Lockhart's Grievance

As the Parseltongue was spoken, the upper half of the pool slowly rose, while the lower half, consisting of several water tanks, moved forward. The water tank facing the crowd disappeared from the ground, revealing a hole in its center.

Gasps of cold air rose and fell, and whether it was an illusion or not, the temperature in the bathroom seemed to have risen slightly.

"Everyone, it seems we're in luck," Aaron said excitedly, as if he could already see a large number of Magic Points beckoning to him.

Lockhart glanced at the incredibly deep cave entrance and immediately took a step back in fright.

"Haha, if we really have to go down there, I suggest we think about it carefully."

"You go first," Snape said calmly. "I doubt the renowned Gilderoy Lockhart lacks the courage to lead the charge!"

"This...I..." Lockhart instinctively gripped the two roosters tightly, and said righteously, "This is not a question of whether or not to lead the charge, but rather that it would be unwise to act rashly before the danger has been determined."

"That's right, but what we lack most right now is time." As Aaron spoke, he walked up to Lockhart, Silencio picked up the two roosters, and then gently pushed him.

"Ah..."

A loud, clear voice suddenly rang out, but it grew softer and softer.

Aaron listened intently at the cave entrance, and only after he clearly heard the sound of a heavy object hitting the ground did he turn around to look at the others who were still in shock.

"If I heard correctly, this passage is a long, winding pipe, but it's not dangerous."

If I had to use a metaphor, it would be like a slide, which will safely take you to the bottom.

"The analysis is very helpful," McGonagall said, "But next time, let's not use other people to scout ahead."

"Professor Lockhart is the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!" Aaron chuckled. "You should have read his books, this is nothing special."

Snape gave Aaron an approving look. "So you're just going to jump down?"

"That's right."

"I'm the vice-principal, I'll go down first," McGonagall said, then looked at the three Gryffindor, "You guys hurry up and go to the Common Room, it's safer there."

"But professor, we..."

"Listen to me, Granger," Flitwick warned. "It's dangerous down there. We can't let three children take the risk."

"And what about him?" Ron pointed at Aaron, unconvinced. "Why should he be allowed to go with you?"

"Given Gaius's abilities, he has some ability to protect himself," Snape sneered. "But the three of you would only be a hindrance."

We can't be distracted by taking care of you while we're fighting the Basilisk!

"Um... Professor, I think we should still let Harry Potter come down with us."

Who knows if we'll need Parseltongue next?

Snape frowned slightly, but before he could voice any objections, Harry stepped forward to McGonagall with a look of utter defiance, saying, "Let me go, Professor."

Professor McGonagall nodded, moved, her eyes even slightly moist.

"I'm going too," Ron said loudly. "The one who got arrested is Ginny Weasley, she's my sister, you have no reason not to let me go."

"Hey, you go too, and Miss Granger comes along as well."

"Professor McGonagall, this isn't appropriate!" Snape said, displeased. "We're going to battle, taking them along..."

"They are Gryffindor, and I will protect them," Professor McGonagall said directly, her tone very firm.

In her view, this was originally a winning situation. Although it seemed rather dangerous, they had two natural enemies of the Basilisk, which undoubtedly added a sure-win weight to the scales of victory.

Since that's the case, it wouldn't hurt to bring three Gryffindor to broaden their horizons.

Having said that, Professor Snape didn't offer any further objections, and could only give the three of them a look that said, "Do as you see fit."

Professor McGonagall reached the entrance, took a deep breath, and jumped in, followed closely by Flitwick and Sprout.

Snape reached the entrance, about to jump, when he remembered something and turned to look at Harry and the others. "I'll only say this once. It's not too late to go now."

After he left, Aaron turned around, looked at the three of them, and sighed. "My opinion is similar to Professor Snape's. Apart from Harry, the two of you should probably just wait for news."

"That's my sister! I have to go," Ron said righteously.

Hermione remained silent, but her eyes were more resolute than anyone else's.

Aaron hesitated for a moment, then gave the two roosters in his hand to Ron and Hermione.

"What's going on?" Ron asked, puzzled.

Aaron didn't explain, picked up Abei and jumped down.

"Perhaps in his eyes, we are too weak!" Hermione said thoughtfully.

Hearing this, Ron was a little angry, but the rooster in his arms gave him a great sense of security, and he wouldn't throw away the amulet for the sake of saving face.

The three exchanged a glance, then went to the entrance one by one, closed their eyes, and jumped down.

They slid forward rapidly through the dark, sticky tunnel, involuntarily letting out sharp cries.

After an unknown amount of time, the pipe gradually changed from steep to flat.

