I had used the Apparition spell, transporting myself to a narrow alley in front of the large stone wall that led to Diagon Alley, at a very early hour of the morning. I advanced quietly, raised my wand, and pressed it against the distinct brick in the wall. The bricks began to shift, and the magical passage slowly opened, revealing Diagon Alley — that bustling street filled with shops and passersby.
I stepped forward confidently, heading straight to Flourish and Blotts. The shop's manager was waiting for me at the door. He greeted me with a wide smile and said,"Welcome, Mr. Lockhart! Everything is ready just as you requested. The signing event will begin at ten, and we've prepared the platform, the table, and seating for the guests."
I responded with a satisfied smile,"Very good."
Time skipped to ten o'clock
The line stretched long in front of the signing table, with everyone waiting their turn patiently. No one tried to approach or cut the line. I signed the books calmly, wearing my usual smile, replying to the short words of my admirers.
A lady approached when it was her turn, offering me her book with a wide smile,"Your books are truly wonderful, Mr. Lockhart."I answered as I signed,"Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed them."
Then a little girl stood before me, her eyes sparkling with excitement,"I read your book about the vampire in the Alps! It was scary and fun!"I smiled as I wrote my signature,"That's because you're a brave girl to have finished it."
As the line continued to move forward, I saw Mrs. Weasley approach with her young daughter Ginny, who carried a stack of books in her arms. When it was their turn, Mrs. Weasley handed over the books kindly,"Good morning, Mr. Lockhart. Ginny was so excited to meet you."I smiled as I took the books and began signing them one by one,"I'm happy to meet you both. I hope you enjoy the reading, Ginny."
Ginny was extremely shy, lowering her gaze, her face turning red with embarrassment.When I finished signing all her books, I looked up with a calm smile and said,"I wish you both a pleasant day."
Suddenly, a loud voice rang out from afar, and a brawl erupted in the middle of the shop.Lucius said with disdain,"Well, well... I thought the Ministry paid you enough to afford something more respectable than those ragged robes."Arthur Weasley responded angrily,"That's none of your business, Malfoy."Lucius sneered,"Really? And what if it is, Weasley? You're nothing but a poor blood traitor, a disgrace to pure-bloods."
Anger flared in Arthur's eyes. He grabbed Malfoy's robes and shouted,"I've had enough of your insolence, Malfoy!"Lucius smirked and shoved Arthur hard, making him crash into a shelf, causing books to fall everywhere. Arthur didn't back down; he lunged at Lucius, punching him hard across the face, making his head snap to the side.
Lucius retaliated with a quick punch to Arthur's stomach, making him bend over in pain. But Arthur gathered his strength and struck Lucius with his elbow in the chest, sending him stumbling back a step, nearly falling. Both of them ignored the growing crowd's fear and resumed exchanging blows, each trying to overpower the other.
In the chaos, Arthur stumbled while trying to block another punch and accidentally collided with Ginny, who fell to the floor, her books scattering everywhere. Some rolled all the way to Malfoy's feet.
I quickly stepped forward, extending my arms between them and pushing them apart firmly as I said loudly,"Enough! What is this madness? This is a bookstore, not a dueling arena!"
Both men panted, glaring at each other with fiery eyes but did not approach again.Malfoy bent slowly, picked up two of the scattered books, and with a hidden motion, placed the black diary between them. He handed them to young Ginny with a cold, mocking look and said,"So your classmates won't think you're the poorest among them."Then he looked at Arthur with a condescending smile,"The Weasleys… always bringing disgrace upon themselves."
He grabbed Draco's hand, who was grinning maliciously, and left the shop quietly, leaving behind a heavy silence.
I had been watching carefully, and in my hand, unnoticed by anyone, was the Horcrux — the dark diary — which I had stolen skillfully using the power of Sequence 9: Marauder, the theft ability.
I tucked the diary inside my robe quietly, then stepped toward Arthur Weasley, who was still catching his breath and wiping blood from his lip. I spoke to him gently,"Are you alright, Mr. Weasley? That was quite a fight."
Arthur lifted his gaze toward me, calmer now, trying to smile despite everything,"Yes… thank you. I'm sorry about what happened… I should have controlled myself."I shook my head understandingly,"Sometimes, we all find it hard to keep our composure. The important thing is that you're alright."
Then I turned my eyes to Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, the child of prophecy... the wretched boy whom fate destined from birth to face hardships and pain. He stood there, checking on Arthur Weasley beside a red-haired boy I assumed was Ron Weasley.
I stepped toward Harry, shook his hand warmly, and said,"Harry Potter! I didn't expect to meet you here... How about we take a photo together?"
Harry looked at me with slight hesitation, then answered politely,"Thank you, sir… but I don't think there's any need for a photo…"
I laughed lightly,"Such modesty, young man. But the world loves to see heroes together. You, Harry Potter, and me, Gilderoy Lockhart... A picture like that would hang on this bookstore's walls for years!"
