11 Ch. 11

"Yes!" Bathsheda screams before collapsing onto my chest with a shudder.

Neither of us is capable of speech as we desperately try to regain our breath. My hand seems to react on its own, and I begin running my fingers across Bathsheda's bareback.

I can't help but thank the promiscuous witch from the book signing for the Sexual Intercourse skill card. Granted, I was very disturbed when I first ABSORBED the card, but I was able to use my newly gained experience to find different ways to please women.

As amazing as that can be, I don't think I'll be taking another sexual skill card, from anyone, ever again. The very thought of it sends a shiver down my spine.

"Mmm," Bathsheda moans into my chest. "Praise Freyja, that was amazing."

Taken aback by her comment, I can't help but ask, "Freyja?"

"The Norse goddess of love, Seiðr, and sex," Bathsheda says as she runs her fingers over my chest.

"I didn't take you for an Odinist," I say from underneath her.

"Oh, darling," Bathsheda says with a smile as she looks into my eyes. "Delve as deep into ancient runes as I have, and you'll start believing in Asgardians as well."

"I might have to take a deeper look at Norse runes," I nonchalantly state. I did Extract her Ancient Runes Skill Card, but I'm not sure how I feel about the possibility of Asgardians existing. Well, I couldn't really complain, but I have too much on my plate to be worrying about aliens across the Nine Realms.

A groan escapes my bed partner before she pushes up to stare at me. "This was great, but I still have a few tasks to see to before the Welcoming Feast tonight," Bathsheda reluctantly says.

I smirk as she lets out another groan before rolling off of me and to the edge of the bed. I make no effort to hide my enjoyment at watching her search my bedroom for her clothes. While she's not the prettiest woman I've ever slept with, she does have a great body. The smirk she sends my way as she slowly gets dressed causes me to grin at her deviousness.

A fully dressed Ancient Runes Professor saunters over to my bed and gives me a light kiss. "We should do this again sometime. And maybe next time, I'll introduce you to a few bed spells," Bathsheda said with a flirtatious look as her eyes hungrily gaze over my uncovered body. "Don't be late for the feast," she says before turning and making her way out of my room.

I dumbly stare at my door for a moment before releasing a deep and hearty laugh. I think I just got used for sex! Is it bad I enjoy the thought of women seeking me out for sexual gratification? No, I see nothing wrong with it. In fact, I fully endorse such an idea!

Placing my hands behind my head, I stare up at my ceiling and take a moment to bask in the after-sex feel. Other than getting laid, today was a pretty good day. I profited greatly from the meeting earlier and learned a bit more about the wider world.

I am pleasantly pleased with the quality of the skill cards my fellow professors possessed, especially in the subject they taught. Nearly every professor had at least one purple skill card. As a whole, the level of master cards here at Hogwarts puts most of Wizarding Britain to shame.

Something I'm disappointed in was the lack of a goblin trait card from Filius Flitwick. He had an impressive array of cards but not a single red skill card. Perhaps he's just a normal dwarf, instead of part goblin.

Despite the fact, Flitwick had one of the deepest colored Magic Charms I've seen on any witch or wizard, I opted for taking his Magic Dueling skill card. His dueling card was even darker than Snape's, second only to Dumbledore himself.

As for the legend himself... What can I say? Dumbledore is simply terrifying. Not only were the majority of his magical skill cards at the legendary level, but several of them were nearly brown in color. I would be lying if I said I hadn't become secure in my own power lately. Despite how strong I've become these past couple of weeks, I'm not even in the same league as Dumbledore.

Even after I ABSORB all the purple cards I gained today, I still won't be a threat to the man. It was humbling to see how I compare to the greatest wizard alive. I hate the feeling of being at someone else's mercy. I hate how I have to tread carefully or risk a life sentence in Azkaban. I hate it. I won't remain under his thumb, and I won't remain weak for long.

But, getting to see how outclassed I am isn't the only thing I learned today. Judging by the lack of skill cards around the History of Magic Professor, Cuthbert Binns, I don't think I'll be able to gain anything from ghosts. That's unfortunate. There would be ridiculous synergy between my ability and the Resurrection Stone if that was the case.

There was also another professor with a red skill card. I spotted a Seer skill card from Sybill Trelawney. Of course, there was no way I was going to take that card. From what I know, being a true-Seer is more of a hindrance than anything. You are at risk of falling into a trance whenever a prophecy overcomes you, and the best part, you have no memory of the event. Rumor is that powerful Seers can control their 'sight', and it is rather vicious when paired with practical divination. But it still feels more like a liability than anything. I chose not to take a card from Trelawney for now. She was the least impressive teacher anyway.

