At her words, Lockhart's eyes gleamed with confidence.
"Of course not. Besides my thrilling tales of adventure, there'll naturally be classroom quizzes. I need to assess their knowledge so I can tailor my teaching plans to them."
As he spoke, Lockhart picked up a stack of test papers from the desk and handed them to Hermione.
"Being my teaching assistant won't get you out of extra lessons if you can't answer these important questions!"
Hermione took the papers, skimmed them once, and narrowed her eyes.
"What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite color... May I ask what level of Defense Against the Dark Arts knowledge this question assesses?"
"Er..."
Lockhart's expression froze, but a second later, he recovered as though he hadn't understood Hermione's objection.
"As the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts personally hired by Dumbledore, I, Gilderoy Lockhart-international celebrity and author, recipient of the Order of Merlin, Third Class, honorary member of the Anti-Dark Magic League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award-personally believe that getting teachers and students better acquainted before formal lessons begin is more important than jumping straight into Defense Against the Dark Arts. Don't you agree?"
He delivered all that without blushing or missing a breath, even throwing Hermione what he considered a charming smile.
Here we go again... Hermione sighed.
"Although you defeated Quirrell, Miss Granger, I am far beyond the likes of that useless fool. I've prepared a little surprise for class later. You'll get to see just how powerful I am."
Lockhart patted the birdcage beside him, which was covered with a black cloth, brimming with confidence.
Yes, when it comes to being useless, Quirrell really can't hold a candle to you...
Come to think of it, weren't you two in the same house?
First Quirrell, then Lockhart.
*Ravenclaw's