The first week of February had arrived, and the Hogwarts Castle was abuzz with the anticipation of Valentine's Day. The Forbidden Forest, usually shrouded in a cloak of winter, began to show signs of new life as the gentle spring breeze breathed life into the withered trees, causing them to sprout fresh buds in abundance.
While the younger students in the first and second grades remained blissfully unaware of the significance of Valentine's Day, the middle and senior students understood the importance of this festival all too well. Love was in the air, and the castle was brimming with excitement.
Cedric stood at the entrance of the Ravenclaw common room, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Encouraged by his roommates, he blocked the path of a beautiful Chinese girl, clutching in his hands a carefully crafted singing Cupid card. The forbidden forest outside seemed to mirror the budding romance within the castle walls, as new life sprouted from the once withered trees under the gentle touch of the spring breeze.
In another part of the castle, the studious Percy couldn't bear the loneliness that Valentine's Day brought. Seizing an opportune moment during Professor McGonagall's transfiguration class, he skillfully transformed a salamander into the likeness of his beloved Penelope. A mischievous smirk danced across his face as he relished a few moments of pretending to be with her.
The usually enigmatic Headmaster Dumbledore, known for his wisdom and eccentricity, surprised the staff with a rare display of gentlemanly charm. He ordered bouquets of flowers from Hogsmeade, personally selecting and sending one to every female staff member of Hogwarts. The castle was filled with the sweet scent of roses, lilies, and daisies, spreading a sense of warmth and appreciation throughout the corridors. Of course, the flamboyant Professor Lockhart couldn't resist the allure of the occasion. Overjoyed at lunch, he announced his grand plan to write a song for everyone in the school, teasing that he had a magnificent surprise in store for Valentine's Day.
However, not everyone shared Lockhart's enthusiasm. The dark and brooding Professor Snape, known for his sarcasm and disdain, couldn't hide his contempt for Lockhart's grandstanding. With a cold, low voice, he leaned towards Bryan, his potions apprentice, and whispered, "Is it possible for you to eliminate this imbecile before that day arrives?"
Bryan, caught off guard by Snape's request, chewed his bacon thoughtfully, dumbfounded by the suggestion. "I'll do my best, Professor," he replied, contemplating Snape's words. "But why don't you concoct a poison yourself? After all, you are a master of potions. I believe you excel in such matters."
After lunch, Bryan used the short break to review the surveillance footage from the previous night, hoping to uncover any clues. But to his frustration, the footage revealed nothing of significance.
As Monday afternoon arrived, the Gryffindor and Slytherin sixth-years gathered for their shared Defense Against the Dark Arts class. The classroom was adorned with the air of anticipation, Ten minutes before two o'clock in the afternoon, the sixth-grade students arrived in the classroom one after another. Although the news had already spread, when the little wizards found that Mr. Investigator had really appeared in their class, they still showed expressions of surprise and excitement. Their eyes darting between Bryan and the empty podium. He had chosen to wear a brand-new black wizard robe, a symbol of respect for the occasion.
Professor Lockhart hadn't come yet, and only Bryan was standing on the podium with a smile on his face, facing the noisy Gryffindor and Slytherin students who were sitting in distinct positions.
Everyone here had been with Bryan in school, but he didn't remember most of them except for a select few.
"Flint, I heard that you are now the captain of the Slytherin team?" When Bryan spoke, the voice in the classroom seemed to suddenly pause, and all eyes were on Marcus and Bryan.
"Yes, sir,..... I mean Professor Watson," Flint said, his voice trembling slightly. He stood up instinctively, feeling dwarfed by the professor's presence. As a seasoned Quidditch player known for his rough style, Flint was accustomed to a different kind of pressure. But facing a professor who was also an investigator was an entirely new experience for him.
Bryan nodded approvingly, acknowledging Flint's response. "You should strive hard, Flint. I hope the Slytherin team achieves great success under your leadership." His words carried a sense of encouragement, but When Bryan said this, the faces of the Gryffindors who were curious about him immediately turned cold, and some diehard Quidditch fans even showed hatred in their eyes.
After Oliver and Percy, who were sitting in the crowd, looked at each other, they both lowered their heads, pretending to be reading "Walking with Trolls" spread out on the table.
Bryan's encouragement made the little wizards of Slytherin proud. They subconsciously thought that Professor Watson and Professor Snape were similar in style, and they took care of their own people very much. Marcus, who was the first to be named, was even a little carried away. After glancing haughtily at Oliver, who bowed his head, he smiled slyly and said loudly, "Thank you for your support, Professor Watson. We, all of us in Slytherin, are very excited about you being a teaching assistant, professor. We think you will be the best professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts in recent years. So, what are you going to teach us?"
Oliver Wood almost buried his head under the table and secretly made a disgusted face. Even Percy, a model student, didn't look all that happy.
"Hehe, thank you also for your support, Flint," Bryan did not pursue Marcus Flint's little scheme. He nodded and smiled, "As you said, Flint, I'm just a teaching assistant, and Professor Lockhart is still in charge of your teaching plan."
At this moment, Lockhart strode in with the wind, and today he was wearing a dark plum-colored robe. Bryan noticed that in the many times he had met Professor Lockhart, it seemed that he had never seen him wearing a robe of the same type.
"Writing books really makes you that much money?" Bryan had this thought in his mind when he walked up to greet him.
"It seems that you have already introduced yourself, right, Professor Watson?" Lockhart smiled brightly and patted Bryan's shoulder heavily, as if he was speaking to a junior he valued.
"Just a simple greeting, Professor Lockhart—" Bryan moved his shoulders away calmly and said with a friendly smile, "Like the little wizards, I am looking forward to your wonderful lecture!"
"Oh, crap, looks like it's the same bunch!" someone whispered this sentence within the group of Gryffindor students.
Bryan's expression twitched, and he was sure that Lockhart had also heard this sentence because for a moment, Lockhart's expression froze, but he immediately returned to normal.
"So..." Bryan, who had no idea what was going to happen next, was a little confused, so he stared at the suddenly lifeless classroom. "Where should we start, Professor Lockhart?"
"Oh, don't worry, Watson, the little ones are already familiar!" In the next two hours, Bryan finally saw Lockhart's unique teaching method. He called the names of the students one by one and asked them to recite long sections of the storybooks he wrote, with the little wizards asked to be full of emotion.
Lockhart stood at the podium, pretending not to see the painful expressions on the faces of the little wizards, looking happy. Of course, if the recitation was not emotional enough, Lockhart would personally demonstrate. He also made some exaggerated and funny body movements in an attempt to improve the classroom atmosphere, but in the end, no one paid attention to him.
The only thing Bryan could do was to help Lockhart maintain classroom discipline.
"Have you always... taught them this way?" Taking advantage of Lockhart's panting time after reading a long description of the process of subduing the troll, Bryan casually swayed to his side and said with a tactful tone.
"Aha, eager to express yourself, aren't you!" Lockhart pointed his finger at his nose. His eyes were very 'tactful'. He ignored Bryan's explanation and directly stopped the use of dull, lifeless Percy reading the textbook in a low voice. "The opportunity to become famous is here, Watson. It's up to you if you can seize it!"
He forced the textbook into Bryan's hand and shouted to everyone with a radiant face, "Let me show you how a true fan expresses profound admiration for Professor Lockhart with his passionate voice!"
*Snickers*—— Looking at the bewildered Mr. Investigator beside Lockhart on the podium, Wood burst out laughing.
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