If one were to ask who the most popular person at Hogwarts was in the new semester, Gilderoy Lockhart would undoubtedly be elected.
Gilderoy Lockhart, who had received the Order of Merlin, Third Class, was an honorary member of the Anti-Dark Arts League, a five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award, and an internationally renowned author. Currently, he was seen by the public as both handsome and talented, especially captivating to teenage girls who were just beginning to experience crushes. Even a top student like Hermione, who was usually buried in books, showed signs of falling for him.
"I've read all of Professor Lockhart's books several times, I can even recite them by heart. Now I know everything about Professor Lockhart."
Hermione said this with a proud look on her face at the first STARGAZER gathering after the start of the term, which made a certain blond boy named Malfoy's face darken.
Just as Draco was about to instinctively retort, Tom gently pulled him back, shook his head at him, and incidentally offered Hermione a piece of information.
"I predict that Professor Lockhart will definitely give a pop quiz in his first class, and the questions will all be about his personal life."
Hermione, after hearing this, surprisingly didn't feel anything was amiss. Instead, she felt that although she couldn't understand it, Professor Lockhart must have a deeper meaning in doing so.
"Is this your prediction, Tom? I believe you this time. I'll go and create a set of questions right now so everyone can do a mock test first."
Tom didn't know whether to be happy that Hermione trusted his prophetic talent so much, or to be heartbroken that Hermione was being deceived by a certain charlatan.
Draco, the young boy, stormed off in a huff on the spot and secretly initiated the Black Magic Defense teacher removal version 2.0 that very day.
"Didn't you dislike Lockhart and think there was something wrong with his books? Why are you still reading his book?"
In the first Black Magic Defense Class of the new semester, which was shared with Ravenclaw, Cassandra watched Tom slowly flip through "Travels with Ghouls" and asked softly.
"It's pretty good as a novel, and if you read it carefully, there are still some substantial parts in the book. What about you? I haven't seen you like Lockhart much, Pansy, Daphne, and Hermione have all fallen for him."
"I met Lockhart at a book signing at Flourish and Blotts before school started. He's too flamboyant, I can't bring myself to like him," Cassandra replied calmly.
But when Tom heard this, his eyes immediately lit up, and he instantly put down the book in his hand: "Then did you see Malfoy and Weasley's unrestricted fighting match? Tell me all about it. Harry's letter was vague, and I'm really curious."
After hearing Tom's words, Cassandra couldn't help but rub her forehead: "Why are your points of interest always so strange?"
"How is it strange? This is a classic!" Tom was a bit dissatisfied with Cassandra's words. "But now our main character for today is about to enter. After class, you can tell me all about that unrestricted fighting match."
As Tom's words fell, Lockhart slowly walked into the classroom and approached the podium.
With golden curly hair, bright blue eyes, a luxurious blue robe, and a charming smile on his face, one had to admit that Lockhart's elegant, poised, and confident demeanor was indeed very impressive.
"Good morning, gentlemen, ladies. I am Gilderoy Lockhart, and I am delighted to be your Defense Against the Dark Arts Class Professor this year."
As soon as Lockhart spoke, he caused a wave of screams from the young Wizards below, especially the young Witches, as if it were a large fan meeting.
"Show-off!"
Draco muttered softly, and it happened to be overheard by Tom, who was beside him, causing Tom to blurt out instinctively: "Actually, you're usually like that too."
One sentence made Draco's already wounded heart get pierced again.
Just then, Terry Boot, a Ravenclaw, raised his hand: "Professor Lockhart, are we going to start the pop quiz?"
Lockhart paused at his words, then smiled and said, "I'm sorry, child, I haven't prepared anything like a pop quiz for my class."
The young Wizards who had worked hard preparing to make a good impression on Lockhart all looked at Hermione, and then, following Hermione's gaze, turned to Tom, the culprit.
Facing everyone's condemning gazes, Tom felt that something was wrong, and the phrase "Is this your prediction? I believed your nonsense!" read from Hermione's mouth, deeply stung Tom.
It's just a Divination talent of 2, a small mistake is normal, isn't it?
Lockhart quietly watched the young Wizards' small actions, and only after everyone quieted down again did he resume class: "Over the next year, I will teach you to defend against this Black Magic. Believe me, no one in this world is more proficient in Black Magic than I am, except, of course, for Mr. Tom Riddle in our classroom."
Tom, who was inexplicably cued by Lockhart, once again received the eye-wash of the entire classroom's students. This time, Tom sat up straight, no longer looking as nonchalant as before.
'This Lockhart is definitely not normal!'
Tom stared intently at Lockhart, trying to see through his disguise.
"Can any of you tell me how much you understand about Black Magic after last year's Defense Against the Dark Arts Class?"
Hermione, the good student, was the first to raise her hand high, but Lockhart didn't pay any attention to her at all.
"Why don't we let Dumbledore's favorite student, Mr. Riddle, the most proficient in Black Magic in the world, tell me."
Tom, once again inexplicably cued, slowly stood up: "Among the three Unforgivable Curses, I taught them the Killing Curse."
Upon hearing this answer, which had once made Lord Voldemort and Professor McGonagall doubt their lives, Lockhart, however, appeared remarkably calm, showing no emotional fluctuations whatsoever, and the smile on his face became even more charming.
And when Tom saw Lockhart like this, his heart grew even heavier, feeling as if something was slipping out of his control.
"Since you have already learned the Killing Curse, then for the rest of our Black Magic Defense Class, why don't we start by learning Crucio and Imperio?"
Saying this, Lockhart pulled off the cover of a cage on the podium: "Cornish Pixies, mischievous creatures, perfect for practicing spells. I've already handled them, ensuring they're well-behaved!"
After Lockhart distributed the Cornish Pixies to everyone, he moved on to the main topic of today's lesson.
"Today we will be learning the Crucio. The spell is Crucio. Come, imagine the pleasure of tormenting the Pixies, and let us all cast the spell on them together."
"Crucio!"
"Crucio!"
"Crucio!"
...
A lesson on the Unforgivable Curses was performed once again, this time by Gilderoy Lockhart, following in the footsteps of Tom Riddle.