Chapter 49 – Machinations
Professor Lockhart's story, or more precisely its climax, the battle against the Order of the Pheonix, was fascinating. Very much so, and I can't lie about it. I don't know if it is because he is a good writer or not, but his retelling of the events was vivid and immersive. I hate to admit it, but he could sell himself on paper. In-person? Not so much, but most people know him from his books anyway.
Reading the 'recollection' was a bit hard. On the one hand, it was so descriptive I felt like being there. On the other hand... I didn't know if I should believe everything. Knowing the Professor, my doubts were high from the start, but I had to approach it with a clear and open mind. Through this work, I got a glimpse of how the bulk of the Order laid waste to a very important convoy of wizards. They were traveling from the school back to London when they were ambushed.
As the teacher, Professor Lockhart was accompanying them out of courtesy to the borders when the attack happened, and he fought with the Black brothers while flying on brooms. Ignoring the flashy descriptions of his skills, the maneuvers, and the fact that spells were flying left and right, missing him by an inch, I did feel my heart quickening reading it. The presence he gave to their leader, Dumbledore, was tangible through the papers. It was he who ended one of the Death Eater's life before sounding the retreat and escaping with the rest. It took me only one read to memorize the text, and after I was finished, I closed my eyes, rereading it multiple times in my mind. Something wasn't making sense.
"Why did they retreat?" I asked in the end.
"Hmm?" He looked at me, up from signing his promotional letters.
"Why did the Order retreat after one kill? It wasn't even someone... special."
"It was a Death Eater! That is pretty special!" Lockhart corrected me, "Someone from HIS inner circle, one that was with HIM all those years ago when HE came to power!"
"But... so what? He now has multiple circles under him."
"Raising talent takes a lot of years and effort, young Conrad!" He warned me with a smile and an air of superiority. "A death of such a noble warrior is a big blow!"
"It just doesn't make sense..." I argued, tapping my finger on the table, "They were on the offensive and on the winning side... after that kill, they should have gained a real advantage! They could have pushed on and eliminated everybody! It was a check-mate situation! Yet they... left."
"Don't forget, they are also human, they can be tired out, and a Death Eater is a better fighter than any of the members of the Order! Just look at your Father, for example! Or me! Even with that kill, they couldn't hope to achieve more! They had to run, or it was their time to lose someone!"