Chapter 337 Lockhart's Attitude

Perhaps it's because Rita has made her doubts about Lockhart more explicit, or perhaps it's because the OWLs in June and the final exams immediately following them put more pressure on students - which is to say, more The pressure makes people want to put aside their studies and chat about some random topics - compared to the last report, people are obviously more interested in this newspaper. Anthony heard them talking about Rita's reports in various places throughout the morning.

"Betty, that person who slandered Professor Lockhart in the newspaper is a Slytherin! They always lie!"

"Yes, they often lie, but sometimes they can still tell the truth!" The girl named Betty said loudly, causing the classmates passing by to look at her secretly, "I will not go to that thing again. Damn club activity!”

"Coward! When everyone praised Professor Lockhart, you said he was a powerful adventurer... Now it's just because of a reporter who talks nonsense, a Slytherin with ulterior motives, and a pretending to be his admirer You're so crazy, you don't believe him! I'm so ashamed of you!"

They almost started a wizard duel in the corridor, but Anthony strode over, asked them what they were doing in a tone he learned from Professor McGonagall, and nodded after a long stare. They each do what they want to do.

"No problem, Professor Anthony." Betty threw her schoolbag and hair behind her back and said to her friend with tears in her eyes, "You can go find Rose, Mia or Sophia who are not cowards. I don't care, but I want to Go to the library, because the OWLs exam is in a month, and I haven’t prepared for the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam yet!”

She stormed off.

"I'm really sorry for those who are taking OWLs this year." A student standing nearby said to a friend rudely, "Have you read the newspaper? About that Granger thing? I knew it, only Only an insane person would continue to worship Lockhart after the first lesson."

"Now that I think about it, I actually don't quite understand how I got the Defense Against the Dark Arts certificate last year." The friend replied quietly, "To be honest, I don't think Quirrell or Snape are better than Lockhart. How much. It seems that every year the OWLs candidates are not very lucky.”

…

Anthony wasn't the only professor to find himself in such a quarrel. He learned from Professor Sprout that at least two or three couples in Hufflepuff had quarreled over the incident, and that members of Lockhart's club in particular were trying to do something to show their support for Lockhart. after. As they were talking, a livid Snape walked up to them, and they learned that he had just thrown a crying student who was almost out of breath to Madam Pomfrey, and all this was just because Snape was there The class had slightly - and quite reasonably, Snape noted - questioned the students' Defense Against the Dark Arts proficiency, politely wondering whether their professor had mentioned certain necessary knowledge.

When it was time for lunch, Anthony noticed that many people were glaring at Hermione at the Gryffindor table, while people near her seat were looking at her cautiously, as if they suddenly noticed that she had grown a spinach beard. Even Harry and Ron beside her looked a little embarrassed, but they still stared back at those who were observing them, until those people looked back one by one and lowered their heads to eat.

Anthony's shoulder was suddenly tapped.

"Good afternoon, Henry!" Lockhart said loudly, with a smile that was almost too bright. "You don't mind if I sit next to you, do you?"

Before Anthony could answer, Lockhart had already pulled out his chair and sat down without any explanation. Anthony suddenly felt people's eyes sneaking over from all corners of the auditorium.

"Beef Wellington!" said Lockhart, beaming. "How good! Oh, and there are grilled mushrooms. I think I might have some mushrooms, but I'll never touch that onion soup, Henry, I never do. Love onion soup so much. I always say onions are something that makes people cry and I love seeing people smile when they drink them - oh by the way how about you. , Henry? Hungry, I guess?" He chuckled at his quip.

He wore a very elegant wizard robe with patterns outlined in gold threads. Whenever he moved, those golden patterns danced on the light blue satin like sunlight on the water waves, matching his curly hair. The blonde hair and blue eyes match perfectly. When he passed Anthony to get the plate of roasted mushrooms, Anthony faintly smelled what seemed to be a light perfume on him.

"I'm definitely a little hungry, but overall, everything is fine." Anthony replied.

"Great, Henry, that's great. Sometimes I miss days like this... You know, such ordinary days, no fame, no talk of right and wrong that comes with it... only a passionate person The adventurer, his wand and endless adventures." Lockhart showed a very beautiful, slightly melancholy smile and shook his head, "But don't say more about it, as the old saying goes. Where there's gold, there's goblins. If a man has talent--real talent--he's not destined for obscurity. And, let me tell you, Henry, fame is a dangerous and fickle thing, and you have to be very good at it. Only by being careful can you get along with it... It's a bit like magical beasts, isn't it?"

