Became good friends with the Boy Who Lived

The Christmas holidays are over, and a feeling called "panic" is spreading among the students returning to school, not only because of the attacks that occurred during the holidays, but also because of the absolute protection of Hogwarts Castle: Professor Dumbledore has left.

After Professor McGonagall became acting headmaster, she immediately issued some bans:

First: All outdoor activities are prohibited, Quidditch matches are cancelled, and the resumption time is yet to be determined. (This makes Gryffindor Quidditch Captain Wood very desperate)

Second: All students have to stay in their respective common rooms or dormitories during their spare time. (Ron was very grateful that the dormitories had their own bathrooms.)

Third: You must be accompanied by a professor on the way to class.

Fourth: For the safety of all students, there will be a curfew after dark. Professors will take turns patrolling, and any student caught wandering in the corridor will be expelled immediately. There will be no room for negotiation or leniency.

After these bans were issued, panic among students intensified.

In a Transfiguration class, Harry told Professor McGonagall all their guesses, which surprised Professor McGonagall speechless.

"Are you sure, Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall asked seriously, "that the monster in the Chamber of Secrets is really the Basilisk?"

"I'm 100% sure, Professor," said Harry, "This is the conclusion Hermione came to at the risk of her life. She didn't die because of the small mirror, but was petrified..." Harry couldn't go on.

"This silly girl!" Professor McGonagall took out a handkerchief and wiped the corners of her eyes. Her voice trembled, and then she said seriously, "I already know, Mr. Potter, this matter is really important. I will also announce it to other students. If Hogwarts can survive this incident, I will apply for a special contribution medal for Miss Granger."

Until February 14th, no further attacks occurred in the panic-stricken Hogwarts Castle. As expected, Professor Lockhart caused another "trouble".

Professor Lockhart felt that the attack was over and that it was time to revitalize Hogwarts Castle, so he paid for a grand "Valentine's Day Confession Plan" out of his own pocket.

When Aeris, Harry and a group of Gryffindor students arrived at the restaurant under the escort of Professor McGonagall, the place had changed drastically.

Pink sequins continuously fell from the enchanted ceiling, the red and gold Gryffindor lions used to decorate the auditorium were all replaced with pink, and pink paper cranes of all sizes flew around the restaurant.

Aeris, Harry and Ron sat down at the Gryffindor table and watched all this with strange looks on their faces. Professor Lockhart, who was wearing a flashy pink robe, spoke with a playful smile:

"Thank you, thank you to my students for sending me 520 Valentine's Day cards. I feel your kindness, but I belong to the entire magic world..."

After a moment of self-admiration, Professor Lockhart continued, "Valentine's Day, what a special holiday..." He looked at his colleagues beside him in the faculty seats. Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick were sitting in their seats with strange expressions; Professor McGonagall had a serious look on her face and said nothing; Professor Snape's face was even more sinister than usual.

Professor Lockhart's embarrassment flashed away, and he continued, "Let's be brave for love today. Why don't you ask Professor Snape for advice on how to make a love potion? Or ask Professor Flitwick for some spells to make people fall in love. He is definitely an expert in this field..."

Professor Flitwick covered his face with his hands, pretending not to know the guy who had just spoken; Professor Snape looked at the students in the restaurant with a sinister look, as if if he saw anyone who intended to ask him for advice, he would poison that person's breakfast on the spot without hesitation.

"Oh! Of course," said Professor Lockhart cheerfully, "and our Cupids ..."

As soon as Professor Lockhart finished speaking, twelve people who looked like dwarves, wearing pink tights, with small pink wings tied on their backs, playing harps, walked into the hall with expressionless faces.

"Our Cupids will deliver your love accurately!" Professor Lockhart said excitedly.

This day was simply a disaster. The class was going fine when a dwarf suddenly broke into the room and loudly declared one person's love for another in public. This was more than just a big "WTF" to express it. For some shy boys and girls, it was simply a large-scale "social death" scene.

In the Charms class, Professor Flitwick was diligently answering questions for the students when a dwarf rushed in like the wind and shouted, "Harry Potter from the second year, Ginny Weasley from the first year has a voice message. Let me express it on your behalf..."

After that, the dwarf started playing the harp and sang: "Your green eyes are like jumping toads, jumping into my heart and making me unable to extricate myself..."

The person involved, Harry, was lying on the desk, burying his face in his arms, refusing to come out. Archer noticed that the exposed part of Harry's neck was red, and Ron, who was at the same table with Harry, was grinning in an unkind way.

