"Did you do that on purpose..." Conna whispered to Kael when he returned to his seat.
Kael shrugged.
Obviously, it was on purpose. He would be crazy to join Lockhart in some stage play...especially playing a supporting role.
However, looking at the young wizard jumping around excitedly on the platform because he was chosen to play a vampire... he seemed quite happy.
That's fine too.
The class bell rang, and Lockhart stood up.
"Homework: Write a praise poem about my experience rehabilitating a vampire! The best ones will receive signed copies of 'Magical Me' by me!"
"I'd rather write a three-foot-long essay," Kael muttered quietly, packing up his things and leaving the classroom.
Conna nodded in agreement.
Ever since meeting Cedric, her impression of Professor Lockhart had soured.
Not to mention, the quiz in the first thirty minutes of class, and Lockhart's clumsy handling of photos...
It was imaginable that their upcoming Defense Against Dark Arts class wouldn't have any surprises either.
"I kind of miss Professor Oren..." Conna said quietly on the way to the auditorium.
"Oren?" Kael was a bit surprised.
"Maybe you should go to the Hospital Wing for a checkup," he said, feeling Conna's forehead, "you almost got killed by him in the Forbidden Forest, and you still miss him?"
"I've long since figured it out."
Conna brushed Kael's hand away and smiled, "Oren was after you back then. I just had bad luck and happened to be there.
If he comes again, I'll just stay far away from you."
"You're so smart!" Kael said sarcastically, "But have you thought about what I'd do if Oren came back?"
"I believe you'll figure something out," Conna said matter-of-factly, "after all, you're the smartest person I've ever met."
"I really appreciate it," Kael scoffed, "but never mind, I've suddenly realized Lockhart isn't that bad. At least the stage plays are entertaining."
The two chatted and laughed all the way to the auditorium.
After a while, Cedric arrived too, wearing a new robe and having washed the dirt from his hair.
"How's Lockhart?" Cedric asked, "We're having Defense Against the Dark Arts class tomorrow morning."
"You better be mentally prepared," Conna shook her head, "it's about the same as last year."
With that, Cedric understood.
Alright, another reading class.
But Cedric didn't get why, if that was the case, they didn't just make the Fat Friar the professor... That way, they could save money on books.
Or maybe Nearly Headless Nicolas could do... under the curse of Defense Against Dark Arts, maybe his head would completely fall off this time.
That would fulfill his lifelong wish.
"Oh, here you go." Kael handed a piece of parchment to Cedric.
"What's this?"
Cedric looked at the content on the parchment, baffled...
What's Lockhart's favorite color?
Why did he need to know this stuff?
"It's a class quiz."
Kael explained, "I guess every grade has it on their first class. Take a look beforehand. If you get everything right, your house can earn points."
"How many..."
"Ten," Kael said, "but you'll get called on."
"The points are worth it, acceptable..."
"You might also get roped into a stage play."
"...But we Hufflepuffs don't need those points that badly!"
...
Maybe because of how Kael acted during the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, he didn't see Professor Lockhart once in the succeeding days.
And when it came time for class again, he wasn't called on either.
It was as if Lockhart deliberately avoided him, though it felt quite nice.
But compared to Kael, Harry's situation was completely different.
Lockhart seemed to have focused all his attention on him. They've run into each other several times in the corridor over the past few days.
Harry had to constantly be aware of his surroundings and quickly ducked away whenever he saw Lockhart coming down the corridor.
And not just Lockhart, Harry also had to avoid that first-year, Colin Creevey, who seemed to have memorized his entire schedule and would run into him whether in class or in the auditorium.
He had to hear "How are you, Harry" at least six or seven times a day.
...followed by replying "Hello, Colin" the same number of times.
And on it went until the weekend.
During breakfast that day, Kael suddenly asked, "Is the Quidditch team recruiting new members this year?"
"We don't need new members, but we're looking for some substitutes for next year," Cedric replied, "Including Harris, three members are in their seventh year.
"Aren't you part of the team? How can you not be concerned?"
"If I weren't concerned, I wouldn't have asked."
Kael took a sip of milk, "But I'm taking twelve subjects, plus all the homework... I don't have time to think about anything else."
"True." Cedric shrugged.
He had already seen Kael's packed schedule.
Even though Kael didn't need to attend the classes with time conflicts, self-study still required time, and his assignments were way more than others'.
"But now that you mention it..." Kael frowned, "Three of our team are in seventh year?"
"Yes, two Chasers and a Keeper, they're all in the same year, graduating next year."
Cedric said, "But there's some good news, Harris seems to have gotten an invitation from Vratsa Vultures, a chance to become a professional Quidditch player."
"Really?" Kael was surprised, "Did Harris tell you this? I haven't heard about it."
"Not him." Cedric shook his head, "Remember the Quidditch match I went to see during the holidays?"
"Vratsa Vultures vs. Chudley Cannons?"
"Exactly." Cedric smiled, "My dad is good friends with a player from the Vultures, and it came up during their conversation.
The player asked if I knew Harris when he learned I'm a Hufflepuff.'
"That's really good news." Kael said, "I can't believe Harris didn't say a word."
"I guess he's worried about not passing the final assessment."
"Maybe we can win the Quidditch Cup again this year."
Kael said, "Being a three-time champion captain looks good on a resume, right?"
"That's what I thought too, but Harris himself doesn't seem to care about this at all."
Cedric laughed wryly, "The Gryffindors began training early this morning, but he went off to Hogsmeade with the others."
"Well... that's just like Harris."
Kael chuckled lightly, "But with his skills, getting into a professional team shouldn't be too hard."