Chapter 74: The Self-Absorbed Man

The first class of the new term was Herbology. Together with a group of Hufflepuffs, they were taken to Greenhouse Three to repot Mandrakes.

Mandrakes, whose roots resembled babies, were a powerful restorative capable of returning those who had been cursed or transfigured back to their original state. However, when pulled from the soil, they emitted an ear-piercing scream, and the cry of a mature Mandrake could be fatal.

For the entire class, the four of them wore earmuffs while digging soil, repotting plants, and handling Mandrakes. They even had to mix dragon dung compost into the soil. By the end of the lesson, everyone's fingernails were packed with black dirt, and they were drenched in sweat, their backs aching.

## Orli

"I need a shower immediately."

Orli looked at her filthy robes and dirty hands, feeling she couldn't endure it for another second.

# Harry

"I smell like dragon dung."

Harry gagged, looking nauseous.

They had Transfiguration in the afternoon, and none of them wanted to risk being late to Professor McGonagall's class. The four hurriedly made their way back to the castle, but just as they were about to enter, a voice called out to them.

# Lockhart

"Wait a moment, Harry."

It was Gilderoy Lockhart. From head to toe, he was spotless, dressed in a light brown suit overlaid with a flowing teal robe and topped with a perfectly perched gold-trimmed hat. Orli noticed Hermione instantly straightened her posture.

# Lockhart

"Oh, hello there."

Lockhart greeted them warmly, his smile as radiant as ever.

# Lockhart

"Harry, I've been meaning to have a word with you. When I heard—oh, of course, it's all my fault."

Ron and Harry exchanged bewildered looks, while Orli stared blankly at the emerald brooch on his chest. No one had any idea what he was talking about, but Lockhart had a remarkable ability to carry on a conversation entirely on his own.

# Lockhart

"I was astonished to hear about the flying car on the first day of school. Naturally, I immediately understood why you did it—perfectly obvious, Harry."

Whether he was speaking or not, his dazzling white teeth were perpetually on display. Orli found herself mesmerized, albeit in a dazed way, by the movement of his mouth.

# Lockhart

"I gave you a taste of fame, didn't I, Harry? After we appeared on the front page of the newspaper together over the summer, you couldn't resist seeking more attention."

# Harry

"Uh… no, Professor, I…"

Harry opened his mouth to protest but was swiftly cut off.

# Lockhart

"Harry, Harry. I understand, of course. It's my fault for giving you a taste of the spotlight. But, young man, you're too young for this. Calm down, will you? I know what you're thinking: 'Oh, it's easy for him to say; he's already an internationally renowned wizard.' But, let me tell you, when I was twelve, I was as ordinary as you—perhaps even more so. At least people already know who you are, don't they? What with all the business about You-Know-Who."

He glanced at Harry's lightning-shaped scar, as if contemplating touching it, but Harry quickly turned his head away.

# Lockhart

"I know, I know—it's not quite on par with winning Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award five times, but it's a start, Harry. You've got plenty of time."

He gave Harry a friendly wink before turning his attention to Orli.

# Lockhart

"And you, Miss Waters, isn't it? I noticed you've been staring at me. Oh, don't be shy. If you'd like an autographed photo, feel free to drop by my office after class."

Orli was so taken aback that she couldn't find the words to respond. Lockhart, however, interpreted her silence as the awe-struck reaction of a devoted fan.

# Lockhart

"Many people react this way when they meet me—speechless, heart racing, am I right? It's perfectly normal. I never turn away a fan."

## Orli

"Professor, I think you might be misunderstanding…"

Orli stammered, her voice trembling.

# Lockhart

"Don't be so quick to deny it, Miss Waters. Perhaps you're too shy to admit it in front of your friends, but I saw the way you looked at me during breakfast. Eyes don't lie, young lady."

Lockhart beamed smugly and strode away with a pompous air.

The four of them stood frozen in place for several seconds, utterly speechless.

# Harry

"He… I… I wasn't… you know…"

Harry seemed to have lost the ability to form coherent sentences.

## Orli

"Yeah. I don't admire him either. Not one bit."

Orli gritted her teeth.

# Ron

"Hermione, do you still think he's…"

Ron cast a disdainful glance at the autographed copy of Voyages with Vampires Hermione was cradling in her arms. She had even wrapped it in a heart-patterned handkerchief to keep it clean.

Hermione looked at the book in her hands, then silently stuffed it into her bag.

# Hermione

"Now I just hope he can actually teach us something useful."