Hogwarts: I'm Harry's older cousin

Chapter 135, page 133: Surely Lockhart can't be the one teaching us how to duel?

"It's a real shame I didn't get to see that duel; I imagine it must have been an absolutely spectacular match."

"However, this also gave me an idea. I'm currently planning a secret event that I guarantee will surprise everyone."

Lockhart had said this more than once in his class after hearing that Hermione had single-handedly defeated the sixth-year prefect.

He knows how to manipulate public opinion and draw attention to himself; to be precise, he's very good at it.

Although it often ends up being messed up by various things, turning into a publicity stunt.

But his abilities are undeniable.

"I bet everyone is really curious to know what it is."

Whenever Lockhart reached this point, he would stop talking, blink, and reveal a row of gleaming white teeth.

Honestly, he shouldn't be selling shampoo. The Porter family's special shampoo has always been the undisputed leader in sales, and no other shampoo can replace it. Although Lockhart really tries hard to market it, the actual sales are not very good, and only a small number of die-hard fans are willing to buy it.

Lockhart's right move would have been to endorse toothpaste.

That teeth, which look like they've been given special effects treatment, are enough.

Lockhart's mysterious demeanor really piqued the interest of many young wizards. After all, he was a professor, and although his level was limited, he wouldn't be so bored as to tease them. However, whenever they asked Lockhart, he refused to reveal any more information.

"You'll find out Monday morning."

Lockhart said this, maintaining an air of mystery.

Monday morning arrived as scheduled. When the discipline team members returned to the castle after their morning exercise, they suddenly saw a small wizard gathered around the bulletin board, reading the words on a piece of parchment that had just been nailed up.

"It's probably just Lockhart's pointless trick," Ron said with a sneer. "Is he trying to catch a whole bunch of vixens this time?"

If we're talking about the most disgruntled Lockhart member in the disciplinary group, it has to be Ron. His mother and sister are die-hard Lockhart fans. Although Ginny wasn't as obsessed with Lockhart after going to Hogwarts and witnessing how terrible the real Lockhart was, his mother, Mrs. Weasley, was still a die-hard fan.

The Weasleys were not wealthy, and Lockhart's books were ridiculously expensive. Just the Lockhart book set for the start of second grade was a considerable expense, and even Ron's small profit last year was far from enough to make up for the shortfall.

Moreover, Ron spent all the money he earned on gifts for his family, and didn't even get himself a new wand or a new pet. He used the same old wand as Neville, except that he used his brother's and Neville used his father's.

"You might be mistaken," Dudley said softly, glancing at the contents of the parchment. "He did do a good deed, too."

"The Duelist Club? Its founder is Lockhart?"

Hermione read the contents of the parchment aloud, her expression strange: "A duel? Lockhart? Him?"

The last word, "he," was utterly contemptuous.

Hermione is a little witch who respects the professor, provided you have the ability or character to earn her respect.

Lockhart's abilities are questionable, but his character is questionable as well. Recently, rumors about him have been circulating among the upperclassmen.

Hmm. The emotional type.

Hermione is working to gather evidence in this regard, and once it is confirmed, Lockhart will not only face expulsion from Hogwarts, but will also be charged.

The crime of molesting a minor wizard is no small matter, even in the wizarding world. It would mean being sent to Wizengamot, if not Azkaban.

"Professor Snape and Professor Flitwick actually agreed?" Neville looked down at the parchment.

Below the organizer Lockhart, there is a line of smaller print, along with the names of Professor Snape and Professor Flitwick.

This notice, highlighting himself so much, must have been written by Lockhart.

"What kind of spell did that guy cast on the professors?"

Professor Flitwick is one thing, though; he was supposedly a dueling master in his youth and might be interested in the Duelists Club. But Professor Snape is not one to enjoy crowds.

Harry knows this all too well; every time he goes to his tutor, it's never a pleasant experience.

"I don't think Lockhart can cast advanced spells like the Bewitching Spell."

Ron, playing the role of the witty critic, said, "Maybe he was just fed up with it and that's why he agreed."

"It seems your brain has finally clicked. This may be the closest you've ever come to the truth, Mr. Romeo."

Malfoy retorted sarcastically without holding back.

This is basically their daily routine: Ron is in charge of making sarcastic remarks, Malfoy is in charge of mocking him, and Harry occasionally chimes in.

"Stop giving me those weird nicknames! I'll teach you a lesson tonight and pluck all your tangled, gold-and-silver hair."

The Duelists Club's first gathering is tonight.

"This is platinum gold, you uncultured idiot."

You can say that other Malfoys will never get angry; on the contrary, they will seize on the loopholes in your statements to mock you. But if you mention his hair, he will definitely get furious.

"I'm going to shove your red head up your ass."

"Come on, come on, who's afraid of who?"

"It seems everyone agrees to go, so get ready tonight." Dudley nodded, then suddenly raised his voice, "Harry!"

After a long while, Harry finally responded with an "um".

"Lately, you seem distracted during training, often daydreaming, and you seem absent-minded when I talk to you."

"You will have a one-on-one duel with Neville tonight."

"Let me see if you've improved or regressed during this time."

Dudley was very dissatisfied with Harry's recent behavior, and Harry wouldn't say anything when asked, so there was definitely something wrong with him.

The reason Neville was chosen is because he has made the most progress during this period.

At eight o'clock in the evening, the long dining table disappeared, and a gilded stage appeared along one wall, illuminated by hundreds of candles floating above. The ceiling once again turned as black as velvet, and most of the students had arrived, crowding together, each holding their own magic wand, their faces full of excitement.

"Who will teach us dueling techniques in our first lesson?"

The little wizards chattered amongst themselves.

"I bet it's Professor Flitwick; he was a dueling champion in his youth!"

It's usually the young Ravenclaw wizards who say this.

"It must be Professor Snape. He is one of the most powerful wizards I have ever seen."

This is usually said by Slytherins, and they're definitely supporting their own house's headmaster.

There were all sorts of guesses, with some Gryffindors even calling out Hagrid.

Ron chuckled and joked, "It couldn't possibly be Lockhart himself, could it?"

Surely Lockhart isn't so lacking in self-awareness.

(End of this chapter)