Before long, there was a knock on the door of the Defense Against the Dark Arts office.
"Professor Lockhart, are you there?"
Hermione, having calmed her nerves, greeted him like a shy young witch.
"Come in, my dear Miss Granger. I was just preparing the content for the next lesson."
Lockhart was holding a copy of Magical Me. Hermione was certain he would rather curl his hair than prepare for the next lesson.
"Professor, we have set up a small fan club, just a short distance away. We were hoping you could come and take a look..."
Hermione stuck to the plan.
"Ah, my excellent assistant."
Lockhart flashed a smile he thought was charming, then pretended to ponder.
Hermione thought he would agree in the end, but she added:
"Professor, could you bring at least fifty signed photos... I think everyone..."
Her words interrupted Lockhart's pretense of deep thought.
"Fifty... Thank you for reminding me, my dear Miss Granger. Yes, that is an important matter.
To be honest, it might seem a bit conceited. But one day, you too will need to carry a stack of photos wherever you go, just like me."
He chuckled lightly.
"Everyone is really looking forward to your visit."
Hermione felt nauseous inside but still feigned shyness.
"What a pity, dear Granger, you should have come earlier. I have recently been researching an ancient and powerful magic.
This is an incredibly important magic; after all, my task is to teach you how to defend against the most evil things known to the wizarding world."
Lockhart said with a fake smile.
Hermione froze, then felt cold sweat trickling down the back of her neck.
How could she forget!
Tomorrow was the weekend, the day of the Dueling Club meeting.
And Professor Snape, whose temper had been extremely foul lately, hadn't missed a chance to make things difficult for Lockhart. Lockhart was trying to find a way to escape!
How did I hand him such a perfect excuse?
"Oh, well, I'll explain it to them. Everyone will understand..."
Hermione pretended to be very disappointed, but her heart was cold.
The plan would have to be postponed, she thought. But after the weekend, Lockhart would still agree.
However, the Veritaserum would need to be preserved somehow; for that, she could only ask Sean for help.
"Tell him about that matter."
Just then, a very low voice sounded. The voice was controlled by a special magic so that only wizards within a very small range could hear it.
Just like now, only Hermione heard Sean's words.
"Are you sure, Sean?"
Hermione pretended to mutter to herself in disappointment, asking Sean.
"Yes."
Sean's voice was faint.
"I understand."
Hermione replied.
While Lockhart beamed at Hermione, she suddenly looked up and said with feigned annoyance:
"That really is a pity, Professor Lockhart. We went through so much trouble to invite Mr. Hermes.
He is publishing an alchemy book at the request of the International Alchemical Association, which is why he accepted our invitation.
He even wanted to ask you for advice on how to write a book—"
Hermione sighed, then stole a glance at Lockhart.
"What did you say?"
Lockhart stood up.
"That gentleman sent us an owl. Look, this is what he had the owl bring along."
Hermione took out a small biscuit. The cat head on the biscuit was purring.
"Oh, of course—oh my, of course, he should seek me out.
To be on the bestseller list for six consecutive months, what an unprecedented achievement. I must go, I must go..."
Lockhart paced in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
Half a year ago, Dumbledore had found him and offered him a job at Hogwarts, hinting that he could teach Harry, who was then a second-year student. Being the teacher of the "famous Harry Potter" would bring him far more popularity than anything else.
So, after hesitating for a while, he accepted the job.
Now, he wouldn't let this opportunity slip by either.
He had originally thought being Harry Potter's teacher was enough to make him famous for a while, but he hadn't expected to potentially be featured on a Chocolate Frog card.
Think about it: after this book was published, what title would the wizarding world give him...
It was truly something to look forward to.
"Of course, I need to guide him. That is indisputable, and only I can do it. So, the most outstanding Miss Granger of the year, can you tell me where my Her... fan club is?"
Lockhart wore an exaggerated smile.
"I'll take you there right now!"
Hermione pursed her lips, then quickly recovered.
She had known this guy was someone who would do anything for fame, but seeing him so blatant about it, she almost couldn't hide her disdain.
Lockhart followed Hermione out of the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, excited but slightly suspicious.
Inside the office, several portraits of Lockhart chattered praises.
"You will become the most famous wizard!" said the painting Lockhart.
"Sage mentor!" said the watering Lockhart.
"Greatest wizard!" said the bowing Lockhart.
These words completely stripped the real Lockhart of his judgment. He felt flushed with success, his future bright.
Evening, the corridor.
Usually, only members of the Castle Spirit Cat Club were active here. Now, when they passed the black cat statue, young wizards could be seen offering various small dried fish and praying.
Their dried fish always disappeared by the next day. Hermione had once noticed Mrs. Norris unceremoniously enjoying them in a corner.
Her body had filled out a whole circle, going from skeletal to a normal size, and was now trending towards becoming a fat cat.
As the leader of the feeding campaign, Hannah showed no sign of annoyance. Her eyes shining, she said:
"Mrs. Norris is the castle's caretaker, and the true Hogwarts Castle is the Lucky Spirit Cat. How could we interrupt its beloved servant's meal?"
Hermione felt that perhaps the young wizards were doing a daily good deed.
So she let it be.
Passing the Castle Spirit Cat statue and climbing a few more floors, they arrived opposite the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy being clubbed by trolls.
Lockhart looked left and right but found no gathering place.
"Professor, please wait a few seconds."
Hermione said hurriedly.
She paced back and forth in the corridor three times, and a large door appeared.
When Hermione grasped the brass handle, her body was trembling slightly.
She was too nervous.
What if Justin isn't focused?
What if Justin hits the wrong target?
What if Lockhart reacts in time?
Finally, her gaze became firm. They had sworn an oath to trust their companions.
Her gaze became very sharp, just like Professor McGonagall's.
"Everyone is waiting for you, and Mr. Hermes is here too. Please go in quickly, Professor Lockhart."
She said.