A magical journey that begins at Hogwarts

“That’s true.” Ron nodded. “My mom is his biggest fan. His autograph sessions always pack Flourish and Blotts.”

"Is he really that amazing?" Aaron couldn't help but be a little skeptical. Although a great reputation is never undeserved, someone who can do so well must have some real skills.

However, the description in this book is a bit too exaggerated. He bet even Merlin wouldn't be that outstanding at the same age.

Hermione closed "Traveling with Vampires" and looked at Aaron seriously, saying, "Professor Lockhart is just that excellent, otherwise he wouldn't have been hired as a professor at Hogwarts."

Are you so sure? Just based on this one book?

Hermione, I always thought you were the kind of girl who could always stay rational, but it seems my judgment was a little off.

Harry is quite famous in the wizarding world, but once you actually get to know him, you'll find...

“My fame and ability are completely mismatched, right!” Harry said with a wry smile. “I know that’s true, but could you please not say it to my face?”

“Sorry.” Aaron chuckled awkwardly and turned to Hermione. “I’ve never met Lockhart, and there’s no way to judge a book by its cover, but I have my doubts about whether he’s qualified to be our teacher.”

That's prejudice.

“Perhaps!” Aaron shrugged. “But this prejudice is definitely not because he wrote an autobiography for himself, but because he made us use it as a textbook.”

Forgive my bluntness, but his approach was somewhat irresponsible.

"With textbooks like this, we can't even study on our own."

“You…” Hermione snorted, somewhat displeased, “Professor Lockhart will prove his talent with his actions, and then you’ll have to apologize to him.”

"That's asking too much of you."

"No, you're the one who slandered a great wizard first."

Didn't you receive a letter from the school during your vacation?

Aaron was taken aback. All of his letters during his vacation had been intercepted by Genes, including those from Hogwarts.

He didn't dare to read the letters his friends sent him, but he handled the ones from the school himself.

Hermione, seeing Aaron's blank expression, guessed what was going on. "Looks like you didn't receive it."

"What does it matter?" Aaron asked, puzzled. "If the school needs anything, Genes will take care of it for me. He's my primary guardian since my parents aren't here."

“No wonder.” Hermione tapped the cover of “Sailing with Vampires”. “We need to prepare seven textbooks like this, all about Lockhart’s great deeds.”

"Seven books? The same type of...autobiography?" Aaron's lips twitched. If he had only three points of doubt before, now that doubt had increased to seven points.

Lockhart's decision to have his students use his work as teaching material may have had an element of showing off and narcissism, but it cannot rule out the possibility that he had genuine talent and knowledge.

After all, Professor Snape never brought textbooks to class, but who would dare to doubt the flaws in his potions knowledge?

But seven books is a bit of an exaggeration. At least in Aaron's opinion, a great wizard would never waste his prime years writing books.

Moreover, these are seven books. If the content of the books is something he imagined, it proves that he doesn't have much ability. But if the content of the books is something he personally experienced, it proves even more that he doesn't have much ability.

The time spent traveling and writing the book must have been at least ten years. Lockhart seems to be under thirty, which means he was under twenty before...

Wow! That's terrifying to think about!

In other words, either this new professor is a one-in-a-million genius with the potential to become a god of magic, or he is a scoundrel who has no ability but is particularly good at opportunism. Otherwise, there is no way to explain why he is doing so well.

"Isn't that amazing?" Hermione asked with a smile. "He's encountered all sorts of dangerous magical creatures, including vampires, werewolves, ghosts, ghouls, yakshas, ​​trolls, and so on."

Aaron forced a smile. He dared not tell his guess to a die-hard fan, or Hermione might slam the thick book on his head.

At that moment, Vice Principal Professor McGonagall came over and handed out the class schedules to each student.

“This is your class schedule for this semester. I don’t want any more instances of being late for class,” Professor McGonagall said, giving Harry and Ron a meaningful look.

The two lowered their heads in shame; they had been late for the first class of the previous semester.

After distributing the course schedule, Professor McGonagall planned to leave to prepare for her first class of the new semester.

But she had only taken a few steps out of the auditorium when Aaron, who had followed her, stopped her. "Professor, wait a moment."

"Mr. Gaius, is there something you need?"

I don't think Slytherin's first lesson was Transfiguration!

Aaron pointed to the Defense Against the Dark Arts class on the timetable and said somewhat embarrassedly, "If I may ask, Professor McGonagall, how much do you know about Professor Gilderoy Lockhart...?"

"Why are you asking this?" Professor McGonagall asked, puzzled.

“I’m just a little curious.” Aaron scratched his head. “Professor, you know me. I wouldn’t ask you this question for no reason.”

Professor McGonagall pondered for a moment, then said thoughtfully, "His book is well written."

Aaron: ......

"That's it?"

“That’s all I know,” Professor McGonagall shrugged. “The professors at Hogwarts are either hired by the school, recruited by the school, or recommended by others.”

"Then he is?"

“He came to apply for the job on his own,” Professor McGonagall said. “Not long after your holiday started.”

