Defense Against the Dark Arts isn't an ordinary course. It has two essential elements, first, dark magic, and second, defense.
Though this might offend some, it's hard to deny that nearly every excellent Defense Against the Dark Arts master also possesses top-notch dark magic skills. After all, if you can't use dark magic yourself, who's going to believe your defense skills are any good?
It's like antivirus software, 360 can kill viruses, but you get the point.
And without a doubt, Lockhart completely fails this requirement. That was Allen's current dilemma: how to help this hopeless man?
All he could do was hope Lockhart wouldn't make a scene, please, no disasters, no breaking news beyond Allen's control. That would truly be a disaster.
Allen, while silently complaining that Dumbledore should award him a "special contribution" medal, focused all his energy on Professor Lockhart. He could swear this was the most serious Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson he had ever attended, more intense than Professor Sigma's lessons back in the day.
Lockhart, smiling perfectly, gave a slight bow before opening his book, naturally, it was his new book.
"I've noticed some of you might not have textbooks. My apologies, some of you couldn't purchase my book. So today, I'll speak a little slower to help those without books understand, and also to assist anyone whose language skills aren't perfect. I ask for your understanding on this."
The classroom erupted in cheers and applause that didn't end for some time. Lockhart, proudly displaying his dazzling smile and teeth, was accompanied by the click-click of camera shutters.
To Allen's surprise, at the start of the class, Lockhart showed no sign of weakness. He read the book fluently, interspersing interesting anecdotes and jokes, creating an unusually pleasant atmosphere.
What's going on, did that magical creature hit his head last time and enlighten him, or did he take the wrong potion today?
This wasn't the Lockhart Allen remembered. Spontaneously performing so well in class wasn't easy, even if the textbook was his own work, weaving humor and anecdotes seamlessly takes skill, not last-minute cramming. If he truly had this ability, he probably wouldn't have irresponsibly released that imp in class before.
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Defense Against the Dark Arts isn't just reading from a book. No wizard would refuse a spell they could actually use, especially adolescents encountering the term "Defense Against the Dark Arts."
A competent professor wouldn't just read, he would demonstrate. And Lockhart, at this moment, was absolutely performing like a qualified teacher. As the students hoped, he drew his wand.
"All right, I know what you're thinking, Defense Against the Dark Arts without actual spells isn't a real class. Even if it's entertaining, can it compete with those radio guys telling wizard jokes?" Lockhart tapped his book with his wand, face radiating complete control.
The students laughed, eyes full of anticipation.
"Of course, I'm not just a teller of tall tales. If you've read my works, you know I'm a seasoned adventurer, having seen all kinds of magic, oh, and my knees remain intact."
Amid laughter, Lockhart controlled the atmosphere effortlessly.
"Ha! You know, I've seen countless dangers, each more terrifying than the last. Of course, I could recreate them, but considering most of you here are female, we'll do a demonstration that isn't too scary, yet still impressive."
He lightly tapped the desk with his wand, and a cage appeared, containing a small, fuzzy white rabbit.
A few disappointed murmurs echoed, this powerless creature seemed useless beyond being cute. How could Lockhart demonstrate impressive magic on it?
Still, partly out of respect for the class and partly out of trust, no one spoke loudly.
Lockhart opened the cage, teeth gleaming in the sunlight:
"Oh, this is just a normal rabbit. As you can see, it's harmless. Dark magic? Preposterous. How could this possibly involve dark magic?"
Laughter came from the west side of the classroom.
"But," he continued, "I'm about to demonstrate a truly dangerous spell, one you wouldn't want to touch." He snapped his fingers on the rabbit's head. The startled creature jumped away, cowering in the corner despite magical protections preventing it from leaving the platform.
"Oh, it seems the rabbit is a bit afraid of me," Lockhart murmured.
"But soon, you'll see, it won't remember any harm I've done to it."
Allen instantly realized what Lockhart intended. Are you serious? This is Lockhart's specialty! Why use it in the first lesson? He's like a different person today. If it weren't for the narcissism, I'd think he'd have transmigrated.
So far, Lockhart's performance seemed divinely assisted, wait! Allen realized something. The only thing capable of this effect was in his own possession. A small vial he'd been hoarding.
Felix Felicis!
Lockhart used Felix Felicis, probably without knowing it.
As Allen speculated, the rabbit was struck by a "Forget Everything" charm^3 and ran directly to Lockhart, begging for food, causing a wave of exclamations from the witches below.
Okay, false alarm, Dumbledore must have prepared this. Allen could finally relax a bit.
But Allen forgot one thing, Felix Felicis isn't omnipotent. One of its key effects is to elicit assistance from others.
And, as expected, Lockhart still managed to make a mess.