Professor Snape replacing Professor Lockhart as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was most upsetting to Lockhart's fans.
For them, playing role-playing games with Professor Lockhart was inherently fun.
Combined with the new material taught at the end of each class, it was learning through entertainment—perfect.
The particularly fanatical portion even thought it didn't matter if there weren't those real things Tom taught them after each class.
"Ginny somehow offended Snape."
Before Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Ron complained to Harry. "Recently in Potions and Defense classes, he's been targeting Ginny alone for point deductions."
"Isn't he always like that?" Harry asked in confusion. "Always targeting Gryffindor. I'm used to it."
"But except for you, he treats all other Gryffindors equally—equally hateful! Uh... Sherlock counts as half an exception too. Recently, the points he's deducted from Ginny have exceeded even Sherlock's. There's clearly something wrong!"
"This..."
Harry pondered for a moment, finding no answer, and instinctively turned to his friend. "Sherlock, do you know what's going on?"
"Obviously."
"You really know!"
"His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad..."
"Stop!"
Sherlock had barely begun when Harry cut him off.
He looked at his friend awkwardly. "Sherlock, why are you saying this again out of nowhere?"
"Didn't you ask me why Professor Snape was targeting Ginny?"
"Huh?"
Harry looked at Sherlock in confusion. He really couldn't connect these two things.
Seeing the bewildered faces of Harry and Ron, Sherlock sighed. "What does Harry most resemble about his mother?"
"Of course, his eyes... I see!"
No wonder Snape was furious.
This made Ron feel somewhat embarrassed, he could only blame his sister for this.
Harry quickly changed the subject. "Sherlock, compared to Lockhart, would you prefer Professor Snape to substitute?"
"Actually, I have some regrets about this too."
Under Harry's surprised gaze, Sherlock directly explained. "I was originally planning to see a boggart."
Harry and Ron suddenly understood.
Hermione's eyes lit up when she heard this. Then she tried bringing this up in class on a whim.
The result was tragic.
"Miss Granger, it seems you not only have a head stuffed with useless knowledge but also want to arrange lesson plans for the professor?"
"Sir, I didn't—I wasn't..."
"Professor Lockhart has his own teaching methods and priorities, but that's none of my concern, understand? Even though I'm only a substitute teacher, I won't allow others to question me."
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry, sir."
"Sorry, sir."
"Very good."
Hermione had just breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Snape continue. "Incidentally, twenty points from Gryffindor."
Hermione: ( ;﹏; )
Sherlock wasn't the only one who felt regretful.
There was also Neville. Unlike Sherlock, Neville's regret wasn't about the course content itself.
For him, Lockhart's departure meant losing a stable, reliable, quality source of points besides Herbology.
Snape's arrival meant gaining another stable, reliable, quality source of point deductions besides Potions.
A double blow.
Fortunately, even without him, Gryffindor had already successfully defended the House Cup early.
Because when Sherlock and Harry received their "Special Awards for Services to the School," they each earned two hundred points for Gryffindor.
A four-hundred-point advantage was simply too large!
No matter how severely Snape deducted points, trying to deduct all four hundred...
In other words, Snape was running out of time!
Besides Defense Against the Dark Arts, the school naturally had other changes.
Having confirmed that the monster in the Chamber had been defeated, caretaker Argus Filch was in excellent spirits.
He placed the special awards bearing Sherlock and Harry's names in the school's trophy room, alongside Tom Riddle's award in a corner display case.
He even specifically invited Sherlock and Harry to come and admire them.
Previously, although he had respected Sherlock because of Mrs. Norris, he had always disliked Harry.
Now with this change, it could be considered love extending to all associated with the beloved.
After Filch left, looking at the three gleaming gold awards standing side by side, Harry's expression was complex.
"I never thought my name would be listed alongside his..."
In his view, Sherlock and he receiving this award was well-deserved.
But Tom Riddle's award was purely self-directed theater.
Yet now all three awards were displayed side by side here—it was rather ironic.
"I thought you'd gotten used to it by now."
Hearing Harry's sigh, Sherlock patted his shoulder.
"You know, the first time I saw the name Harry Potter, it appeared in the same sentence as Voldemort."
Harry couldn't help but laugh ruefully.
Yes, from the moment of his birth, his name was destined to be connected with Voldemort.
This was probably fate.
After another two weeks, Professor McGonagall announced to everyone at breakfast.
"I have good news to tell everyone!"
When she said this, the Great Hall didn't become quieter but actually became more clamorous.
"Quidditch matches are resuming!"
Oliver Wood was the first to shout excitedly.
"Sorry, Mr. Wood. Although the Chamber incident is confirmed to be over, after unanimous research by the teachers, the remaining Quidditch matches won't be restarted."
"Wh-what?!"
