## 226: Classes and Curses
Wade was silent for a moment, then countered, "Even if Lockhart stayed at school, what could we possibly learn from him?"
"Uh…" Michael was speechless.
"Oh, we could!"
Not far away, Padma leaned over, pushing her hair back. "I think my acting has improved a lot lately—right, Harry?"
She also gestured to another regular performer in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
Unfortunately, with Hufflepuff in the way, Harry hadn't heard what Padma said at all. He nodded vaguely, probably just to acknowledge her.
Padma suddenly burst into laughter, doubling over and unable to hold her fork. It was unclear what had tickled her funny bone.
"That's odd!" Michael whispered to Wade. "I thought Padma would be really upset that Lockhart was arrested!"
"Girls probably just liked Lockhart's looks, but Padma wouldn't be blind to his empty head. Her 'liking' wasn't real liking," Wade said.
Michael nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly added, "Lockhart did teach us something—at least he showed me what kind of person I don't want to become."
Hearing Michael's words, Wade couldn't help but glance at the teachers' table.
This kind of realization, is that what Dumbledore wanted Harry to learn?
—Don't be vain, and don't become a slave to fame.
But today, Dumbledore was still not in the Great Hall. He had been very busy lately; sometimes students would see the old headmaster hurrying across the grounds, but rarely saw him at mealtimes.
Dumbledore must have known about Lockhart's arrest, but even so, he hadn't appeared on campus.
On the way to class that afternoon, Wade and the others saw a group of Gryffindors gathered together. Soon, shouts and cheers erupted from the crowd.
A magical firework was lit, shooting off in all directions with strange cackling laughs, repeatedly chanting—
"Lockhart's out! Lockhart's out!"
The students cheered.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be the Weasley Twins and their friend Lee Jordan leading the celebration. Unfortunately, they were quickly scared away by a fuming Professor McGonagall.
"There's nothing to celebrate about this! And I don't believe Professor Lockhart is that kind of person! Maybe the Ministry of Magic made a mistake."
Lisa of Ravenclaw said angrily.
No one paid her words any mind. Anthony frowned and said, "There are still four months until the holidays! I just want to know if the school can find us a new professor?"
"A new professor? What if they're another Lockhart?" Mandy worried.
"Relax, how many people could be worse than Lockhart?" Terry consoled. "He even used his own novels as textbooks! My grandma said she'd never heard of anything so ridiculous!"
"The problem isn't who… the problem is if there will be one?" Anthony said. "I've heard that Hogwarts has always had trouble finding Defense Against the Dark Arts professors. No one has ever taught for more than a year."
"Many people who've taught this subject have run into trouble. They say the course itself seems cursed," another student, Kevin, said mysteriously.
"But if this continues, I'm really worried about failing the final exam."
Morag said glumly. After everyone had settled into their seats in the classroom, he suddenly asked, "Wade, could you teach us?"
Everyone paused, looking at the two of them.
The more Morag thought about it, the better an idea it seemed, and he continued to egg him on, "I heard the professors say you've self-studied up to a senior-level. If you taught us, it would definitely be much better than Lockhart and his ilk…"
The other students were also somewhat swayed, but before Wade could speak, Michael sneered and said loudly:
"Hey! Kevin just said this course was cursed! Or do you think it doesn't matter if Wade gets cursed, as long as you get a high score?"
"N-no!" Morag had genuinely forgotten that point and hurriedly waved his hands, saying, "I didn't mean that… I just thought… if it was just occasional tutoring…"
"No way, no time. Wade still has Alchemy research to do!"
Michael said unhappily, "You also said he's only at a senior-level equivalent. If you want tutoring, why don't you find actual senior students?"
He was usually a smooth operator, but this was the first time he'd spoken so rudely to a classmate. Morag's face turned beet red, and he couldn't speak for a long time.
Wade was about to say something, but Michael shook his head at him.
The classroom suddenly became quiet, and the atmosphere was a bit awkward. When the Gryffindor students came in, they even thought the professor was already there, tiptoeing into their seats.
Soon after, Professor Flitwick also arrived. The atmosphere finally livened up a bit once he started class.
Today they were learning the Freezing Charm, a Spell that could immobilize a target, somewhat similar to Petrificus Totalus.
The SSC group had already learned this Spell. They used it skillfully, making Professor Flitwick happy enough to award points to both houses.
Then, Professor Flitwick had the students begin practicing in groups, but he suddenly noticed a hand raised high in the air.
The one who raised her hand was, of course, Hermione.
"Miss Granger, do you have a question?" Professor Flitwick asked curiously.
"Professor, I want to know, is there concrete evidence for Professor Lockhart's charges?" Hermione stood up and asked.
"Uh… that's not something that should be disclosed to students…" Professor Flitwick said awkwardly.
Seeing this, the students knew something was up and pleaded, "Please, Professor, tell us."
"Alright… anyway, you'll see it in the papers soon enough…"
Professor Flitwick hesitated for only a few seconds before sharing the news he'd received with everyone.
"I hear someone gathered a lot of evidence and reported Professor Lockhart—no, Gilderoy Lockhart—to the Ministry of Magic. While the Ministry says they're still investigating, it's pretty much confirmed."
"So, will Professor Lockhart be able to come back and teach?" Lisa asked, holding onto a sliver of hope.
At the mention of Lockhart, Professor Flitwick's mood soured slightly, but then, recalling the man's fate, he immediately regained his composure.
"Of course not," he told his students. "He'll likely spend the rest of his life in Azkaban, at least ten years."
"That serious?!" the students exclaimed, surprised.
"Absolutely," Professor Flitwick said, seizing the opportunity to caution his students. "The consequences of misusing the Obliviation Charm are severe. I've heard of people who forgot how to live normally and even died tragically. You must remember to use your magic with caution."
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