Copying Homework is Wrong

Cedric's ordeal instilled in Kyle and Kanna a slight resistance to the impending Defense Against the Dark Arts.

But there's no way around it; it's a basic course, and they have to go no matter what.

In the afternoon, the two dawdled as they arrived at the classroom Lockhart had designated...

The walls here are covered with large photos of Lockhart, as well as his various achievements.

In the photo, Lockhart's gleaming white teeth shimmered like searchlights.

Compared to a classroom, this place feels more like a press conference venue...

Kyle and Kanna arrived just in time. By the time they got there, the room was already full of students, with only a few empty tables left in the last row.

Just as the two of them walked over and sat down, the bell rang for class.

Lockhart cleared his throat loudly, signaling for everyone to quiet down.

He reached out and picked up a Gryffindor student's copy of "Voyages with Vampires," holding it up to show off the photo of himself winking on the cover.

"I..."

He pointed to the photo, then to himself.

"Gilderoy Lockhart, a recipient of the Order of Merlin, an honorary member of the Dark Arts Defence League, and a five-time winner of the Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award... but I don't wear that hat on my sleeve. I don't keep vampires friendly with me through smiles."

Lockhart held up the book again, flashing the same wink as the cover.

"Is he really a recipient of the Order of Merlin, just like you?"

Kanna frowned.

"This seems so unreliable to me... And what exactly is the Dark Arts Defence League?"

"A once very famous organization."

Kyle whispered, "The legendary Auror of the Ministry of Magic, Alastor Moody, and the current Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, Barty Crouch, were all once members of the Dark Arts Defence League. But..."

Kyle then changed the subject, continuing, "This organization started its decline over a decade ago, around the time Harry Potter became the Chosen One."

"What they did gradually changed from resisting Dark Magic to socializing and gathering. A few years ago, they even accepted a member who was suspected of Death Eaters, simply because the person donated a large sum of money."

"So from that point on, some well-known members, such as Alastor Moody and Barty Crouch, began to leave."

"After that, the prestige of the Dark Arts Defence League plummeted, and it was left far behind by the Extraordinary Potioneers Association, which was once its equal."

"I know that!"

Kanna's eyes lit up. "Professor Snape is a member of the Extraordinary Potioneers Association, and he wants me to join too."

"That's no easy feat," Kyle said with a smile. "The selection process for the Extraordinary Potioneers Association is extremely rigorous. Only those who can concoct Felix Felicis before the age of thirty are eligible to enter."

"I know, but thirty is still a long time. We have plenty of time, don't we?"

"Us?" Kyle raised an eyebrow. "You're including me?"

Don't you want to join?

"You can give it a try, it's just Felix Felicis..." Kyle said with a smile, "Besides, I might even join before you do."

"That's not necessarily true... I won't lose to you when it comes to Potions." Kanna wrinkled her nose and rolled her eyes at Kyle.

While the two were talking, Lockhart finished his rambling opening remarks and began to distribute the papers.

Kyle and Kanna each received one.

"Don't be afraid."

Lockhart returned to the podium after handing out the papers and said, "It was just a simple test... to see how much you've read and how well you've understood it."

"You have thirty minutes. Begin now!"

Kyle looked at the test paper and felt a slight toothache.

What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite color?

What is Gilderoy Lockhart's secret ambition?

What is Gilderoy Lockhart's birthday, and what would be his ideal birthday present?

More than fifty questions left Kyle feeling completely lost for the first time.

Although he had read several of Lockhart's books, he was mostly focused on the events described, and he didn't remember any of Lockhart's personal opinions or interpretations.

Mainly, I just couldn't bear to watch it.

He just remembered that Lockhart seemed to like lilac color and wanted to sell his own toothpaste? Or shampoo...

Twenty minutes later, large blank areas remained on Kyle's test paper.

He glanced at Kanna... their papers were about the same, and she was even worse than him.

While Lockhart certainly wouldn't refuse a huge pile of gold as a birthday gift, you can't just write it so bluntly.

Kyle scratched his head, regretting that he shouldn't have talked so much to Lockhart yesterday when they were near the Whomping Willow.

It would be too embarrassing to hand in a blank paper now.

There's no other way; to maintain the persona, I have to plagiarize!

Kyle scanned his surroundings and quickly pinpointed a Gryffindor witch to him.

She finished all the questions in just ten minutes, and kept staring at Lockhart, who was constantly patrolling, with an admiring look; she was clearly a die-hard fan.

"Okay, she's the one!"

Kyle took out his wand and pointed it at a large photograph on the wall...

The next second, the huge picture frame fell off the wall without warning and crashed to the ground with a loud bang.

Then came the second, and the third.

The Lockhart in the portrait screamed in fright, and the noise instantly attracted everyone's attention.

Taking advantage of the moment, Kyle quickly used the Disillusionment Charm to get next to the witch. As the portrait Lockhart screamed, he quietly chanted the incantation and copied her exam paper.

After Lockhart calmed down the portraits, Kyle had already returned to his seat with the copied answers, acting as if nothing had happened.

"Looks like I need to hurry up and practice my Nonverbal Spell," Kyle muttered to himself. "I almost got caught while I was chanting the spell just now."

Kanna looked at him, both amused and exasperated. "Just to copy homework?"

"That's only one aspect," Kyle said. "Sometimes Nonverbal Spell are indeed much more convenient."

On the podium, Lockhart straightened his slightly disheveled blond hair and said with a smile, "Alright, it's fine now. It seems those portraits, like me, were a little too excited."

Keep writing, thirty minutes will be up soon.

Kyle copied the standard answers onto his own exam paper, referring to the copied parchment.

So Lockhart shampoo...? He thought toothpaste was more likely.

It has to be said that Lockhart really chose the wrong product.

Toothpaste is great; his smile is the best advertisement.

Seeing Kyle diligently writing, Kanna said disapprovingly, "Copying homework is wrong; we should write it ourselves!"

"I see..." Kyle for a moment, then moved the parchment closer to the center.

"Shall we watch it together?"

"Good!"