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Chapter 93: So, Professor Lockhart Started a Club
On Wednesday morning, when William opened his eyes, he knew at once the weather was going to be dreadful.
The window that usually cast the morning sun's rays perfectly into his room was gloomy and overcast today. A single glance at the sky told him a heavy rainstorm was on its way.
'Awful weather.'
Although he knew September was a rainy season, it didn't stop William from complaining about the bad weather—the oppressive, pre-rain air always reminded him of that detestable place, Azkaban.
"Sleep a little longer? Or go get breakfast?"
These two choices tumbled over and over in his mind until he fell asleep again without making a decision.
When William awoke for the second time, the air was no longer so oppressive, but had instead become damp—the rain had finally started.
'I hate the rain.'
Thinking this, he listlessly got dressed. William had no classes on Wednesday, and as for breakfast, Bart was more than willing to solve that problem for him.
'I should find a place to experiment with some magic—I've mastered a good number of spells, but I can't necessarily cast them well while moving.'
The rainy weather made William abandon his earlier plans to read. In his agitated state, he didn't think he could immerse himself too deeply in a book. He had already more or less mastered the foundational magic, and researching new spells could no longer be done as casually as before.
'The practice classroom has been ready for a while, but I never expected to be the first one to use it, let alone any of the students.'
Hogwarts provided its professors with comprehensive work facilities. They could even get help from the school when they needed herbs, magical creatures, or magical ingredients that weren't exceptionally rare—the bulk of Hogwarts' funds were spent on this.
While he was mulling over these things, Bart had already brought his breakfast.
"My apologies, Professor. The kitchens were too busy, so I was delayed. Professor Lockhart suddenly requested a large quantity of sweets, and we were all scrambling to fill the order."
"It's no problem, Bart. I woke up too late anyway, so I'm lucky to have anything to eat. But you all know how to make sweets?"
William thanked him, then asked with curiosity.
"Of course, Professor. We know a little about everything food-related. After breakfast, Professor Lockhart brought a large amount of wrapping paper and ingredients, asking us to make a batch of sweets for the students."
"Out of the blue? What does Professor Lockhart want with sweets?"
"You don't know yet, Professor?"
Bart asked in a surprised tone before quickly explaining, "Since this morning, Professor Lockhart has been—I'm not speaking ill of him, Professor, he's been making a point of telling everyone this himself—well, he started informing most of the portraits that he had received over a dozen letters from his admirers within the school seeking advice about their futures. He told everyone that he would use his life's wisdom and adventurous experiences to resolve the doubts of those admirers."
"In fact, Professor, if you go look at the school noticeboard, you'll find that Professor Lockhart has established the Lockhart Problem-Solving Club—he's preparing to welcome all his student admirers for consultations on their lives and studies."
!!!
William suddenly felt a bit panicked. While he was painstakingly trying to manage his relationships with the students, Professor Lockhart had already started moonlighting as an agony aunt!
'Over a dozen letters from admirers within the school—to this day, not a single student has acknowledged me, whether out of fondness or dislike!'
William heaved a long sigh. The bread on his plate suddenly tasted bland. Admiration and letters were two different things. For example, Adams greatly admired Professor Lockhart, but William felt it was highly unlikely Adams would write a letter to him.
Especially a consultation letter—that was the kind of letter you write when you're lost about your future and have no choice but to ask a reliable elder for guidance. That meant those students had absolute faith in Professor Lockhart.
It was no wonder Professor Lockhart was so excited he had to open a club to solve students' problems. If that's how many wrote letters, who knew how many more were out there wanting a consultation!
Filled with envy, William reached into the basket. Bart usually placed the fruit at the very bottom when he delivered breakfast.
But this time, his fingers touched small pieces of sweets, something he had never seen before.
"Professor, the kitchens are full of hastily made sweets. I thought you might like some, so I brought a few pieces over."
The sweets, made by the house-elves, were wrapped in shiny paper. At the top of the wrapper, Professor Lockhart's signature smile bloomed extravagantly. Below his portrait, the line "Professor Lockhart is more than just a professor in the classroom" was magically fixed in place.
...
Alright then.
