Lockhart wore black robes patterned in purple and really was handsome-provided he did not smile quite so extravagantly.
Now, he rose with only a faint smile, striking just the right note of elegance as he raised a hand for silence.
He certainly lived up to his reputation as a born crowd-puller. The Little Witches obediently fell silent at once, waiting for their idol to speak.
Lockhart bowed slightly.
"My name is Gilderoy Lockhart. Whatever illustrious titles I may have held in the past, none of that matters. Right now, I am simply a newly appointed professor with limited teaching experience. I welcome your suggestions, so we can all improve together. Thank you."
After this brief, humble speech, Lockhart sat back down.
A professor who was both humble and handsome was naturally popular. More people joined the Little Witches in applauding him.
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes slightly. How could he not know exactly what sort of man he had invited?
Still, something always went wrong with the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor every year. That was only to be expected, and he was used to it by now.
That was why he had reopened the Fourth Floor dungeon challenge. He wanted to continue last year's unfinished plan while also testing this new professor, who was more than he seemed.
Dumbledore pressed his hands downward and announced,
"All right, your little stomachs must be growling by now. Let the feast begin!"
All manner of sumptuous food instantly appeared on the four long tables. The young wizards really were starving, and with no restrictions imposed today, they all ate with gusto.
Shawn, however, ate absentmindedly.
Lockhart's behavior was just as he had expected.
But what was Dumbledore playing at, refusing to give up and making the fourth floor off-limits again?
*Was he