Chapter 226: Classes and the Curse
Wade paused for a moment, then countered, “Even if Lockhart stays on at school, what exactly can we learn from him?”
“Uh…” Michael faltered.
“Actually, I think I’ve improved a lot lately!” Padma leaned forward from a distance, brushing her hair aside. “Right, Harry?”
She gestured toward another familiar face in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class—someone who had been a regular on stage.
Unfortunately, Harry, seated across the Hufflepuff table, couldn’t hear a word. He simply nodded vaguely, probably just trying to acknowledge her.
Whatever Padma had said clearly tickled her funny bone. She burst into laughter, nearly dropping her fork.
“Honestly strange,” Michael murmured to Wade. “I thought Padma would be heartbroken when Lockhart got arrested.”
“Girls might like his looks,” Wade said, “but Padma knows he’s all empty inside. Her admiration wasn’t real.”
Michael nodded thoughtfully. Then, suddenly, he added, “Still, Lockhart did teach us one thing—now I know exactly what I don’t want to become.”
Wade glanced toward the Staff Table.
That kind of realization—wasn’t that precisely what Dumbledore wanted Harry to learn?
Don’t be obsessed with fame. Don’t become a slave to reputation.
But today, Dumbledore still hadn’t shown up in the Great Hall.
He’d been unusually busy lately. Students sometimes saw the old Headmaster hurrying across the grounds, but rarely at mealtime.
Lockhart’s arrest—Dumbledore must have known. Yet even so, he hadn’t appeared on campus.
On their way to class in the afternoon, Wade and the others spotted a group of Gryffindors gathered together. Moments later, shouts and cheers erupted.
A burst of magical fireworks shot into the air, streaking in all directions, cackling with a strange, grating laugh:
“Lockhart out! Lockhart out!”
Students cheered wildly.
Upon closer inspection, it was the Weasley Twins and their friend Lee Jordan leading the celebration. But their joy was short-lived. Professor McGonagall arrived in a fury and the crowd scattered in panic.
“This isn’t something to celebrate!” she snapped. “And I don’t believe for a second that Professor Lockhart is guilty. The Ministry must have made a mistake!”
Lisha from Ravenclaw frowned angrily. “It’s not about whether he’s guilty—it’s about what kind of message this sends!”
No one listened.
Anthony scowled. “We’ve got four months until break. What about a new professor? Can we even get one?”
“Another Lockhart?” Mandy groaned. “What if we get someone worse?”
“Relax,” Terry said, trying to comfort. “Who could possibly be worse than him? He used his own books as textbooks! Even my grandmother said she’d never heard of such nonsense!”
“That’s not the point,” Anthony insisted. “The real question is: Can we find someone? I’ve heard the Defense Against the Dark Arts position has been cursed for years. No one ever lasts more than a year.”
“People who taught it kept getting hurt,” Kevin whispered mysteriously. “They say the class itself is cursed.”
“But if this keeps up, I’m really worried about failing the final exam,” Molag muttered, sinking into his seat. After a pause, he suddenly turned to Wade. “Hey, Wade… could you teach us?”
Everyone froze. All eyes turned to the two.
Molag, growing more convinced, pressed on. “Professor said you’ve already studied up to advanced-level material on your own. If you taught us, it’d be way better than having another Lockhart!”
Others began to look intrigued.
But before Wade could speak, Michael let out a cold laugh.
“Wait a minute,” he said loudly. “Kevin just said the class is cursed. So you’re okay with Wade being cursed too—if it means you pass?”
“No—no, I didn’t mean that!” Molag stammered, waving his hands. “I just thought… maybe just a few extra lessons, occasionally…”
“Impossible,” Michael snapped. “He doesn’t have time. He’s already deep into his alchemy research.”
He rarely spoke sharply to classmates. This was the first time anyone had seen him so harsh.
Molag turned red, speechless.
Wade opened his mouth, but Michael shook his head at him.
The classroom fell silent. The atmosphere grew awkward.
When the Gryffindors entered, they’d assumed the professor was already there. They tiptoed into their seats, nervous and quiet.
Soon, Professor Flitwick arrived. As soon as he began class, the mood lifted.
Today’s lesson was the Freezing Charm—a spell that immobilizes a target, similar to Petrificus Totalus.
The SSC Members had already mastered it. They cast it with ease, earning extra points for both houses.
Then Flitwick divided the class into pairs to practice. But suddenly, a hand shot up into the air.
It was Hermione.
“Miss Granger,” Flitwick asked, surprised, “is there a problem?”
“Professor,” Hermione stood, “I’d like to know… was there solid evidence against Professor Lockhart?”
“Ah… that’s something I shouldn’t be sharing with students,” Flitwick said, clearly hesitant.
The students leaned in. The moment was ripe.
“Please, Professor!” they begged. “Just tell us!”
“Alright,” Flitwick sighed after a brief pause. “It won’t matter soon—you’ll all hear about it in the newspapers anyway.”
He lowered his voice. “It seems someone inside the Ministry collected a massive amount of evidence and reported it to the Ministry. Not just Professor Lockhart—but Gilderoy Lockhart. The Ministry claims they’re still investigating, but… well, the truth is already clear.”
“Then… can he come back and teach?” Lisha asked, clinging to hope.
Flitwick’s expression darkened at the mention of Lockhart. But after a moment, he softened.
“Absolutely not,” he said firmly. “He’ll spend the rest of his life in Azkaban—at least ten years.”
“Ten years?!” The students gasped.
“Indeed,” Flitwick said, taking the moment to lecture. “Misusing the Memory Charm has severe consequences. I’ve heard of someone who forgot how to live normally… and died in despair. Remember this: Use your magic with care.”
(End of Chapter)
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