The night was a celebration.
They celebrated in a way utterly different from ordinary people.
Thor was an expert reveler who had attended hundreds of parties, large and small.
But he had no time to enjoy himself now, because Hulk was sulking at him.
"Ban... Hulk."
The green giant, over two meters tall, turned his head away and shifted the sofa so its back faced Thor.
Thor forced a smile and moved closer.
In the Avengers, they were all used to treating Hulk as Banner's muscle.
When left alone with Hulk, they found themselves at something of a loss.
"Hey! Big guy!" A man who looked like a Flower Peacock approached.
He resembled a peacock because he was decked out in extravagant clothes.
Every finger bore a gemstone ring that would have made any society lady swoon.
The man seemed quite taken with Hulk.
With a charming smile, he addressed Hagrid, who had also responded to the call. "Sorry, Professor Hagrid. I didn't mean you."
"Lockhart, you annoying fellow."
Hagrid grumbled in his gravelly voice, "You always seem to hear about everything."
"Of course. The Wizard King and I are the closest of friends," Lockhart said, not feeling in the least that he was boasting. "We slew a giant serpent together at Hogwarts, and even ventured into an evil spider den."
"Really?" Hagrid looked skeptical. "How come I never heard about that?"
As one of Hogwarts' longest-serving teachers, Hagrid had absolutely no recollection of any such thing.
"I've always told you that you need to read more books to acquire sufficient wisdom." Never one to miss a chance to gain another fan, Lockhart produced a book from his magnificent robes as though performing a conjuring trick.
He deftly signed his name. "Although I've received the Order of Merlin, Second Class,