Memories & the Secrets of Hogwarts
Chapter 6 â“ Professor Gilderoy Lockhart
September 2, 1992
Harry tried his best to enjoy lunch as much as possible. He was a bit concerned about what Defense was going to have in store for them. Harry wasnât looking forward to having to sit through a two-hour lesson with Lockhart. Especially after the run-in, they had earlier on his way to Herbology.
Hermione sat next to Ron across from Harry and Neville. She had all of the Defense course books in front of her reading through them when she should have been eating. They had been there for a few minutes when Ginny & Luna joined them.
âHow were your classes?â Harry asked as Ginny sat down next to him.
Ginny gave him a sideways glance; he could tell she didnât want to answer that.
âWe had double Defense this morning.â Luna said from her seat next to Neville. âLockhart gave us a test.â
Both Harry and Neville looked at the girl expecting to say something more.
âIt was ridiculous.â Ginny muttered. âthe questions on that paper made no sense. Iâm not sure what the man is supposed to teach us.â
âWe should be thankful to have such a knowledgeable Professor available this year.â Hermione who had apparently been listening as she read âWandering with Werewolves.â Both Ginny and Luna looked at Hermione like she was batty.
âProfessor Lockhart is about as knowledgeable as a flobberworm,â Ginny whispered in Harryâs ear. Harryâs cheeks reddened and let out a small chuckle.
âDonât worry Hermione Iâm sure you will find Professor Lockhartâs lesson effervescent,â Luna said dreamily.
Hermione huffed and closed her books. She stood up and said, âI donât know why you first years donât find someone your own age to sit with.â After that Hermione grabbed Ron by the arm and motioned for Harry and Neville to follow as she dragged Ron away from the table and out of the Great Hall.
Neither Luna nor Ginny said anything. Both were doing their best to keep the tears at bay. Harry reached his arm around Ginny and pulled her close. âDonât concern yourself with what Hermione said. You and Luna are welcome to sit with us during meals and in the common areas. Both Neville and I feel this way. Right, Neville?â
Neville nodded his head and wrapped his arm around Luna. âYou guys are welcome to hang with us at any time. Let us deal with Hermione.â
âYeah Gin,â Harry said. âYou are wonderful and Iâm sure Luna is as well.â
When Ginny and Luna were done with lunch Harry and Neville decided to walk them to their next class. After dropping Ginny and Luna off at their Charms class they headed to Defense. Harry and Neville walked into the classroom. Neville was going to go and join Hermione and Ron at the front of the class when Harry pulled him towards the back. After sitting down Harry made a show of pulling out all of his course books trying to build a shield between himself and the rest of the classroom. Neville gave a small laugh as he handed Harry a few books to help.
They were only there for a few minutes when Professor Lockhart walked into the room. He turned and faced the class, giving a brilliant white smile. He picked up Hermioneâs copy of Travels with Trolls and held it up for the class. âMe,â he said. âOrder of Merlin, Third Class, honorary member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner of Witch Weeklyâs most charming smile, but we donât talk about that. I didnât get where I am by smiling.â He waited for the class to laugh at his humorless joke. A few people gave small smiles but for the most part, the class just started.
âIâm Gilderoy Lockhart and I am your new Defense Against the Dark Arks Professor. Since everyone brought their books, letâs start with a little pop quiz.â Lockhart said before he passed out some tests. âYou have 30 minutes. Starting now.â
Everyone flipped the test over to start. For some reason when Harry saw the questions on the test, he wasnât surprised. He should have been because instead of questions relating to the actual subject Lockhart was being paid to teach all the questions were relating to Lockhart himself. For example, the very first question on the test was, âWhat is Gilroy Lockhartâs favorite color?â
Harry wasnât sure what to make of the test. Harry didnât really know any of the answers because he didnât actually buy any of Lockhartâs books. He looked over at Neville who looked just as confused as Harry did.
Time passed slowly as Harry and the rest of the class did their best to answer the most ridiculous test questions any of them had ever seen. Soon enough Lockhart called the class to hard in their test.
Lockhart took a few minutes to review the test papers. Both Harry and Neville didnât bother to put their names on the test as neither knew any of the answers and had stared at the test papers for most of the time. Harry sighed and rolled his eyes when Lockhart reached Hermioneâs paper. He seemed to be busy stroking her ego as he gave her points for knowing when his birthday was.
After Lockhart was done reviewing the test papers, he stood at the front of the classroom with his hand resting on top of a covered cage.
âWhat I am about to reveal is something so terrifying, you may want to scream. I ask you not to and it might agitate them and could cause them to attack. You must not fear, as I am here and nothing shall befall you as long as I am around.â Lockhart said, calling attention to the class.
âFreshly caught Cornish Pixies,â Lockhart said dramatically, and then that he whipped the cover off the cage and revealed the impish creatures. Harry knew that the pixies were more mischievous than actually dangerous, at least with proper adult supervision. Unfortunately, Harry wasnât sure if he would call Lockhart proper adult supervision.
One of Harryâs dormmates, Seamus Finnigan snorted when he saw the pixies. Lockhart didnât seem to appreciate the amusement much and called Seamus out in a seemingly friendly way. âYes?â
Seamus responded that the pixies werenât exactly what he would call dangerous.
âYou donât think so?â Lockhart asked and many of the class nodded in agreement. âI wouldnât be so sure if I was you. These seemingly small insignificant creatures can be devilish and tricky little blighters. So, let's see what you can do.â
Harry quickly grabbed Neville by the collar and pulled him under the desks as Lockhart released the pixies from the cage.
Within seconds the classroom was thrown into chaos and many of the students joined Harry and Neville in taking cover underneath desks. The pixies were all over the room. Some zoomed right through the window breaking the glass, while others tore books apart and tried to attack the students.
Lockhart tried to get the class's attention, but he wasnât having much luck. âCome on everyone,â Lockhart called. âRound them up, they are only pixies.â When no one tried to âroundâ them up, Lockhart rolled up his sleeves and said what Harry could only assume was some made-up spell because it had absolutely no effect that one of the pixies grabbed Lockhartâs wand and tossed it out the window.
Lockhart seemed stunned for a moment or two before he joined the rest of the class under the desks. Everyone sighed in relief when the bell rang and the class ran for the door.
Harry and Neville let most of the students clear out as they waited for Ron and Hermione to reach the door. Right as they were going to leave the room Lockhart pushed past them. âIâll just let you four get the rest of them back into their cage,â Lockhart said as he shut the door effectively cutting them off from leaving.
âCan you believe him?â Ron asked outraged.
Hermione quickly immobilized two pixies and said, âHe just wants us to get some hands-on experience.â
âSure,â Harry mumbled under his breath as he froze six pixies.
Neville nodded in agreement and tried to freeze a pixie of his own. It didnât work out too well and Harry took a moment to show Neville the spell so they could work faster.
âHermione, I donât know what rubbish you are thinking but Lockhart had no clue what he was doing,â Ron said irritated.
âItâs not rubbish,â Hermione said. âIâve read his books and he has done all these amazing things.â
Harry glanced over at Neville and whispered, âhe says heâs done.â
It took Harry and his friends a good hour to round up the pixies. Later that night Harry sat in the common room with Neville, Ginny, and Luna. He had just finished his homework and was helping the girls finish up their work before bed. The girls had asked the boys how their class was and the boys spent the rest of the time chatting about their day.