Since returning from the Christmas holidays, Lockhart seemed to have been considerably less active than he had been during the first half of the school year.
Harry thought this was probably because more students had seen through his flashy but hollow facade, so they were less willing to pay him any attention.
The vast majority of them were boys.
As for the girls, quite a few still harbored some illusions about him because of his handsome face.
After all, this was a world that judged people by their looks.
Clearly, however, Professor Lockhart was not satisfied with this state of affairs, so he started stirring things up again.
After failing to steal the limelight at several Duelling Club meetings, and even embarrassing himself a little on a few occasions, Professor Lockhart set his sights on another important date.
February 14, Valentine's Day.
In all twelve years of his life, Harry had never celebrated Valentine's Day, nor had he ever thought of celebrating it. This was only natural: before this, he had had absolutely no interest in little girls-or boys, of course.
Under those circumstances, why would he ever have thought of celebrating Valentine's Day?
This year, however, things had changed somewhat.
On the night before Valentine's Day, Harry finished his homework and lay on his bed in the dormitory. The lovely figure of Cho Chang, the older girl who was Ravenclaw's new Seeker, kept popping into his mind.
Harry wanted to drive her out, but her figure kept popping up like a mischievous mole in an arcade game. It kept Harry awake for ages.
With no other choice, Harry finally had to intensify both his Occlumency practices before he could at last clear his mind and fall asleep.
Yet, whether Harry's proficiency in his two Occlumency practices had declined, whether