Chapter 188 Cricket Lockhart

Chapter 188 Cricket Lockhart

Daphne laughed even harder.

"The Weasleys all have big appetites." His tone was slightly disdainful, but not as sharp as last year. "Probably because they don't get enough to eat at home."

"How did you know?" Pansy asked.

"—I guessed," Draco said dryly.

Theodore rolled his eyes—though no one saw it.

Henry listened to their conversation, shook his head, and smiled helplessly.

These people, though sharp-tongued, don't actually mean any harm.

His gaze swept across the Great Hall and landed on the Gryffindor table.

Harry was looking at him. Their eyes met, Harry paused for a moment, then smiled at him.

Henry smiled and nodded at him in return.

Ron, who was next to him, was still eating and completely unaware.

Hermione noticed, glanced up at Henry, nodded, and then went back to eating.

Henry looked away; the dinner was still going on, with food continuously appearing on his plate.

As the banquet drew to a close, the hall suddenly fell silent just as dessert was served.

Everyone looked up at the teachers' section.

Dumbledore stood up; his voice was not loud, but it carried clearly throughout the Great Hall.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts! There are a few things I want to tell you all in the new term."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.

"This year, we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor—Professor Gilderoy Lockhart."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lockhart stood up.

He wore a pale blue robe, so bright it was almost blinding, a stark contrast to the professors around him in their dark robes; he wore a charming smile that revealed dazzlingly white teeth—so white they seemed almost magical.

He waved to everyone and winked, his movements exaggerated as if he were performing on stage.

applause.

To be precise, screams and applause erupted simultaneously.

At the Gryffindor table, several girls screamed—some from Hufflepuff and some from Ravenclaw. Hermione didn't scream, but her eyes lit up, and she forgot to turn the page of her book.

Lockhart sat down with a smile, not forgetting to straighten his robes to ensure the folds were perfect.

Dumbledore smiled too, a hint of amusement in his smile.

"Professor Lockhart is a very experienced wizard," he continued. "He has written many books and received many honors, and I believe he will bring you wonderful lessons."

He paused, then added, "Of course, it will also bring some wonderful smiles."

A burst of laughter filled the auditorium, and Lockhart laughed too, his laughter becoming even brighter.

At the Gryffindor table, Ron whispered to Harry, "When he laughs, his teeth almost blind you."

Harry suppressed a laugh and nodded.

"It is indeed quite bright."

"Don't say that, Professor Lockhart is a good person." Hermione glared at them.

“I didn’t say he wasn’t a good person,” Ron said. “I just said his teeth were too bright.”

Hermione ignored him.

Pansy frowned at the Slytherin table.

"Isn't this person a little...?"

"What is it?" Draco asked.

"It's a bit...too...too flashy," Pansy thought for a long time but couldn't find the right word.

Draco nodded in agreement.

"Have the Malfoys ever dealt with Lockhart?" Theodore suddenly asked.

“My father mentioned him once,” Draco said, “saying he was—how should I put it, a self-promoter.”

"Marketing?" Pansy didn't understand.

"He just knows how to make himself famous," Draco said. "His books sell exceptionally well."

Henry listened to their conversation without saying a word.

He knew Lockhart not just because of his bestselling books, but because he knew the truth about the man.

Those stories, those adventures, those thrilling experiences—none of them were true. This man was a fraud, a thief, a charlatan who made a living by stealing other people's experiences.

But he can't say it now, since no one would believe him anyway.

Besides, exposing Lockhart wouldn't do him any good, would it?

"What are you thinking about?" Daphne's voice came from the side.

Henry snapped out of his daze and looked at her.

"Nothing much," he said. "I just think this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts tournament will be quite interesting."

"I hope so," Daphne said. "Last year's Quirrell was so boring. He just read from the textbook every day or talked about his experiences being chased by resurrected zombies. I could practically recite it by heart."

Pansy laughed beside her: "Quirk? That stutterer? I can't even hear what he's saying in class."

"It's no use being able to hear clearly," Draco said. "He's just talking about things from books; you might as well read them yourself."

On the faculty table, Lockhart was talking to Professor Sprout next to him.

Professor Sprout looked somewhat helpless, but still nodded; Professor Flitwick sat on the other side, looking at Lockhart curiously; Professor McGonagall was expressionless, the sunlight falling on the students' seats as if she were inspecting something.

Snape sat on the far side, his expression as somber as ever, his eyes fixed on Lockhart as if he were looking at some strange creature.

They probably just find him an eyesore.

"Before you all go back to rest, there are a few things I need to remind you of," Dumbledore continued, his gaze sweeping across the four long tables. "First, students are forbidden from entering the Forbidden Forest—this has been a long-standing rule, but every year some people forget. The Forbidden Forest is not a playground, and not all the creatures there are friendly."

"Secondly, Mr. Filch, the superintendent, asked me to inform everyone that the list of prohibited items has been expanded this year. Please check the bulletin boards of each house for details. Mr. Filch would like to specifically remind you—" His gaze fell on the Gryffindor table, "that there is a pair of Gryffindor male twins whose names he does not wish to disclose, and they are watching you."

Why don't you just name Gemini directly?

At the Gryffindor table, George and Fred exchanged a glance, both wearing innocent expressions.

"We didn't do anything," George said.

"At least it hasn't started yet this school year," Fred added.

Everyone around laughed, while Ginny covered her face, looking like she couldn't bear to watch.

Dumbledore continued, "Thirdly, the schedule for this year's Quidditch matches has been finalized. Students interested in participating in the college team selections should pay attention to their respective college's announcements. I want to remind everyone that while the competition is important, friendship comes first, and winning or losing comes second."

He blinked.

"Alright, that's all for now. Now, please choose your favorite tune and start singing the school song!"

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