"This book..."
Ian, upon realizing who the person recommending it was, began to doubt whether Alchemy Decrypted: The Connection Between All Things was a book that could actually help him.
After all, it was recommended by Gilderoy Lockhart! If it weren't for Lady Ravenclaw's name on it, Ian would have been tempted to find an excuse to shove it back onto the shelf.
Of course.
Such an action would likely offend Gilderoy Lockhart.
So, after weighing his options, Ian could only console himself with the thought that although Gilderoy Lockhart was indeed a writer and once an academic star, perhaps his ability to select books wasn't as clumsy as his magic. After all, the guy had discerned what Ian was looking for, which at least proved there was some genuine knowledge in his mind.
"I remember there's a Defense Against the Dark Arts class for first-year little wizards tomorrow morning. Don't be late. I've spent quite some time preparing some very interesting practice tools for you little wizards," Gilderoy Lockhart reminded Ian, patting him on the shoulder as they walked to the main entrance.
Ian felt that these words sounded familiar.
The last Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who said something similar to him didn't last the night... Ian wondered how long Gilderoy Lockhart could hold out in this position given his resilience.
"You've informed me too early. I might be too excited to sleep tonight," Ian said, his ability to lie with a straight face was not inferior to Gilderoy Lockhart's.
"Hahaha, my mistake, my mistake." Gilderoy Lockhart cheerfully patted Ian's head, "If, by the end of this semester, you're still my favorite student, then perhaps you'll receive a very precious gift, one of my treasured items that I've never shown to anyone."
If another professor had said this, Ian might have had a little anticipation, but since it was Gilderoy Lockhart who said it, Ian figured he could guess what the so-called treasure was.
It would surely be some kind of personal photograph or an autographed book, something narcissistic... That was Gilderoy Lockhart. If it weren't, Ian would have been willing to sit beside Hermione Granger and eat a table next year.
"See you tomorrow, Professor Lockhart."
Ian, maintaining his politeness, registered the book loan. Before leaving, he saw Madam Pince, who seemed to have transformed into a maiden, as Gilderoy Lockhart was already boasting about his past exploits to her.
This was a seamless transition to a different audience who could flatter him. Unlike Ian's half-hearted perfunctory response, Madam Pince seemed to genuinely believe Gilderoy Lockhart's boasts. Surely, her mind was gone; otherwise, how could any normal person believe such an absurd statement as fighting a giant dragon barehanded after losing his magic wand?
Outside the library.
"No, I need to check again."
Feeling a bit uneasy, Ian opened the ancient book to skim a few pages. Only after confirming that it was indeed an alchemy book authored by Ravenclaw did he breathe a sigh of relief.
He really worried that the contents of the book might actually be Magical Me, knowing that Gilderoy Lockhart wasn't above using the covers of priceless books to dress his own works.
"Well, it seems that the upcoming Defense Against the Dark Arts class can only be described as... bears watching." Ian sighed slightly and prepared to go to the kitchen to grab some midnight snacks before starting his small class session tonight.
Perhaps having a bumbling Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher wasn't entirely a bad thing for him; at least, while giving this kind of mini-class, he was sure to have no shortage of paying attendees.
"I'm the only one who gets hurt. When it comes to learning about Defense Against the Dark Arts, I'm afraid I won't receive any additional help from the professor in the short term."
Ian turned back at every step.
Speculating on how long Gilderoy Lockhart could withstand the curse?
The library grew further and further away.
Gilderoy Lockhart and Madam Pince were still chatting and laughing inside.
They were having a delightful conversation.
"I can't believe you're wearing black today; I've always thought you'd prefer lilac," Madam Pince remembered her idol's preferences just like any fan would.
Upon hearing this.
The smile on Gilderoy Lockhart's face grew broader as he looked toward the entrance, where the little wizard had just left, his blue eyes seemingly still reflecting the other's figure.
"Lilac's nice, indeed, but recently, I've taken a liking to black."
...
At the nighttime gathering.
Ian still couldn't change the consensus that had been established among everyone, and this ominous-sounding name remained the customary term the little wizards used for Ian's small class.
Only because Ian discovered it too late, he could only brace himself to acknowledge it. After collecting the class fees, he began teaching the relevant content, mentally regarding the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor as being in a Schrodinger's state.
Since he also had to cover the material the actual professor was supposed to teach the little wizards, he had to start by teaching the purpose and importance of the Defense Against the Dark Arts class as well as the differences between Dark Arts and White Magic.
Maybe for some children from pure-blood families, this knowledge would have been taught at home, but there were quite a few little wizards from half-blood and Muggle families in Ravenclaw as well.
"We must understand that the distinction between White Magic and Dark Arts is not just in the harm they can cause but also in the emotions and desires that drive their use."