"You need proper preparation. It'll help with my upcoming lessons."
"This will be difficult..."
Time flew.
After collecting the quizzes, Lockhart flipped through them. Dissatisfaction flickered in his eyes, but his face kept that charming smile.
"For instance, my greatest regret."
"Very simple question. You need to read Breaking Up with a Banshee carefully."
"Especially chapters eight, nine, and ten."
"When facing the banshee's temptation."
"I spent considerable ink describing my unwavering will and faithful devotion."
He paused.
Winked at the girls with a smile, expression serious:
"I'm a devoted man."
"Longing to rekindle old love..."
"So please—tell your elders, tell my fans—don't fall in love with your professor."
Those blindingly white teeth flashed again. The Gryffindor boys nearly burst out laughing.
"Where does this guy get his confidence..." Ron rolled his eyes and muttered to Harry.
Before he finished, the Gryffindor girls around him covered their mouths. Shy giggles escaped.
Ron looked around in disbelief.
Especially at Parvati Patil.
The popular Indian girl's eyes practically overflowed with worship...
Ron: (p?д?)
Had to be said—Lockhart's style was flashy and greasy, but his handsome face made people overlook it.
Especially that mature, confident British humor. Like aged wine at first glance—rich and lingering. Stark contrast to the Gryffindor boys' arrogance and shallow ignorance.
So.
This fresh, unique charm held indescribable attraction for the Gryffindor girls. They were sick of those stupid boys' childishness!
Just then, Lockhart flipped to the end of the papers. Satisfaction rose in his eyes.
"Oh, very good..."
"Excellent!"
"Two perfect papers!"
He held them high.
His smile grew brighter, like at a book signing seeing devoted fans.
"Miss Hermione Granger!"
"Mr. Tiger Shel—"
"Shelby?!"
Lockhart's smile froze.
He yanked the papers back, eyes wide, staring at the name.
"Is it you?"
His trembling whisper carried barely contained excitement. "Polly, I knew you couldn't forget me..."
"Very good, someone prepared properly."
"Ten points to Gryffindor."
"Ten points to Slytherin!"
Lockhart slowly raised his head, suppressing his racing heartbeat as he looked at the students.
"Let me see..."
"Which one is Miss Hermione Granger?"
Hermione covered her forehead. Raised her hand.
Honestly, she didn't want to. This Defense class felt more like a fan meeting, and she had zero interest in this flashy middle-aged man...
Hearing Slytherin get points, Ron's nose nearly twisted with anger.
He and Harry sat in the back row too. They could even hear Tiger's soft snores.
When did he write the quiz?!
(s°□°）s?ΘдΘ?
Harry silently patted Ron. Obviously Hermione had written Tiger's paper.
Honestly, this unprecedented treatment made him jealous. Usually Hermione wouldn't even let them copy homework, much less write it for them...
"Very good, pleasure to meet you."
"Now then..."
"Which one is Mr. Tiger Shelby?"
Lockhart smiled and nodded, excitement flashing in his blue eyes.
"Uh..."
Hermione glanced sideways. Tiger was sleeping sweetly on her Herbology textbook. She looked back at Lockhart without missing a beat.
"Sorry, Professor."
"Tiger felt unwell after finishing the quiz, but he chose to rest quietly so as not to disturb you."
To convince Lockhart, Hermione paused, then added:
"He's your biggest fan."
"I think you can tell..."
"Oh, of course!"
Lockhart's reaction far exceeded her expectations. His brilliant smile became even more excited, chest puffing proudly.
Like he'd won some victory?
Hermione's expression grew strange.
"Is Mr. Shelby alright?"
"He's fine, Professor. He can manage."
Lockhart slowly paced closer, walking toward the back row with some anxiety. He wanted to confirm whether this Shelby was Polly's child...
"Harry, she's lying!"
"She's lying! Harry!"
Ron frantically shook Harry's arm, grinding his teeth audibly.
"Last year when I wanted to fake sick to skip Potions, she told me good students shouldn't lie to professors. She even threw me out of the common room!"
"Look what she's doing now!!!"
"Calm down... Ron... that's Tiger... you know..."
"Hermione never has limits when it comes to Tiger." Harry rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"Pansy, she's lying!"
"She's lying! Pansy!"
Draco was about to jump up. Looking at Hermione's nervous expression, he cursed through gritted teeth.
"Just Lockhart, a flashy piece of shit—how dare he think Father would worship him?"
"Enough, Draco."
"Quiet."
"Granger's just covering..."
Pansy rested her chin on her hand and sighed, pulling Draco back to his seat.
This class was utterly boring. She had no interest in watching a greasy, narcissistic middle-aged man constantly wink at her...
Just then, Lockhart reached Tiger's desk, eyes curious as he asked quietly:
"Mr. Shelby, are you alright?"
Feeling Hermione's warning under the desk, Tiger sat up with confused, drowsy eyes. Yawned without hiding it.
Seeing Lockhart's face nearly split with smiling, he frowned:
"Who are you?"
"..."
Hermione slapped her forehead. Shame flooded her eyes as her lie was exposed.
"I..."
Lockhart's smile froze.
But his psychological resilience was strong.
And Tiger's somewhat familiar features made him more certain of his thoughts.
After clearing his throat, he tossed his golden curls and began a solemn introduction.
"Gilderoy Lockhart."
"Perhaps you've read some of my works. I'm not only your Defense professor."
"I'm also a third-class recipient of the Order of Merlin, honorary member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award..."
Noticing heart-stopping impatience rising in Tiger's fierce eyes, Lockhart wisely stopped.
After a brief pause, he took a deep breath, curved his lips into a perfect arc, flashed his brilliant teeth, and said proudly:
"I'm also Polly's boyfriend..."
"BANG!!!"
Before anyone could react, Lockhart's head was buried in Tiger's desk. Wood splinters and blood scattered everywhere.
A moment later, Tiger released the golden hair in his grip. His confused eyes gradually focused.
He turned to Hermione.
"What did that bastard just say?"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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