Chapter 64: Mr. Lockhart's Deal
"Professor Hamilton, you'll agree to this, won't you?"
"I..." Lyra stumbled back a few steps and bumped into the bookshelf behind her. A few books fell off and hit her on the head.
"This is going to be very interesting," Lockhart said, rubbing his hands together as he looked at Lyra, who was sitting on the floor surrounded by scattered books.
"We can teach the students how to use their wands together, duel together, and improve together!"
Lockhart's voice grew louder and louder, a triumphant smile on his face.
"B-But I..." Lyra clutched her head. "I'm not very..."
"You definitely can, Professor Hamilton," Lockhart said with his head held high. "I have great faith in your abilities."
"You are absolutely an opponent worthy of matching me."
Ah... that's not necessarily true!
Lyra remembered the stories in Lockhart's "Magic Formation" book. He was someone who could defeat eighteen trolls single-handedly and tame a dragon!
Lyra felt she definitely couldn't do that!
"I'm not... not that strong..." Lyra whispered, pursing her lips. "And I'm... I'm not good at..."
"Teaching..."
"It doesn't matter," Lockhart patted his chest. "You don't have to say a word."
"I know you want to maintain that silent aura..."
"Ah... silent but strong..." Lockhart laughed. "I'll do the talking for you."
"You just need to participate," Lockhart said, pulling out a chair and sitting down. "We'll have a thrilling duel as the opening act."
"Just... a duel?" Lyra plucked up the courage to ask.
If it was just a duel, she actually felt okay about it... She was quite good at dueling; she had won the school dueling championship twice at Durmstrang.
But this kind of skill... probably can't beat Mr. Lockhart, right?
But losing to Mr. Lockhart shouldn't be shameful, right?
Oh no... why am I suddenly thinking about joining this Dueling Club?!
I came to Hogwarts to do serious business...
Although I haven't done any serious business in the past few months.
Seeing Lyra still wanting to refuse, Lockhart continued, "By the way, Professor Hamilton."
"I heard from Professor McGonagall that you've been looking for memories of Defense Against the Dark Arts classes recently, haven't you?" He nodded proudly. "I think I'm quite good at teaching."
That's right... Lyra's eyes lit up. Mr. Lockhart was a famous wizard and author; his memories must be very useful, right?
And... Dumbledore only gave her one lesson's worth of memories. She was just worrying about what to do next week... She hadn't expected Mr. Lockhart to be willing to help her.
"I can help you, Professor Hamilton," Lockhart continued with a smile. "As long as you agree to participate in the Dueling Club, I can provide you with a semester's worth of Defense Against the Dark Arts class memories."
"A... A semester?" Lyra instinctively thought she was dreaming!
If she helped Mr. Lockhart, she wouldn't have to worry about this for a whole semester.
"That's right, a semester," Lockhart continued with his charming, persuasive smile. "You haven't met anyone as generous as me before, have you?"
"Indeed... indeed not..." You are certainly more generous than Dumbledore.
Lyra looked at Lockhart with gratitude. The smile on his face was so bright and joyous!
"Then shall we... right now..." Lyra excitedly took out the circlet. "About the memories."
"My apologies, Professor Hamilton," Lockhart waved his hand. "I have some other matters to attend to today."
"And I'll be quite busy these next few days," he shrugged. "I have a book signing, and I also need to reply to my fans."
"Reply to my dear fans," he chuckled, speaking with a boastful tone. "I imagine Professor Hamilton probably can't relate to such exhaustion."
Ah... actually, Lyra wanted to say she deeply related to that exhaustion. She had to spend time every day replying to letters from students, most of which were related to the class content.
But seeing Mr. Lockhart's helpless expression, she decided not to add to his troubles.
However, if Mr. Lockhart couldn't give her this week's memories, she would have to go find Professor McGonagall.
Fortunately, there was still a day left tomorrow, so there should be enough time.
"So, is it a deal?" Lockhart shrugged, looking at the dazed Lyra. "Next Monday afternoon, first period, in the Great Hall."
"Mm... o... okay." Lyra paused, then suddenly remembered something and asked in a small voice, "Um... Mr. Lockhart... why did you choose me?"
Lyra couldn't figure out why Mr. Lockhart had picked her. After all, she wasn't strong... nor famous, and she wasn't even familiar with Mr. Lockhart before.
"Ah... about that," Lockhart stopped at the door. "It has to do with Professor Snape."
"I originally hoped he would help me," he shrugged. "But he seemed to be busy with experiments."
"So he recommended you," Lockhart pursed his lips and smiled lightly. "I also think you're very suitable."
So that's it?
Lyra felt she should thank Snape again... Without Professor Snape, how would she have solved the problem of the students' classes for the next semester?
Watching Mr. Lockhart leave, Lyra slowly let out a sigh of relief and sat on the floor.
She waved her wand to send the books back to the shelf, then pulled out a Potions textbook.
She had found it in an old cupboard. Although it was a bit tattered, it contained many notes left by previous owners.
This was incredibly useful for someone like her who wasn't very good at brewing potions.
However, it wasn't useful for Mr. Lupin's matter, because this textbook seemed a bit old and didn't contain any content related to the Wolfsbane Potion...
Lyra put the newer textbook back into the cupboard as well.
Ah...
I almost forgot.
Lyra waved her wand and summoned Mr. Riddle's diary.
"Mr. Riddle, about the secret room..."
"Don't be too hasty, Miss Hamilton," Riddle replied quickly. "It is not time yet."
"That secret room cannot be opened just because you want to."
Riddle's words made Lyra freeze...
"Does the secret room have a Locking Formation?"
"No!" Riddle answered instantly. "Please do not ask about this again."
"When the time is right, I will naturally take you there."
Alright then... Lyra wasn't in too much of a hurry to go to the secret room right now, as she had quite a few things on her plate recently.
Wolfsbane Potion, classes, Dueling Club... When was the last time I was this busy?
Definitely not at Nurmengard... probably not at Durmstrang either, right?
Lyra couldn't help but smile.
She suddenly realized she didn't hate this busy feeling. At least it was much better than the loneliness at Durmstrang.
And I have two friends now, don't I?
Maybe soon I'll have a third friend... will it be Hagrid, Mr. Lockhart, or Mr. Riddle?
What a happy thought.