Time flew by, and the school year at Hogwarts was finally coming to an end. The auditorium was decorated beautifully, and the students gathered together. As Gryffindor was leading by a large margin, the auditorium was filled with bright red and gold ribbons. These were the colors that symbolized Gryffindor. There was a banner behind the main guest seat, and on it was a drawing of a majestic lion.
The atmosphere in the auditorium was jubilant, not only because the term was coming to an end and they could return to their homes for a happy holiday, but also because they had seen their long-awaited hero in the guest of honor.
It was another routine speech by Dumbledore. Although the students were not sleepy, they were not in high spirits either. They were looking forward to the speech of the handsome man behind Dumbledore.
"Well, it seems that my students can't wait any longer. This old man can't be compared to the young people nowadays." Dumbledore was still laughing and teasing himself, not caring that his students' attention was attracted by the man behind him.
"Now, let's have the person you're looking forward to speak. I'm sure he would like to exchange a lot of opinions with all of you." Dumbledore gave his seat to the man behind him.
The students below the stage applauded thunderously.
This man was none other than Professor Lockhart, who had left Hogwarts for a long time.
"Actually, I just did a little bit of work." Lockhart smiled as he spoke on the stage, displaying his elegant demeanor and charming bearing. His white teeth were so clean that they seemed to reflect light. He was wearing his signature blue forget-me-nots long robe, with all sorts of medals and symbols of honor hanging on it. Just his actions alone were enough to incite waves of cheers from the students of the various academies, regardless of their gender.
No matter what culture or country, it was the instinct of the ordinary people to worship heroes.
Well, the students of Slythrin were an exception, because their "heroic" achievements were erased by the "hero" on the stage.
"I, Lockhart, have the third-class medal of the Sir Merlin Legion. Oh, no, it should be second-class now. A few days ago, the Sir Merlin Legion found me and asked me to change my medal. I'm an honorary member of the Anti-Black Magic Alliance and have won the Most Charming Smile Award in the Wizard Weekly five times. Actually, these are just empty titles. Among all my identities, I'm most proud of being the Black Magic Defense Professor at Hogwarts." Lockhart raised his head slightly and looked forward with a slightly blurred gaze, as if he was reminiscing about his teaching career at Hogwarts.
As soon as he finished speaking, the auditorium once again burst into applause. Harry and Ron's hands were red from clapping, and they shouted Lockhart's name.
"Thank you everyone for your enthusiasm.. Lockhart made a gesture, and everyone quieted down. "But due to some reasons, I can no longer teach here. I think Professor Dumbledore has already told you that my ability to cast magic has been greatly affected. As the Defense Against Black Magic course is very important to everyone's safety, I think a teacher of this position not only needs good theoretical knowledge, but also strong combat ability. If I could be said that I was barely qualified before, now I have completely lost this ability."
Immediately, there were sighs from below the stage. The students felt that it was a pity, but there was nothing they could do. As for persuading him to stay, it was just a thought. Although they were very grateful to him, from the perspective of their parents and the school, they would not allow such a person to continue teaching the Defense Against Black Magic Course.
"Professor Lockhart!" Suddenly, someone from Gryffindor's position raised his hand and shouted loudly. Many students, including Lockhart himself, cast their gazes on that person, only to see a head of fiery red hair that burned their eyes.
"Oh, isn't this Student Ron?" Lockhart still maintained his gentlemanly and warm smile. He was not upset that someone had interrupted him. He extended his hand and gestured for Ron to stand up and speak. "May I know what's the problem?"
When he shouted, he did not care. After shouting, he realized that he seemed to be a little nervous in front of everyone. However, Ron still braced himself and said, "I heard that the professor in our school will retire next year due to old age. He is the teacher of the Defense Against Magical Creatures class in our school. I was thinking that you might be able to give this class a try?"
The students from various academies started whispering to each other and discussing. Other than Slythrin, the students all hoped that Lockhart could stay.
Lockhart was a little tempted. However, when he glanced at Dumbledore from the corner of his eyes and saw his smiling expression, he immediately withdrew that thought in his heart.
This was because he recalled something that had happened to him in St. Mungo's Hospital.
Bravely fighting a Basilisk, sacrificing himself to protect a student. In addition to the good reputation that he had accumulated in society, Lockhart naturally became the darling of the major media in the Wizarding World. Other than a certain magazine that was not normal, almost all newspapers and periodicals wanted to interview him. When Lockhart slowly woke up, he found himself lying on a large bed with a white blanket covering him. Then, the back door was opened. These western reporters swarmed in and surrounded his bed to start asking questions.
"Mr. Lockhart, I heard that your ability to cast magic has been affected. Is this true?"
"Do you regret going to Hogwarts to teach?"
"What were you thinking when you saved Mr. Granger?"
"How did you defeat a Basilisk that may have lived for hundreds of years or even longer?"
The series of questions made him even more confused. However, since Lockhart, who had only relied on low-level magic to make a name for himself in the Wizarding World, naturally, there was something extraordinary about him — he was very good at bragging.
Judging from the fact that he had plagiarized other people's stories and edited them to sell well, he must be very good at telling stories. When the same story was told by different people, it could be said that the difference was like heaven and earth.
Lockhart's literary talent was very good, and he did not lack in quick-wittedness. In just a few words, he realized that he seemed to have been regarded as a hero by these people. Therefore, he began to express himself, not caring if he was the one who did it, even though he only remembered that he seemed to have fainted on Christmas Day.
"In the blink of an eye, that snake monster was waving its gigantic tail, stirring up waves of whistling wind. But as you all know, I could only fight against it with my eyes closed. My ears became the only means I could use to determine the direction … So I …" Lockhart spoke without stopping, as if he was telling the truth.
After a series of words, all the reporters gave him a warm round of applause for his quick-wittedness and bravery.
One of the reporters pushed up his glasses and said, "Mr. Lockhart has just woken up. We can't disturb his rest time anymore. Let's stop here for today. I believe that we will have more opportunities to interview him in the future."
The group of reporters nodded in agreement. After bidding farewell to Lockhart, they rushed out of the ward together.
Lockhart lay back on the bed and thought about everything that had happened. This was not something that could be done without any consequences, he thought. Previously, he dared to act so brazenly because of the miraculous effect of the "Amnesia Curse". However, this time, his inexplicable identity as a hero made him feel deeply uneasy. People were always afraid of things that they could not grasp, even if it might be a good thing at first glance.
However, after holding a "press conference," Lockhart suddenly felt a wave of fatigue wash over him like a tidal wave. He decided not to think too much about it. He would sleep first before thinking about the rest of the matter. Just as he leaned back and his head was about to touch the soft pillow, he caught a glimpse of a bedside table beside the hospital bed. One of the drawers was slightly open, and there seemed to be a thick stack of documents inside. He reached out to open the drawer and took out the documents that looked like they were at the behest of gods and demons.
After taking a closer look, Lockhart's soul almost left his body. His sleepiness was completely gone. He immediately looked at the door of the ward that had been locked long ago. When he saw that there was no one around, he let out a long sigh of relief.