Hogwarts: Hermione and I switched identities!

"Okay, okay, I understand," Tom repeated twice, finding Lockhart a bit long-winded.

If it were anyone else, Tom would have already pinned them to the ground.

But this is Hogwarts, Dumbledore's territory, and Tom can't just throw a tantrum here; that would be too disrespectful to Dumbledore.

such a pity……

Tom sighed inwardly.

If Professor Dumbledore had treated me like his son, things wouldn't have been so complicated.

"Professor, when do you plan to make a decision?"

"Now!"

"Now?" Tom shook his head. "I don't think it's a good idea."

Lockhart felt somewhat relieved when he heard Tom reject him.

Just as he imagined!

How could Tom possibly have learned Defense Against the Dark Arts in such a short time?

He must not be good at this.

If he sets the date a month from now... then I can at least get him to attend classes for a month.

That way, you can preserve your reputation!

Let the people inside Hogwarts know... let the people outside know!

In the end, even the mighty Tom of Hogwarts succumbed to Lockhart's clutches!

However, Tom said the second half of his sentence.

"Now, many students still have classes to attend, and I hope that they can come and watch our match. This will be very helpful to them."

Lockhart: "You want the students to come and watch our match too?"

“Of course.” Tom nodded. “Professor Lockhart, you should know that these students… especially first-year students, have never really experienced combat before. Being able to watch our battle up close can give them some inspiration.”

At least it will make them understand that magical duels are never child's play, and if they encounter invincible opponents in the future, it will give them a clearer understanding of their own strength.

Lockhart fell silent.

He never expected Tom to say that.

Could it be that he... has also mastered the art of black magic defense to its fullest extent?

impossible!

Unless his mastery of potions is fake.

All of these things combined cannot be accomplished in one year... nor in ten years.

Not to mention that he only spent a short six months.

Lockhart took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down: "Okay, then you set a time."

"Tonight, I'm going to meet up with some friends. We'll see each other again tonight. I'll tell each student about this in advance. Thank you, Professor. I hope you can give me an O in the final grade."

Lockhart: "..."

Watching Tom leave, with Professor Sprout following behind and giving him a disdainful look, Lockhart felt a mix of emotions.

Perhaps I can take this time to learn more about Tom.

Or... just run away!

He should escape first, and then deal with other things. He has a hundred ways to salvage his reputation; he won't ruin it in a place like this.

Lockhart left the office and suddenly realized that a gaze was fixed on him—no matter where he went.

Hearing murmurs in his ear, Lockhart's eyes widened in surprise.

“Little guy, if you dare to run away, I promise I’ll make sure no one ever sees you again.”

The voice sounded familiar.

Lockhart had a good memory and immediately remembered who was talking to him.

It's that giant dragon!

It's that giant dragon named Gara!

That guy actually knows this kind of magic.

She actually threatened me?! That beast!

Lockhart slowly clenched his fist. At that moment, he felt that there was no one behind him, while Tom was backed by the entire Hogwarts.

At least let me know Tom's background!

……

Lockhart found someone, a professor who was supposed to be "out of town" today.

Minerva McGonagall.

When Lockhart saw Professor McGonagall, the latter was standing by the window admiring the fire dragon below.

That was the most beautiful, largest, and most powerful fire dragon she had ever seen.

Professor McGonagall really wanted to see the dragon up close, or even touch it like the other students.

But no.

If I go, wouldn't that be condoning Tom's behavior?

Just then, Professor McGonagall heard a knock on the door.

She remained silent, not wanting others to know she was at school.

Unexpectedly, the other party simply pushed the door open.

It's the annoying Lockhart.

“Professor McGonagall, hello.” Lockhart gave a respectful wizard’s salute.

Professor McGonagall nodded without saying anything, gesturing for Lockhart to sit down: "So, what brings you here? The school is quite lively today. Unfortunately, I just got back from outside, and I'm having some problems with my eyes and ears. I can't see or hear things clearly."

Lockhart: "..."

You could just say you're going to protect Tom; you don't need to be so subtle.

Of course, Lockhart couldn't really say that. He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Professor McGonagall, I'd like to ask you about someone."

"What did you say?" Professor McGonagall pretended to be hard of hearing, though her acting was rather poor.

"I'd like to ask you about someone, Professor McGonagall. If you've injured your ear, I have some medicine here. Would you like me to apply it for you?"

Professor McGonagall nodded vigorously: "Oh, you're asking about someone... You don't need to trouble yourself with applying the medicine, I'll go find Professor Severus later... So, who do you want to ask about?"

"Tom Riddle, the first-year student, Tom from Ravenclaw."

Professor McGonagall took a sip of tea, holding the teacup in both hands: "What happened to him? The most outstanding freshman in the first year, whether it's his magical skills, potions, or Transfiguration Charms, he's no worse than those Aurors outside."

If he weren't so young, Headmaster Albus would have even wanted him to be the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Lockhart: "...?"

Are these students?

What does it mean to say that an 11-year-old child is no worse than an Auror?

Aurors are now being used as a unit of measurement in competitions?

"Um, Professor McGonagall, how did you know that Tom had such high achievements in magic? Did someone have a magical duel with Tom?"

Professor McGonagall waved her hand: "No, no student would be that stupid. As for professors... we professors wouldn't bully a child."

"Oh...it seems you're going to have a magical duel with Tom. Congratulations, you're the first person to have a magical duel with Tom."

Lockhart felt ashamed and lowered his head, not daring to look Professor McGonagall in the eye.

“Professor McGonagall, how did you know? Didn’t you… just come back from outside?”

Professor McGonagall coughed. "I have a cat at the school, that's all. My cat will tell me what's going on."

Actually, you don't need to worry too much. Tom didn't do anything major before, it was just... he ran into him twice by chance... Oh, perhaps I can't say, and shouldn't say, it's a secret.

Don't worry, you're the first person to encounter 'Tom himself'.

No matter what, he's just a first-year wizard.

A little wizard who gave me a hard time.

A wizard who had twice eliminated the mysterious man.

Even the reason Lockhart was able to become the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts was because Tom... eliminated the previous professor.

Professor McGonagall kept these thoughts to herself and didn't say them aloud.

She observed Lockhart's expression, watching it gradually turn ashen, and found it quite amusing.

“I’ll be watching the wizarding duel tonight. Oh, and I forgot to mention something,” Professor McGonagall suddenly held up a finger, “Do you know what a dragon is?”

Lockhart shook his head: "Fire Dragon, what's wrong?"

"Fire dragons... or rather, the entire dragon race. There are two types: one is the ones we wizards raise, and the other is wild. Hmm... I feel like I've seen wild fire dragons somewhere recently."

In short, those fire dragons are intelligent and can communicate with us humans.

Gaining their approval... is extremely difficult. Either you save their life, making the dragon grateful and willing to follow you, or..." Professor McGonagall's lips curled upwards, "you defeat the dragon, making them submit with your strength."

After saying that, Professor McGonagall waved her hand, covered her face with her enormous wizard hat, and ignored Lockhart.

What do you mean by defeating the fire dragon?

Wild dragons possess intelligence and can speak to humans? Isn't that the dragon Tom brought back?

Lockhart pressed his palm against his chest; he could hear his own heart pounding.

Oh no, it's all over...

Will I survive tonight?

……