Several days later.
"Today's homework is to complete a poem of praise about me and the banshee! Those who write well can get a new book with my personal autograph~."
As the bell for the end of class rang, Lockhart finally released the second-year students after leaving them with an absolutely ridiculous essay assignment.
Escaping from the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom with Ron and Hermione, Ron's face was still somewhat pale.
"I'm about to throw up. How does he manage to teach a whole class about his own autobiography with a straight face?"
"What's the story about him and the banshee? I'd say at least half of it is made up!"
"And he seems to want to bring in some dark creatures for practice in the next class? He doesn't think the pixie incident was resolved thanks to him, does he?"
Ron really couldn't understand what Lockhart was thinking. Obviously, the previous pixie practical lesson had required them to work very hard to catch them all, but that incident seemed to have given Lockhart confidence, making him think his practical lessons were very effective?
While speaking, Ron looked at Hermione beside him.
"You still don't see his true nature, do you?"
"I saw through it long ago."
Shaking her head helplessly, Hermione glanced back at the classroom, her eyes showing some confusion.
"But his experiences and processes in the books are very realistic. I also asked Professor Kahn about it, and he said those small details couldn't be faked."
"Who knows? Maybe he researched authoritative enough sources; maybe he has some special source of information."
"What source of information could provide so many details? And he..."
Listening to his two companions' discussion, Harry's thoughts gradually drifted back to the assessment a few days ago.
That assessment had eliminated at least half the people. All the young wizards who were caught by the Sphinxes or fell unconscious in the castle didn't receive badges.
However, besides the badges, Professor Kahn had left other ways to join.
And thinking about those methods, Harry felt how lucky he was to join early.
Just thinking about those ridiculous requirements made him feel tense all over.
First was getting Outstanding grades on O.W.L.s. Achieving the highest results in professional exams was actually the simplest way to join.
The second way was to individually complete an assessment provided by Professor Kahn.
Hermione had gotten a copy of that assessment paper, and just looking at those densely packed questions gave Harry a headache.
It was full of obscure questions that were simply inhuman.
And the last, most ridiculous method:
Complete a non-padded paper on magical creatures, with reference materials, and it must present completely new viewpoints that had never appeared in the wizarding world.
Thinking about that ridiculous joining condition, Harry couldn't help but glance at Hermione beside him.
And this terrifying woman seemed to be planning to complete this method.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help asking:
"Are you really planning to write a paper to join the club again? Didn't Professor Kahn already give you a badge?"
Hermione nodded. "Since there are regular ways to join, I don't want to join through other means."
If Professor Kahn's club only had this one chance to join, she definitely wouldn't give it up. But since the professor had provided other ways to join, she definitely had to join through the proper channels!
"But you don't need to write so urgently. Besides eating and attending classes, we hardly see you." Ron showed an exasperated expression. "You might as well just live in the library."
"Professor Kahn seems to have something to do this Saturday. I should complete that paper before Friday so I can make it to Sunday's meeting."
And she had quite a bit of experience with papers about magical creatures.
At Lady Hufflepuff's place, she had gained a lot of knowledge about healing magical creatures. If she organised this knowledge and wrote it into a paper, she should be able to complete a good paper.
Seeing Hermione's determined expression, Harry shook his head.
He thought about matters related to Cedric, and a strange expression appeared on his face.
A couple of days ago, he and Cedric had completed a training session. Out of ten Snitches, he and Cedric each caught half.
Speaking of flying technique, Cedric was indeed a bit stronger than him, but only a little. He had only been in contact with flying for about a year, and he believed that in less than half a year, he would be able to surpass Cedric in this area.
However, Professor Kahn seemed to have really given the badge to Cedric's Bowtruckle. According to what he said, when he wore that badge himself, it had no effect. Only when it was hung on the little sapling could it trigger its various effects.
As if he were just decoration.
The Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom wasn't far from the Great Hall. While Harry was thinking about these things, the three had already arrived at the Great Hall.
Today's Great Hall was the same as usual, with young wizards sitting at their house tables, quietly discussing issues.
Randomly picking a spot by the wall, the three sat down. While thinking about what to eat for lunch, Ron was about to continue the previous Lockhart topic.
"I'm telling you, with his appearance, I seriously suspect his stories are made up. Do you think it's possible that..."
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Harry stopped Ron from continuing to speak and stood up from the long table.
An extremely hoarse voice carrying cold killing intent rang in his ears. The voice seemed to come from the wall behind him, but was also some distance from the wall.
"Delicious... can't eat... no chance... hungry..."
"Forget it... I won't eat anymore."
"Give up... change target... kill..."
The voice gradually moved away. Harry looked around but didn't discover any suspicious people.
It was as if this voice had really just appeared out of nowhere in his mind, and looking at Ron and Hermione's expressions, he could also tell that they hadn't heard any suspicious sounds at all.
"Should we really go to the hospital wing?" Hermione's expression showed some worry.
After hesitating for a moment, Harry shook his head.
He didn't think he was under some curse. Although that voice sounded very frightening, it wasn't without logic, and the tone didn't seem to be speaking to him. It was just muttering to itself.
Such a voice should be different from a curse.
And if it wasn't a curse, judging by the meaning of that voice, it seemed to be planning to carry out killings in the school?
Lowering his head in contemplation for a moment, Harry raised his head and looked again at the wall where he had heard the voice earlier.
Some extremely faint sounds were still echoing in his ears, and this time and the last time, the voices he heard all came from the walls.
Able to move within walls, only he could hear it while others couldn't. He seemed to have heard of such a talent.
Harry's eyes suddenly brightened as he spoke softly:
"Let's go find Professor Kahn."