As expected, an accident happened that day. A Ravenclaw student was attacked. After being petrified, she was still holding a small mirror, apparently fixing her makeup.

This attack made Professor Lockhart behave himself for a long time. He no longer had a rosy face, but looked very haggard.

Three months had passed since Hermione was attacked. On this day, Aeris, Harry and other Gryffindor students, escorted by Professor Snape, walked towards the greenhouse area outside the castle. They were going to Professor Sprout's Herbology class. But before they arrived, Professor McGonagall's voice echoed throughout the castle:

"All students return to the common room, and all staff assemble in the staff room."

The students were in a commotion, and some were whispering, "What happened again..."

"Quiet!" Professor Snape's cold voice sounded, "I will escort you back to the Gryffindor common room, follow me."

Aeris, Harry, and Ron were at the end of the team, and headed towards Gryffindor Tower under the leadership of Professor Snape.

"Do you think there has been another attack?" Ron said in a dry voice.

"It's possible," Aeris said, "but no attack has ever made such a big noise, and it's daytime now, so it's almost in full view of everyone."

"We have to go and see," Harry said. "Ares, do you have any ideas?"

"Disillusionment Charm!" Aris said, "When we get close to the common room, we'll hide in the corner and follow Professor Snape."

When they were almost at the common room, Professor Snape glanced at the Gryffindor students and his gaze lingered on Harry's eyes for a moment. "Your common room is not far ahead. I'm going to meet up with the other professors. If I catch any of you sneaking out and wandering around, you know the consequences." After giving the cold warning, Professor Snape strode away. His back looked like a giant bat about to take off.

As the other students filed into the common room, Aris pulled Harry and Ron to a corner and cast a Disillusionment Charm. Seeing each other's vague companions, Ron said, "How can we ensure that we don't get separated?"

"I can see you," Aeris said, "I will hold your robes, but I want to remind you that the Disillusionment Charm does not mean disappearing, but blending into the surrounding environment. We must stay in the shadows as much as possible and try not to make any noise."

The three of them followed Professor Snape silently, and met Professor McGonagall halfway. Professors Sprout and Flitwick followed behind her in a hurry.

"Severus," called Professor McGonagall, "follow me!"

The four professors came to a corridor. The floor of the corridor was full of water, and there was something written in blood on the wall. Aeris and the other three did not dare to get too close, and could not see the words on the wall clearly.

"A student has been caught in the Chamber of Secrets," said Professor McGonagall sadly. "I'm afraid Hogwarts will be closed forever."

At this moment, Professor Lockhart came walking over. He smiled and said, "I'm so sorry. I was too tired these days and took a nap. I didn't miss anything, did I?"

"Of course not, Lockhart," Professor Snape said expressionlessly, "In fact, you've come just in time. Here's your chance to show off."

"What?" Professor Lockhart's smile disappeared, and he asked in confusion, "A... a chance to show your performance?"

"That's right," said Professor Flitwick in a shrill voice. "You've always said you knew the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets, haven't you?"

"I just..." Professor Lockhart began to look a little flustered.

"And you say," said Professor Sprout, "that you have a way of subduing the basilisk."

"No... I don't remember..." Professor Lockhart's face began to turn pale.

"That's just right," said Professor McGonagall. "A student has been captured by the basilisk and taken to the Chamber of Secrets. Gerald, go and rescue her. Just think about the praise you will receive."

Professor Lockhart took a step back, his face ashen. He stammered, "No... no problem... I need to go back to my office first... you know... I need to prepare..." After that, he walked towards his office. After turning a corner, Aries heard the sound of running.

"Who was caught in the Chamber of Secrets?" asked Professor Sprout.

"Ginny Weasley." Professor McGonagall said in a heavy voice.

Ron, who was beside Aries, was about to fall to the ground. Aries quickly supported him. Ron murmured with a sad face: "How could it be? Ginny..."

Harry whispered, "Come on!" Aeris and Ron followed Harry and walked towards Professor Lockhart's office.

"Where are we going?" Ron asked.

"Even though Lockhart is a loser," Harry said, "we should help him as much as possible and help him rescue Ginny."

"You don't think he will really go to the secret room to rescue people?" Aeris said jokingly, "He is brave enough not to run away now."

When he arrived at the door of Professor Lockhart's office, Aeris lifted the Disillusionment Charm, and found that the door of Professor Lockhart's office was not closed tightly.

