Chapter 31: Negotiation Skills! Lockhart's Experience!

"Professor Lockhart, please let us go. This is our first time." "Yes, Professor Lockhart, we won't dare do it again." "." The begging voices of George and Fred, the little lions, reached Lockhart's ears. A faint smile appeared on his face as he pretended not to hear them at all. First time? More like the first time getting caught, not the first time sneaking out at night.

Snape was slightly surprised by Lockhart's reaction but didn't dwell on it. Like a big bat, he looked at the two young wizards, George and Fred, and said in his cold and sarcastic tone: "Look, it's Gryffindor again. For your illegal night outing, 30 points will be deducted from Gryffindor. Additionally, as punishment, you will have to come to my office at noon on Saturday to deal with the slugs."

After hearing Professor Snape's punishment, George and Fred lowered their heads dejectedly and did not argue, knowing that refuting Snape would only result in harsher punishment.

Lockhart, maintaining a serious demeanor, was not at all embarrassed by his previous behavior. He addressed the two seriously: "Since Professor Snape has punished you, I won't say anything more. You must pay attention next time."

With that said, he released the floating spell on them and signaled George and Fred to return to the Gryffindor lounge.

The two looked at each other listlessly, sighed, turned around, and walked towards Gryffindor Tower. However, once they turned a corner and disappeared from sight, they exchanged glances, shed their dejection, and quickly ran towards another secret passage, getting farther away from Gryffindor Tower.

As for Gryffindor points, they would earn more later when they had time.

Professor Snape watched them leave without saying much. Instead, he turned to Lockhart and asked coldly: "Professor Lockhart, why are you here?"

Lockhart, having prepared for this, showed a flattering smile and said somewhat ingratiatingly: "Professor Dumbledore asked me to prepare a dueling club to train the young wizards. I thought about it and realized that, as a potions professor, you have extensive experience in fighting dark wizards. I would like to invite you to join us."

Hearing this, Professor Snape showed a hint of impatience and refused coldly: "Sorry, Professor Lockhart, I have a lot to do. You'd better invite other professors for your dueling club." With that, he walked past Lockhart and continued forward.

Lockhart was not surprised by Snape's rejection and trotted after him, continuing to speak in Snape's ear: "Professor Snape, I feel this dueling club is very important for young wizards. According to my investigation, I found that young wizards in the third and fourth grades are extremely unfamiliar with combat spells such as the disarming spell. They lack combat experience and basic combat awareness."

"Even fifth- and sixth-year wizards face a large number of problems. Not to mention first-year wizards."

Faced with Lockhart's persistence, Snape looked increasingly impatient and even considered casting a silencing spell on him. Lockhart noticed Snape's unkind expression, raised the corners of his mouth, and paused, giving Snape time to think.

Then he said, "Professor Snape, if you still don't want to join the dueling club, I understand. But Professor Dumbledore asked me to secure some resources for young wizards to duel. So, I must ask for your help in stocking up on potions for them."

Thank goodness, the chattering Professor Lockhart finally stopped. Snape thought briefly and felt there should be no problem with Dumbledore's request. Besides, Lockhart was too annoying.

So he immediately replied: "Okay, Professor Lockhart, let's schedule a time to discuss this later. I have other matters to attend to." After saying that, Snape quickened his pace and walked towards his office.

Lockhart, trailing behind, slowed down and watched Snape's retreating figure with a faint smile. It seemed his previous experience in securing funds was quite useful. Indeed, he still had his touch.

To open a window, you first have to break through the roof. If you can't break through the roof, the windows must be able to open. By first proposing an excessive request, the other party will likely refuse. After the refusal, suggesting a step-back plan will increase the likelihood of approval due to the sentiment of the previous refusal. In his previous life, this was how he secured research funds. In this life, it worked the same way for obtaining potion resources. The routine was old-fashioned, but the effect was always outstanding. He didn't expect to pull Snape into his dueling club on the first request.

While pondering, he walked briskly back to his lounge. As for the Room of Requirement, there was no rush. Meeting Snape while preparing for the expedition meant that Mercury was retrograde today, and he would wait until he had better luck.

In short, he was not in a hurry; time was on his side.

Early morning, Professor Lockhart's lounge. At this moment, Lockhart was sorting out his lesson plan for the day. His first lesson was coincidentally with the first-year wizards who had just joined Hogwarts. He was ready to impress these young wizards. Although these students were only 11-year-old wizards, unlike the adult college students he taught before, with 12 years of teaching experience, he was well-versed in the techniques and essence of teaching.

Considering the period before he was in this world, Lockhart calculated that he hadn't taught students for nearly half a year. It made him feel eager to start again. To be precise, his mouth felt itchy!

After a while, Lockhart finished preparing his lesson plan and put it in the space bag slung around his waist. Then he opened the door and walked to the Hogwarts Great Hall. Lectures were important, but he couldn't skip meals.

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