"I went as him to a Halloween party a few years ago. Nearly made a girl cry because I wasn't the real one and she wanted to… kiss him a lot." Nymphadora said, catching herself before she had to have a conversation she wasn't ready to have.
"Well, his books are on our school list this year. Apparently whoever our teacher is is a fan." Hermione said, looking at the list. "To have published this many books though is pretty amazing. I'd like to meet him."
"He and Trollslayer here can swap Troll stories." Susan said, nudging Harry's arm.
"Don't you start too!" Harry whined. "Lavender and Parvati are bad enough, Padma doesn't help, and if you start doing it I'll start going barmy!"
The group laughed, and entered the building proper. Looking around, a large line was formed at the center, where it appeared as though Lockhart was sitting and signing copies of his books. With his attention focused on the crowd, Harry failed to notice that he was walking into someone.
"Sorry!" Harry said, stopping and looking up at who he had bumped into.
"No issue at all Mr. Potter. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to see you here." Lucius Malfoy said, putting on a smile to Harry. Harry's nerves went on edge at being around the man. As Harry looked at the man though, he noticed something, large red marks were visible on his face, as well as what appeared to be the start of a black eye. Lucius Malfoy had been in a fight.
"That eye of yours doesn't look very good Lucius. You should see a healer." Mrs. Abbot stated, looking to him. "Whatever happened?"
"I appear to have upset Mr. Weasley, to the point he saw fit to strike me. Worry not, I intend to see a healer straight away, I just had a small matter to attend to, but it seems I've had a bit of luck then. I had ordered two copies of 'Steel to Sticks to Stones: The Transfiguration Manual' hoping that Draco would use the second copy whilst he was at school. Unfortunately, he detests Transfiguration, and therefore I didn't need the second copy. I had intended to return it, but I have been informed that Ms. Bones here is quite the Transfiguration mistress in the making. Here, please take this copy. Consider it a thanks from me for the good work your aunt does." Lucius said, handing the book to Susan.
"Oh, well. Thank you Mr. Malfoy." Susan said, her face going as red as her hair. Harry was aware of the book she had been given. It was touted as one of the best tomes of Transfiguration widely available.
"Think nothing of it, now if you excuse me, I believe I have need of a healer." Lucius said, before sliding out the door.
"Can never get a read on that guy, always so mysterious." Nymphadora mused aloud. Harry had to agree, his interactions with the Malfoy patriarch were few, but always gave him a sense of unease.
"Well, all of you go grab the books you need. Hermione, your parents gave you a limit on your book spending. No more than 7 galleons beyond whatever your actual school books cost. Harry, same for you." Andromeda said, entering in what Nymphadora occasionally called 'mom mode'. Harry always found it amusing.
"Yes ma'am." The pair of Ravenclaws said, both sniggering slightly.
Gathering their reading materials, all that was left were the list of Lockhart books, all of which were currently situated at the table with the man himself. If they wanted to pick them up today, that meant they had to meet the man. This made Hermione and Hannah very happy.
The trio made their way slowly through the line, before a commotion was made. "Is that Harry Potter?" Came the voice from the table. Turning to look, it appeared as though Gilderoy had spotted him, and an associate from the store ushered Harry to the front of the line.
"Ladies and Gentleman," Gilderoy started, his tone bombastic and loud. "Here we have a true hero of the wizarding world, Harry Potter! Vanquisher of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and apparent fan of my work! Oh it tickles me deep to my core that someone as famous as you enjoys my work. A delightful coincidence too I believe. You see, Young Harry here will be attending Hogwarts this year, where I, Gilderoy Lockhart, will be passing on my knowledge to him and all the other students. Yes, you've heard correctly. I will be taking this year away from my adventures to become the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts." He completed, posturing and posing as several cameras went off. "For those who wish to learn what I plan to teach the students, you may pick up the same course material I will be teaching them, my currently seven-part series on my adventures fighting dark creatures. Available here at Flourish and Blotts. As a thanks to Harry here, for what he has done prior, as well as my personal fondness for him, he will be receiving the whole collection, free of charge." Lockhart's smile beamed off of his face, his immaculate teeth catching the flash bulbs of the cameras.
Harry was about to throw up. He despised being the center of attention in public. The Sphinx Club had helped him work on these anxieties, and had gotten him to the point that he could appear up around strangers, but this was maddening. He could simply stand there, dumbfounded as cameras flashed. In time, Andromeda, Nymphadora, and Hermione made it to him.
"Harry dear, are you alright? Nymphadora, get him outside. I believe he's done in here. We'll pay for the books and meet you there." Andromeda said in a mothering tone of voice. Harry could only dumbly nod as Nymphadora dragged him out onto a bench.
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