Luo Bin drew his wand and was about to cast a Silencing Charm when a flash of white suddenly crossed the passage between the Entrance Hall and the Great Hall, instantly setting his alarm bells ringing.
After all, neither the houses' wizarding robes nor the staff's usual attire had anything to do with white. In the entire Castle, the only person likely to wear white was the Show-Off beside him, who had been babbling nonstop!
"...Luo Bin, did you know? That giant python was hideous. The slime dripping from its mouth could corrode stone into..."
After descending the final stair, Lockhart walked another ten feet before realizing Luo Bin hadn't followed!
"Eh? Why have you stopped?"
Leaning against the banister, Luo Bin said casually, "Oh, there's only a little way left. Since you think you're so formidable that your past achievements alone could scare off the Heir and the Chamber Monster, then...walking the last few hundred yards yourself shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Lockhart's heart lurched at the prospect of walking alone at night, but a powerful surge of confidence soon crushed every last trace of fear.
"Of course not, Sear. Off you go. Don't worry about me. I hold the Order of Merlin, Third Class! Even if I did run into the Chamber Monster, I'd have a hundred ways to subdue it!"
The Show-Off did have a certain flair for being a celebrity. Even with an audience of one, he waved his arm high in farewell, flashing a brilliant, picture-perfect eight-toothed smile.
When Lockhart turned and continued forward, Luo Bin remained by the banister, even adjusting his position for a better view of the show about to unfold.
Meanwhile, the moment Lockhart's left foot entered the passage between the Entrance Hall and the Great Hall, an eerie, icy draft