Hogwarts' Golden Glory

Diagon Alley was certainly bustling today, especially in front of Flourish and Blotts!

"ladies and gentlemen!"

Gilderoy Lockhart's voice resounded throughout the bookstore like a golden horn.

He stood behind a table covered in deep purple velvet.

He would toss his shiny blond hair with every sentence he spoke.

"Today is a special day! Not only because it's the first release of the limited edition deluxe edition of 'I Can Use Magic,' but also because—"

He paused dramatically, revealing his impeccably white teeth, his eyes scanning the crowded bookstore.

His pupils visibly contracted when his gaze fell upon Kane Malfoy.

"—Especially because I have two very special guests!"

Lockhart suddenly raised his voice and waved his wand!

Two golden sparks landed precisely on Harry and Kane's heads!

Just by looking at him, you can tell he's incredibly skilled!

"Harry Potter! And—oh, Merlin—Mr. Kane Malfoy!"

The entire bookstore instantly erupted in excitement.

The witches screamed and pushed forward, trying to get a better look.

Harry felt his face burning!

Kane frowned and subconsciously took half a step back. What was Lockhart up to?

"Please come forward, you two!"

Lockhart waved enthusiastically, completely ignoring the Weasleys standing next to the two.

Let's give a round of applause to two of Hogwarts' finest young men!

Arthur Weasley's face turned bright red.

He even straightened his back instinctively when he heard Lockhart call out "special guest"!

After all, he had just been given a prominent position by the new Minister of Magic!

It even took up a small space in the Daily Prophet.

But Lockhart's gaze went straight past him to the two people behind him, as if he were invisible.

"This is outrageous!" Mr. Weasley muttered under his breath.

Unconsciously, she tugged at her newly grown red hair.

Ron's face was redder than his hair: "He actually invited that Malfoy? Just because his last name is Malfoy?"

"Don't do that, Ron," Hermione said fiercely, "Kane is number one!"

"Oh, come on!" Ron rolled his eyes. "Lockhart doesn't care about Charms at all, he only cares about—"

"—He only cares about who can make his book sell more copies."

Fred slyly replied, exchanging a knowing glance with George.

They believe that Lockhart's book-selling methods are worth learning from!

Lockhart had already stepped down from the stage, grabbed Harry's wrist with one hand, and gestured with the other to invite Kane.

Harry could feel Lockhart's palms sweating, while Kane's expression was as cold as ice.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Lockhart announced to the crowd, pulling the two men to the front of the stage.

"I have some very important news to announce today!"

He lowered his voice mysteriously, but the amplified sound still resounded throughout the bookstore.

"Next semester, I will be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts!"

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

After the applause subsided, Lockhart continued, "And these two outstanding young men—Harry Potter, the boy who survived so many calamities, and Kane Malfoy, the most outstanding student at Hogwarts—will become my special teaching assistants!"

Harry almost choked on his own saliva.

"Humility! What a precious quality!" Lockhart patted Harry on the shoulder, who visibly tensed up.

"But don't worry, kids, I'll personally guide you on how to handle the pressures of fame! Now, let's present these two young heroes with a complete set of signed books!"

He was about to wave his wand, but then put it away.

Instead, he bent down and lifted the two stacks of hardcover books from the counter, placing them heavily in Harry and Kane's arms.

Harry staggered from the impact, while Kane caught him steadily, a hint of mockery flashing across his face.

"Thank you, but I don't need it," Kane said curtly, trying to put the book back.

"Oh, don't be so polite, my dear child!" Lockhart gripped Kane's wrist tightly, his voice suddenly dropping to a level that only a few people nearby could hear.

"Please give my regards to Mr. Malfoy..."

Kane then realized that the other party had taken a liking to the Malfoy family's strength.

Kane's lips curled into a sarcastic smile: "I'll pass on the message, though he might not remember."

Lockhart's smile froze for a second, but he quickly recovered: "Of course, of course! Now, let's take a picture together!"

Without a word, he pulled Harry and Kane to his side, putting one arm around each of them, and flashed his signature smile at the Daily Prophet's photographer.

The moment the flash went off, Harry saw the Weasleys squeezed into a corner.

Mr. Weasley's face showed a mixture of regret and embarrassment.

Mrs. Weasley was busy stopping the twins from secretly sprinkling something on Lockhart's autographed quill pen.

Ginny hid behind her mother, but her eyes were fixed on Kane and Harry, her cheeks flushed slightly.

"Alright, kids!" Lockhart announced loudly after taking the photos.

"Now I'll be signing autographs for the other readers. Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy, you can wait in the VIP area. If it's convenient, we can also have a small...private tea party later."

He winked meaningfully at Kane.

Harry was about to say he'd rather leave with the Weasleys when Kane suddenly spoke up: "No need, Professor. We still have shopping to do."

Lockhart could only watch the two disappear from the crowd's sight before continuing his work.

Just then, Lucius Malfoy walked in slowly, carrying a snake-headed cane.

Behind him followed a Draco who looked excited, his platinum blonde hair neatly combed.

"Kane!" Draco rushed forward as soon as he saw his brother, completely abandoning his usual arrogant tone.

"We heard Lockhart call your name!"

Lucius's gaze swept across the store, and when he saw Kane, he nodded slightly: "Looks like you don't need to buy any more textbooks."

His voice was unusually gentle, completely different from his usual self.

Arthur was surprised to find that Lucius Malfoy looked like an ordinary father who cared about his son.

"Lockhart insisted on giving it to Harry and me."

Kane gave a brief reply, then turned to Draco, "Why didn't you try the broom?"

Draco pursed his lips: "I wanted to come find you first—"

"Arthur Weasley." Lucius suddenly drew out his words, his gaze fixed on the red-haired man standing in the corner.

"That's surprising. The Ministry of Magic is now allowing its employees to go shopping on weekdays?"

Mr. Weasley's face immediately turned bright red: "Lucius! I took the day off to go shopping for textbooks with the kids!"

"How...touching is fatherly love," Lucius said with a forced smile, tapping his cane lightly with his fingers.

"But I think if some people had put the same amount of energy they spent on Muggle gadgets into their actual work, they might have been promoted long ago?"

"At least my job doesn't harm anyone!"