Chapter 69: Before School Begins (Part I)
In the days that followed, Lockhart tried not to talk to Hermione as much as possible, even refusing her to enter his room, keeping a straight face when eating, and hurried back to his room to lock the door after eating.
On the last day of the summer vacation, Lockhart was working on some teaching stuff and getting ready to go back to school.
Suddenly there was a loud noise from the next door, and the group of children began to go crazy again, not knowing what to do, and Lockhart stepped out of the room to take a look.
"Look, let your dad know! Ron, I'm so proud of you, how good, you're going to be a student like Bill and Percy, that's the first step! Oh, I can't imagine this in the middle of such a mess, I'm so excited, oh, Ronnie--"
Weasley's arms wrapped around Ron's neck and kissed every part of Ron's face, which was now redder than his badge.
"Oh, Gildero, you don't know yet, Ron he's a prefect now!" Jasmine shared her joy with Lockhart.
"Also, Hermione is a prefect too!" Ron shouted as he got rid of his mom.
"Really, Hermione, I'm so glad this room is full of prefects!" Jasmine went to hug Hermione again.
But Hermione still had a depressed expression, and she realized that Lockhart was going to be cold to him and her own thoughts, and she was now in a state of despair that she couldn't even do with Lockhart's friends, and she didn't feel any joy at all.
"Kid, be happy, what's wrong with you, are you not feeling well. Jasmine noticed that Hermione was not in high spirits.
"No!" Hermione shook Mrs. Weasley away and rushed downstairs.
"Ohβpoor girl. Jasmine looked at Lockhart and said reproachfully, "Gildero, even if you have a girlfriend, you can't be so cold to her, can you be friendly when we eat, you are so hurtful." β
"Well, I thought being cold was the least hurtful way to deal with it. Lockhart shrugged.
"How is it possible, if a girl likes you, it doesn't matter if you have a girlfriend or not, you get a little intimate with her, as long as you don't be seen by your girlfriend, she will be very happy. β
"Well, you're here, listen to you. Lockhart was helpless, "I'll congratulate her later." β
At about six o'clock, Mrs. Weasley returned from Diagon Alley. She brought back a lot of books and a long strip wrapped in thick brown paper and gave them to her children.
"Gilderoy has eaten, come downstairs. She said, "Remember what I said earlier." β
In the basement kitchen, Mrs. Weasley hung a scarlet banner on a table full of food that read:
congratulate
New prefect
Ron Hermione
Lockhart hadn't seen Jasmine so happy all his vacation.
"I think we should have a little celebration and don't sit down and eat," said Mrs. Weasley as Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, and Ginny walked into the room, "Your dad and Bill are on their way home, Ron, I asked the owl to bring them all letters, and they were all happy." She continued to say beamingly.
Fred rolled his eyes.
Cyris, Lupin, Tonks, and Kingsley had already arrived, and Lockhart had just gone downstairs when he saw Mad-Eye Moody limping in.
"Oh, Moody, I'm glad you came," said Mrs. Weasley happily, as Moody took off his travel cloak, "we've been waiting for you for a long time, can you help me check the desk in the living room to see what is locked inside?" β
"No problem, Jasmine. β
Moody's electric blue eye turned upwards and looked straight through the ceiling of the kitchen.
"Parlor ......," he growled, his pupils narrowed, "that desk in the corner? yes, I see it...... Yes, a boggart...... Do you want me to get rid of it, Jasmine?"
"No, no, no, I'll be fine later," said Mrs. Weasley happily, "you must have a drink, we're having a little celebration......" she pointed to the scarlet banner, "There are four prefects in the family," she lovingly rubbed Ron's hair.
"Prefect, eh?" muttered Moody, turning his normal eyes to Ron, but MONOCULUS turned to the side, looking to the side of his head. Harry had an uncomfortable feeling, as if the Eye was looking at him, and he walked away to Syreth and Lupin.
"Well, congratulations," Moody said, still staring at Ron with his normal eyes, "Usually the powerful are more likely to get into trouble, but I guess Dumbrador thinks you can handle pretty bad luck, otherwise he wouldn't have chosen you......"
"It's a strange way to look at things, Moody. Lockhart said.
"Gildero. Jasmine motioned to him.
"Oh, congratulations, two minor-prefects. Lockhart said with a smile.
"Here, I think we should have a toast," Arthur raised his glass when everyone had a drink, "Cheers to Ron and Hermione, our new Gryffindor prefects!"
Everyone toasted them and then applauded.
"Hermione, why are you crying. Tonks asked curiously, and she put her arm around Lupin, and now her whole body was glowing with happiness.
"The professor has ignored her for the past two days!" Ginny complained angrily.
"Gildero, why?" Tonks was clearly unable to turn his head.
"Nothing, Ginny babbled, I'm happy. Hermione hurriedly wiped away her tears and smiled.
"Gidero, you yourself said to be polite to ladies, didn't you? Tonks walked over to Lockhart and said happily that today she had waist-length ginger hair and looked like Ginny's sister, "You've got to apologize to Hermione and hug her." β