Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 196 Celebrities should act like celebrities.
Nearly a month into the semester, Harry had come to believe that Gilderoy Lockhart was a capable Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

But one code equals another.

The thought of replying to his admirers still felt like a nightmare to Harry.

Whether Hermione's proactive actions were to help herself or Professor Lockhart is not important.

If you're willing to share the physical labor of writing letters, you're my good brother!

“But I don’t know if he will agree…” Harry was a little anxious.

"Don't be like that, Harry. How will you know if you don't try? But you can't tell anyone about this."

"Uh... okay, alright."

Harry felt that Hermione's tone sounded exactly like a criminal on TV who preys on minors.

The two walked together down the long third-floor corridor toward Lockhart's office.

“The Defense Against the Dark Arts professors at Hogwarts are constantly changing,” Hermione said as they walked. “So each professor decorates their office according to their own tastes and preferences. I wonder what Professor Lockhart’s office will look like?”

Seeing Hermione's excited expression, Harry remained expressionless: "I'm not looking forward to it at all."

When they arrived at Professor Lockhart's office, the two stopped.

Seeing that Harry hadn't moved for a long time, Hermione looked at him with some confusion.

"Harry?"

Meeting Hermione's encouraging gaze, Harry gritted his teeth and finally knocked on the door.

The door opened almost instantly.

Gilderoy Lockhart's smiling face came into view.

"Oh, the little rascal is here! Harry, come in."

Harry: (*￣rǒ￣)
Hermione: ヾ(o)ヾ
Lockhart only noticed Hermione standing next to Harry after he finished speaking, and was immediately surprised:
"Miss Granger! What brings you here?"

Hermione: (;Д`)
Although she felt somewhat wronged, Hermione suppressed this negative emotion and cautiously asked:

"Um... Professor, I'd like to help you write a reply with Harry, is that alright?"

Harry also looked at Lockhart with hopeful eyes.

In that instant, he had seen the entire Lockhart office.

Just as Hermione had said before, Lockhart had rearranged the office to his liking.

The whole office felt like it was all over the place.

Countless framed photos of Lockhart hung on the walls, brightly lit by many candles, some even bearing his signature, and a large stack of photographs lay on the table.

However, none of this matters.

What terrified Harry the most was that the office wasn't small; in fact, it could be described as spacious.

Even so, it was still overflowing with countless letters and packages.

If I were to reply to these people...

Harry couldn't help but shudder.

At this moment, he desperately hoped that Hermione could help him share some of the burden.

For the sake of Hermione's excellent performance in Defense Against the Dark Arts, please say yes, Professor Lockhart!
Harry prayed silently to himself, after all, she was the only student who could remember all his preferences!
However, Lockhart then said something that surprised Harry and Hermione.

“Dear Miss Granger, although I am very happy that you took the initiative to come, I still have to say sorry to you.”

"T-Professor?"

Hermione looked at Lockhart in surprise, seemingly not expecting him to reject her so decisively.

"The fact that Harry helped me reply to the fans' letters was actually Professor McGonagall's punishment for putting him in solitary confinement, and I think you all know that."

Harry and Hermione nodded.

"That's why I can't find anyone else to do this, even if you're willing."

"But, but..."

"Good girl, don't worry, replying to fans' letters is not something that can be done overnight."

Lockhart smiled at Hermione and winked:

"I will definitely contact you next time I need to reply to my fans."

At that point, it will no longer be a punishment, but a request for your help!

It would be an honor for me to have the best student in the entire grade help me!

It must be said that Lockhart, as the author of "The Charismatic Speaker," is quite skilled.

With just two simple sentences, Hermione's mood changed from low to high, and she obediently left.

After Hermione left, Lockhart turned to Harry, his face breaking into a bright smile once more:
"What are you standing there for? Come in, my dear Harry!"

As soon as Harry entered the room, Lockhart immediately shut the door, rubbing his hands excitedly as he said:

"I think...you could write it in an envelope!"

To be honest, his tone was strange, as if it were some kind of glorious thing.

Harry had no idea where his confidence came from.

Indeed, just as Sherlock had said, this person was truly contradictory.

"Then... let me see..."

Lockhart muttered to himself as he searched:
"Let's give the first one to Ms. Gladys, God bless her, she's one of my most ardent admirers."

Remembering what Sherlock had told him earlier, and recalling how Colin had bothered him not long ago, Harry frowned and an idea came to him.

He finished writing the envelope as quickly as possible.

