---
Chapter Fifty-Three: Arranging for Parents
Lockhart arrived at his parents' residence—Baron Lockhart's House.
As soon as he stepped through the door, his mother pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Gilderoy, my darling boy, how are you?" She kissed him on the cheek.
"I'm doing very well. You should have seen my books—they're even sold in Muggle bookshops."
"Which only makes me worry more, Gilderoy. Are those stories actually true?"
Mothers never enjoy reading about their children getting into danger.
To calm her, Lockhart told the truth: "Those stories were told to me by other people. I'm a professor at Hogwarts now, and perfectly safe."
This world was truly absurd—Lockhart had discovered that when he told the truth, no one believed him. Not even his own mother.
"That's wonderful, my child. I don't want you taking any more pointless risks." Tears welled in her eyes, leaving Lockhart flustered.
"Hmph. And what are you doing back here?" Lockhart's father, Baron Ginger Lockhart, came downstairs.
"Ginger! You're not to speak to Gilderoy like that!" his mother snapped.
Mr Lockhart merely snorted, walked over, and dropped heavily onto the sofa.
Lockhart's mother had married his father as a Muggle. But when Gilderoy turned eleven and received his Hogwarts letter, she had no choice but to admit that she—and their son—were witches and wizards. Lockhart's father had been furious. Gilderoy always sided with his mother, and the rift between father and son had never really closed. After graduating, Lockhart rarely returned home. Yet blood ties endured—especially after certain events.
"Mother, this is something I bought for you."
"Oh, put it down, dear. Go sit, I'll prepare dinner." She hurriedly took the parcels from him, set them aside, and disappeared into the kitchen.
Lockhart and his father sat opposite each other in strained silence until dinner.
"Mother, I came back this time because… that person has returned. I want you to move abroad."
"Isn't the Ministry of Magic hunting him down already?"
"Mother, I'm an insider. I don't think the Ministry can handle this. Safety must come first."
"Alright, Gilderoy. Don't go up against that person. Just be a good professor. Whoever comes into power won't cause trouble for the school." His mother nodded anxiously.
"Move again?!" Old Mr Lockhart slammed his cup on the table. "Every time you come back, it's the same! I told you to stay away from that blasted wizarding world, but you never listen. And you keep saying that person, that person—well? Is he dead or not?!"
"That man is a demon, and he's very hard to kill. And I'm a proper wizard—I can't run away from the world I belong to," Lockhart replied, weary and unwilling to argue further.
"One day you'll get yourself killed because of him! Just you wait!" Baron Lockhart growled.
"If any wizard truly threatens my life, I'll come to you both and we'll escape together." Lockhart meant every word—but of course, no one believed him. No one ever believed even half of what he said.
"Gilderoy, you must promise me," his mother pleaded nervously. "Young people are always impulsive, but nothing matters more than staying alive."
"Mother, I promise! Do you want me to find a witness and make an Unbreakable Vow?"
"What nonsense are you spouting, child?" Her expression darkened. "That kind of vow kills you if you break it. I hope you never make one with anyone."
"Lockhart, your room is ready. Go and rest."
"Mother, I've told you so many times—we can ask Jim to do things like that. He has nothing better to do anyway."
"No, I prefer doing things myself. People get old faster when they're lazy." She gave him a gentle smile.
After dinner, Lockhart stayed in the guest room. No Fidelius Charm, no Dumbledore, no Aurors—and yet he slept peacefully.
He stayed for several days, watching over his parents as they prepared to move somewhere safe.
His father kept pretending to be indifferent, yet Lockhart—his magic far stronger now—could sense the old man's quiet joy through unintentional Legilimency. No father disliked the feeling of a reunited family.
Moving was difficult for Muggles: paperwork, packing, farewells to neighbours. His parents refused the help of house-elves… his mother even refused to use her wand, saying she had promised Lockhart's father she would live like a Muggle. He respected her choice.
A few days later, his parents boarded a plane to America like ordinary Muggles. Lockhart believed the whole of Europe was unsafe. And so he went to the airport, like a Muggle son, to see them off.
"Darling, take care of yourself!" His mother hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face.
"I will." Lockhart turned to his father. "Have a good time in America, Father."
"I will!" his father replied in much the same tone. "I don't want that damned Hogwarts sending us letters asking us to come back and claim your corpse! Be careful!"
"I will," Lockhart called after them as they walked toward the gate. "Love you both! Take care!"
---