After a short pause, they slid out of the exit and landed on an open area.

"It's filthy," Ron said with disgust.

"If it's just dirty, that's fine." Aaron cast a Cleaning Charm on himself and said meaningfully, "Friendly reminder: you'd better not look down."

"Lumos." Hermione picked up her Wand, which glowed, looked at the ground, and then screamed in panic, instinctively grabbing Aaron who was standing next to her.

The place where they stood was covered with bones, including those of all kinds of animals, which was quite gruesome.

"I told you not to read any further." Aaron said, both amused and exasperated, and then cast a Cleaning Charm on his soiled clothes.

Ginny.

Ron was pale; he couldn't even imagine what it must have been like for his sister to be found.

"Let's hurry!" Professor Flitwick said. "We don't have time to waste here."

"You're right, finding that girl is the most urgent thing," Lockhart said.

"You go first," Snape gave Lockhart a look. "Now is the time to prove your abilities. I'm sure you won't refuse!"

Lockhart nodded, trying to appear calm, and reached for the rooster in Hermione's hand.

Just as he approached Hermione, a black Wand appeared before him. Aaron grinned and said, "Professor, you wouldn't steal the student's amulet, would you?"

Lockhart was dumbfounded. Without those two roosters, let alone making a name for himself, his life would have been a serious question.

"This, that..."

"Stop with this and that, the professors are all watching from here."

Upon hearing this, Lockhart's heart skipped a beat. Although he was terrified, he still had to put on a smiling face and grit his teeth, saying, "Of course not."

"I knew I hadn't misjudged you, Professor Lockhart," Professor Snape sneered, then gestured for him to proceed. "Please!"

Lockhart stared at the dark bend in the road, his legs trembling slightly, as he took a difficult step.

Beyond the bend lies a rugged underground space.

The crowd stared at the enormous creature before them, their mouths agape in disbelief.

"Snake skin," Professor Sprout murmured. "These are the skins shed by the Basilisk, the most remarkable record of its size change in nearly a thousand years."

"This is no laughing matter," Professor Flitwick said, carefully drawing his Wand. "The smallest snake skin in here is twenty feet long."

The largest must be fifty or sixty feet tall!

"Don't worry, Professor Flitwick," Professor Snape said with a sarcastic laugh. "We have Gilderoy Lockhart here; a mere Basilisk is nothing to him."

With him leading the charge, not a single problem is a problem, right, Professor Lockhart?

Lockhart didn't reply, but his cheeks twitched incessantly, and he cursed inwardly.

So what if I pretended to be nice to you a few times? Is it really worth it to betray me like this?

Normally, he would have shamelessly accepted this vanity, but now all he wanted was a rooster to save his life.

But when I glanced over casually, I saw that Harry, Ron, Hermione, along with the two roosters they were holding, were all being protected by Professor McGonagall. They weren't given any chance to make a move!

In a moment of panic, Lockhart rolled his eyes and fell backward.

Pretending to be confused is the most versatile way to solve a problem, and the best way to do it is to leave it to someone who can solve it.

"Professor!" Hermione exclaimed in surprise, wanting to go over to check on him, but Professor McGonagall stopped her. "Don't run around, Lockhart has just fainted."

"Oh dear!" Snape scoffed. "It seems our Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor isn't as formidable as he boasts. If he didn't want to lead the charge, he could have just said so. How did he end up fainting like that!"

Lockhart:...

How could I refuse you with your fierce and menacing appearance?

"Leave it to me," Aaron volunteered, then pointed his Wand at Lockhart's face and said, "Aguamenti."

Cold water was splashed directly onto Lockhart's face, but his acting was so bad that he didn't even open his eyes or move an inch.

"Holy crap!" Aaron's eyes widened, and he patted Lockhart's left cheek. "You're quite a talent."

Being a teacher is a waste of your talent. You should be an actor, or even an undercover agent.

"Aaron, isn't this a bit too much for you?" Hermione said with some reluctance. She still harbored a sliver of hope for Lockhart, after all, he was one of the people she admired.

"Sigh!" Aaron sighed and put away his Wand.

Hermione smiled upon seeing this, and Lockhart, who was lying on the ground, also breathed a sigh of relief.

However, the next moment, a slap landed on Lockhart's face, causing him to howl in pain and get up from the ground.

"You..."

"You're welcome. That's how some Muggle save people."

"Professor Lockhart, you are my mentor and friend, a beacon of light. How could I bear to leave you here alone!" Aaron said with a grin, then pointed to the path that was terribly blocked by snake molts. "Now that you're awake, I'll leave the task of leading the charge to you. You wouldn't refuse, would you?"