The sun had barely risen when I slipped out of bed. My roommates were still snoring away, and the Gryffindor common room was empty, save for the faint crackling of the fireplace embers. I had no intention of wasting my morning.
I made my way to the seventh floor, pacing in front of the blank wall three times while focusing on what I needed. The door to the Room of Requirement materialized, and I stepped inside.
The room was minimalist this time—just a single table in the center and a couch beside it.
"Alright, let's see what we get today," I muttered, opening the gacha infront of me.
[Spin]
The wheel spun rapidly, flashing through images of items, skills, and other rewards before slowing to a stop. A soft chime echoed as the first reward appeared in glowing letters.
{[Mental Fortitude]: A Passive skill that protects the user's mind from mental attacks.}
I grinned. "Now, that's what I'm talking about. No more worrying about Legilimency or Imperius curses."
I spun the wheel again.
[Spin]
Again, the chime was followed by a faint shimmer, and the next reward appeared.
{[Dream Catcher]: An octagonal locket with two Mirrors of Memories attached, allowing the user to communicate with anyone living or dead through their memories. Note: The individuals are not real, merely mental projections created by the user's mind.}
I picked up the locket, turning it over in my hand. Its craftsmanship was exquisite, with intricate designs carved into its surface. This wasn't a tool it was just a treasure.
"Hmm," I mused. "I could gift this to Potter. Let him talk to his parents, even if it's just through memories."
Satisfied, I spun the wheel one last time.
[Spin]
The wheel slowed to a stop, and the next reward appeared.
{[Candy Apple]: A sweet caramel-covered apple.}
I stared at it for a moment before shrugging. "Well, they can't all be winners."
I took a bite out of the apple. It was delicious, and I devoured it in seconds.
---
Before leaving, I summoned two clones using my Doppelganger skill. Both copies nodded to me before getting to work, sparring with wooden swords conjured by the room. Their task was simple: train in my absence and absorb as much experience as possible.
With that sorted, I left the Room of Requirement, grabbed a quick bath, and headed to breakfast in the Great Hall. The usual chaos greeted me—students chatting, owls swooping in with the morning post, and the clinking of silverware against plates.
As I ate, my thoughts drifted back to the Dream Catcher locket. I debated whether to give it to Harry right away or wait for a better moment. Either way, I knew it could mean a lot to him.
---
The first few classes of the day were the usual fare—Charms, Herbology, Transfigurations and Potions. Nothing too exciting, though Snape seemed particularly grumpy, which was saying something.
Then came Defense Against the Dark Arts.
The classroom buzzed with anticipation as we filed in, most of the students eager to see Gilderoy Lockhart in action. I, however, was praying that he turned in sick.
Lockhart strode into the room with his trademark swagger, his robes billowing dramatically behind him. He flashed his blinding smile at the class, and several girls swooned on the spot.
"Good morning, class!" he greeted, his voice oozing with faux charm. "Today, we'll be diving into the thrilling tales from my book Gadding with Ghouls."
I groaned internally.
Lockhart began recounting his supposed adventures, complete with exaggerated gestures and dramatic pauses. He seemed more interested in talking about his hair care routine than actual defense techniques.
"Now, who can tell me," he said, pointing to a random student, "the key to vanquishing a ghoul?"
Hermione's hand shot up, of course.
"Ah, Miss Granger," Lockhart said, flashing another smile. "I can always count on you!"
Hermione launched into a detailed explanation, but Lockhart cut her off halfway through.
"Very good, but the real answer," he said, placing a hand on his chest, "is confidence. A strong sense of self is your best weapon."
I couldn't take it anymore.
"Excuse me, Professor," I said, raising a hand.
Lockhart turned to me, still smiling. "Yes, young man?"
"Could you demonstrate?" I asked innocently. "Show us how you'd handle a ghoul, for instance."
The class fell silent, all eyes on Lockhart. His smile faltered for a split second before he quickly recovered.
"Ah, well, you see, I would, but..." He trailed off, searching for an excuse. "It wouldn't be fair to the ghoul, now would it?"
I smirked. "Of course not."
Harry and Ron snickered beside me, while Hermione gave me a disapproving look.
---
By the end of the class, I was thoroughly convinced that Lockhart's greatest skill was his ability to waste time. As we packed up our things, he handed out signed photos of himself, which most of the girls accepted eagerly.
I stuffed mine into my bag, already planning to use it as kindling later.
"Well, that was... enlightening," I muttered as we left the classroom.
Garuda chuckled softly. "Your patience is admirable, Arthur."
"Patience, my ass," I replied. "If I have to sit through another one of his lectures, I might just lose it."
---Note
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