Everyone's thoughts varied; each person was pondering something different.
However, Aiden felt much more relaxed. There were only two questions left, and once they were done, this quiz would finally be over.
What would he gain from it afterward?
"Next, let's begin the fourth question."
Accompanying the gentle voice, new words appeared on the card, and the previous text vanished.
Snape narrowed his eyes.
If this question was still about him and Harry, he might not be able to resist casting Avada Kedavra on the person in the middle again.
Seriously, what was so great about being struck by lightning?
It didn't matter. He just wanted to annoy the owner of this [Live Broadcast Q&A System].
Hermione closed the book she had just opened and looked toward the card.
Lockhart also returned to normal; that icy expression disappeared from his face.
Draco, meanwhile, gritted his teeth, glaring resentfully at Harry and Hermione, convinced he definitely wouldn't make a mistake if he got another chance.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please listen to the question."
In sync with the voice, a new line of text quickly appeared across the floating card.
[Gilderoy Lockhart is renowned as a famous adventurer and powerful wizard in the British Wizarding World, but in reality, his combat skills are weak.
His constant attendance at high-society banquets and an indulgent lifestyle have caused his spell-casting proficiency to decline significantly—making him a fraud.
However, Lockhart doesn't care. As long as he still masters that one magic spell, he believes he will never fall, since he built his career on it. ]
Question: What is that spell?
A. Shield Charm
B. Avada Kedavra
C. Memory Charm
D. Imperio
Upon seeing this question, Lockhart's recently recovered complexion instantly turned pale.
He was terrified that Dumbledore would deduce something from it.
He didn't dare to gamble—but he also had no way out.
He didn't even dare look at Dumbledore.
The old wizard's eyes seemed to see through everything—those clear, azure-blue eyes filled with wisdom and the weight of long years.
Of course, not everyone focused on which spell Lockhart was proficient in.
A few students who already disliked the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor immediately noticed the word fraud in the question.
"See? We told you Lockhart was a liar—an ignorant liar—but you lot wouldn't believe us."
A couple of enthusiastic Gryffindors said this to several Ravenclaw girls they knew.
Their expressions and voices were practically vibrating with excitement.
After all, how could they possibly waste the chance to hit back at the young witches who kept insisting Lockhart was perfect?
The Ravenclaw girls who admired Lockhart went silent. They exchanged glances, surprise flickering across their faces.
Could Lockhart really be a liar?
"Don't talk nonsense. The card only says Professor Lockhart's magic spell level has significantly declined. That doesn't automatically mean he's a liar."
A young witch stepped forward. Wood recognized her—Selina from Ravenclaw, one of Lockhart's most loyal admirers.
Right now, she stood firmly, defending her idol with clear, logical arguments.
"That proves nothing! Didn't you see it called Lockhart a fraud—a completely useless show-off only good for making jokes and causing trouble?"
"And haven't you noticed over the past few days? Look at what he's done in class!"
The Gryffindor students weren't about to be silenced. They immediately launched a counterattack.
The Slytherins watched from the side, smirking.
Some were already planning to ally with Ravenclaw later to deal with Gryffindor and make those little lions suffer.
As the Gryffindors used undeniable facts to prove Lockhart was all show and no substance, the Ravenclaw girls found themselves unable to argue back.
And honestly, who could blame them? Lockhart's behavior over the past few days had disappointed many students who had originally admired him.
At first, when Lockhart brought the Cornish Pixies to class, many young wizards were excited.
Until…
The Cornish Pixies were released, and chaos erupted.
Many students—especially from Gryffindor—experienced what it felt like to fly without a broomstick.
Neville Longbottom was the most notable example.
According to one wizard who preferred to remain anonymous, the experience was "truly dreadful."
And during the chaos, Professor Lockhart not only failed to control the Pixies, but he immediately fled the scene the moment things went wrong.
He later claimed he was giving students more "hands-on experience."
If that were the only issue, maybe it could be forgiven. Perhaps Lockhart genuinely wanted to give them more practical opportunities.
But the real problem came afterward: Lockhart continued spending class time recounting his "heroic achievements," occasionally choosing random students to act out scenes with him.
For the unfortunate students chosen—aside from Lockhart's fangirls—it was pure misery.
If Lockhart were teaching a drama class, fine. But he was teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, one of the most important courses at Hogwarts.
Many students joked that after Quirrell, the turban-wearing one, left, they now had Lockhart the fraud—making the class feel like a joke.
Professor McGonagall didn't interfere with the students' complaints.
Frankly, she herself wanted to question Lockhart on what exactly he thought he was teaching.
If Dumbledore hadn't stopped her and reassured her, who knew what might have happened?
She truly wondered what Albus was thinking, allowing such a careless man to teach at Hogwarts.
The standard of the Defense Against the Dark Arts position had been sinking for years, and almost no professor managed to finish a full year without something going horribly wrong.
But in truth, it wasn't Dumbledore's fault.
Lockhart had graduated from Hogwarts with excellent marks, and after years of meticulous self-promotion, he had crafted the image of a brilliant adventurer.
No one could have imagined he had declined so much.
...
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