The Chamber of Secrets (Book 2) (Hermione x Male Reader)

Ch. 9: Gilderoy Lockhart

After lunch, we made our way to our Defense Against the Dark Arts class. As we entered, I saw paintings of Gilderoy Lockhart all along the walls. I took my seat and noticed the covered cage sitting on the Professor's desk. It was rattling. Gilderoy Lockhart stepped out from his office in the front of the classroom.

"Let me introduce you to your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher: me. Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five time winner of Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award," Lockhart said. "But I don't talk about that. I didn't get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her!"

No one laughs at this joke, but a few of the girls smiled a bit.

"I see you've all bought a complete set of my books. Well done. I thought we'd start today with a little quiz. Nothing to worry about. Just to check how well you've read them, how much you've taken in," Lockhart said before handing out papers to everyone.

"Look at these questions. They're all about him," I heard Ron whisper to Harry.

"'What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite color?'" Harry whispered.

"'What is Gilderoy Lockhart's greatest achievement to date?'" Ron whispered.

"'When is Gilderoy Lockhart's birthday and what would his ideal gift be?'" Harry whispered.

"You have thirty minutes. Start... now!" Lockhart said.

I tried to come up with an excuse for these being the questions, but none came. This guy just really did only care about fame, and he definitely had a huge ego. I raised my hand.

"Yes, Mr..."

"L/N, Y/N L/N," I said. "Professor, why are these questions all about you? Aren't you supposed to be teaching us Defense Against the Dark Arts? How is this teaching us anything?"

He was silent for a moment, seeming to try to come up with an excuse.

"Like I said, it's just to see how well you've read them. If you can answer those questions correctly, it means you've read them thoroughly enough to understand what you've read," he said.

The way he answered kind of made sense, but at the same time, it felt like a forced answer. One he wasn't expecting to give. I decided to just let whatever bad feeling I had about this dude slide. I mean, how bad could he possibly be after Quirrell last year? I answered the questions and turned in my paper.

Eventually, everyone was finished. Lockhart was in the front, checking the papers.

"Tut, tut. Hardly any of you remembered my favorite color is lilac. But Miss Hermione Granger knew that my secret ambition is to rid the world of evil and market my own range of hair care potions. Good girl," Lockhart said, and Hermione, who was sitting next to me, beamed at this.

I almost felt sick.

Lockhart then stood and made his way to the cage.

"Now... be warned! It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizardkind! You may find yourself facing your own worst fears in this room. Know only that no harm can befall you whilst I am here..." Lockhart said.

"Finally, something worthwhile," I thought to myself as Lockhart turned to the cage.

"I must ask you not to scream. It might provoke them," he said as he whipped off the cover, revealing...

"Cornish pixies?" Seamus asked.

"Freshly caught Cornish pixies," Lockhart said as Seamus laughed at this.

"Laugh if you will, Mr. Finnegan, but pixies can be devilishly tricky little blighters. Let's see what you make of them now!" Lockhart said as he opened the door to the cage.