On a brighter note, I was able to test my Occlumency against a proficient Legilimens. Watching Snape recoil from my mental defenses was gratifying. Snape's Legilimency card was barely at the master level, and I nearly took his Defense Against the Dark Arts card, but my own card is forming a touch of purple.

After I finish ABSORBING all the cards I gained today, I'll have a master-level understanding of every subject taught at Hogwarts. Of course, the crowning jewel of today is the Legendary Magic Comprehension skill card I picked up from Dumbledore. Combining the comprehension of Dumbledore and Voldemort should allow me to surpass both men one day.

Too bad Dumbledore doesn't have a Horcrux, I would love to gain a second card from him...

"What the hell am I thinking," I harshly criticized myself for what I just thought. I'm not really sure if that thought came from Old Gil or from myself. Either way, that is a dangerous line of thinking.

Standing up, I look towards the nearly brown Magic Comprehension skill card. With a promise to be better, I watch as the card is Absorbed into my palm. I ignore the sensations running over my scalp and behind my eyes. Looking towards the Legilimancy skill card I gained from Snape, I take a deep breath before deciding to Absorb it next.

There are too many cards to Absorb all of them today, but I have enough time to Absorb the most helpful ones before the feast starts. Once I finish, I'll have to familiarize myself with my new knowledge again. I will become one of the most powerful wizards in history... And I'm gonna look damn good doing it.

*****************

I was already seated at the staff table before most of the other professors arrived. I busied my time by reading an untitled book with a worn and faded cover. It mostly pertained to dark spells and rituals, but it read like someone's personal thoughts on the matter. I found it rather insightful and intriguing. Wrong in several areas, but still enlightening.

The chatter of feminine voices drew my attention to the side entrance by the staff table. Bathsheda, Aurora Sinistra, and Septima Vector were gliding towards the table, whispering excitedly with one another. Bathsheda was smirking as she and Septima began to walk past me. Oddly, Bathsheda gave me a wink before she and Septima sat several seats down from me.

Before I could decipher what was happening, Aurora stopped at the chair beside me. "You saving this seat for anyone?" Aurora asked with a mischievous smile.

"Please, be my guest," I cordially state while offering her the chair. I curiously watch as the dark-skinned witch sits down and returns to the conversation with Bathsheda and Septima.

I did my best to pay the trio of gossips no mind and continue reading my book. I was largely successful, but the occasional burning of my ears led me to believe I was one of the targets of their gossiping. I had to resist the urge to include myself in their conversation, which required more self-restraint than it should have been. Old Gil really was an arse, especially when it could potentially lead to him getting some arse.

I ended up having to put my book down once McGonagall gave us the word of the students' arrival. Watching the returning students rushing into the Great Hall was a surreal moment. Excited chatter was echoed across the hall as the mass of students made their way to their House Table.

Going over the class rosters really didn't prepare me for the sight of nearly nine hundred students. The movies weren't even close to being accurate, especially considering my classes ranged from 59 students to 73 in my largest class.

Son of a bitc... It's going to take me forever to grade all those homework assignments, only to turn around and assign the students more homework. I won't have any time for my own studies. Fuckin-no, to that! My classes just became practical application-focused.

In the time I had this last-minute discovery, McGonagall had arrived with the first years. I politely watched the Sorting Hat sing a clever little song, followed by the sorting of each student. Not interesting enough to hold my attention, I began scanning the tables for students I might recognize. I spotted the Weasley twins and a worried little girl with a head of bushy brown hair.

Unfortunately, I ceased looking over the tables when some of the older girls began giving me coy looks. Some of the older girls even winked at me! I'm flattered, considering Gil is 28, but that is a can of worms I do not need. I don't want to give Dumbledore more reasons to come after me.

"Please give a warm welcome to your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Gilderoy Lockhart," Dumbledore announced to the assembly.

Jarred back into reality, I smoothly put on a Charming Smile #2 and stood up. After a brief moment to wave at the warm reception, I retook my seat. I spent the remainder of the celebration lost in my own thoughts of my first class. Starting off with half the seventh-years wasn't my idea of easing into this role, but hey, it's not like I can do worse than the original Lockhart!