Before Lockhart could hand her another envelope, she spoke first, saying, "Professor, I actually have a question I'd like to ask you."

Lockhart was clearly surprised that Harry had spoken up. However, he quickly showed delight in his eyes:

"I never expected that even the savior of the magical world would have doubts?"

Don't worry, dear Harry, with my vast life experience, I'm sure I can answer all your questions.

"Here's the thing, there's a student in our college who really likes..."

Harry's thick skin still needs some work, and he paused here.

"Well... I don't really know how to put it, but he keeps asking me to take pictures and sign autographs, and he even shows up on my daily route, which has started to disrupt my normal life."

"what!"

Compared to Harry, Lockhart has much more experience.

Hearing this, he understood what was going on.

“I think…you’re referring to Mr. Colin Crevey, right?”
"Is that the same enthusiastic fan who took a photo with us before?"

"Yes, it's him!"

Harry nodded repeatedly.

He did not correct Lockhart's statement, and this time Lockhart's description was not actually wrong.

"Very good, dear Harry, it seems you've finally realized the weight of fame as a double-edged sword!"
As your teacher, I feel compelled to share some of my experiences in becoming a celebrity.

Lockhart straightened his collar and flashed his signature smile.

"I once wrote in 'Dancing with Werewolves' that fame is like a gold coin hidden in a sniffer's pocket; if you're not careful, it will bite your finger."

Upon entering his area of ​​expertise, Lockhart suddenly exuded an aura of dominance, which surprisingly convinced Harry.

"Harry, you must remember that celebrities have to act like celebrities."

You just said that Mr. Crevy has affected your normal life.
Haha, in my opinion, this is not worth mentioning at all.

Once, a fan actually tried to sneak into the bathroom while I was taking a shower in order to get my autograph.

"If that were all, it wouldn't be so bad, but did you know that she also prepared aphrodisiacs!"

Harry was stunned when he heard this.

"Aphrodisiac?"

Professor Lockhart winked at Harry, who looked on in surprise:

“Mason’s beard, I shouldn’t be saying this to a student. It’s way too early for you right now.”

"Uh……"

“Ahem… I mean, when Mr. Crevy rushes at you with his camera, you should keep your distance like you would a mandrake seedling.”

"Professor, you might as well put it more clearly."

“You have to raise your chin so high that you can see the top of the tower, understand?”

Use that "I just saved the magical world from the clutches of a mysterious figure" look when you look down at the camera.

When he says, 'Mr. Potter, please give me your autograph,' the correct response is to reply with a concise and powerful tone, as if cast a spell:

He said, "Defense Against the Dark Arts class is in five minutes," and then strode away.

When you're stuck on the spiral staircase, you can even tell him in a cold tone:

'Mr. Crevy, your persistence is wearing down the Savior's patience.'

Under Harry's "I can't believe it?" look, Lockhart said in an unquestionable tone:

“Harry, you must remember that every overly enthusiastic photograph has the potential to become Venom in the future.”

Only when your fans are feeling frustrated can you appropriately show your friendliness.

The goal is to make fans feel that the idol is willing to get close to them, but for various reasons, cannot actually do so.

Even if you've really done something wrong, you should still get your fans to defend you spontaneously, and if necessary, you can even plant them...

Well, of course it's a bit too early to tell you this now.

Ultimately, it comes down to this: celebrities should maintain a certain air of authority.

After saying this, Lockhart straightened up, resumed his elegant posture, and casually straightened his violet robe.

"Now, I think we can practice how to express 'I'm busy' using our nostrils."

While a stunned Harry received Lockhart's empowerment, Hermione, rejected by Lockhart, left the office somewhat dejectedly and returned to the Gryffindor common room.

Hermione wasn't surprised when she saw the familiar figure with his hands clasped together, supporting his chin.

"Professor Lockhart rejected me."

She sat down next to Sherlock and briefly recounted what had just happened:
"However, he promised me that if there is another opportunity like this, he will definitely ask me for help next time."

"Next time for sure? That's within my expectations."

"You already guessed this outcome, so why didn't you try to stop me when I went to see Harry?"

"If I try to persuade you, will you give up?"

Hermione pondered for a moment, then shook her head: "No."

After uttering those two words, she couldn't help but smile, and she understood what Sherlock meant.

"To be honest, I'm really stubborn about this."

“That’s not surprising, Hermione. Gilderoy Lockhart is actually a very interesting man.”

"interesting?"

Hermione looked at her friend with some confusion.

"Sherlock, could you be a little clearer about what you're saying?"

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(End of this chapter)