Anthony said, "Maybe."

Lockhart's smile became very bright again: "Yes, Henry, I guess the reason why I am so good at dealing with this troublesome guy is because I can also be said to be a master of magical beasts. So, don't worry about me- —" He blinked confidently and whispered, "A good adventurer is always ready to face any sudden challenges."

From the moment he sat down until the dish turned into dessert, Lockhart talked, talked, talked. Professor Sinister, who was sitting on the other side of Anthony, kept his eyes fixed on the plate, mechanically cutting the fried pork chop (the dish closest to her). Anthony tried to talk to her, but she just muttered something about the stars, sounding like she had just had a quarrel with a centaur.

Finally, Anthony finished his apple puree as quickly as possible and stood up.

Lockhart raised his head, showing his shining teeth. "Then it's settled."

"What?"

"Yes, Henry, you can trust me," Lockhart said. "I will be happy to tell students how to get along with non-magical people in Serbia... In this regard, I dare say that the whole of Britain There's no one more professional than me. I lived with them in a small town for over two years and helped them deal with a fire dragon that wandered there - of course you've heard the story -"

"Uh, great--"

"People there didn't trust me at first, but we became friends. The owner of the bakery even cried when I left. I heard they put my name in the Hall of Fame, but I I don’t think this is something worth bragging about...sincere friendship should be treated with a sincere heart..."

Anthony said: "Why don't you write down this experience, Professor Lockhart? If you write it down, it will definitely be of greater help to the students." At least they will only get one or a few pieces of parchment, Instead of spending the entire class listening to Lockhart ramble on about stories.

"That makes sense." Lockhart smiled, "and--" He wiped his mouth with a napkin and patted Anthony's arm affectionately (Anthony realized that he had also finished his lunch), "You are such a cunning person. Guy, Henry."

Anthony glanced quickly at the door of the auditorium, secretly wondering how he could leave without leaving a trace before another wave of chatter.

"Don't worry, I rarely turn down requests from my enthusiastic readers. But I must say that even though I've heard numerous requests for me to write more about certain experiences, yours is still one of the most legitimate. one."

Lockhart said, standing up and holding out his hand to indicate that they could leave the Great Hall together.

As he stood up, those eyes that had moved away suddenly came back to him. In this case, it would probably be too deliberate for Anthony to sit down suddenly, so he had to follow him and watch Lockhart give a perfect smile to several students who said "We believe in you" to him. Hermione nearly spilled her pumpkin juice as they passed the Gryffindor table, but Lockhart didn't even look in her direction.

"Oh, that girl." Lockhart noticed Anthony's gaze and said after leaving the auditorium. "That's Miss Granger, a very loyal reader of mine. ("I know," said Anthony.) Oh, By the way, you know her. Journalists often do this. When they realize that I have no shortcomings worthy of criticism, they turn to criticize my lovely readers, and sometimes even make up some sensational things - Li Ta is one of them, and she's definitely not the only one. I don't like talking about other people's faults, but it's a bit mean of her to do that, isn't it?"

For the first time, Anthony nodded in agreement: "That's right, Professor Lockhart."

"Even if Miss Granger does have some naive thoughts, they should not be included in the report used to accuse me!" Lockhart said, wagging a finger gracefully, "At her age, It's understandable to make some mistakes. Don't get me wrong, Henry, I'm not saying that I'm not happy to encourage her enthusiasm, but, you know, giving house elves the same rights as wizards is completely against the customs of the wizarding world. Talk about how to do it. And - what did she say? "

Anthony judged that this was another question that did not require his answer, but Lockhart seemed to actually think about it for a short while.

"Oh, and freedom for all enslaved house elves," Lockhart said briskly, with a tolerant smile. "That certainly sounds about right for her age. But, we In other words, all house elves who belong should be abandoned. Anyway, I don't think the elves at Hogwarts will be happy to hear this, and I, of course, don't either. Would love to lose such a good steak wellington and grilled mushrooms.”

Just then, they heard a slightly trembling voice from behind: "What did you say, Professor Lockhart?"

Anthony turned around and saw Hermione standing at the end of the corridor, staring at Lockhart with a look of disbelief on her face.