it. He straightened up and held a hoe in one hand. He came back to his senses and fiddled with the wet hair hanging in front of his eyes.

The action almost made Harry laugh out loud.

"Hey, it's you, the famous Mr. Potter. Ah, and Miss Granger--"

According to muscle memory, Gilderoy Lockhart grinned.

Seeing this more familiar smile, Harry no longer had the urge to smile, and an unspeakable feeling surged in his heart.

The atmosphere was a little awkward, whether for Lockhart or for Hermione and Harry.

"Oh, time flies, doesn't it? You were still little back then, and now... Look at you, Mr. Potter, you are almost as tall as me!"

The dull expressions of Harry and Hermione made Lockhart's smile shaky, and he said with a stiff upper lip.

Harry's eyebrows moved.

Hearing this, Harry felt a sour taste in his teeth.

Unlike Hermione, he has never been very fond of Gilderoy Lockhart, but since he has been punished, Harry doesn't have anything to remember.

"Professor Lockhart--"

Seeing Hermione remained silent, Harry had to find a topic,

"How have you been lately?"

"Oh, I couldn't be more satisfied!"

Lockhart immediately found the right feeling, he grinned, smiling brightly,

"Compared with Azkabam, this place is simply heaven. There are no scary Dementors, the cells are clean, and I can get out every day to bask in the sun and read the newspaper. Oh, the guards are even willing to give me an hour every night to write a book!"

"Are you still writing a book?"

Hermione showed a look of surprise and couldn't help asking.

"Ah, of course--"

Lockhart was in high spirits when talking about his profession.

"In my new book, I describe in detail how I stayed awake and rational under the torture of Dementors during the more than two years I served in Azkaban. I swear, the story is definitely more exciting than subduing werewolves, vampires, trolls, etc.!

This book will be finished in about a year.

In fact, I also hope to write about Avalon Prison in this book, but the guards here told me that everything in Avalon is top secret. After I get out of prison, I need to sign a contract to ensure that nothing here is leaked!"

Listening to Lockhart's endless talk about his book, Harry and Hermione looked at each other and smiled at the same time.

At least, the story in this book must be Professor Lockhart's personal experience.

Having said that, Harry looked at Gilderoy Lockhart with a little respect.

He has heard a lot of horror legends about Azkaban, and many powerful wizards have no resistance when facing Dementors.

But looking at Lockhart's mental state, there are not many signs of being tortured by Dementors.

If the Ministry of Magic is still using Azkaban, then Lockhart's new book may be very popular!

"Lord Barry told me that if I can continue to behave well, I may be able to apply for parole in less than five years. At that time, I will use my remaining gold to find a publishing house to publish my new book. I can send you two a signed copy of my new book!"

Lockhart sniffed and looked at the two with expectation, as if he was afraid that they would refuse.

Uh.

Harry nodded reluctantly,

"Thank you, Professor Lockhart, I am looking forward to it--"

"Oh, you're welcome, Mr. Potter, by the way."

Lockhart's eyes moved down, staring at Harry's bulging pockets, licked his lips, and swallowed his saliva with a gulp,

"If my sense of smell has not been ruined by those stinky cells in Azkaban, Mr. Potter, you brought food, right?" (End of this chapter)