Explaining Tonks the reasons for his decision was exhausting. And even then, there was a resistance, which was understandable, but still frustrating at the moment. In the end, Richard and Tonks had come to a conclusion to wait till next year.
Honestly, for Richard, it was all about the trace. He wanted to spend as much time possible using magic, and the trace was an obstacle to it. Richard thought about the frustrating time he had spent in his holidays not being able to use different magics that came to his mind, before dismissing the thoughts when Shemus elbowed him out of his thoughts, and see McGonagall staring at him like he was about to catch fire.
Not wanting any reason to be noted, Richard quickly buried his nose in his textbook, hoping the storm would pass over. It didn't. Instead it stopped right infront of his table.
"Mr Cloverfield. "
"Yes, professor McGonagall? "
"Care to explain what you were revisiting during my lessons? "
"No mam."
"A point from Griffindor. " McGonagall said making the entire house groan. Richard sighed as well. These things hurt his pride leaving a bitter feeling in his chest. Not because of losing points, but because he was the genuinely at fault.
The lesson continued, with Richard paying more attention to the concept of transformation. It was fascinating, even the theory since it came closer to reality manipulation than anyone ever realised.
Time passed, and the bell signalling the end of the period rang making the students quickly rush out of the classroom. Richard was about to follow them, but was stopped by professor McGonagall.
"Mr Cloverfield, I'll need to borrow a little bit of your time."
So he waited, taking a sear near the front of the class, right next to McGonagall, waiting for her to speak. McGonagall didn't speak until every single student left.
"Mr Cloverfield, I've been getting reports of your lack of attendance to the defence against the dark arts lessons from multiple sources_"
"That's because Lockhart is a fraud." Richard didn't wait for McGonagall to finish. " He's an attention driven incompetent scam artist who can't even hold a room properly. His 'lessons' are just questions about his adventures from his books. He doesn't teach a single thing. I'd rather take Quirrel's classes than his lesson. And that's after considering the fact he was possesed by Voldemort. "
McGonagall remained silent for a moment, then spoke. "Professor Lockhart's a Hogwarts teacher. No matter his lessons are, as a student of Hogwarts, you must attend . Ten points from Griffindor. " However, unlike before, her voice lacked any heat, and remained neutral. Almost resigned, which made Richard take a gamble.
"Please professor, I'll do anything." He started begging. Yes he was prideful, but as someone who had faced the world alone, he knew there were times pride had to be sacrificed for the greater good. "Lockhart's lessons rots my brain. I'll literally do anything else. I'll take detention with professor Snape, if i have to. If there is anyway, any possible method for me to refrain from taking his classes, I'll do it."
"I'm sorry to hear that Mr Cloverfield. But rules are rules. And if you don't want to make Griffindor loose the house cup, I'd better see you seated in the next defense against the dark arts lesson." McGonagall stood from her desk and waved her wand, making the utensils over her desk arrange themselves neatly. "You have only five minutes left, so better make haste."
But Richard was adamant. Not just because of the fact that Lockhart was a scam artist. But because of the fact that attending to such a "lesson " would demean his existence. It would consume much time, specially when fulfilling homework that had nothing related to academic matters. He did not want to go through hours of reading Lockhart's books just to learn what his favourite colour was.
'BANG! '
Richard slammed his hand to the desk, making McGonagall jump. But once she was done with being startled, she turned furious.
"Mr Cloverfield! Fifty points from Griffindor for disrespecting the house head! Detention immediately! "
"Are you sure?" However, Richard was not flustered. "I just wanted to demonstrate something."
When Richard removed his hand from the table, McGonagall was suprised to find an indent made in the complete likeness of a palm, right down to the finder prints etched deeply into the wood. She looked at Richard with suprise, only for him to shrug his shoulders. "I kinda needed to slam my hand a little hard. But it's imprrpessive, right?"
Indeed it was." It does appear so, Mr Cloverfield. You performed this wandless, I believe? "
"Yes."
"Wonderful display of transformation Mr Cloverfield. Thirty points to Gryffindor. " And Richard grinned. Yeah, that's exactly what he expected from Gryffindor house head. Stern, yes. But fair. "As for your detention, we'll start it tomorrow. Be at the fourth class in the second room tomorrow after lunch."
A grin formed on Richard's face." Isn't that...?"
McGonagall's lips twitched a little, "yes, I'll have to write a letter to professor Lockhart about your future absence to the defence against the dark arts lessons."
"Understood, professor."
Richard, nodded with a grin on his face before slamming the door shut behind him. Outside he found Harry, Ron, Shemus, Hermione and Neville waiting. Behind them, from a little distance, Malfoy and his crooks hung out, ready to jump in. But Richard ignored them.
"What happened out there?" Hermione was the first to speak. "How did you loose so many points in one go? Are you trying to get us loose the house cup? "
"It's nothing, just a little punishment for not attending DADA. Apperently someone snitched on me."
"Can't blame you mate." Ron spoke up finally. "That guy's a complete fraud."
"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed "you shouldn't badmouth a teacher. Especially considering the fact that teacher is a renowned adventure and magical duelist." She turned to Richard. "As for you, i hope that will teach you a lesson. You've been so out of order for the last few months, so it's about time someone knocked in some sense to your brain."
She then turned around and briskly walked away, leaving the boys alone.
"McGonagall must've really chewed you out huh?"
"Not really" Richard replied to Ron as they walked towards the potions cellar. "Just twenty points and Detention."