Fears | June Potter and the Haunting Voice | Book 1

Chapter Nine; The Rogue Bludger

Chapter Nine; The Rogue Bludger

  Since the disastrous episode of the pixies, that had happened before June had joined the second-years, Professor Lockhart had not brought live creatures to class. Instead, he read passages from his books to them and sometimes reenacted some of the more dramatic bits. He usually picked Harry to help him with these reconstructions. So far, Harry had been forced to play simple Transylvanian villager whom Lockhart had cured of a Babbling Curse, a yeti with a head cold, and a vampire who had been unable to eat anything except lettuce since Lockhart had dealt with him.

  June would always roll her eyes and struggle to focus on her brother's embarrassment. This isn't learning, June would continuously think each class. Harry was hauled to the front of the class during their very next Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, this time acting a werewolf. June knew that Harry would refuse if he had a choice, but if the plan was to gonna work, Harry needed to keep the goof of a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in a good mood.

  As the end of the class grew nearer and nearer, June struggled to focus. And was relieved when the bell rang and but groaned upon seeing Lockhart get to his feet.

  "Homework — compose a poem about my defeat of the Wagga Wagga Werewolf! Signed copies of Magical Me to the author of the best one!"

  The man was full of himself, June decided and knew right away that she wasn't going to try with the homework. The class began to leave and Harry returned to the back of the room, where June, Ron and Hermione were waiting.

  "Ready?" Harry muttered.

  "Wait till everyone's gone," said Hermione nervously. "All right . . ."

  She approached Lockhart's desk, a piece of paper clutched tightly in her hand, the three followed right behind her.

  "Er — Professor Lockhart?" Hermione stammered. "I wanted to — to get this book out of the library. Just for background reading." She held out the piece of paper, her hand shaking slightly. "But the thing is, it's in the Restricted Section of the library, so I need a teacher to sign for it — I'm sure it would help me understand what you say in Gadding with Ghouls about slow-acting venoms —"

  "Ah, Gadding with Ghouls!" said Lockhart, taking the note from Hermione and smiling widely at her. "Possibly my very favourite book. You enjoyed it?"

  "Oh, yes," said Hermione eagerly. "So clever, the way you trapped that last one with the tea-strainer —"

  "Well, I'm sure no one will mind me giving the best student of the year a little extra help," said Lockhart warmly, and he pulled out an enormous peacock quill. "Yes, nice, isn't it?" he said, misreading the revolted look on Ron's face. "I usually save it for book signings."

  He scrawled an enormous loopy signature on the note and handed it back to Hermione. June was shocked that Lockhart didn't even glance at the book they had wanted to check out, but then she reminded herself that the man was a horrible teacher, and was most liking going to take the opportunity to create a conversation with Harry out nothing.

  "So, Harry," said Lockhart, while Hermione folded the note with fumbling fingers and slipped it into her bag. "Tomorrow's the first Quidditch match of the season, I believe? Gryffindor against Slytherin, is it not? I hear you're a useful player. I was a Seeker, too. I was asked to try for the National Squad, but preferred to dedicate my life to the -"

  She was correct. June tuned out the frustrating man. She couldn't believe that Dumbledore had allowed this idiotic goof to teach, even if there were no one else who wanted the job. She rolled her eyes and forced herself to not let out the audible groan threatening to pass her lips. Ron and Hermione started their way towards the door, and June quickly without thought, opted to follow the two, abandoning Harry to the big mouth of Lockhart. I'm a great sister, June thought as she hurriedly left the jet black-haired boy to the onesided conversation.