Hogwarts: Don't call me the Staff Maker

Chapter 92 Gilderoy Lockhart's Self-Introduction

Chapter 93 Gilderoy Lockhart's Self-Introduction (Seeking first subscriptions and monthly votes)

Once everyone had entered the auditorium, the doors were closed, and the students sat at their respective college tables, continuing their conversations that hadn't ended on the train.

Professor McGonagall pushed open the door again, leading a group of uneasy freshmen in. It was clear that they were very interested in everything around them. The candlelight flickered in their wide eyes, turning into gasps of amazement.

Last year, Xilun was also among the new students, but this year he has become a spectator, watching the new students walk to the front of the auditorium.

The Sorting Hat's song was as awful as ever. Siren sat below, looking at the brim of the hat, which opened and closed like a mouth, and squinted slightly.

Isn't it so lively? I really hope it will still be this energetic after it becomes a magic wand.

For some reason, the Sorting Hat, who was singing, felt a chill run down its spine.

It's strange, how can a hat feel cold, especially since it doesn't have a back?

The Sorting Hat didn't pay any attention and continued singing the last few syllables.

Amidst applause, the division of labor officially began.

Professor McGonagall looked at the parchment in her hand.

"Tix Orr".

It was that little wizard who rode the Knight Bus to the station with Siron; he was indeed a new student.

"Hufflepuff!" the Sorting Hat shouted.

……

One by one, the new students walked up to the auditorium, and the applause never stopped.

The little witch with the carrot earring, Luna Lovegood, was assigned to Ravenclaw.

There was a freshman in Gryffindor named Colin Crevey who seemed to be a huge fan of Harry, keeping his eyes glued to him ever since the sorting.

And then there's Ginny, needless to say.

When the Sorting Hat shouted "Gryffindor," Fred and George immediately stood on their stools and cheered.

"I knew it would be fine..."

"Ginny must be a Gryffindor!"

Percy and Ron were a little more reserved, but they still clapped enthusiastically, their hands turning red from clapping.

Professor McGonagall then read out three more names, and the Sorting Ceremony was over. She walked out of the Great Hall with her triangular stool and Sorting Hat.

Siron was slightly disappointed; he wished Professor McGonagall had forgotten to take the Sorting Hat.

Most of them were already starving, but it wasn't time to eat yet, so Dumbledore stood up.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts. Before the banquet begins, please allow me to take a few minutes to announce some important things."

"First, we have found a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor." Dumbledore glanced to the side but didn't look at the faculty seating area. "Please allow me to introduce him—Professor Gilderoy Lockhart!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall erupted in deafening applause. Although the Daily Prophet had already reported the news, Dumbledore's personal statement still excited Lockhart's admirers.

Amidst applause, the side door to the teachers' section suddenly opened, and Gilderoy Lockhart strode in. He wore a magnificent violet robe, and his golden curls shimmered.

He walked with a smile toward the faculty seats, his white teeth gleaming in the candlelight, nodding to students from various colleges along the way.

The applause grew even louder, like a tidal wave. The witches were practically going crazy. Sheren noticed Hermione suddenly sit up straight, a blush of excitement spreading across her face. Several of the older witches were so excited they almost fainted.

"Tch..." Ron seemed to want to say something, but looking at the witches around him, he wisely chose to keep quiet.

Gilderoy Lockhart walked this stretch of road for about five minutes, until the applause gradually subsided and most people were too tired to shout anymore, before he leisurely approached Dumbledore.

"Thank you, thank you everyone," Gilderoy Lockhart said in his magnetic voice (how affected, Ron looked like he was about to throw up).

"I must say, returning to Hogwarts feels like coming home. Although I was one of Ravenclaw's best graduates, I never imagined I would return as a professor."

A cheer erupted from the Ravenclaw table; the high-achieving young wizards had never been so excited, and they were the loudest cheerers.

"It's my honor..." Lockhart winked at the Ravenclaws. (Ugh...) (Ron again. He'd rather be taking the Knight Bus now.)

"I am honored to have been personally invited by Albus Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of our time, to take up this position," Lockhart continued, nodding slightly to Dumbledore, who gave him a polite smile.

"Some people think this job is dangerous, but is that really the case?"

“Me,” he pointed to himself, “Sir Gilderoy Lockhart Merlin, Order of the Order of Merlin, Third Class; Honorary Member of the Defense Against the Dark Arts; Five-time winner of the Wizarding Weekly’s Most Charming Smile Award…”

"Of course, I'm not saying this to show off, but to tell you that I've seen a lot of real danger and have always walked alongside them. If any of you are interested, just open your textbooks; the contents will tell you the answer."

"So I accepted the principal's invitation to gather material for my upcoming book..."

Lockhart's inaugural address was even longer than the previous Sorting Ceremony. At first, most people were quite excited, but the cheers gradually subsided.

Everyone had been on the train all day and was exhausted. Even Hermione could barely maintain her upright posture, forcing herself to sit there, her eyes glazed over from hunger.

boom!

A burst of purple smoke suddenly appeared, startling everyone. Only then did Siron notice that Lockhart had brought the photographer from the Daily Prophet, the short wizard from Flourish and Blotts who had been hiding behind the door.

Besides the students, the professors were also taken aback by this sudden scene. Snape's face darkened as he stared at Lockhart's plate, his eyes gleaming with a restless intent.

Throughout this time, only Dumbledore stood by, occasionally smiling, nodding, or appearing thoughtful...

"A group photo? Of course, no problem."

After taking another group photo, Dumbledore seized the opportunity and, before Lockhart could speak, said, "Let's welcome Professor Lockhart once again. Now, let the feast begin. Eat!"

"Finally saved." Ron looked at the mountain of boiled potatoes and roasted chicken legs in front of him, grabbed some and stuffed them into his mouth, mumbling, "Harry, Hillon, I bet he's a narcissist, what do you think?"

Xilun shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

"Don't say that," Hermione retorted. "He's done so many amazing things, it's normal for his introduction to take a while."

"Ha..." Ron had no time to argue with her. He took a big gulp of pumpkin juice and continued to struggle with the roast chicken on his plate.

……

(End of this chapter)