[200] The Hollow of Victory

There was a Dark Lord trapped in a tower in the Forbidden Forest. The Dark Lord coming to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts? Hall thought that wouldn't be a problem at all. Instead of going after that good-for-nothing Lockhart, it was better to get Grindelwald out of retirement.

"Hall, what did you just say?" Ron seemed to have heard something about the Forbidden Forest and turned to look at Hall with wide eyes. School hadn't even started yet and Hall was already thinking about the Forbidden Forest?

Hall coughed. "You misheard."

Anyway, Hall painfully closed his eyes. He could already imagine how chaotic this year would be. And this chaos wouldn't come from the outside — it would come from within. Professor Hagrid, teaching Care of Magical Creatures. Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts. Each of them was a heavyweight guest. Together, Hall couldn't even imagine what kind of chaos it would be.

But what was coming was inevitable.

The family of eight arrived at Diagon Alley. Although there was still a week until school started, Diagon Alley was unusually lively because everyone had received their new book lists.

"Harry!" Ron saw Harry from afar and jumped up excitedly.

Harry looked in their direction and flashed a big smile. "Hall! Ron!"

As Harry approached, Fred and George pulled him close. "Harry, didn't you see us? Harry, our friendship is fading!"

Harry looked embarrassed.

Sirius and Lupin followed behind.

"Arthur, Molly, long time no see!" Sirius greeted Arthur, then looked at Harry, surrounded by the Weasley children, a pleased smile spreading across his face. "Harry is really happy with your kids."

Then Sirius's gaze inadvertently met Hall's.

Hall smiled.

Sirius's heart stopped for a second. Not exactly stopped — but seeing Hall's dark green tie and bright red hair, Sirius felt something was off. He simply turned his head away. He had no problem with Hall's character, but he had a problem with Hall as a whole. A little snake. A little snake raised among lions. He couldn't deny Hall's abilities, and he hadn't forgotten that he needed Hall's help.

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Arthur was chatting with Lupin. "Lupin, why didn't you continue as professor this year? I think it's a shame. So did Hall. That kid's been looking rather sullen ever since he saw the name of the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor."

Before Lupin could say anything, Sirius's ears perked up. Who could make Hall so sullen? Really?!

Lupin noticed Sirius's excitement. He said, amused and somewhat helplessly, "Gilderoy Lockhart. I don't know him very well, but since he's the professor Dumbledore has chosen, he can't be too bad, right?" He turned to look at Sirius.

Sirius waved dismissively. "Dumbledore's judgment is usually good. You can trust him. Besides, I'm here."

Lupin looked at him with worried eyes. Compared to Harry, he was actually more worried about Sirius. Harry's personality was closer to Lily's. But Sirius was still the same Sirius from back then. All those years in Azkaban hadn't made him grow at all.

On the contrary, it was Hall. Lupin recalled Hall's outstanding performance in Defence Against the Dark Arts last year. He smiled and said to Arthur, "I can't say how the new teacher will be, but Hall will definitely overcome the difficulties." Someone who could learn the Patronus Charm in his second year and teach it to other students — Lupin really couldn't worry about him.

Lupin seemed to have made up his mind. While Arthur was still talking to Sirius, he slowly walked to Hall's side.

"Hall, long time no see." Lupin greeted him with a gentle voice, his timing perfect.

Hall smiled and nodded. "Professor Lupin."

After the greeting, Lupin suddenly didn't know how to start a conversation with a student. But if he didn't say anything, he couldn't rest easy.

"I heard you're worried about the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor this year?" Lupin said with a smile. "Were you worried about me like this last year?"

Hall guessed Lupin had come to see him for a reason, but he wasn't in a hurry. He continued, following Lupin's lead. "I know you, Professor. I'm not really worried."

In Harry's seven years at Hogwarts, Lupin was a rare, reliable Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. If Lupin could hold onto this position, that would be wonderful. Unfortunately — that damned Voldemort. Hall cursed under his breath. If he could find the noseless, snake-faced man, he'd have already rushed over and killed him. Let him curse the Defence Against the Dark Arts professorship.

"But this Gilderoy Lockhart..." Hall didn't speak ill of Lockhart directly. He simply gestured for Lupin to look around.

Lupin followed Hall's gaze. He gazed at the dazzling array of life-size Gilderoy Lockhart standees displayed outside Flourish and Blotts. Each standee had subtle differences. One was smiling. Another was winking. They perfectly embodied the word "flamboyant."

Inside Flourish and Blotts, the front row — the best spot in the entire bookstore — was crammed full of Lockhart books. Lockhart on every cover was radiating his charming smile.

Lupin suddenly had a stomachache.