Hearing this, Lockhart's eyes sparkled with confidence.
"Of course not. Besides my thrilling adventure stories, a pop quiz is essential. Need to test their foundation to conveniently formulate targeted teaching plans later."
With that, Lockhart picked up a stack of test papers from the desk. Handed them to Hermione.
"Don't think being my teaching assistant exempts you. If you can't answer these important knowledge points, you'll need extra tutoring too!"
Taking the papers, Hermione only scanned once. Narrowed her eyes.
"What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite color... May I ask what Defense Against the Dark Arts level this question tests?"
"Uh..."
Lockhart's expression froze. Next second returned to normal. As if not understanding Hermione's challenge.
"As the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor personally hired by Dumbledore... I, Gilderoy Lockhart, internationally renowned figure and author, Order of Merlin Third Class recipient, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award—personally believe that before formal teaching begins... strengthening teacher-student understanding is more important than directly teaching defense, isn't it?"
Said without blushing. Even gave Hermione what he considered a charming smile.
Here we go again... Hermione sighed.
"Although Miss Granger defeated Quirrell, I'm far beyond that level. I've prepared a little surprise for class later. You'll see my powerful side."
Lockhart patted the black cloth-covered cage beside him. Full of confidence.
Yes, in terms of being useless, Quirrell truly can't compare to you...
Wait, aren't you both from the same house?
First Quirrell, now Lockhart.
Ravenclaw's reputation victimized.
Ten minutes later.
Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
A group of young wizards stared dumbfounded at the test papers in hand. All looked at Hermione.
Hermione leaned on the second-floor railing. Quietly jerked her head toward Lockhart.
Meaning: Don't look at me. His questions. Nothing to do with me.
Earlier, Lockhart had already informed everyone—Hermione would become his teaching assistant. Dumbledore's personal decision.
After initial surprise, everyone quickly accepted it.
The Gryffindor Witch. Very normal.
"You know, although I have the wizarding world's most charming smile, I didn't rely on smiles to banish dark creatures."
Lockhart said.
Yes, you relied on someone else... Hermione thought darkly.
After thirty minutes of torture, Lockhart finally ended the endless self-introduction segment.
Speaking of narcissism—among people she'd met, probably only Tony Stark could compete with him.
"Besides theory, practical lessons are very important in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Now, as your professor, I'll demonstrate how to deal with the world's darkest, most evil creatures."
Lockhart lifted the black-cloth-covered cage. Placed it on the lectern. Expression grave.
"You'll face the most terrifying things in this classroom. But with me here, you won't suffer any harm."
From your description, I have reason to suspect this cage contains Voldemort... Hermione rolled her eyes.
Seeing this, everyone was infected by his emotion. Couldn't help tensing up.
Under dozens of locked gazes, Lockhart yanked off the black cloth.
A group of chattering blue sprites appeared before the young wizards.
"Pfft..."
Quite a few couldn't hold back laughter.
Seamus even laughed. "Cornish pixies?"
So dark. So evil. So terrifying... Pfft...
"Exactly!"
Completely ignoring the mockery below, Lockhart said, "Don't underestimate them. These are very troublesome little troublemakers. Watch how I handle these dark creatures!"
With that, yanked open the cage door.
Countless blue sprites rushed out. Flew chaotically around the classroom.
Instantly, the classroom became a mess. Screams endless.
Hermione leaned on the railing. Watched the chaotic classroom. Helplessly pressed her nose bridge.
At least Lockhart got one thing right—these little things were indeed disruptive.
As a teaching course for second-year young wizards, choosing them was fairly appropriate...
After all, dealing with dark creatures was one of this course's themes.
Could only say—Lockhart's theoretical teaching level had some merit.
Of course, limited to pure theory.
As for combat...
Watching the chaos below, Lockhart smiled satisfactorily. Now they'd deeply experienced the pixies' "terror." Finally time for his grand display.
Just subdue these pixies—would harvest young wizards' admiring gazes.
Theoretically not wrong. If he really easily handled this situation, at least no one would doubt whether he was a qualified professor.
Only...
Years of bragging—not only fooled others, even fooled himself. Until Lockhart needed to act, he suddenly realized—he seemed...
Actually didn't know what to do!
"Peskipiksi Pesternomi..."
Watching pixies flying everywhere, Lockhart also panicked. Performance personality instantly activated. Raised his wand, started babbling nonsense. Tried to salvage his image.
However next second, his wand was snatched by a pixie.
The entire classroom—pandemonium. Complete chaos.
Teaching Accident 2.0.
Lockhart's heart sank. Instinctively wanted to flee. But peripheral vision caught Hermione.
The latter leaned on the railing. Calmly watching the show.
Instantly, as if seeing a savior, hurriedly shouted, "Miss Granger, my dear assistant, quickly handle these little things!"
"Sigh."
Hermione lamented. As if already seeing this academic year's future.
Dumbledore really gave me a huge problem.
She waved her wand lightly.
"Immobulus!"
Instantly, the entire classroom seemed to hit pause.
All blue sprites froze mid-air. Couldn't move at all.
Even bottles, jars, books—all suspended in the sky.
Shaken young wizards successively crawled from under desks. Looked overhead.
Seeing Hermione raise her wand, everyone burst into cheers.
Great! It's the Witch! We're saved!
Seeing this, Lockhart perked up again. Straightened his somewhat disheveled clothes. Said loudly, "Exactly! This is the first lesson I'm teaching you—never underestimate any dark creature, even if they seem harmless!"
"Everything just now was planned between Miss Granger and me. Just to give you a deep impression... As your professor, I naturally know how to handle them...
"Only—to give my dear assistant a chance to perform, I pretended to be helpless. Deliberately tested how you'd respond in emergencies."
"I must say, your performance greatly disappointed me."
Lockhart desperately salvaged his dignity.
Below, young wizards stared with dead-fish eyes. Expressions screaming "Do I look like I believe you?"
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