In the days that followed, Robert practically treated the library as his second common room. Every day after class, he would sit punctually at the long oak table in the library and wouldn't leave until just before curfew.
Previously, he used to borrow books and take them back to the dormitory to read. However, Hermione informed him that there was no limit to the number of books he could read in the library; as long as they fit on the table, he could borrow as many as he wanted.
"That's how I do it," she said. "Borrow ten books at once, and then choose the two favorite ones to take back and read slowly."
Taking her advice, Robert began frequenting the library more often. Hermione would sometimes join him. Ron, like Harry, only came when he had homework.
However, in recent days, Harry had also started coming to the library more often because it was one of the few safe places where he wouldn't "accidentally" run into Lockhart.
Harry had to admit, he still quite liked Defence Against the Dark Arts class, especially the first lesson, when Lockhart had left him with a very good impression.
But in the subsequent daily life, Lockhart's exaggerated self-praise and posturing caused that good impression to plummet.
For some reason, Lockhart always seemed to enjoy picking on Harry, and every time he would say strange things in front of many people, making Harry mortified.
Just yesterday, he had told Harry, in front of Malfoy, that Harry shouldn't be addicted to fame and hand out signed photos everywhere.
"I don't want to be on any front page!" This was not the first time Harry had complained. "And I don't want to hand out any signed photos; it's all Colin Creevey."
Incidentally, Colin Creevey was a first-year Gryffindor student, a fervent admirer of Harry, and also the second person Harry least wanted to meet.
But Colin Creevey was even more persistent than Lockhart. Not only would he wait for him early every day in places like the common room, classroom corridors, and the entrance to the Great Hall, but he also always wanted to take his picture.
This enthusiasm tormented Harry. More than once, he thought how great it would be if Colin worshipped Lockhart instead; they would both definitely be happy!
"Alright, stop complaining," Robert said. "Otherwise, Madam Pince will kick you out of the library too, and then you won't even have your only sanctuary left."
Harry quickly shut his mouth.
But he soon noticed that Robert had neatly put all his books back, leaving only one.
"Aren't you reading anymore?"
"Time for class."
"Oh, right, it's only Friday today." Harry scratched his head. Lately, due to Lockhart and Colin, as well as Malfoy's taunts, he had become increasingly irritable.
The two walked out of the library.
"What class do we have today?" Harry asked.
"Defence Against the Dark Arts," Robert said. "Luckily, we don't have to change floors."
They walked through two corridors, and just past the corner ahead, they would reach Lockhart's large classroom.
But just then, Harry's body suddenly tensed, and he instinctively said, "Here he comes."
"What..."
Before Robert could even speak, he saw a nimble figure suddenly leap out from the other side of the corridor, waving excitedly.
"How are you, Harry?"
"Hello, Colin." Harry sighed helplessly.
Then the other person ran off cheerfully.
"It's like this every time," Harry sighed. "It's as if Colin has memorized my timetable. I run into him almost every class."
Robert patted his shoulder sympathetically. "Nobody can help with this. You'll just get used to it."
"That's probably difficult." Harry looked a bit annoyed. "And Lockhart. I really don't want to run into the two of them now, because every time they pull me aside and say strange things, Malfoy appears nearby like a ghost and spreads those words with embellishments.
"Do you know what Hagrid thinks of me now?"
Robert shook his head. He had been in the library recently and hadn't visited Hagrid in a long time.
"Hagrid thinks I'm selling signed photos in the castle and have started a Harry Potter Fan Club. He even complained that I didn't invite him."
When he mentioned the name Harry Potter Fan Club, Harry's face instantly turned red, but he still forced himself to say it.
"I guess Hagrid was probably joking with you," Robert tried hard not to laugh. "He knows you're not vain."
"I know," Harry said. "I just didn't expect even Hagrid to know. It's all Malfoy's doing!"
"I have an idea for you," Robert said. "If Malfoy makes fun of you again next time, give him a good beating. I guarantee similar troubles will be much less."
"No, that would lose us points." Harry's shoulders slumped, a bit deflated.
"It's just losing points; it's not like we haven't lost them before." Robert chuckled. "Besides, can Professor McGonagall really deduct more than two hundred points from us?"
They had lost two hundred points in their first year but still won the House Cup later.
"No, still no." Harry thought for a moment and shook his head. "What if Professor McGonagall gets too angry and cancels Gryffindor's Quidditch eligibility? Oliver Wood would kill me."
