After leaving Flourish and Blotts, Hermione still looked stunned.
"I never thought Professor Lockhart would be so ostentatious. He pretended to fall just to get people's attention."
Harley chuckled. "Are you sure Professor Lockhart faked his fall?"
"Wasn't it obvious?" Hermione said, sounding unimpressed.
"I can't believe the professor is such a show-off. It's completely shattered my image of him.
"I thought he just liked publicizing all his achievements. I never imagined he'd resort to a stunt like that to attract attention.
"Even celebrities in the Muggle world don't do that anymore!"
"If you say so, then I suppose that's what happened." Harley didn't argue further. She'd already gotten the result she wanted.
After buying their textbooks, the two girls picked up some more parchment and quills. Harley also stocked up on Potion ingredients.
While in France, Professor Dumbledore had taken her to meet several Potion Masters, including Horace Slughorn, former Slytherin Head of House and Potions professor, who was enjoying French cuisine and summer beaches.
It was clear that Professor Slughorn was always wary of Professor Dumbledore, but he was exceptionally fond of Harley.
"Your mother, Lily, was always one of my favorite students! She was the most talented child I'd ever seen!"
Professor Slughorn told Harley. He sniffled, then blew his nose twice.
"Such a shame... What a talented child...
"But it seems you've inherited your mother's talent. I learned from my correspondence with Severus that you're excellent at Potions."
Professor Slughorn was more than happy to stay in touch with Harley by letter and teach her some of his own special tricks.
The other Potion Masters were also astonished by Harley's skill in Potions after speaking with her.
Especially when it came to the properties of Potion ingredients, the most tedious and boring subject. Few young people