William tore open the wrapper and found the sweets to be surprisingly good—they were almost on par with the quality of Honeydukes.
So, was Professor Lockhart planning to create club merchandise, too?
Thinking about how he still had to find time for self-study in magic while Professor Lockhart had found a new space to shine outside of his courses, William couldn't help but feel emotional. Even if Professor Lockhart wasn't good at teaching, he was still wildly popular among the students. Wasn't this a testament to Professor Lockhart's great prowess?
Then there was Professor Dumbledore. Because he was the greatest Light wizard, Professor McGonagall was still the Deputy Headmistress, even though he was rarely at the school.
So, William, you have to work harder!
William encouraged himself as he ate the last bite of bread.
Under Bart's pleading gaze, William used a spell to dispose of the rubbish on the table and return the book he'd read yesterday to its place.
"Um, Bart, if you can, please get me a stack of parchment and put it on my desk. I've been going through it too quickly lately."
"Yes, Professor!"
Bart replied energetically before William left.
—
"The Lockhart Problem-Solving Club welcomes all students and staff to join. Every evening from eight to nine-thirty, Professor Lockhart's office will be open to anyone who has encountered difficulties in life or their studies. Professor Lockhart will always support those who support him!"
As William rounded a corner, a knight in a portrait announced this to him in a solemn tone. William finally understood why even Bart knew what was happening in such detail.
"Alright, I understand, Sir Knight. Professor Lockhart is establishing a club. So, what kind of payment has Professor Lockhart offered?"
"No payment is required. Professor Lockhart is a recipient of the Order of Merlin, Third Class. Every knight ought to assist such a great man."
The knight in the portrait stated with great solemnity.
William suddenly felt that what he had eaten this morning wasn't a sweet—it was a lemon.
P.S. There will be an update tomorrow during the day...
I know the updates haven't been great, I'm working on getting my writing speed back up...
Also... *cough cough*, I'd like to recommend a book, "Hogwarts' Admiral," a Harry Potter fanfiction where the main character's special ability is the ship girls from KanColle. Feel free to check it out if you're interested.
(end of chapter)
On Wednesday morning, when William opened his eyes, he knew at once the weather was going to be dreadful.
The window that usually cast the morning sun's rays perfectly into his room was gloomy and overcast today. A single glance at the sky told him a heavy rainstorm was on its way.
'Awful weather.'
Although he knew September was a rainy season, it didn't stop William from complaining about the bad weather—the oppressive, pre-rain air always reminded him of that detestable place, Azkaban.
"Sleep a little longer? Or go get breakfast?"
These two choices tumbled over and over in his mind until he fell asleep again without making a decision.
When William awoke for the second time, the air was no longer so oppressive, but had instead become damp—the rain had finally started.
'I hate the rain.'
Thinking this, he listlessly got dressed. William had no classes on Wednesday, and as for breakfast, Bart was more than willing to solve that problem for him.
'I should find a place to experiment with some magic—I've mastered a good number of spells, but I can't necessarily cast them well while moving.'
The rainy weather made William abandon his earlier plans to read. In his agitated state, he didn't think he could immerse himself too deeply in a book. He had already more or less mastered the foundational magic, and researching new spells could no longer be done as casually as before.
'The practice classroom has been ready for a while, but I never expected to be the first one to use it, let alone any of the students.'
Hogwarts provided its professors with comprehensive work facilities. They could even get help from the school when they needed herbs, magical creatures, or magical ingredients that weren't exceptionally rare—the bulk of Hogwarts' funds were spent on this.
While he was mulling over these things, Bart had already brought his breakfast.
"My apologies, Professor. The kitchens were too busy, so I was delayed. Professor Lockhart suddenly requested a large quantity of sweets, and we were all scrambling to fill the order."
"It's no problem, Bart. I woke up too late anyway, so I'm lucky to have anything to eat. But you all know how to make sweets?"
William thanked him, then asked with curiosity.
"Of course, Professor. We know a little about everything food-related. After breakfast, Professor Lockhart brought a large amount of wrapping paper and ingredients, asking us to make a batch of sweets for the students."