Harry's discomfort grew, and he said,"Really, I'm not used to that…"
I smiled kindly,"But if you're uncomfortable, then let's save it for another time. In any case, I'll be your teacher this new school year."
At my last words,"In any case, I'll be your teacher this new school year,"the reporters scattered around the shop began murmuring, some scribbling quickly in their notebooks, others pointing their cameras at Harry and me, whispering among themselves,"Lockhart… the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher… what a surprise!""Imagine how many more books he'll sell after this!"
The Weasleys looked stunned.Fred and George exchanged mischievous glances,"Brilliant! Just what we needed… Lockhart at school!""At least we'll learn how to sign autographs properly!"
Ron looked displeased, glancing away, while Ginny continued to stare at me shyly, clutching her books to her chest.Molly Weasley offered a polite smile but focused more on ensuring Ginny was okay.Arthur Weasley remained silent, watching the scene, seemingly uninterested after the earlier fight.And Harry? Harry felt more awkward, smiling faintly out of courtesy, inwardly wishing the moment would pass quickly.
Molly approached me, still concerned, and said quietly with gratitude and tension,"I'm truly sorry, Mr. Lockhart. That shouldn't have happened in front of you… thank you for what you did."I replied calmly,"No need to apologize, madam. The important thing is that everyone is safe."She nodded and quickly said to her family,"Let's go… we need to check on your father."
They all moved together. Harry naturally joined them without saying a word, as if it were the most natural thing. Ron picked up some fallen books, Ginny followed him hesitantly, while Fred and George walked beside Arthur to make sure he didn't stumble.They left the shop swiftly, worry etched on their faces, while I watched in silence, my hand securely hiding the dark diary inside my cloak.
Then I returned to continue the book signing — after all, I had to tend to my fans. Without fans, there are no anchors… and without anchors, say hello to madness and the loss of humanity.
Time skipped to the day before the start of the Hogwarts school year
I stood before the great door of the headmaster's office at the top of the tower, that heavy wooden door with the stone gargoyle staring at me coldly. I pulled out the password they gave me upon arrival and said clearly,"Chocolate-covered cockroaches with honey."
How absurd that such a phrase could grant entry to the most important place at Hogwarts… but then, it's Dumbledore — no surprise in his odd choices.
The gargoyle stared for a moment, then slid aside slowly, revealing the spiral staircase that began rising to carry me to the office. I ascended until I reached the large door that opened on its own, and I stepped inside.
Here I am… in the lion's den… I must appear confident, calm.
The room was filled with strange devices, shelves of books, and portraits of former headmasters watching me in silence. Their gazes felt as if they were testing me, but they didn't know I was different… I wasn't the Lockhart they thought they knew.
Albus Dumbledore sat behind his desk, with his long silver beard and bright blue eyes behind his half-moon spectacles. He looked up at me and smiled his usual calm smile,"Welcome, Mr. Lockhart. Pleased to see you at Hogwarts."
I stepped forward,"The honor is mine, Headmaster Dumbledore. It is a great privilege to be part of the school staff."
He reached for a small tin on his desk and said,"Would you care for a lemon honey drop?"I shook my head gently,"Thank you, sir, perhaps another time."
He closed the tin and handed me an elegant piece of parchment,"This is your class schedule. You may review it."
I glanced at it and said calmly,"In fact, I was hoping to request a small adjustment, if possible."
Dumbledore raised his brows slightly,"An adjustment? What kind of change do you have in mind?"
I replied,"I would like to merge the lessons for first, second, and third years together, fourth with fifth, and sixth with seventh."
Dumbledore smiled that mysterious smile of his and asked,"An interesting idea… why the merging, Mr. Lockhart?"
I answered confidently,"Because I've divided the curriculum into three stages. The first focuses on caution — so they never think they're safe and end up killed due to carelessness — and on types of dark magic and creatures they should beware of.The second will cover how to fight dark creatures and counter simple dark magic.The third will focus on strengthening willpower to resist temptations like power, money, and lust, so they don't fall prey to cursed objects or easy deceptions. In the intermediate and senior years, I'll emphasize practical lessons over theory."
Dumbledore said in an approving tone,"Very well, sounds like a solid plan. Let it be as you wish."
Then he added kindly,"Now that we've finished the official business, I believe it's time for you to see your classroom and adjoining quarters."He called softly,"Jobby."
The house-elf appeared with a polite bow,"Yes, Headmaster?"
"Please show Professor Lockhart his classroom and adjoining quarters."
Jobby replied eagerly,"As you wish, Headmaster. Jobby is happy to fulfill your request."
Dumbledore turned to me with his calm smile,"Have a good day, Professor Lockhart."
I answered,"Good day, Headmaster."
I left the office behind Jobby, my steps echoing on the ancient stone stairs. I followed the small elf in silence,thinking: What will I gain at Hogwarts? My spiritual sense didn't lead me here for nothing… What is the best way to make use of the Horcrux I have… and the Basilisk sleeping beneath the castle?