Such a statement made both Harry and Draco look at Lockhart with astonished and bewildered eyes.

The two boys were still young and found it hard to believe that someone in the world could have such thick skin.

The middle-aged, bespectacled, slightly balding wizard Angelo clearly found his pestering utterly exasperating. Yet, even so, Lockhart didn't miss any opportunity to insert himself, elevating his own status to highlight his importance.

Angelo seemed thoroughly fed up with him. After Lockhart's remark, he merely frowned in disgust without turning back to look at him.

Instead, he waited for Severus to sign his name on the title page of the novel, then immediately took his leave.

Even Draco could see how desperately Angelo wanted to get away from him.

However, Lockhart paid no attention to the boys' strange stares. He just smiled broadly and waved the ticket in his hand.

"Hey! Dear Angelo, aren't you going to Tirana? If we're to board that big metal bird, we should probably wait here."

Angelo, who had been walking briskly to make his escape, suddenly froze.

His back turned to Lockhart and Severus, he visibly took a deep breath, then looked down at the ticket in his hand before turning to check the departure gate indicator for the waiting area where Severus and the others were.

Confirming that this was indeed the gate for the flight to the capital of Albania, Angelo decided to simply pretend Lockhart didn't exist. He sat down in a chair next to Severus and the others, holding his briefcase.

He initiated conversation with Severus, "Are you also traveling to Tirana?"

Severus shrugged, "More or less. I've heard the scenery there is quite beautiful, especially the natural landscapes."

"Indeed it is. My cousin Andrews once conducted observational research on a troll community there. It has the largest troll gathering site in Europe."

"I believe I've heard of your cousin. He helped Hogwarts compile textbooks related to magical creatures, correct?"

Hearing that Severus actually recognized his cousin's name, Angelo was pleased.

"Exactly! He started as a Magizoologist and worked with the famous Newt Scamander for a time. Later, he chose to begin his adventures and focused on researching creatures like trolls!"

"Andrews is truly talented. Otherwise, I wouldn't have sought him out to collaborate on a new work."

Lockhart, sticky as toffee, sat down right next to Angelo. He remained as boastful as ever, acting as if the previous awkward moment had never happened and completely oblivious to Angelo's disdain.

"If we can join forces this time, after my new work becomes a huge hit, he's sure to become famous. People will envy his luck for contributing so significantly to the creation of a Gilderoy Lockhart masterpiece!"

Sitting with Lupin and observing this scene, Harry whispered to Draco, "Is he some kind of celebrity in the Wizarding World? Or is he a fraud? I've never seen anyone like him."

Draco curled his lip, "He's a celebrity, a famous bestselling author. My mother has always been quite fond of him, says he's very talented. But seeing him in person, I think he doesn't live up to his reputation at all."

Angelo, who had been trying to maintain an attitude of ignoring Lockhart, finally lost his temper at this sudden interruption. But before he could speak, Severus looked calmly at Lockhart and asked, "I never noticed it back in our Hogwarts days, Lockhart. You've written so many adventure books. So, you're an adventurer yourself?"

Lockhart clearly took Severus's words as a compliment and boastfully replied, "Hey! I never even realized it myself back then, Senior Snape!"

"I was very low-key during my student years, wasn't I? No one discovered my hidden excellence and ambition! After achieving what I have today, I've often thought about writing an autobiography. I even have a title ready: 'Magical Me'! It's just that the book is only in its initial conceptual stages right now. I need to finish two other planned works before I can start creating it!"

Severus merely raised an eyebrow and gave a light laugh, "You were low-key? Even in Slytherin, I heard about your reputation. What did they say about you back then? Ah, yes, they said you claimed you could produce the Philosopher's Stone entirely on your own before graduation. I assume you've succeeded by now. May I see it?"

Lockhart puffed out his chest, looking utterly unfazed.

"I can't believe you still remember my grand plan from my youth! That's right, the Philosopher's Stone! Of course I succeeded. It's just that it's been having some issues lately, so I left it at home. If I weren't on my way to see Andrews here in Paris, I would definitely go find Nicolas Flamel to discuss more about the Stone's wonderful uses!"

As he said this, he gave Severus and the others a mysterious wink.

"About the Philosopher's Stone, you must keep it a secret! If the paparazzi found out, they'd go absolutely wild, and that madness would spread to my fans!"

Severus blinked, as if agreeing with Lockhart's words, but then asked, "What about leading the English Quidditch team to win the World Cup? The last World Cup's champion didn't seem to be England, and you weren't on the England's national team roster. Did you temporarily decline their invitation because of your writing?"

Lockhart's face still wore a smile, but he was noticeably less relaxed than before. He simply went along with Severus's words, and his boastful remarks almost seemed to tumble out without thought.

"Aha! You know me so well! It must be my performance in the Hogwarts House Cup that impressed you, making you remember this! The Ravenclaw students must still miss the era when I led the team!"

"As for the England's national team… the England's national team… I certainly went for their tryouts. Their captain, Dane Maxwell, praised me as a Quidditch Genius! They kept trying to add me to the team roster before the World Cup, but due to the World Cup's rules, they couldn't add my name after the deadline!"

"Later, my new book 'Break with a Banshee' caused a sensation across the Wizarding World as soon as it was released. My passionate fans wrote letters every day begging me to release a new book quickly, saying their lives depended on it. I had to postpone my plan to lead England to World Cup's victory to satisfy the public's enthusiasm."

