Almost all young wizards were as worried as Hermione.

They believed in Hogwarts and the professors, but trust was not a magic spell that could solve the basilisk.

This dark magic creature is certainly scary.

But what they fear most is...

The professors had clearly made all the necessary preparations, and "roosters" could be seen everywhere in the castle.

But some students were still attacked.

It was clearly the Christmas holiday, and those were the only people left in the school.

But there was no progress on this matter.

Where is the basilisk?

Where is the secret room?

Where are the heirs?

They asked the professors, but they remained silent. Well...it was not that no one spoke up. Lockhart just talked a lot in his class.

Talk about how he saved Hogwarts from disaster during the Christmas holidays.

At the critical moment, he found the heiress who was controlled by the black magic item and fought a desperate battle with her. Unfortunately, at the most critical moment, he accidentally let her escape.

The students just listened to him for fun and no one took his words seriously.

Let’s not talk about whether Lockhart has that ability.

There are only three witches staying at school for Christmas.

One was lying in the infirmary, one was a Hufflepuff half-blood, and the last was a pure-blood - but she was a Gryffindor.

How could the "heir" who caused such a big incident be a girl?

The last class of the first week of school in the new year.

What Harry and the others learned was Lockhart's Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Neville came down from the podium in a bad mood. He had just performed with Lockhart the story of how the "brave wizard" subdued a werewolf, winning twenty points for Gryffindor.

But this did not make the little wizards happy.

Compared with one's own safety, scores seem less important.

Especially this week, Slytherin was very arrogant - the heir was not caught, and he could continue to threaten other young wizards. Their praises became more and more intense. Slytherin was indeed the greatest!

"Look at you all, you all look so sad." A few minutes before the end of the get out of class, Lockhart tugged at his collar, "Is it possible that attending the class of your favorite professor Lockhart can't make you happy?"

Ron covered his face with the Standard Level 2 Spells and muttered, "We'd probably be happier if we didn't have to take his class."

Every young wizard hopes to learn even a little bit of real skills from Lockhart.

Especially at this critical moment.

But Lockhart could only spit out: "I killed a basilisk in Turku. Don't worry, I will protect Hogwarts!"

"I also got a few basilisk eggs, but I was so hungry at the time that I fried them and ate them. Otherwise, I would have brought them to you."

The students rolled their eyes after hearing this.

If this professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts had read a book on basic dark magic creatures, he would not have said such outrageous things - the basilisk does not lay eggs, it is an "artificial magical creature" that is hatched from rooster eggs by toads.

But thank God, at least he knew that basilisks lay eggs, so he didn't make a bigger joke.

The young wizards grumbled and complained quietly like Ron.

Lockhart raised his voice: "Then I think the better news I am about to tell you will definitely make you happy again."

"I'm Lockhart..." He reported his long title again, "I know your concerns. Young wizards should indeed master some stronger spells."

"So tonight, I will be in the auditorium, teaching you some magic that you are most interested in, which is how to better protect yourself."

Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes: "What can he teach us?"

"How do you make an omelette out of a rooster's egg? Hagrid is definitely better at it than he is."

Lockhart raised his wand, thought for a moment, then took up the chalk and wrote a series of words on the blackboard: "I have made a request to Professor Dumbledore and have obtained his permission to open a dueling club in the castle!"

“I hope you all can come and see it.”

"How should a powerful and excellent wizard wage war!"

The little wizards were surprised.

It seemed like Lockhart had...actually done something useful.

They had long longed to duel, to fight like real wizards, especially Gryffindor - their disputes with Slytherin usually started with the drawing of wands and ended with the professor waving his wand to separate them.

As they fought, they found that their wands were not as effective as their fists.

The lower the grade, the more obvious this phenomenon is.

They were talking animatedly about the Dueling Club, which was great news, and it would be even better if Professor Flitwick could run it.

Dinner is over.

McGonagall waved her wand and removed the long tables representing the four colleges, leaving a large open space.

Lockhart walked up to her, with a flattering and pleading look on his face. He said something and pestered her for a long time, making McGonagall reluctantly raise her wand and conjure up a gorgeous stage with a gold border.

He hurriedly thanked Mag and ran to the stage.

"Come around, everyone, come around." Lockhart waved excitedly at the young wizards, "Can everyone hear me?"

I saw people around me nodding reluctantly.

He smiled even more brightly: "Some people heard me say it in class, and some saw the notice in the entrance hall. I can only say that the little wizards who are willing to come are very lucky!"

"As you all know, Professor Flitwick is a renowned duelling champion."

In the teacher's seat, Flitwick's expression turned cold. The words were nice, but coming out of Lockhart's mouth, they sounded so unpleasant.

Lockhart continued his rhetoric.

"And I am an excellent wizard from Ravenclaw, and I have also made some achievements in dueling. Just like what I wrote in my book, I am also a very good dueling master."

"In order to prevent you from misunderstanding that I am bullying the elderly..." Flitwick's face turned even darker.

"I invited Professor Snape to be my assistant. He knows a thing or two about dueling. Although it is dangerous, for the sake of our lovely students, he still bravely proposed to give you a small demonstration with me before class."

Snape also had a look of disgust on his face.

The Slytherins frowned.

As we all know, "courage" is the symbol of Gryffindor. Lockhart's seemingly compliment was undoubtedly pointing at Snape's nose and saying, "You are a very Gryffindor!"

"Of course, don't worry, I will be careful and return your Potions professor to you safely." Lockhart spread his hands, not sensing any danger, and said proudly, "If he teaches two courses concurrently, your Professor Lockhart will have no time to respond to fans' letters."

Snape narrowed his eyes and looked Lockhart up and down, like a venomous snake before pouncing on its prey, quietly considering where to start.

Ravenclaw and Gryffindor enjoyed watching the fun.

The Hufflepuff gave Lockhart a look of pity.

The Slytherins hated their own head of house so much that they immediately cast a spell and killed him.

"Shall we begin?" Snape interrupted his long speech and walked onto the extravagant stage with some reluctance.

"Of course, you should ask Professor Snape if you are ready." Lockhart took out his wand. "An excellent wizard like me is always ready."