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Time moved into February. Under the spring breeze, large areas of barren trees in the Forbidden Forest sprouted new buds, and the young wizards in the castle, amidst this vibrant spring atmosphere, were about to welcome Valentine's Day in '93.
For students in their first and second years, who were still in their innocent age, Valentine's Day was still a holiday of unclear meaning. But for older students, the importance of this holiday was self-evident.
On the first day of the first week of February, Hufflepuff's Cedric Diggory, encouraged by his dormitory friends, blocked a beautiful Chinese girl at the entrance of the Ravenclaw common room and presented her with a singing Cupid card he had made himself.
Even the good student Percy couldn't stand the loneliness. In Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class, while everyone wasn't paying attention, he transformed a salamander into Penelope and then giggled foolishly at her for several minutes.
Headmaster Dumbledore rarely displayed his gentlemanly demeanor. He ordered a bouquet of flowers from Hogsmeade for every female staff member at Hogwarts. Influenced by his actions, Lockhart joyfully announced to all the professors at lunch that he would write a tribute song for everyone in the school, and mysteriously stated that he had conceived a brilliant idea to present the tribute song on Valentine's Day itself.
"Almastar, is it possible for you to get rid of this imbecile before that day arrives?" After listening to Lockhart's words, Snape's face darkened. He asked in a low, cold voice.
"I'll do my best, Professor!" Almastar said with a wry smile, chewing on a piece of smoked bacon. "But why don't you just concoct some poison yourself? You're a Potions Master, a Potions Master at that. I'm sure you're very good at it!"
After lunch, Almastar used his lunch break to check the surveillance from last night, but still found nothing.
On Monday afternoon, the sixth-year students of Gryffindor and Slytherin had two joint Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. This was his first time teaching alongside Lockhart. To show respect, he changed into a brand new black wizard's robe and appeared in the classroom before everyone arrived.
Ten minutes before two in the afternoon, the sixth-year students gradually arrived at the classroom. Although the news had already spread, when the young wizards found that Investigator Sir had truly appeared in their class, they still showed surprised and excited expressions.
Professor Lockhart hadn't arrived yet. Only Almastar stood at the podium, smiling as he faced the noisy Gryffindor and Slytherin students, who were sitting in clearly separated sections. Everyone here had been in school with Almastar, but, except for a select few, he had no impression of most of them.
"Flint, I hear you're the captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team now?" When Almastar spoke, the sounds in the classroom suddenly paused, and all eyes focused on Marcus and Almastar.
"Yes, sir... oh, I mean, Professor Brain." Marcus Flint, a tall, burly man resembling a troll, instinctively stood up. Facing a professor was very different from facing a professor who was also an investigator. Flint, who played roughly on the Quidditch field, seemed very nervous and spoke very cautiously.
"That only happened last year—" After all, it was his own house's team. Almastar still supported them mentally. He nodded in approval. "Then work hard, Flint. I hope the Slytherin team can achieve something under your leadership."
As Almastar said this, the Gryffindors in the classroom, who had been full of curiosity about him, immediately became cold-faced. Some die-hard Quidditch fans even showed hateful looks in their eyes. Oliver and Percy, sitting in the crowd, exchanged glances, then lowered their heads, pretending to read the "Travels with Trolls" spread out on their desks.
Almastar's encouragement, however, made the Slytherin students feel proud. They instinctively believed that Professor Brain was similar to Professor Snape, and very protective of "his own people." Marcus, who was called out first, even got a little carried away. After haughtily glancing at the bowing Oliver, he gave a cunning smile and said loudly, "Thank you for your support, Professor Brain. We—all of Slytherin are excited about you serving as assistant professor. Professor, we believe you will be the best Defense Against the Dark Arts professor in recent years. So, what do you plan to teach us?"
Oliver Wood, almost burying his head in the desk, secretly made a disgusted face. Even Percy, the model student, didn't look too pleased.
"Hehe, thank you for your support as well, Flint." Almastar didn't pursue Marcus Flint's little scheme. He nodded and smiled. "As you said, Flint, I am just an assistant professor. The curriculum will still be decided by Professor Lockhart."
Just then, Lockhart strode in with a flourish. Today, he wore a dark plum-colored robe. Almastar noticed that in all the times he had met Professor Lockhart, he seemed to have never seen him wear a robe of the same color.
"Does writing really earn that much money?" This thought flashed through Almastar's mind as he went to greet him.
"It seems you've already introduced yourself, Professor Brain?" Lockhart smiled brightly, patting Almastar heavily on the shoulder, speaking as if he were addressing a junior he highly valued.
"Just a simple greeting, Professor Lockhart—" Almastar subtly shifted his shoulder, smiling amiably. "Like the young wizards, I'm looking forward to your wonderful lecture!"
"Oh, dear, it seems he's cut from the same cloth!" Someone in the Gryffindor student pile whispered.
Almastar's expression twitched. He was certain Lockhart had also heard that comment, because for a split second, Lockhart's expression froze. However, he immediately returned to normal.
"Then." Almastar, completely unaware of what was about to happen, looked at the suddenly silent classroom with a bewildered expression. "Where should we start, Professor Lockhart?"
"Oh, don't worry, Brain. The little ones already know the ropes!" For the next two hours, Almastar finally witnessed Lockhart's unique "teaching style." He called on students one by one, demanding that they recite long passages from his storybooks, and requiring them to do so with great emotion.
Lockhart stood at the podium, pretending not to see the pained expressions on the young wizards' faces, looking utterly delighted. Of course, if their recitation lacked sufficient emotion, Lockhart would personally demonstrate for everyone, intentionally performing exaggerated and comical gestures to try and improve the classroom atmosphere, but the result was that no one paid him any mind. And the only thing Almastar could do was help Lockhart maintain classroom discipline.
"Do you always teach them like this?" Almastar casually drifted to Lockhart's side while Lockhart, who had just finished reading a long description of subjugating a troll, was catching his breath. He spoke in a very subtle tone.
"Aha, eager to show off, are we!" Lockhart tapped his nose with his finger, his eyes looking very "clever." Ignoring Almastar's explanation, he directly interrupted Percy, who was reading the textbook in a stiff, lifeless voice. "A chance for fame is right before you, Brain. It's up to you to seize it!" He forcefully shoved the textbook into Almastar's hand and then triumphantly announced loudly to everyone, "Let me show you how a true fanatic expresses his utmost respect for Professor Lockhart with his passionate voice!"
Hehe— Oliver Wood, standing by the podium, saw the bewildered Investigator and burst out laughing.
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