The school was short of a substitute teacher, and he just happened to come to our doorstep. Given Harold's reputation in the wizarding world, we had no reason to refuse.

Moreover, his book provides detailed descriptions of various dangerous creatures, which complements the course well.

"Any question?"

"Nothing."

Aaron looked thoughtfully at the Defense Against the Dark Arts class on the schedule, surprised that even the school professors didn't know Lockhart's true level.

But that's okay, we'll find out what it's like once we put it to the test.

Slytherin has a History of Magic class in the morning, and Professor Binns enters the classroom by walking across the blackboard.

He recounted the history of the fairy uprising, which was more interesting than the school's founding history he told last semester.

Aaron wasn't particularly interested in this history, but out of respect for his teacher, he still took notes.

The second lesson was herbalism, where they would learn from Professor Sprout how to repot mandrakes.

Mandrake is a dangerous magical plant. It may not be as dangerous as the willow tree, but its cry can cause people to faint. However, mature mandrake is an important ingredient in the preparation of many antidotes and is very valuable.

Professor Sprout, wearing earmuffs, gave a simple demonstration.

She pulled a seedling from the flowerpot. The seedling, which looked like a chubby baby, immediately opened its mouth wide and let out a sharp cry, but no one could hear it.

The Mandela seedling looked angry, clenching its teeth, its roots and branches shaking constantly.

Professor Sprout didn't spoil it; he decisively put it in a new flowerpot and then buried it with moist compost.

Afterwards, Professor Sprout gestured for everyone to remove their earmuffs and began explaining the precautions.

"It doesn't seem difficult at all," Draco said dismissively.

“Draco.” Aaron shook his head meaningfully. “I used to think like you, but as someone who’s been there, let me tell you, never compare yourself to your teacher before you’ve mastered your craft. It’s incredibly foolish.”

Draco paused, looking at Aaron with some surprise, "Just how much psychological trauma did those teachers leave on you during your vacation?"

"Hehe! Guess?"

“Alright, put on the earmuffs and try operating it yourself,” Professor Sprout said.

The two did not continue their conversation. They put on earmuffs and gloves to protect their poisonous tentacles, and each pulled a Mandela seedling from a flowerpot.

Aaron looked at the mandrake in front of him. Its teeth were particularly sharp. It struggled fiercely, trying to break free of its restraints and burrow back into the soil.

"You're quite strong!" Aaron smiled meaningfully, then winked at Abe.

The Holy Dragon roared and jumped onto the table, slapping the mandrake's body with its claw. It saw stars and when it came to its senses, it saw a snarling, magical creature with a few drops of saliva hanging from its mouth.

The Mandela seedling immediately shut its mouth, neither screaming nor struggling, appearing exceptionally docile, almost unlike the seedlings in the hands of others.

Compared to being eaten, moving to a new living environment isn't so unacceptable.

Chapter 144 The New Professor Is a Bit Unreliable

"Not bad, you're one step closer to becoming a battle pet." Aaron patted Abe's head with satisfaction, then placed the Mandela seedling into a new flowerpot.

Perhaps because of Abe's intimidation, he didn't even lift a finger, and the Mandela seedling buried itself in the compost with its delicate roots.

"Very sensible."

Aaron was even more satisfied, and even considered buying the seedling from Professor Sprout.

However, this is just an idea. Raising a dragon is tiring enough. If you also raise a magical plant with a certain degree of lethality, life would be unbearable.

Professor Sprout meticulously guided each student, trying her best to process all the Mandela seedlings in the greenhouse. Her enthusiasm made Aaron think she was exploiting the students' labor.

When get out of class ended, almost every student was covered in sweat and mud.

"I can't take it anymore, I really need to take a shower," Draco said wearily. "Aaron, are you coming?"

"Me? I don't need it."

My physical condition is slightly better than yours, so I'm not this tired.

"And the next class is Defense Against the Dark Arts, and I'm quite interested in this new professor," Aaron said with a meaningful smile. "I plan to carefully study his works before class."

"Professor Lockhart's...work?" Draco frowned slightly. "Is that a textbook?"

You could say that!

Don't laugh at me, but I've never even seen the covers of those books once.

"Okay! See you in the classroom this afternoon."

After lunch, Aaron returned to his dormitory, opened his suitcase, and took out a packaged cardboard box.

This was the Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook that Genes had prepared for him about a month ago, but he hadn't had time to look at it.

After opening the box, Aaron took out Lockhart's seven books.

Breaking Up with a Female Ghost, Traveling with a Ghoul, Vacationing with a She-Devil, Traveling with a Troll, Wandering with a Werewolf, A Year with the Yeti of Tibet, A Boat Trip with Vampires

The books were piled up and were almost two feet high.

Aaron opened one of the books and began to browse through it quickly.

However, as Aaron read on, his expression became strange. The protagonist of the book, Lockhart, had almost no flaws and was a completely positive character who fought wits and courage against dark creatures.

He wasn't surprised by this, because the protagonist always has a halo.