"Ah, that..." Robert chuckled and said, "Last time, it was because there were too many people that Professor McGonagall got so angry. As long as you control the number of people and don't use wands, you don't have to worry about being disqualified."
At Hogwarts, the worst thing is magical conflict, but if you don't use wands and just have a simple fight, it's not really a big deal at all. Even if you get injured, sending them to the school hospital is just a matter of a bandage and some Dittany.
It's just that Harry had grown up in the Muggle world and hadn't realized this yet.
"Time for class." Robert continued walking forward, and Harry quickly followed.
After the two walked into the classroom, Lockhart followed closely behind. He had designed another way to wear his wizard hat, hanging askew on his fluffy blonde hair.
"Good afternoon, class," Lockhart himself, including his portraits around him, said in unison as if rehearsed, with an imposing presence.
He seemed to come up with something new every lesson.
"Good afternoon, Professor Lockhart." Hermione's face had already started to turn red.
"I am very well, thank you for your concern." He winked, giving a playful smile.
"Alright, let's start class." He walked to the podium and bowed slightly. "First, allow me to apologize to you. I only just found out that due to different course content, you actually had such a big conflict with Slytherin."
Conflict with Slytherin?
Robert didn't react at first. Then he realized that had happened last week. Now even Oliver Wood was gradually accepting the punishment of not being able to use the Quidditch pitch, and Lockhart was only just finding out?
"Then Professor, why was the course different?" someone asked.
"That brings us to my experience helping them deal with the Doxy at Durmstrang," Lockhart smiled slightly. "In gratitude for me solving a big problem for them, the Headmaster of Durmstrang invited me to stay and teach several times... Don't worry, I refused them all, because at that time I had just promised Albus that I would return to Hogwarts to help him."
Several students clapped cooperatively.
"Although I refused, so as not to disappoint those children, I also imparted some experience to the teachers there..."
Lockhart suddenly adopted a tone of regret. "That's right, as you thought, it's the content that the Slytherins learned in class—I greedily wanted to teach you all of this, but I didn't expect it to cause such serious consequences. It's all my fault."
"So I've decided that the following lessons will be treated equally."
Someone clapped again. Robert briefly wondered if Lockhart had paid people to act as stooges.
At the same time, Robert also witnessed the "treasure" he had left for Durmstrang—the stage play.
He copied the content of 'Wandering with Werewolves' in class.
Harry was to play the werewolf (I knew it would be like this). Harry reluctantly stood up.
"Next... Miss Granger, would you be willing to temporarily play my role?" To Robert's surprise, Lockhart did not intend to defeat the savior himself but gave this opportunity to Hermione.
Hermione couldn't possibly refuse. Under gazes like sharp swords, she walked forward resolutely, not even bringing a book.
She could already recite 'Wandering with Werewolves' completely.
Then, with Lockhart acting as the narrator, vividly describing the scene at the time, Hermione and Harry performed in the back.
However, Robert knew why he had arranged it this way.
Because Hermione's position was completely blocked by Lockhart, the narrator standing in front. From below, only a wand could be seen.
As for Harry, he was completely exposed, vividly portraying the image of a defeated werewolf... which was basically just getting beaten up.
Because Lockhart insisted on realism, he insisted Hermione use real spells (I know you can't do the Hominem Revelio Charm, but it's okay, you can do the Scouring Charm, right?).
Then Harry was 'scoured' for a whole lesson. By the time class ended, Robert felt like he was glowing.
"I swear, I really didn't want to learn the Slytherin class content," Harry sighed faintly.
"Then you might be disappointed; this lesson's effect was quite good," Robert said.
Lockhart seemed to have a talent for performance too. His descriptions were vivid and emotional, and although his movements were a bit exaggerated, because Hermione's 'real magic' was added, the visual effect was instantly maximized.
Furthermore, Hermione was very cooperative, alternating between the Scouring Charm and the Warming Charm, greatly enriching Lockhart's different performances.
Therefore, whenever magic exploded on Harry, the 'werewolf', the students below would let out gasps of surprise.
Hearing Robert say this, Harry felt terrible.
"Really?" He looked hopefully at Ron, who had just run over.
Ron hesitated for a moment but finally nodded. After all, even he had been captivated for a while, and Seamus Finnigan was also saying something beside him like, "It's just like watching a movie."
Ron didn't know what movie he was talking about, but he knew
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