Present Mixed in the Past

Chapter 24| Destroying Lockhart's Lessons

The school year started off as it did before, just without the need to steal a car and nearly get killed thrice over, which was nice. Within only two weeks, though, two Ravenclaws had decided to start a study group for all Houses for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Of course, after two weeks of the buffoon trying to teach everyone, the students were rather eager to actually learn something!

Gilderoy wasn't very happy with that. He often complained about the blasphemy that the students were saying. He was very certain that he was the most qualified teacher there was! At least, that was the airs he had put on.

Of course, Harry had politely employed Colin Creevey to take pictures of how Lockhart ran his class and then how Hermione and Luna ran their study group. The future reporter went a step further and had interviewed multiple people from every House to get their scoop on it. Only a handful of people had said they liked having Lockhart as part of the staff.

After another week of that, Colin complied everything for the Golden Boy. Potter had already told him that he was sending his findings off to a real reporter, to which Colin only looked excited and he didn't seem to truly mind. With how innocent and sweet the boy was, the second year had to ask Rita to credit him as an upcoming reporter or journalist, or just simply say he was an upstanding citizen for doing what he did.

The woman, surprisingly, obeyed that and had even said the Muggle-born had a talent in the art of reporting! The beaming look that the first year had made the Gods' day. What made it even better was the pink look on Lockhart's face as he tried to calm down.

The next several days articles were worse as Rita made plenty of mentions on how cruel Azkaban is, the penalties for unlawfully obliviating someone, how the spell should be only used by professionally trained Aurors, etc. It was wonderful to see how Dumbledore and Lockhart squirmed~

All of these articles only pushed people away from Lockhart, finding him to becoming more and more distasteful and egotistical than before. It gotten bad enough that Dumbledore had to step in to publicly address it!

"Now, I am sure that those of you who started this study session did not mean to cause harm, but it would be unwise of you to continue it. Mr. Lockhart has the esteemed talent and the knowledge that will be crucial in your Defense Against the Dark Arts." He held such a sorrowful look, but not everyone was buying.

The Ravenclaws barely held in their looks of disgust. He may not have stated it outright, but he was implying that Hermione and Luna were bad teachers! He was far from the truth! The two had knowledge and skills on par with the sixth years! Plus, they had seen how that bumbling idiot had tried to teach the class! It was outrageous that a man as powerful as Dumbledore dare say that someone as pathetic as Gilderoy Lockhart was 'esteemed'!

The Slytherin had already seen through the man's disguise the moment they had saw his books. They were creatures of ambition and cunning, they could almost always tell when someone was trying to play them! It also didn't hurt that Draco had practically warned them the previous year thanks to his father's role as being part of the Education Board. The lessons were even worse.

As Draco heard Dumbledore go on and on about how the DADA classes needed to be taught by a professional and not just in study groups, he couldn't help the feeling of pride. It felt like a win in some form. A win against the great Dumbledore that was almost refreshing.

"Professor Dumbledore," a sweet voice called from the Gryffindor table, "maybe Professor Lockhart isn't in his element? Perhaps the traditional school teaching method is hindering his talent?"

It was almost unnoticeable, but there was a slight mocking tone in Harry's voice at the word talent. Yet he had all eyes on him. The Slytherin quirked an eyebrow at his statement, almost ready to brush him off when Draco stood up.

"I second that, Professor Dumbledore. Why not have Lockhart-"

"And Professor Snape host a wand dueling club? Surely, they would be able to teach us how to handle our-"

"Wands in a better manner than we do now? Perhaps Lockhart could show us more of his physical skills and-"

"Teach us some sword fighting techniques and skills in case we don't have access to our wands." Harry finished.

Everyone looked between the Malfoy and the Potter, looks of disbelief and amusement being the majority. The only time any of them had seen such a display of understanding was from the Weasley twins, but they were literally brothers that no one could tell apart!

Dumbledore blinked rapidly, his persona slipping for a second before he smiled and nodded.

"Yes... Of course! What a wonderful idea, Harry, Draco." He politely bowed in thanks, but he gave no points, and the smart ones knew why. He was miffed about something. "Professor Lockhart?"

The blond man gave them all a winning grin, that majority of the school wasn't buying. Not that he would've seen that. Instead, he happily rambled on and on about how far ahead of everyone he was at dueling. This didn't make Professor Flitwick very happy. He was a Dueling Master, and this buffoon was claiming to be better than him?

The half-goblin gave a look to Snape, who gave the most subtle of nods. Flitwick wanted Snape to put the idiot in his place, and the Potions Master was all too happy to do so. Honestly, he didn't understand why Dumbledore was interfering the way he was. He had listened in on the study group, and he was sure every student who had gone to the Granger and Lovegood for help were qualified to take their exams at that very moment!

The black-haired man took a quiet breath and began to eat, his dark eyes glancing toward his godson and then over to Lily's son. The boy had made a good suggestion, and by adding him they were at least going to learn something. But that raised the question, why add swords to a wand duel?