Lockhart's classroom is the same one Quirrell's was last year.
However, the interior design and layout have undergone a complete transformation.
First of all, desks that had been in use for hundreds of years were all replaced with precious Phoebe zhennan wood.
Next, the dark red chairs and podium were replaced with elegant and dignified rosewood.
Next up is a wallpaper covered with delicate patterns that vaguely form a human face.
Finally, there was a black velvet carpet and a colorful crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
The nouveau riche aura emanating from him made Vincent, who had just entered the room, instinctively want to skip class.
Lockhart didn't give him the chance. "Wayne? Oh—we meet again!"
"Ah, yes." Vincent's face stiffened as he subtly dodged his embrace.
"Come on, Wayne." Lockhart opened his arms again. "Are you shy?"
"Professor, I have severe mysophobia."
"Oh well."
He was disappointed for less than half a second before his face lit up with a smile again. "Actually, I used to be a germaphobe too, but I found a way to overcome it—"
Draco sat down arrogantly, wearing a smug expression of anticipation.
Not only Potter, Vienne is also in this situation.
"Did you remember that?"
"Ah? Oh, I've got it."
Lockhart seemed to have gained a great sense of accomplishment after educating Vincent.
"Sit down quickly, class is about to begin."
The students were all trying not to laugh, even Neville, who was sitting next to them and was usually the most well-behaved.
Vincent put on a poker face and glanced disdainfully at Draco, whose face was flushed red with embarrassment.
The other party not only did not back down, but even arrogantly gave a thumbs-down.
Sure, there are activities tonight.
Lockhart arrived at the first row of Gryffindor and saw Vincent's empty desk. His smile froze for less than half a second.
"Vincent, did you forget your textbooks?"
"Yes."
"It's alright." He walked quickly back to the podium. "To avoid this situation, I prepared several extra sets."
Vincent glanced down at the stack of new books on the table and almost rolled his eyes and fainted.
The close-up photo on the cover is still disgusting, and the gold signature at the bottom is even more glaring.
"Oh, Wayne, don't be so touched." Lockhart leaned down and put his hand on his shoulder.
"I am your teacher, and it is my duty to take care of and be tolerant of you."
Vincent, who nearly developed PTSD, responded with an awkward but polite smile.
It's that kind of high-quality human smile, the kind where you can't see any flaws no matter how you look at it.
Lockhart straightened up as if he didn't understand, and held up the collector's edition of "Travels with Trolls" with his picture on top.
"I—" He pointed to the book cover with his other finger, perfectly recreating the winking expression on it.
Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, an honorary member of the Defense Against the Dark Arts League, and a five-time winner of the Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award—
But I don't dwell on it; I don't exorcise the ghost of Banden with a smile!
Banden is a small town in Ireland.
There, when a loved one dies or is about to die, the female ghost will sing a mournful song to foretell the death.
The deterrent effect is basically zero; it's just incredibly annoying.
Amidst the sea of smiles, only Seamus trembled with fear.
Fortunately, all the students' eyes were on Lockhart as he walked back to the podium.
"I see that you have all bought my complete works, which is good."
Let's start with a short quiz today.
Don't be afraid, I just want to see how well you read and how much you've understood.
Vincent quickly scanned the test paper he had been given and was certain that he couldn't answer a single question.
1. What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite color?
2. What was Gilderoy Lockhart's secret ambition?
3. What do you think is Gilderoy Lockhart's greatest achievement to date?
He glanced at Hermione, who was engrossed in writing, and realized there was no need to test her.
Indeed, he is consistent inside and out, and is indeed extremely narcissistic.
With his quill pen tossed aside, Vincent began his "retreat mode."
"Wayne? You've finished writing?"
"I won't."
"Huh?" Lockhart nearly fell off the podium. "Didn't you study during the summer vacation?"
"Yes." Vincent held up the exam paper in his hand. "Professor, what color you like, what your ambitions and achievements are, will not help my future at all."
The students all craned their necks in surprise, even Draco was beaming with joy.
"Of course it helped!" Lockhart stood up, slightly excited. "Vincent, I know you helped the Magical Congress deal with two Furaikan during the summer."
But that's nothing. I once faced Yamata no Orochi; you can't even imagine how dangerous he was.
He approached Vincent's desk and said earnestly, "Fame isn't everything, Vincent."
I hope you can put aside your past achievements and try to humbly attend one of my classes; you will learn much more from it.
Hermione lowered her head and stared blankly at the questions on the test paper.
Vincent is right, but Lockhart put it very well.
She wasn't the only student with these feelings.
Almost all the boys were boys, and a small number of the girls were also boys.
"Thank you, Professor." Vincent handed over the blank exam paper.
Draco reached up and rubbed his ear, trying to make sure he wasn't the only one who could hear the sound.
"I look forward to your class."
Lockhart's smile was somewhat stiff. "Of course, you will learn unparalleled knowledge."
He turned to the students and said, "My task is to teach you how to resist the most evil things known in the Wizarding World. You will face the most terrifying things in this classroom."
He walked back to the podium and pulled out a large cage covered with a black cloth from underneath. "Remember, as long as I am here, you will not be harmed."
Most students instinctively leaned back.
"I must ask you not to scream," Lockhart said in a low voice. "That will enrage them!"
Under the watchful eyes of the students who were deliberately holding back their gaze, he suddenly ripped off the black cloth covering it.
"That's right, this is Cornish Pixies I just caught."
"Pfft—" Seamus's "scream" was quite comical.
Lockhart smiled at him. "What is it, Mr. Finnegan?"
Seamus suppressed a laugh. "Professor, they are not—they are not dangerous at all."
"Don't be so sure!" Lockhart shook his finger, quite annoyed. "They're little destroyers as cunning as devils!"
Cornish Pixies are dark blue, about eight inches tall, with small, pointed faces and very sharp, piercing voices, like a large flock of budgerigars arguing.
They chirped and jumped around, shook the cage bars, and made all sorts of strange faces at people nearby.
Is it scary?
No, it's actually quite cute.
Even Neville, who is known for being "timid," wasn't afraid, let alone the entire class of students.
"Alright." Lockhart reached out and placed his hand on the cage door. "Let me see how you deal with them!"
The moment he opened the cage, the House-elf flew around like rockets.