Ron! Hermione!" he called, jogging after them.
"Oh, there you are," Hermione said, looking a little irritated. "Have you only just been allowed to leave the hospital wing?"
Harry nodded.
"How's the arm?" Ron asked.
"Oh… fine," he nodded, looking down at his arm as if he had only just remembered it was there. "Much better. But you do know we have Defence now? We're going the wrong way."
Ron shook his head, perking up. "Nuh-uh! All classes are cancelled this afternoon."
So that was why Hermione looked so unhappy.
"Lockhart's set up a duelling club," Ron continued. "So we're going there instead of Defence."
Harry grinned – it sounded far better than spending another afternoon listening to the new professor brag about himself.
When they eventually reached the great hall, they found only one of the usual house tables there – positioned in the middle of the room as if it were a stage.
A number of other students were already there, talking excitedly amongst themselves, but the three of them still managed to get a good view at one end of the long table.
Lockhart, of course, was already on top of it, striding up and down with a stupid grin on his face.
"Gather round, gather round!" he called, and the room quietened. "Can everybody see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent!"
Harry threw Ron a glance, and the red head rolled his eyes.
"In light of the dark events of recent weeks, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little duelling club to train you all up, in case you ever need to defend yourselves. As I myself have done on countless occasions – for full details, see my published works," Lockhart said, whipping off his cloak and tossing it into the crowd, sending a group of Gryffindor girls into a frenzy. "Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape!"