He smiled, his tone growing smoother and more confident as he spoke. His demeanor was so convincing that even Harry and Draco, who initially had no fondness for him, began to hesitate, wondering if what he said might actually be true.

After all, who could fabricate such an exaggerated lie on the spot with such a straight face?

Severus's gaze never left Lockhart's face. He simply continued asking, "And what about… your promise to your classmates before graduating from Hogwarts, that you would become the youngest Minister of Magic in Britain? How do you plan to enter the Ministry and go into politics?"

Lockhart's smile visibly stiffened. Sweat had already soaked through the back of his shirt.

He clearly hadn't expected Severus to remember all those things he'd said during his Hogwarts years, all those grand, ambitious declarations.

Even less had he expected Severus to bring them up directly in this setting!

'We were both public figures no matter what. Why should celebrities make things difficult for each other?'

Lockhart was utterly convinced, in his heart, that Severus's experiences in Britain, like saving vampires and Muggles and his speech at the trial, were all just for show!

He is obviously a person who is very good at judging others by his own standards.

During his early years at Hogwarts, Snape had been hanging out with the dangerous bunch of Slytherins, spending his days either studying the Dark Magic or tinkering with potions. He was often teased and laughed at by the Gryffindor's quartet, and at that time, his eyes held nothing but coldness and venom.

And in the following years, rumors heard in the Wizarding World also proved that this Senior Snape was by no means a simple or safe individual.

Basing his judgment on this and his own inferences, he concluded that Severus, like himself, wanted to use a contrasting persona compared to his past to become famous in the Wizarding World!

Who knows if those stories were fabricated by him controlling that vampire and that third-rate wizard writer?

Not to mention the speeches at the approval meeting.

Lockhart believed that if he were in that position, he could deliver a speech even more sensational than Severus's.

Therefore, in Lockhart's eyes, Severus was unmistakably a 'kindred spirit'.

However, he was well aware of Severus's abilities and methods. He had no desire to offend his 'Senior Snape' and even intended to curry favor.

But to his surprise, Severus showed not the slightest intention of engaging in mutual flattery or friendly relations!

"Haha... You must understand, Cornelius Fudge is a very fine wizard. He's already confirmed to be the next Minister of Magic, taking office next year. He and I are very close, and we often used to attend afternoon tea parties discussing wood nymphs together! Yes! That's right, afternoon tea parties about wood nymphs!"

Even sweating profusely, he still exuded utter confidence, despite not being entirely sure if wood nymphs were even a classification among magical beings.

"I've given him many suggestions about changes the Ministry needs to make! He takes my words very seriously. He said that once he officially takes office, he will definitely follow my proposals and continue to make sweeping reforms to the Ministry, clearing out all those deep-rooted problems at once! Just recently, during our last meeting, he earnestly invited me to become his Ministerial Advisor after he officially assumes the role of Minister!"

"But you all know my reputation among wizards. Everyone trusts me! I'm worried that if I accept his invitation and become his advisor, people will say behind my back… 'Look, that young upstart managed to become Minister and create so many benefits for the wizarding public, it must be because Lockhart is advising him. This is surely all Gilderoy Lockhart's doing!'."

"That would put Fudge in a difficult position and damage our friendship! So, I had to politely decline. I told him that even if I couldn't officially become his advisor, he could still consult me privately on certain matters! And when his term is nearing its end, I will accept his invitation, join the Ministry, and prepare for the next Ministerial election!"

Carried away by his own words, he not only shed his nervousness but stood up excitedly from his chair, as if delivering a campaign speech.

"You'll all vote for me then, won't you? The Ministry will achieve even greater glory under my leadership!"

His actions attracted the attention of several Muggles, but these glances didn't embarrass Lockhart. Instead, he thoroughly enjoyed them.

Harry and Draco stared at each other, wide-eyed.

By now, they genuinely couldn't tell if this celebrity of the Wizarding World was telling the truth or lying.

Lupin, meanwhile, frowned slightly as he looked at Lockhart.

He wasn't sure about the truthfulness of Lockhart's words either, but from Severus's demeanor and what he'd heard about Lockhart's character during their student days, he could sense that this bestselling author definitely had issues.

As for Angelo, he had already plugged his ears!

From Britain to France, he had been subjected to Lockhart's incessant bragging. Even more exaggerated claims had been made, as he'd even said he'd met Babbitty Rabbitty!

Whether these statements were true or false, he was utterly sick of them and didn't want to hear another word.

Severus's gaze remained calm. He simply examined Lockhart, as if weighing something in his mind.

Being stared at like this made Lockhart, who had almost convinced himself of his own fabricated lies, feel a bit uneasy.

His smile became somewhat forced as he sat back down in his chair.

"Se-Senior Snape, is... is there anything else you'd like to know?"

Severus ended his contemplation and scrutiny. He smiled and shook his head at Lockhart.

"No, that's all, Lockhart. You are a true polymath. Whether in literature, sports, or politics, you have reached the pinnacle of the Wizarding World. It's truly a disappointing outcome that Dumbledore didn't choose to keep you on as a professor at Hogwarts."

Hearing such praise, Lockhart immediately became excited.

He thought Severus had finally understood the importance of mutual admiration.

"Oh my! Actually, it was I who declined Dumbledore's invitation back then. Otherwise, we would have been colleagues at Hogwarts long ago, Senior Snape."