Harry pushed the door open and said, "Professor, we..." But what the three of them saw was Professor Lockhart packing his luggage quickly. Lockhart in all the photos looked flustered.

Harry asked incredulously, "Where do you want to go?"

"Oh! This... that..." Professor Lockhart said vaguely while hurriedly packing his luggage, "I have some very urgent things to deal with. I have to leave this school."

"What about my sister?" Ron said anxiously.

"All I can say," said Professor Lockhart, "is that no one feels more pained about this than I do."

"You mean," said Harry, "that you're going to run away."

"I'm sorry, my dear boy," said Professor Lockhart, "but when I accepted the commission, I was not told that the work would be so dangerous."

"But in your book," Ron said persistently, "you are described as so great."

"Would you mind me, boy?" sputtered Professor Lockhart. "Would anyone buy my book if I didn't write it that way?"

"You plagiarize other wizards," said Harry incredulously. "You take other people's work and attribute it to yourself?"

Aris, who had been silent the whole time, asked quietly, "Then you must know some magic, right?" While asking, he glanced at his two companions. Harry and Ron understood and reached for their wands.

"Of course," said Professor Lockhart, "I am very talented in the Memory Charm. Otherwise, wouldn't those wizards whose achievements I have robbed come to bother me?"

Professor Lockhart reached for his wand stealthily. He smiled brilliantly and said, "In fact... I'm going to erase your memories, too..."

Before Professor Lockhart raised his wand, a loud shout was heard: "Ahem, ahhem, ahhem!" Harry cast a Disarming Spell at Professor Lockhart. Professor Lockhart's wand flew out of his hand, drawing an arc and was caught by Ron. Without saying a word, Ron threw Professor Lockhart's wand out of the open window.

Facing three wands pointing at his nose, Professor Lockhart had a sad face. He said tentatively: "Children, I really can't help you. Why don't you let me go..."

"Who said you can't help?" Ron gritted his teeth and said, "You can help us explore the way."

This time Professor Lockhart actually burst into tears.

"Where do you think the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?" asked Harry.

"What if," Aeris pondered, "the student who was killed by the basilisk fifty years ago had never left and had always stayed where he was..."

"Moaning Myrtle?!" Harry and Ron said in unison.

They came to the bathroom where Moaning Myrtle usually stayed. Harry opened the door and let Lockhart go in first. Myrtle, who sensed someone coming, turned her head sharply and said fiercely, "Who?"

Seeing Harry in front of her, Myrtle smiled shyly and said sweetly, "Oh! Harry!" Then her voice became fierce, "What are you doing here?"

Harry asked hesitantly, "Uh... Xiaotao, uh... um... can you tell me how you died?"

As if she heard Harry calling her "Little Peach", Myrtle smiled shyly again and said in a sweet voice: "Oh, that's really a sad story. A female classmate laughed at me. What was her name, Olive Hornby? Never mind. She laughed at me, and I cried here for a long time. Then I heard someone come in and heard a meaningless sound. I was very sad, so I walked out and wanted that person to leave. Then I died..."

Harry frowned and asked, "It's...that simple..."

A sweet voice sounded: "I seem to see a pair of big, round...eyeballs...yellow, they seem to be eyeballs...hehehe..."

Harry went to the sink and touched the taps, each of which had a lifelike snake carved on it.

"Say something, Harry," Ron suggested. "Say something in Parseltongue."

This proved not easy, and Harry had to stare intently at the snake sculpture on the faucet and shake his head slightly, imagining the sculpture was a real snake.

A low, hoarse "hiss, ha ha, huh" sound came out of Harry's mouth, and the wash basins that were gathered together split in all directions, revealing a large hole that led all the way to the basement of the castle.

Lockhart looked into the cave and was filled with the foul smell that came out of the cave.

"Well done, kids," Lockhart said casually, "You probably don't need me now..." and he tried to run towards the door.

"There are so many obstacles~" Aeris murmured softly, and an invisible wall blocked Lockhart back to the cave entrance.

"What's the point of doing this, kids?" Lockhart said sadly.

"It's better than us going down first!" Ron said bluntly.

"That makes sense," said Lockhart. "Boys, are you trying to trick me?"

Aris was so angry that he laughed. He said darkly, "Are we not being so obvious? Professor, we are just trying to trick you. You have been tricking us for a whole year. It is not too much for us to trick you once, right?"

"Not too much!" A hint of cruelty flashed in Lockhart's eyes. He gritted his teeth and plunged into the cave.