We walked to Flourish and Blotts with Ginny explaining some aspects of the Wizarding World to me. It surprised me that she was now so comfortable, able to talk to me without looking shy or mumbling.
I nodded while taking in everything she said, tucking the information in the back of mind for later.
Glad I won't be confused what people start riding flying broomsticks...
Mrs. Weasley, who had been walking in front of us, suddenly stopped. Ginny and I looked up. We had arrived... but so had a bunch of other people. There was a large crowd trying to get into the bookstore, pushing their way in.
I looked at Ginny. "Uh... Is it usually this busy here?" I asked, raising an eyebrow and giving a slightly confused grimace.
It was just strange because no other place was like this. Sure there were people around, but not shoving their way into shops.
I love how I said this was strange... not the goblins, not the cauldrons, not the funky robes... a crowd.
"I don't think so." Ginny replied, her voice sounded a little uncertain.
Mrs. Weasley shook her head. "No, its-"
She cut off, her eyes widening slightly. I looked at her, even more confused than before, as she smiled widely.
I opened my mouth to question it, but then someone else spoke.
"We can actually meet him!" Hermione squealed as she, Ron, and Harry joined them. "I mean, he's written almost the whole booklist!"
She started to push her way through the crowd and we all followed her. Being as confused as ever, I just accepted that I would be confused and left it at that.
As we finally squeezed inside, I looked around. There were many people cluttered in the store, looking at books and talking to one another, but there was also a long line leading to the back of the shop. Sitting at a desk, a man with bright blond hair was at the end of the line, signing books and giving a charming smile to each and every one of them.
"Oh good, there you are." Mrs. Weasley said as we found my dad, the Grangers, and the rest of the Weasleys in the extremely long line.
We snuck into the line, the people behind us giving annoyed expressions. Mrs. Weasley, however, didn't seem to care and started patting her hair.
"We'll be able to see him in a minute..." she said, sounding a little breathless.
I tilted my head slightly and gave a confused half-smile. "So... who are we seeing?"
I looked at Ginny, who I assumed would answer me, seeing as she'd answered all my other questions without trouble, but she wasn't looking at me.
Apparently her shoes are more interesting...
I was a little confused, but then I saw her glance in Harry's direction for a quick second before looking at her shoes again.
Oh... I see...
Smiling a little mischiefly, I was about to make a comment to her, but Mr. Weasley answered my previous question before I got the chance.
"Gilderoy Lockhart," he said with a slight smile. "Famous wizard. Travels all around the world, vanquishing dark forces. He writes about anything he does."
I raised my eyebrows slightly when he mentioned dark forces, but I guess when there's magic there has to be powerful people and creatures.
Gilderoy Lockhart slowly came into view. At her desk, there were photos of him, all winking and flashing dazzling smiles at the line.
At least Ginny told me about moving photos... that could have been a real shock...
Taking my eyes away from the photos, I saw a short, busy-looking man who was weaving in and out of the crowd, taking photos.
"Out of the way," he said sharply to me, shoving me slightly so he could get a better shot. "This is for the DailyProphet."
"Uh... Daily Prophet?" I asked, regaining my balance and again, feeling very lost.
Gilderoy Lockhart must have heard the photographer because he looked up with a smile. His eyes landed on me for a second, but then reached past me and an expression of absolute delight filled his face.
"It can't be Harry Potter?" he said excitedly, jumping forward as the crowd parted. I stepped to the side with them as Lockhart grabbed Harry's arm, and pulled him to his desk.
Did Harry just get grabbed by this guy?