Professor Lockhart had originally expected Dumbledore to buzz in first.
But Dumbledore merely looked kindly at Harry, showing no intention of answering this question.
Lockhart understood himself very clearly.
Rather than letting someone else answer and take the reward, he might as well answer the question himself.
What if the [Live Broadcast Q&A System] rewarded him with a few spells?
What if it gave him powerful magic?
Then he wouldn't be the fake Lockhart with a reputation but no substance.
He would truly become Gilderoy Lockhart — great adventurer!
Aiden glanced at the three bright green lights shining on the high platform.
"The people who will answer this time are: Gilderoy Lockhart, Draco Malfoy, and Ron Weasley."
"I must say, Mr. Lockhart, it seems a little like cheating for you to answer this particular question yourself."
The teasing remark entered Lockhart's ears, but he kept a steady expression.
After wiping away his cold sweat, Lockhart did his best to look normal, not wanting anyone to see through him.
That would be fatal.
Dumbledore already knew the truth, so Lockhart wasn't too concerned about him.
If Dumbledore intended to expose him, Lockhart would've already been dragged to the Ministry of Magic.
He had simply panicked subconsciously earlier.
"I know some students misunderstand me. These years of celebration and public appearances have indeed made me rusty with some of the spells I once mastered."
"But believe me—I am still that great adventurer: Gilderoy Lockhart!"
A flash of bright white teeth, a perfect smile.
Lockhart looked every bit the charming, confident celebrity wizard.
Even though many students now doubted him, a handful of his devoted fans still believed wholeheartedly.
"I'll go first, Professor!"
A sudden voice cut off Lockhart's carefully prepared speech.
He had planned to take this opportunity to redeem himself after these embarrassing days.
He wanted to blame all his teaching failures on his "long disuse of magic" and his "temporary decline in skills."
No matter what, he couldn't let anyone doubt the stories in his books.
But someone interrupting him before he even finished speaking made his irritation spike.
He glanced sharply at the culprit.
Very well, Weasley. I'll remember this.
Including the time in the Great Hall when you loudly called me a liar.
I've noted it all down.
Lockhart's expression froze for a moment before returning to normal.
Just from this, Aiden felt Lockhart's psychological endurance was truly impressive.
Not everyone could maintain such composure when furious.
"All right, Mr. Weasley."
He wasn't going to worry about Lockhart. Someone wanted to answer — so he would let them.
When Lockhart glared at him with that cold expression, Ron's heart had been pounding wildly.
But then he remembered Lockhart was just a liar — and Dumbledore was here at Hogwarts. So why should he be afraid?
If he let this opportunity slip away and gave it to Lockhart, that fraud, he would regret it.
Draco, however, was full of regret.
If he had known, he would've jumped in first instead of letting that "pure-blood disgrace" Weasley take the opportunity.
"Professor, since it's the spell Professor Lockhart — that liar — is most proficient in, I have a guess."
Ron's heart was still thumping. He could feel everyone's eyes on him.
He rarely got this kind of spotlight.
Besides the end of last year, this was only the second time.
He had to admit — he liked it.
And just as he expected, the entire crowd was watching him.
Everyone on the high platform.
All the Hogwarts students and teachers outside the Q&A space.
"There shouldn't be any problems, right?" someone in Gryffindor muttered skeptically.
It wasn't that they didn't trust Ron.
But… well… based on Ron's entire life so far…
Aside from being loud, impulsive, dramatic, and prone to bragging — Ron had never shown signs of possessing a functioning brain.
And while many Gryffindors were famously reckless, they certainly didn't think they were brainless.
Ron was always seen as Harry's follower.
As for Hermione…
She was Gryffindor's walking textbook, the house's entire supply of brain cells — something Ron could never compete with.
"I don't know," Percy said reluctantly. "Even though he's my brother, and I should defend him… knowing his personality, there's a very high chance he's just guessing."
"Percy, you can just say he's not smart."
"Exactly. But you're right — besides Lockhart, everyone else can only guess on this question."
Percy's friends nodded. They heard Percy complain about his brothers constantly.
"George," Fred whispered, "do you think he can do it?"
"Doesn't matter. Honestly, I just like watching him make a fool of himself."
George raised an eyebrow, grinning. Fred gasped dramatically.
"I didn't realize you were this kind of person!"
"Don't you feel the same?"
"Well… even though he's our brother… brothers are meant to be messed with, aren't they?"
Wood, standing nearby, discreetly stepped away. He also firmly decided never to provoke the twins again.
One-third of Gryffindor's lost house points came from Fred and George.
There was nothing they couldn't do — only things they hadn't thought of yet.
The other two-thirds depended on how reckless Harry and his friends were that day.
Wood felt the crushing burden of responsibility settling on his shoulders.
He had to think about the House Cup.
He had to think about beating Slytherin in Quidditch.
He had to think about not losing his sanity.
He seriously wondered whether he should just graduate early.
Nearby, Cormac McLaggen was trying to flirt with a girl, and Wood suddenly had a terrible but tempting idea.
…
"If everything in Professor Lockhart's books is true, then he would definitely need a defensive spell."
Ron said this loudly, full of confidence.
"Therefore, I believe Professor Lockhart is most proficient in the Shield Charm."
A proud glow radiated from him.
But deep down, Ron was thinking:
Good thing Hermione explained some of these spells to me earlier…