"Out of the blue? What does Professor Lockhart want with sweets?"
"You don't know yet, Professor?"
Bart asked in a surprised tone before quickly explaining, "Since this morning, Professor Lockhart has been—I'm not speaking ill of him, Professor, he's been making a point of telling everyone this himself—well, he started informing most of the portraits that he had received over a dozen letters from his admirers within the school seeking advice about their futures. He told everyone that he would use his life's wisdom and adventurous experiences to resolve the doubts of those admirers."
"In fact, Professor, if you go look at the school noticeboard, you'll find that Professor Lockhart has established the Lockhart Problem-Solving Club—he's preparing to welcome all his student admirers for consultations on their lives and studies."
!!!
William suddenly felt a bit panicked. While he was painstakingly trying to manage his relationships with the students, Professor Lockhart had already started moonlighting as an agony aunt!
'Over a dozen letters from admirers within the school—to this day, not a single student has acknowledged me, whether out of fondness or dislike!'
William heaved a long sigh. The bread on his plate suddenly tasted bland. Admiration and letters were two different things. For example, Adams greatly admired Professor Lockhart, but William felt it was highly unlikely Adams would write a letter to him.
Especially a consultation letter—that was the kind of letter you write when you're lost about your future and have no choice but to ask a reliable elder for guidance. That meant those students had absolute faith in Professor Lockhart.
It was no wonder Professor Lockhart was so excited he had to open a club to solve students' problems. If that's how many wrote letters, who knew how many more were out there wanting a consultation!
Filled with envy, William reached into the basket. Bart usually placed the fruit at the very bottom when he delivered breakfast.
But this time, his fingers touched small pieces of sweets, something he had never seen before.
"Professor, the kitchens are full of hastily made sweets. I thought you might like some, so I brought a few pieces over."
The sweets, made by the house-elves, were wrapped in shiny paper. At the top of the wrapper, Professor Lockhart's signature smile bloomed extravagantly. Below his portrait, the line "Professor Lockhart is more than just a professor in the classroom" was magically fixed in place.
...
Alright then.
William tore open the wrapper and found the sweets to be surprisingly good—they were almost on par with the quality of Honeydukes.
So, was Professor Lockhart planning to create club merchandise, too?
Thinking about how he still had to find time for self-study in magic while Professor Lockhart had found a new space to shine outside of his courses, William couldn't help but feel emotional. Even if Professor Lockhart wasn't good at teaching, he was still wildly popular among the students. Wasn't this a testament to Professor Lockhart's great prowess?
Then there was Professor Dumbledore. Because he was the greatest Light wizard, Professor McGonagall was still the Deputy Headmistress, even though he was rarely at the school.
So, William, you have to work harder!
William encouraged himself as he ate the last bite of bread.
Under Bart's pleading gaze, William used a spell to dispose of the rubbish on the table and return the book he'd read yesterday to its place.
"Um, Bart, if you can, please get me a stack of parchment and put it on my desk. I've been going through it too quickly lately."
"Yes, Professor!"
Bart replied energetically before William left.
—
"The Lockhart Problem-Solving Club welcomes all students and staff to join. Every evening from eight to nine-thirty, Professor Lockhart's office will be open to anyone who has encountered difficulties in life or their studies. Professor Lockhart will always support those who support him!"
As William rounded a corner, a knight in a portrait announced this to him in a solemn tone. William finally understood why even Bart knew what was happening in such detail.
"Alright, I understand, Sir Knight. Professor Lockhart is establishing a club. So, what kind of payment has Professor Lockhart offered?"
"No payment is required. Professor Lockhart is a recipient of the Order of Merlin, Third Class. Every knight ought to assist such a great man."
The knight in the portrait stated with great solemnity.
William suddenly felt that what he had eaten this morning wasn't a sweet—it was a lemon.
P.S. There will be an update tomorrow during the day...
I know the updates haven't been great, I'm working on getting my writing speed back up...
Also... *cough cough*, I'd like to recommend a book, "Hogwarts' Admiral," a Harry Potter fanfiction where the main character's special ability is the ship girls from KanColle. Feel free to check it out if you're interested.
(end of chapter)
