A Photograph Harry Considered the Shame of His Life
Only Harry and Ron remained in the Transfiguration classroom.
"This damned—this rotten—useless thing—"
Ron, enraged, repeatedly banged his wand on the table.
It kept emitting small Mars, accompanied by a sound like firecrackers.
Harry suggested, "You could write back and ask for a new one."
"Yeah." Ron paused. "Then I'll get a Howler, and she'll definitely say it's all my fault that my wand broke."
That's the logic, but neither of them is willing to admit it.
"Let's go, we have Defense Against the Dark Arts this afternoon."
Ron shoved his crackling wand into his bag. "I hate Lockhart."
"Me too." Harry recalled what happened before his Herbology.
Is it because he wanted to attract attention that he drove a flying car to school?
Is he the kind of person who, once he's tasted the sweetness of fame, frantically searches for any possibility?
Lockhart gave Harry no chance to argue and lectured Harry for several minutes.
When the two arrived at the Great Hall, the students had already started eating.
Vincent had finished his meal, was looking at his notebook, while Hermione was only separated from him by Neville, was eating and looking at her notebook as well.
Ron sat next to her and could tell what book it was from just a couple of lines.
Such flamboyant language could only come from Lockhart's books.
Wow—what's with your class schedule—?
Hermione quickly slammed "Voyages with Vampires" onto the table.
Ron, who almost got hit in the hand, turned red with anger after being glared at.
That fierce look in his eyes was clearly telling him not to say anything.
"What's so great about it? If you don't want to talk about it, then don't."
Vincent closed his notebook and looked at her curiously.
That shy little expression... I bet there's something drawn on the timetable.
Girls mature early, so what's wrong with having someone they admire?
Let alone them, the boys will be even more outrageous in a few years.
James, sitting to his right, is still clutching a comic book and grinning foolishly.
The cover features three older women dressed in tight-fitting clothes.
Hojo Tsukasa is awesome!
Harry and Ron didn't understand at first, but they did when they came to the bustling courtyard after the meal.
"Hello, Harry —I—my name is Colin Creevey."
The gray-haired freshman was also holding a Muggle camera.
Colin timidly stepped forward. "I'm in Gryffindor too. Could you—could you—take my picture?"
On the other side of the courtyard Vincent gently patted Hermione beside him.
"Even Harry has fans, why don't we?"
That's because you didn't see it.
Following the direction she was pointing, he spotted Luna sitting with Ginny at the castle entrance.
"She must be a huge fan of yours." Hermione raised her voice several octaves. "You're widely recognized as the best student in recent years, much more popular Harry."
"I don't think so," Vincent, revealing a little about what happened during the Christmas holidays.
There are many strange and wonderful talents in the Wizarding World, and Luna possesses one of the rarest of them all.
"My teacher told me that this kind of talent always allows me to discover things that others often overlook."
"Really?" Hermione's tone returned to normal. "Did she discover your little secret?"
"There's no secret, it's just that I can't tell you right now."
Just as she was about to say something, a voice suddenly rang out, even louder than hers.
"A signed photo? Potter, are you giving out signed photos?"
That sharp yet familiar voice belonged only to Draco, who was out for a walk with his younger brother.
He stopped behind Colin and shouted to the crowd, "Everyone, hurry up and line up! Harry Potter is going to give out autographed photos!"
"I didn't!" Harry clenched his fists. "Malfoy, shut up!"
Colin hid behind him. "You're just jealous of Harry."
"Jealousy?" Draco said sarcastically. "Why would I be jealous of the ugly scar on his head?"
Thank you, but I don't believe that having your head cut open will make you special.
Crabbe and Goyle laughed loudly.
Ron glared at Draco, "Go eat slugs, Malfoy!"
The two bodyguards stopped laughing and started cracking their round knuckles.
"You'd better watch out, Weasley," Draco said with a sneer. "If you cause any more trouble, your mother will take you back home."
Under the angry gazes of Harry and Ron, he raised his chin high and spoke in a sharp voice:
"If you don't behave, we'll bring you back right away—"
Most of the students in the courtyard burst out laughing.
Especially the Black Swan Club.
Blaise Zabini laughed until tears streamed down his face. "Great Harry Potter, please give me an autographed photo of you!"
Draco shook his head seriously. "Weasley needs Potter's first autographed photo more; it's worth more than his house."
Enraged, Ron immediately drew his wand.
Hermione was about to get up and run over when Vincent grabbed her shoulder.
"You can help them once, but you can't help them every time."
"But—" she suddenly shut her mouth.
Because a professor came, and he was currently the one she liked the most.
"What's going on?" Lockhart strode over to Harry. "Who's handing out autographed photos?"
Harry opened his mouth to explain, but his shoulder was gripped tightly by the large hand.
"We meet again, Harry." He flashed his signature charming smile.
Draco grinned smugly and swaggered into the crowd.
Harry, who was seething with anger, felt an unprecedented sense of humiliation.
Being treated like a clown is bad enough, but they can't even put up a fight.
Lockhart's smile immediately widened when he saw the camera in Colin's hand.
"Mr. Creevey? Come on!" He pulled Harry forward slightly. "A double photo. You'll get a rare and precious picture like never before."
Colin clumsily picked up the camera and pressed the shutter as the school bell rang.
With a click, the photo that Harry considered a lifelong disgrace was born.
Lockhart addressed the crowd, "Let's go, everyone, let's get to class!"
He embraced Harry affectionately and walked toward the castle amidst Draco's laughter.
Vincent shuddered.
If we hadn't stood by and done nothing, this photo would probably be even more "precious".
"Let's go." Hermione smiled and put the book into her large backpack.
Vincent, empty-handed, carefully put away his notebook.
Where are your textbooks?
"No."
A flash of anger crossed her face. "Although I really want to help you, I didn't prepare two sets."
"Thank you, but I don't need your help right now."
Vincent didn't buy it at all.
Asking for 50 Galleon for 7 books is blatant robbery.
Lockhart did send him a complete collector's edition, but the close-up photo on the cover was so disgusting that he threw it in the trash after just one glance.
In addition, he also wanted to "sacrifice himself for the greater good" and test Lockhart a little.