Professor Lockhart stepped gracefully to the front of the platform.
He first took a look around the classroom, finally focusing his attention on Harry.
After staring at Harry for a moment, Lockhart began to introduce himself.
"I," he said, pointing at his own photo, winking as he spoke, "Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Anti-Black Magic Alliance, five-time winner of the Wizard Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award—but I don't talk about that, because I didn't get rid of the Badden Mourning Banshee with a smile."
Badden is a place, a small town located in County Cork, Ireland.
Lockhart was referring to the story in Breaking with the Banshee, where he detailed his entire process of expelling the Badden Banshee.
Seeing Lockhart's smile, the girls in the class made a swooning gesture, looking at Lockhart with an expression of an aunt's smile.
The boys made a gagging expression, especially the Slytherin students who were the most wanton, with Draco even rolling his eyes and looking like he was about to faint.
"I feel like the salad this year doesn't need olive oil," Ron whispered to Neville.
Neville shared the same sentiment but did not have too much dislike for Professor Lockhart.
After all, Professor Snape doesn't like Lockhart, and with the principle of the enemy of my enemy is my friend, Neville was willing to believe in Professor Lockhart.
"I see you all bought my entire set of works—that's good, I think we'll start with a little quiz today. Don't be afraid—it's just to see how much you've read, how much you've grasped."
Professor Lockhart said as he stood up, picking up a stack of papers from the desk.
After handing out the papers, he returned to the platform and said, "You have thirty minutes, and—begin!"
Harry looked down at the paper, initially thinking Professor Lockhart would have questions on Defense Against the Dark Arts, but to his surprise, it was all about Lockhart's personal details, like his birthday, his favorite color, his ambitions, and his proudest achievements.
Do I know what use this is? Harry muttered inwardly, putting his pen down on the desk, starting to join the others in passive resistance.
Thirty minutes passed torturously, at least as far as Ron was concerned.
Harry was indifferent; he stared off into space, pondering where the Snake Monster Poison Fang might appear.
Oh right, he forgot to discuss things with Bodrick through the Two-Sided Mirror.
The Angel's Feather was in Dumbledore's hands, so Bodrick should go negotiate with Professor Dumbledore.
Now the only concern was whether Professor Dumbledore would sell such an item, and that would depend on Gringotts' leverage.
Harry believed that Gringotts' sincerity should be able to move Dumbledore.
However, Harry didn't notice that Lockhart frequently glanced in his direction every now and then.
After half an hour, the torturous time finally ended, and Lockhart collected all the papers one by one, then went through them in front of the whole class.
"Tsk tsk, hardly anyone remembered that I like lilac purple," Professor Lockhart said disdainfully, "I mentioned it in A Year with the Tibetan Yeti, considering you all didn't read carefully, I think you should look at it again—oh, and everyone should read Weekend with a Werewolf, in chapter twelve I clearly stated that my ideal birthday gift is for all magical and non-magical beings to live harmoniously."
Harry lifted his head, reassessing this narcissistic professor.
His wish is for wizards and Muggles to coexist peacefully?
But Harry's intuition told him... that wasn't quite it.
However, Lockhart praised Hermione, as she scored a perfect hundred.
"Gryffindor, ten points." Lockhart smiled, "Miss Granger, good girl—"
He placed the paper on the desk, giving Hermione another smile.
"Good girl, your paper, I will treasure it."
This incited another wave of screams from the girls.
They all looked at Hermione with envy and jealousy, wondering why they weren't the ones to gain such honor.
After speaking, Lockhart turned around, gently flicking his magic wand.
"Now—be careful! My mission is to teach you to fend off the most evil things known to the Magic World! In this classroom, you will face the most terrifying creatures."
Lockhart said loudly: "But remember, as long as I'm here, you won't suffer any harm, I only ask you to stay calm!"
All the classmates held their breath because of Lockhart's words, as Professor Lockhart's wand aimed at a nearby cupboard, which then rattled and shook.
"I must remind you, absolutely, absolutely do not scream," Professor Lockhart said easily, "this will not help you deal with them and will only provoke it."
This prompted even Draco in the back row to shrink back, trying to let the tall Crabbe and Gall block him.
Professor Lockhart opened the cabinet, and out came a ghoul.
The ghoul's body was twisted and deformed, as if its original shape was warped by some evil force; its pitch-black eyes had nothing of the liveliness of life, only the cold and terror of death; its cheeks were pale, devoid of any color, with its pallid skin shriveled and clinging tightly to its bones, showing no signs of life.