Harry felt more desperate than he had ever felt today.
Despite his growing impatience, Lockhart persisted in pursuing him.
It's just like a fly that you can't get rid of no matter what you do.
"Don't refuse, Harry," Lockhart said, blocking Harry's path. "You haven't grasped the benefits of this yet."
"Listen to me, after you win, you'll have a huge fan base, girls will be crazy about you, and most importantly..."
Lockhart paused deliberately, but Harry only gave him a cold glance and didn't reply.
He could only continue on his own, "Most importantly, your story will be in my future book. Isn't that wonderful?"
"You'll become a big star much younger than me, and even Dumbledore will be impressed by you."
Harry was getting increasingly annoyed by the incessant, repetitive chatter.
But Lockhart was too persistent, and Harry couldn't find a chance to escape.
Just as Harry was feeling frustrated, a brilliant idea struck him.
All I have to do is say that I've joined Snape's team, isn't that enough?
With that thought in mind, Harry no longer hesitated. "You're right, Professor Lockhart."
He feigned regret and sighed, "But unfortunately, I've already agreed to join Professor Snape's team."
This isn't a very clever excuse.
But Harry's goal was simply to distract Lockhart and find an opportunity to escape.
If Lockhart hesitates even for a moment, his goal will be achieved.
Just as he expected, Lockhart hesitated upon hearing his statement.
His gaze became unfocused, glancing occasionally behind him as if he were looking at something.
But Harry can't care about that now.
"I see, Harry ..." Lockhart glanced quickly behind Harry again, "That is indeed a shame."
"See you on the field, Harry."
After saying that, Lockhart turned and left without hesitation.
This made Harry both puzzled and pleased.
The plan succeeded!
Professor Snape is really useful!
But in this moment of jubilation, Harry suddenly heard a devilish, chilling whisper.
"Potter! How come I didn't know... that I had such a famous person like you in my team?"
The familiar voice, like a cold, venomous snake, crawled from Harry's ankle into his ear, sending a chill down his spine and raising goosebumps all over his body.
Harry's smile was stiff, like a baguette that had been sitting out for three years.
When did Professor Snape arrive?
Damn it, Ron was right, how come he walks without making a sound!
Harry steeled himself and stiffly turned around, only to be met with Snape's cold, piercing gaze the moment he looked up.
He fell into despair once again.
Having just escaped Lockhart, he ran into Snape again...
It seems I'm really doomed.
Being caught lying in front of Snape will likely result in not only a point deduction but also solitary confinement.
At least I don't have to face Lockhart anymore...
Harry's mind started wandering.
Snape stared intently into Harry's eyes, then quickly glanced at Lockhart's retreating figure, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
This made Harry even more desperate.
The most desperate way he could think of to die was for Snape to first deduct points from his record and put him in solitary confinement, and then call Lockhart back to expose his lies.
But Snape just stared into his eyes without saying a word.
After a long silence, he suddenly spoke.
"Potter, since you're so eager to serve me, then come on."
"Come to my office tomorrow, don't be late."
After uttering the last syllable, Snape flicked his long black robes and flew away like a bat flapping its wings.
Harry suddenly felt his legs go weak, and he stood against the wall for a while before daring to look in the direction Snape had gone.
I didn't get any points deducted, I wasn't put in solitary confinement, Snape didn't even expose my lie, and he even let me join his team?
Is that correct?
Harry looked in the direction Snape had gone, a strange feeling creeping into his heart.
However, after thinking for a long time without finding an answer, Harry leaned against the wall, shook his head, and stopped thinking about it.
"What bad luck..."
After class the next day, Silan strolled over to Snape's office.
After pushing open the door, he finally saw his two teammates.
Harry looked dejected; he was clearly conscripted.
The smug Malfoy, this is probably someone who volunteered to jump out.
Teaming up with these two was both unexpected and perfectly reasonable.
"Hello, Silan," Harry said listlessly.
"Hello, Prewett," Malfoy said, beaming.
"Hello," Silan greeted them, standing calmly with them.
After waiting for a while, Snape came out of the workshop.
"Now that everyone's here, let's begin."
Without wasting any words, Snape led them into his workshop.
This workshop was where Snape usually brewed Potions, but now everything was gone, leaving only three humanoid puppets holding small wooden sticks.
Snape turned to look at the three of them and frowned.
These three standing together, each truly has their own unique charm.
One looked dejected, one looked smug, and one was expressionless.
Before the three of them stood three puppets, each standing facing a single one, completely dumbfounded.
"The most important thing in a duel is to defeat your opponent."
Snape's gaze swept over the three of them. "So your primary objective is to attack the opponent, or at least incapacitate him."
"I will teach you some Spells, though they won't be too difficult."
He glanced at Harry and said meaningfully, "So that some fools won't fail to learn."
In fact, Snape's teaching process was similar to that of Professor Flitwick.
After explaining the basic principles of Spells, Snape had them practice directly, and then he corrected their mistakes little by little until they learned them.
Today I taught them the Disarming Charm.
He continued to take special care of Harry, as always.
"Potter, raise your hands!"
"Fool, didn't I tell you not to grip your wand too tightly? Are you going to crush it?"
"The pronunciation of the incantation must be precise. Did you stuff a sock in your mouth?"
Poor Harry had to practice his Spells while also enduring Snape's mental attacks.
However, the learning effect was immediate.
Harry quickly cast the Disarming Charm.
Whether the idea of "giving Snape a shot" was behind this is unknown.
"Expelliarmus!"
After learning how to do it, Malfoy practiced with the puppet in front of him.
A flash of Spells light appeared, and the wooden stick in the puppet's hand flew out.
"We succeeded!" Malfoy looked at Silan triumphantly.
Silan stared blankly at the puppet, his mind replaying the Spells recorded in the Half-Blood Prince's textbook.
He had already Charms during his previous practice.
Now we're recalling the details.
Seeing Silan's dazed expression, Malfoy assumed he was intimidated and became even more smug.
Prewett, you still need to practice!
Silan had already mastered basic Spells like the Disarming Charm.
He came to practice today solely so that Snape could teach him some other Spells.
Snape glanced at the dazed Silan, then at Harry, and said with ill intent, "Prewett, give them a demonstration."