“Did you hear, Fred?
Defense Against the Dark Arts?”
“We’ve been together the whole time.
What you heard, I heard.”
“I was just confirming, thank you.
But it seems we don’t have Defense class today.”
“Which means we have a whole day to ask around.”
After the morning classes finished, a piece of news began circulating among the students.
Everyone was curious about what the famous Gilderoy Lockhart would teach.
So when the older years finished his class, the younger years immediately started asking around.
And what they found out was astounding—Lockhart was actually going to teach dueling directly!
And among these people were, of course, the trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
They were in their second year now.
After the thrilling Philosopher’s Stone adventure at the start of the year, they had developed a strong interest in Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Plus, all three of them had interacted with Lockhart to some degree, so they were inevitably curious.
But they didn’t know many older students, so during lunch, they, along with Ron’s twin brothers, cornered Percy Weasley in the Great Hall to ask about the sixth-year Defense class.
Percy Weasley replied meticulously: “Personally, I feel Professor Lockhart’s course should not be described as ‘fun.’ For people like Miss Granger and myself, who are good at acquiring knowledge from books, some of the content might be somewhat dangerous…”
“That’s brilliant!” the Weasley twins said in unison.
Percy frowned disapprovingly: “Compared to other courses, this one does have higher uncertainty.
But aside from the fifth and seventh-year courses being rather practical, I don’t think the curriculum for other year groups is suitable for a student in school.
However, in pursuit of overall consistency, I abide by the collective decisions made by the Head Boy and other prefects…”
“Alright, we get it!
Thank you, Percy.”
George slapped Percy hard on the back from behind, making him stagger and swallow the rest of his unsaid words.
“This year’s class is something to look forward to,” the twins assured the trio.
“If Percy says it’s dangerous, then it must be very fun.”
Hearing this, Harry and Ron also began to get excited.
“No matter what this professor is like, he can’t be worse than last year’s.
At least he doesn’t have someone on the back of his head who wants to kill you all day,” Ron said to Harry.
Harry was amused, but Hermione was furious.
“Ron!
Professor Lockhart saved you just yesterday!” she shouted at Ron.
Ron was bewildered by Hermione’s anger.
“I was saying something good about him.”
“Then how can you compare him to that monster?”
“…Can’t I even mention it?” Ron was dumbfounded.
…
After a rather unpleasant lunch, the trio headed to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
Even though Hermione was still angry, she didn’t have any other friends.
If she wanted to go to class, she still had to come with the iron triangle.
The afternoon sun combined with a full stomach was most likely to make one drowsy, but Lockhart was determined to have everyone in his class greet the afternoon with high spirits.
Lockhart was his usual self, starting strong: “Take out your wands, put away your textbooks.
Those are for when you do homework.”
The students let out an unrestrained cheer.
Clearly, not every older student was like Percy, who said almost everything yet nothing at all.
They already knew that the sixth years had conducted a novel small-scale practical exercise with Professor Lockhart.
Although the fifth and seventh-year courses were still rather dull, considering the impending exams, both parents and students themselves could probably accept Lockhart’s arrangements.
Lockhart promised them that if fifth and seventh years still had energy to spare, they could come for some extracurricular activities on weekends.
However, considering that fifth years had almost seven classes a day and seventh years were job-hunting, Lockhart figured they would probably just come to watch.
The ones who really needed focused training were the year groups around Harry Potter, maybe two or three years before and after.
Lockhart felt that if Dumbledore knew his thoughts, he would definitely give him a raise.
“I believe you all already know that my course emphasizes combat.
Because in real combat, no enemy or dark creature will stand still letting you cast spells.
All your spellcasting must be done under pressure and in opposition.
If you neglect training normally, then in combat your spells will surely miss, and you might even draw a blank, forgetting spells on the spot.
But for you, I don’t think it’s suitable to start learning various techniques and methods right away, because your spell systems are not yet set—or rather, you don’t even know yourselves that well yet, let alone having a spell system.
So in the first few classes, besides teaching you some practical small spells, I will also conduct a series of tests to confirm your natural aptitudes and give you a basic assessment.
This assessment is very important.
It can not only help you understand yourselves better but also clarify your position in the upcoming ‘team battles.’
Once you receive my assessment, you can refer to the ‘recommended spells’ list I provide, focusing on learning them one by one, finally completing a system unique to you—your second-year work is limited to this.
Alright, if anyone has questions, you can ask me now.
If there are no questions, we will officially begin our first lesson.”
After saying this, Lockhart looked at these second years.
Hearing that questions were allowed, Harry and Ron instinctively looked at the person beside them.
Although they had only been together for just over a year, they were already accustomed to this girl who would always raise her hand first to “answer” whenever there was a question in class.
But they were surprised to find that when Lockhart asked, “Any questions?” this girl remained unmoved, just propping her chin with her hand, wearing a silly smile.
“Lavender told me Hermione spent half an hour combing her hair at noon,” Ron whispered to Harry.
“Didn’t know why originally, but now it’s clear.”
Although Harry’s original confusion was cleared up, a new one arose in his heart: “Hmm…
why did Lavender tell you that?”
Ron also looked puzzled: “Who knows.”
Clearly, in matters of emotion, young boys do mature later than girls, especially around the age of twelve.
After Lockhart’s question hung in the air for a while, someone finally timidly raised a hand:
“Professor, the ‘tests’ you mentioned just now…?”
Everyone looked and saw it was Neville Longbottom asking.
Lockhart was glad someone was playing along; otherwise, he would have had to guide the students himself later.
“Very simple.
I will set up a series of scenarios to comprehensively assess the qualities of everyone present—these qualities include magical power, pronunciation of incantations, reaction speed, organizational ability, and whether you have strong nerves.
Only by knowing your true qualities can I help you play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses…
Alright, back to the point.
I wonder how your mastery of the ‘Knockback Jinx’ was last year?”
Hearing this, the young wizards clearly became uneasy.
Last year, Professor Quirrell’s professional skill, or rather his ability to perform Dark magic, was actually passable.
But unfortunately, his severe stutter and the strong smell of garlic (to mask Voldemort’s peculiar odor) turned his teaching into a joke.
To say everyone learned nothing wouldn’t be accurate, but everyone’s attitude towards the subject was quite questionable, probably similar to Muggle primary school students’ attitudes towards Moral Education and Labor classes.
Lockhart had anticipated this situation: “It seems not too good, but I’m glad you all still have enough time to consolidate your foundations.
Please pick up your wands and stand up.”
The young wizards obediently stood up, all holding their wands.
Lockhart took out his wand and drew a circle towards the class.
The desks and chairs in the classroom suddenly seemed to gain a life of their own, jumping up from the floor and dutifully moving to both sides of the room, stacking up layer by layer, clearing out a large open space in the middle.
If Flitwick had seen this during Lockhart’s student years, he probably would have awarded Ravenclaw ten points.
After the center of the classroom was completely cleared, Lockhart, under the gaze of countless young wizards, took out his case.
“Relying on wands, we wizards can cast various spells.
Some spells are powerful, some have dazzling effects, and some, while inconspicuous, are very practical.
But all of these have one prerequisite—they must hit the target.
This lesson, we will review the Knockback Jinx you learned last year.
Of course, if any of you have previewed some new spells from the textbook, such as the advanced Stunning Spell from the Knockback Jinx, its derivative, the Impediment Jinx, or other branches like Freezing Spells or Binding Spells, I will award extra points accordingly.”
As he spoke, he opened his case, revealing a buzzing wooden box.
“And this is our first lesson—use your spells to accurately repel ‘Billywigs’!”
(End of Chapter)