Time flies, Hogwarts' school year is coming to an end after all, the auditorium is decorated beautifully again, the students gathered together, because the current score is that Gryffindor is far ahead, so the auditorium is full of Bright red and gold ribbons, which are the colors that symbolize Gryffindor, and a banner hangs behind the guest table, which depicts a majestic lion.
There was a jubilant atmosphere in the auditorium, not only because the semester was coming to an end and they could go back to their homes for a pleasant vacation, but also because they saw their long-awaited heroes in front of the guest table.
It was another routine speech from Dumbledore. Although the students would not be drowsy, they would not be in high spirits either. What they were looking forward to was the speech of the handsome man behind Dumbledore.
"Well, it seems that my students can't wait any longer. I, a bad old man, can't compare with the young people nowadays." Dumbledore still laughed at himself, not caring that his students were being punished. The man behind him attracted attention.
"Now let the person you expect to speak, I think he must also want to exchange a lot of opinions with you." Dumbledore gave up his position to the man behind him.
The students in the audience applauded thunderously.
This man was none other than Professor Lockhart who had been away from Hogwarts for a long time.
"Actually, I just did a little bit of work." Lockhart said with a smile on the stage, showing his graceful demeanor and charming heroic posture. His white teeth were so clean that they seemed to reflect light, and he wore his iconic He wore a blue forget-me-not-colored robe, covered with all kinds of medals and honor marks. Just one movement was enough to cause bursts of cheers from the students of various colleges, regardless of gender.
No matter what kind of culture or country, it is the instinct of ordinary people to worship heroes.
Well, the Slytherin students are currently an exception, because their "heroes" have been overshadowed by the "heroes" on stage.
"I, Lockhart, Order of Merlin Third Class, oh, no, it should be second class now, Sir Merlin came to me a few days ago and asked to change the order for me, honorary member of the Anti-Dark Arts League, awarded five times "Wizard Weekly" most charming smile award, in fact, these are some false names, among all my identities, I am most proud of being the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts." Lockhart gently He raised his head and stared forward with vacant eyes, with a little confusion, as if he was remembering his teaching career at Hogwarts.
As soon as the words were finished, the auditorium erupted into another round of applause. Harry and Ron's hands were about to slap red, and they shouted Lockhart's name loudly.
"Thank you for your enthusiasm." Lockhart made a gesture, and everyone fell silent, "But due to some reasons, I can no longer teach here. I think Professor Dumbledore has told you that I cast magic Its ability has been greatly affected. As a defense against the black arts course that is very important to everyone's safety, I think teachers in this position not only need good theoretical knowledge, but also strong practical ability. , now I have no such ability at all.”
There were bursts of sighs immediately from the audience, the students regretted but could do nothing, as for persuading him, they were just thinking about it, although they were very grateful to him, apart from themselves, from the perspective of their parents and the school, there was nothing he could do. Such a person would not be allowed to continue as a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
"Professor Lockhart!" Someone from Gryffindor's direction suddenly raised his hand and yelled loudly. Many students, including Lockhart himself, cast their eyes on the man, and saw a head of fiery red hair scorching eyeball.
"Oh, isn't this classmate Ron?" Lockhart still maintained a gentlemanly smile, not annoyed because someone interrupted him, he stretched out his hand as a gesture of invitation, and asked Ron to speak. "Is there any problem?"
He didn't care much when he shouted, and after he finished he realized that he seemed a little nervous under the eyes of everyone, but Ron still bite the bullet and said, "I heard that the professor in our school will retire next year because he is getting old. He is a magical creature in our school. Protection teacher, I thought you might try this class?"
Students from various colleges whispered to each other and discussed, and the students except Slytherin very much hoped that he could stay.
Lockhart was a little moved, but when he glanced at Dumbledore from the corner of his eye and saw his smiling expression, he immediately withdrew his thoughts.
Because he remembered an incident that happened to him at St. Mungo's Hospital.
Fighting the basilisk bravely, sacrificing himself, protecting the students, plus the good reputation accumulated in the society before, Lockhart naturally became the darling of the major media in the wizarding world. Except for a certain unusual magazine, almost All the newspapers hoped to interview him. When Lockhart woke up, he found himself lying on a big bed with a white sheet covering him, and then the door was opened. The reporters flocked to his bed and began to ask questions.
"Mr. Lockhart, I heard that your ability to cast magic has been affected. Is this true?"
"Do you regret teaching at Hogwarts?"
"What were you thinking when you rescued classmate Granger?"
"How do you defeat a basilisk that has lived for hundreds of years, maybe even longer?"
A series of questions made him even more confused, but since Lockhart, who had only low-level magic before, was able to make a living in the wizarding world, he was naturally superior—he was very good at bragging.
Judging from the fact that he plagiarized other people's stories and his own processed works sold well, he should be very good at telling stories. The same story can be said to be very different from different people.
Lockhart's literary talent is very good, and he is not lacking in quick wit. In just a few words, he realized that he seemed to be considered a hero by these people, so he started to play on his own, and he didn't care if he did it himself. Yes, even if all he remembered was that he seemed to faint on Christmas Day.
"It was too late to say that, the basilisk waved its huge tail, and there was a whistling wind, but you all know that I can only close my eyes to fight him, and my ears have become the only ones that can tell the direction. means... so I..." Lockhart gushed, speaking with great pomp.
After a speech, all the reporters gave warm applause for his wit and bravery.
A reporter adjusted his glasses and said, "Mr. Lockhart just woke up. We can't disturb his rest time anymore. Let's stop here today. I believe we will have more opportunities to interview him in the future."
A group of reporters nodded and said goodbye to Lockhart and rushed out of the ward together.
Lockhart lay back on his bed, thinking about it all, and it wasn't for nothing, he thought. Before, he dared to bluff so unscrupulously because of the miraculous effect of the "Forgetting Curse", but this time the inexplicable hero status always made him feel deeply uneasy, people always have some fear of things that cannot be grasped, even if it seems Maybe it's a good thing.
However, Lockhart, who held a "press conference", suddenly felt a wave of tiredness flooding him, he decided not to think too much, and went to sleep before thinking about the rest. Leaning back, when his head was about to touch the soft pillow, he caught a glimpse of a bedside table next to the hospital bed. One of the drawers was slightly opened, and there seemed to be a thick stack of documents inside. He reached out to open the cabinet by accident. Take out these file-like things.
After taking a closer look, Lockhart's soul was terrified, his drowsiness disappeared, and he immediately subconsciously looked towards the door of the ward that had been locked, and heaved a sigh of relief when he found no one around.