"I know everything now. They say Hogwarts' Defence Against the Dark Arts class is cursed. Anyone who takes over this course won't have a good ending," Lockhart said with obvious excitement.
"I must have been afflicted by this curse. Otherwise, with my powerful abilities, how could I have fallen under your single punch?"
"It must be because of this curse. It has to be."
Dudley didn't know what to say for a moment, staring at the delusional professor.
"Professor, is it possible that it's simply a problem with your own abilities?" Dudley asked in return with diplomatic directness.
Lockhart was stunned by this suggestion but quickly shook his head with vehement denial.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible."
"But there's one thing that really makes me think deeply. I feel like ever since I took over Defence Against the Dark Arts, my magical power has been declining, and my strength has dropped significantly. This is clearly the curse taking effect."
"No wonder they say the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor position at Hogwarts is nearly impossible to fill."
"Take my predecessor, your former Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Quirrell, correct? After he left Hogwarts, he disappeared completely and was never seen again. Many people say he's already dead."
"Too terrifying, truly terrifying."
Lockhart's face became extremely pale with genuine fear.
Dudley remained silent, thinking to himself that Quirrell was indeed dead, killed by his own hand.
However, Quirrell had been killed because he was possessed by Voldemort's evil spirit. Lockhart didn't have Voldemort attached to him, and although his abilities were pathetically weak, he wouldn't necessarily meet such a tragic end.
"Well, Professor Lockhart, I think you're overthinking this situation. There's no such curse," Dudley said reassuringly.
"Besides, as long as you serve at Hogwarts for one complete year, you could write a book about this experience afterward, telling everyone how you heroically defeated Hogwarts' supposed curse. It would definitely be a bestseller."
Dudley seriously suggested this approach.
He could tell that Lockhart seemed to have thoughts of abandoning his position and running away.
After all, he had just come to teach one class and was beaten unconscious by Dudley and hospitalised, which was quite a devastating loss of face.
Now hearing that Defence Against the Dark Arts was cursed with terrible endings, anyone would probably want to flee immediately.
If Lockhart was really as brave as described in his published books, he could indeed courageously challenge this position, prove the curse didn't exist, or directly break it. But from what Dudley could observe now, Lockhart's actual abilities were far too inflated compared to his reputation.
"Really? You think so?" Hearing Dudley's suggestion, Lockhart seemed to show genuine interest.
"Yes, I absolutely believe you can accomplish it," Dudley said with false confidence.
At this stage, it would be better if Lockhart didn't leave, or there really would be no one qualified to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts.
"That's actually a brilliant suggestion. Perhaps I really could break this supposed curse," Lockhart showed an increasingly interested expression.
He had originally planned to flee Hogwarts as quickly as possible, but it had to be said that Dudley's suggestion was very tempting.
If he could continue serving at Hogwarts successfully, his next book could indeed use this experience to write a bestselling novel, perhaps even more popular than his previous publications.
After all, those previous adventures were too distant and unverifiable, while Hogwarts was a school many wizards had graduated from. Writing a novel about experiences here would definitely attract enormous attention in the magical world.
He didn't want to miss this golden opportunity.
The only concern was that this time he would have to do everything personally and couldn't rely on stealing others' experiences and accomplishments.
However, relatively speaking, being a professor at Hogwarts should be much simpler and less dangerous than supposedly facing vampires, werewolves, and other dark creatures.
"Excellent, thank you for the suggestion," Lockhart said with renewed determination.
"When I break this curse, you must tell me about last year's battle between the Dragon Knight and the dark wizard, agreed?"
"No problem at all," Dudley immediately agreed.
"Good, I should leave now. Can't let Madam Pomfrey catch me wandering around."
After saying this, Lockhart hurriedly departed the hospital wing.
In the afternoon, after drinking a large bowl of bitter green potion that Madam Pomfrey brought, Dudley asked if he could be discharged but was directly refused.
Unable to help it, Dudley stayed in the hospital for another two days. Only after Madam Pomfrey confirmed he was completely fine did she reluctantly let him leave.
As for Professor Snape, he was reportedly still unconscious, though his condition had improved somewhat. It was estimated he would wake up before long.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and others came together to pick up Dudley from the hospital wing.
"Dudley, here's some excellent news. Harry has been confirmed as Gryffindor's Seeker for the Quidditch team," Ron excitedly announced.
"Congratulations, Harry," Dudley immediately congratulated his cousin.
"Mainly they needed a skilled Seeker, and I happened to fit the requirements," Harry said with characteristic modesty.
"Harry didn't just 'fit the requirements.' He flies better than everyone else on the team."
"Oh right, the Nimbus 2001 played a crucial role too. They could barely see Harry's flight trajectory, only a long shadow streaking past like lightning," Ron described with obvious excitement.
"Alright, Ron, Dudley just got out of the hospital and needs proper rest," Hermione couldn't help saying with concern.
She was afraid if Ron continued his enthusiastic descriptions, Dudley wouldn't be able to resist going out for a couple of flights immediately.
"You're absolutely right, I got too excited," Ron admitted sheepishly.
"Ron, didn't you try out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team?" Dudley asked with curiosity.
"Currently Gryffindor's Quidditch team only lacked a Seeker, so there's no position available for now," Ron said with obvious regret.
"Then start practising seriously. You can use my racing broom for training. Opportunity favours the prepared. Don't let it be embarrassing if there's an opening but you can't make the team," Dudley suggested practically.
"Really? That's absolutely fantastic!" Ron was so happy he almost jumped with joy.
Hermione shook her head helplessly at Ron's enthusiasm, but seeing everyone laughing so happily, she also showed a bright smile.
Only Harry seemed less than enthusiastic about the celebration.
"Did something happen?" Dudley keenly sensed that Harry's mood didn't seem right.
Joining the Gryffindor Quidditch team should make him extremely happy, but from his behaviour, Ron seemed more like the person who had become the Seeker.
"When I was changing clothes after tryouts today, I found this in my pocket," Harry said, not hiding anything from Dudley. He took out a crumpled note from his pocket.
"Harry Potter must leave Hogwarts immediately."
Dudley looked at the note's ominous content and frowned with concern.
"No signature. I don't know who gave me this note or why they would give me such a threatening message," Harry said with obvious worry.
"I could never leave Hogwarts. This is my home."
Harry said with fierce determination.
Dudley looked at this note and fell into deep thought about its implications.
"These past two days, several times I've felt like someone was watching me from the shadows, but when I looked in that direction, there was never anyone there," Harry said with growing concern.
"This year's Hogwarts feels even more dangerous and difficult than last year."