Dumbledore's favorite student?
Harry thought about it and didn't feel that Dumbledore particularly liked him.
If Dumbledore really liked him, he wouldn't often speak to him in riddles.
"I think you're mistaken, I'm not Dumbledore's favorite student." He denied it calmly: "Although I am a little famous at school, I've heard from the professors that the student Professor Dumbledore likes seems to be someone else."
"Really?" Lockhart said softly: "But both of you are Gryffindors."
"That doesn't mean he likes Gryffindors." Harry shrugged, "Maybe it's Hufflepuff?"
He felt that Lockhart fell silent for a moment.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Lockhart suddenly looked up and said, "What an extraordinary moment this is! Young Harry came into Li Hen Bookstore today just to buy my autobiography—I am willing to gift him a full set of my hardcover books with my personal signature for free—"
"Sir." Harry suddenly interrupted Lockhart.
He thought of Auntie Molly, who was worried about the new semester's books before leaving.
To maintain the Weasley family's dignity, he wouldn't directly shell out money to support them—but now was a perfect opportunity.
If he could ask Mr. Lockhart for some of his books, it would surely alleviate the pressure on the Weasley family and was a way to help that considered others' feelings.
Besides, this Lockhart, upon seeing him, insisted on taking a photo together and was clearly trying to create some hype, so it wasn't extortion or greed on his part.
Thinking of this, he continued, "You know, I came with several friends, and they're all your biggest fans—if you only give it to me, it would put me in a tough spot, so I humbly request Mr. Lockhart to gift a set to my friends as well…"
Lockhart's eye visibly twitched twice.
He truly did not expect this little fellow before him to be so... shameless.
"How many friends do you have?" Lockhart asked with a forced smile.
"Nine, sir," Harry said sweetly.
"Fine, after all, who can say no to Harry Potter, the great Savior?" Lockhart said through gritted teeth, "Come on, prepare nine hardcover sets with my signature for Harry!"
The crowd started to applaud and cheer, and everyone was applauding Lockhart's generosity.
No one really thought Lockhart missed the mark, after all, Harry was the famous Savior, and he deserved some special treatment.
Admittedly, Lockhart could be counted as an author with numerous publications—if being as tall as Ginny's height is considered numerous.
Harry returned full-handed, like a triumphant warrior, happily sharing the spoils with everyone.
"Auntie Molly!" he said with a smile, "Look, I got a whole set of signed hardcover editions from Mr. Lockhart! Each of us has a copy... Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, Ginny, Percy, Draco, and myself, we all have one."
"But that's eight people, isn't it?" Auntie Molly asked curiously.
Harry said with a grin, "I know you also love Lockhart, so I especially got a set for you too."
"Oh, good child..." Auntie Molly hugged Harry happily and kissed him on the forehead, "You're such a good child, I don't even know... know how to thank you."
"Then for dinner, I'd love some beef stew with potatoes, Auntie Molly," Harry giggled, "Your cooking is just too delicious..."
"This child." Auntie Molly rubbed Harry's messy hair.
At this moment, another cheer erupted from the crowd.
"What's going on?" Harry turned back to ask.
"Oh, Lockhart said he is coming to Hogwarts this year as the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts," Draco said without turning his head, "and he claimed he would be the most competent Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts in Hogwarts history."
"Really?" Ron asked.
"Of course it's true," Hermione said, barely able to contain her excitement, "Oh Ron! He must be the best Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Hogwarts has ever had! You know, the things he's written about, he experienced them himself!"
"Alright, alright, I know," Ron said impatiently, "Seriously, I don't know why you guys like him so much, it's like he's given you some Love Potion."
No sooner had he said that than he got a poke in the back from both Hermione and Molly.
"Well done, Hermione," Auntie Molly praised.
In dealing with Ron, Molly found a kindred spirit in Hermione.
When they went out, they were surprised to find Hagrid waiting at the door.
"Hagrid," Harry shouted happily and waved his hand high at Hagrid.
Hagrid noticed him too and returned a big smile.
"Hagrid? What are you doing here?" Hermione asked curiously.
"The cabbage at home got nibbled by carnivorous caterpillars," Hagrid said regrettably, "Ah, what a pity for those cabbages, they should have made it to the table."
"Can't you just pluck off the nibbled leaves?" Ron asked foolishly.
"These veggies are for the cafeteria," Hagrid added.
Ron quickly said, "Oh, I think it's really not necessary then…"
When they returned to the Broken Cauldron Bar, Mr. Weasley was still happily drinking Butter Beer with others.
Lucius appeared interested in the Muggle World too—though probably on how to make money—and asked Mr. Granger for some books on getting wealthy.