Hogwarts Raven's Claw

Chapter 117 Testing
In the kitchen of Hogwarts, Mike and Franklin were waiting for Lockhart to arrive. The table in front of them was filled with a variety of exquisite delicacies, and the house elf Hanger was still serving them attentively.

I don't know how long it was, until Mike felt a little impatient, the kitchen door was finally pushed open.

Lockhart hurried into the kitchen and said with a smile, "Sorry, I was blocked by my fans in Hufflepuff when I passed the door of the Hufflepuff common room. I was delayed for a while because I was signing autographs for them."

Lockhart's smile froze on his face the moment he saw Franklin. He looked at Mike puzzledly, as if asking him why there were other people here besides them.

Mike naturally understood what he meant, and said expressionlessly: "Franklin is my good friend, and he came here because he was worried about my safety. Don't worry, he is very tight-lipped, and you don't have to worry that he will leak our conversation today."

Lockhart hesitated for a while, but finally made up his mind and sat on the chair that the house-elf pulled out for him. He smiled and said, "You're joking, Mike. Of course I believe in Franklin. He is a good boy. I have always believed so."

Franklin heard what Lockhart said and secretly made a vomiting gesture.

At this time, the house-elf Hanger also brought a plate and served Lockhart a dish. It was something that looked like cheese toast with eggs baked in the oven. Looking at the cautious look on Hanger's face when he held it, this piece of bread should not be simple.

The moment Lockhart saw the dish, his eyes lit up. He quickly tied a napkin around himself, cut a piece and put it in his mouth.

"Mm! Welsh rabbit, a rare delicacy!" Lockhart said intoxicatedly, "This was my favorite dish when I was at Hogwarts. After graduation, I have tried Welsh rabbits from many places, but none of them are as delicious as the ones at Hogwarts. I have to say that the cooking skills of the house-elves at Hogwarts are really great."

The coat hanger shook with excitement at Lockhart's compliment.

"Isn't this just cheese toast deluxe?" Franklin whispered to Mike, "Is it that exaggerated?"

Mike shook his head, not knowing whether to do so or not. He didn't say anything, but just picked up the juice in front of him and took a sip.

When Lockhart saw that no one responded to him, a trace of embarrassment appeared on his face. However, his rich experience in embarrassing himself enabled him to quickly adjust his facial expression.

"Mike, do you know why I accepted Professor Dumbledore's invitation to come to Hogwarts to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

Seeing that Lockhart was still beating around the bush, Mike decided not to give him any more face. After a moment of thought, he realized that Lockhart had chosen the entire series of novels he had written as the textbook for this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts class, and he had the answer in his mind.

"Well, I think you might be doing this to sell your novels. You know, almost every little wizard in Hogwarts has bought a set of your books. You should have made a fortune, right?"

Franklin, who was standing by, chuckled when he heard Mike's answer.

"Why do you think so? I came to Hogwarts to prepare for my new novel!" Lockhart's face turned dark. "I knew that the Defense Against the Dark Arts class was cursed by a mysterious person, but when I received the invitation from Dumbledore, I accepted it without hesitation because my desire for inspiration suppressed my fear of the mysterious person!

And Hogwarts did not disappoint me. After many years, I returned to Hogwarts again, and inspiration kept bursting out! Especially your experience, Mike. Your experience in the basilisk incident this year is just like the protagonist of that kind of novel. So I want to interview you about the snake removal operation so that I can write it into my new novel. "

After Lockhart finished this long speech, he picked up the cup on the table and drank the juice in it. Then, as if he was afraid that Mike would not agree, he continued:

“For this new book, I decided to use a new perspective, changing my previous writing style of using the first person. This time I will write the book in the third person, Mike, and you will be the protagonist of this book!
And I, Gilderoy Lockhart! will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, and will give you full assistance in your battle with the basilisk. I plan to name this book "The End of the Millennium Basilisk"! "

After listening to Lockhart's story quietly, Mike became alert. Having read the original book, he knew that Lockhart was a memory thief.

All of his novels were based on stolen experiences from other people. After tricking others into telling him their miraculous experiences, he would use his improved version of the "Oblivion" to make them forget their experiences, and then Lockhart would take them for himself.

After thinking about it, Mike decided to make a bold attempt. According to the original book, Lockhart's strength was not strong. If he was on guard, Lockhart should not be his opponent, not to mention that there were a group of house-elves watching him.

And if Lockhart is really the heir, then he will make a fortune this time.

A blackthorn wand appeared in his hand, and Mike adjusted his sitting position slightly so that he could use his armor to protect himself at any time to repel any possible oblivion spell.

"Professor Lockhart, I can agree to your request." Mike said with a smile, "But at the same time, I have a question that I would like you to answer for me."

When Lockhart saw that Mike agreed, he immediately showed his joy and said yes repeatedly.

"I've read your autobiographical novels. In those novels, you described yourself as a powerful wizard who is almost omnipotent." Mac paused, "But from what I've seen from my interactions with you over the past few months, you don't seem to be as powerful as described in the books. Why is that?"

Lockhart's face froze when he heard this, and he stammered, "This... I am conserving my strength. If I show off my strength, I'm afraid I'll scare you little wizards."

"Oh? If that's the case, why didn't you stand up and defeat the Basilisk when it was rampant in Hogwarts?" Mike taunted, "Besides, I heard that you released a cage of Cornish pixies in your first class for Gryffindor. As a result, the situation on the scene seemed to be out of control, and you seemed unable to handle such a group of elves, and you hid under the table in fear."

Franklin couldn't hold back any longer and burst out laughing.

The expression on Lockhart's face kept changing from blue to purple. He took a few deep breaths before angrily saying, "This is simply slander! I just wanted to give those students a chance, a chance to handle the emergency independently! If I took action, those damned little beasts would all die in an instant!"

Mike looked at Lockhart with a half-smile, and it was obvious that he didn't believe what he said.

(End of this chapter)