Hearing Professor McGonagall's words, Oliver Wood was devastated, staggering backward several steps before collapsing into his seat.
His tragic appearance was truly heartbreaking to hear and tearful to witness.
Seeing Wood like this, Professor McGonagall felt somewhat reluctant.
She too was someone who loved Quidditch—in fact, her love for Quidditch was no less than Wood's.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have made an exception to let Harry join the house team in his first year.
Breaking such precedents required great courage and determination.
Especially precedents that had stood for a century.
However, unlike Wood, being in her position meant considering priorities.
Compared to resuming Quidditch matches, the students' physical and mental health was obviously more important.
She took a deep breath and announced loudly.
"Professor Sprout has told me that the Mandrakes can finally be harvested! Tonight, we'll be able to revive those who were petrified!"
Hearing Professor McGonagall's words, everyone cheered.
Even the previously dejected Wood showed a genuine smile.
That evening, the school held another feast.
Compared to last year's feast, everyone was more excited this year.
Almost everyone wore pajamas, and the celebration lasted the entire night.
Colin Creevey, Penelope Clearwater, Cho Chang, Nearly Headless Nick, and Mrs. Norris all those petrified by the basilisk had fully recovered.
Filch, holding Mrs. Norris, wept with joy.
The ghosts collectively celebrated for Nearly Headless Nick.
Students surrounded the recovered students, continuously tossing them into the air.
Dumbledore took this opportunity to announce several things.
First, to treat everyone, the school decided to cancel this year's final exams.
This news could truly be called a royal flush opening.
Everyone's excited cheers nearly lifted the Great Hall's roof.
When it came to disliking exams, students in both the Muggle and magical worlds were unanimous.
Of course, there were a very few people like Hermione who thought this was a terrible thing.
Second, Gilderoy Lockhart wouldn't be able to continue as everyone's Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher next year.
Because poor Professor Lockhart had been controlled by a dark magical object and needed a long recovery period to regain his health.
This time it was all the teachers cheering loudly, while most students felt some regret, especially the little witches who were tearful.
Even Ron, who had never liked Lockhart, expressed regret.
"Such a pity. I'm actually starting to like Lockhart more and more now."
The third matter was the House Cup winner.
Compared to last year's comeback, this time Gryffindor's four hundred points from Sherlock and Harry made them the undisputed House Cup champions.
The little lions fell into complete celebration.
"Next year, we absolutely must win the Quidditch Cup no matter what!"
Wood squeezed over to Harry, gripping his hands. "Harry, you've already helped me win the House Cup twice. But next year I'll be in seventh year—that'll be my last chance to win the Quidditch Cup! Harry, please!"
Before Harry could answer, a figure rushed over.
"Harry!"
Colin Creevey.
He had been waiting for a chance to thank Harry alone, but hadn't had the opportunity before.
Finally, after Dumbledore finished announcing all the good news, he managed to squeeze forward.
At this moment, he burst with tremendous power, even pushing aside Wood, an ordinary-strong man.
Wood looked at Harry's fanatical fan in surprise, amazed that such a small body could generate such tremendous force.
"Harry, oh Harry, you're my hero!"
After pushing Wood aside, Colin hugged Harry tightly, tears streaming down his face.
"Thank you so much, Harry! You saved my life!"
"Colin, lighter please—I can't breathe anymore..."
"I heard everything, I heard it all! Thanks to you, I—no, we—we could avoid continued attacks by the basilisk!"
"Colin, this wasn't just me alone..."
"Only you can talk to snakes! Only you could stop the basilisk!"
"..."
Harry helplessly discovered that Colin Creevey was still the same as before—completely ignoring his explanations, just venting emotions nonstop.
Unfortunately, Harry had already lost the initiative.
In this situation, he couldn't use the method Lockhart had once taught him to handle Colin coldly.
"Stop talking to yourself!"
Seeing Harry's troubled expression, someone finally couldn't stand it and rushed forward to pull Colin away.
It wasn't Sherlock, nor Hermione, not even Ron.
It was Ginny Weasley, the youngest daughter of the Weasley family.
This was her second time standing up for Harry. The first was at Flourish and Blotts, when she, who had never actively spoken in front of Harry before, first spoke up righteously to scold Malfoy.
The current Ginny was more mature than at Flourish and Blotts. She angrily pulled Colin away, saying fiercely. "Can't you see Harry is uncomfortable?"
"I just wanted to thank Harry..."
"That's not how you show gratitude!"
Ginny said angrily, then turned to look at Harry with concern. "Harry, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Thank you, Ginny. You really helped."
Ginny's face turned red again, just like her hair.
"It's…it's nothing. As long as I could help you..."
Facing Harry's gentle smile, she felt somewhat at a loss.
Just then, Colin took advantage of Ginny's distraction and lunged at Harry again.
"Don't stop me! I want Harry! I want Harry!"
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