4 Ch. 4

Assuming the practiced appearance of a sophisticated and charming wizard, I gracefully step out of the stockroom. The sudden applause from a horde of excited fans nearly causes my smile to slip. Luckily, my body seems to have expected this and continues to move to the edge of an organized display table.

The look of absolute joy and awe from dozens of witches nearly causes me to disrupt my well-rehearsed movements. I wasn't ready for my mere presence to generate such feelings in people, especially a slew of attractive women and a few not so attractive women. An unexpected whistle jars me back into the moment, and I take a deep bow before the crowd.

As I raise out of my bow, I cheerfully wave to the gathering. The bookshop is larger than I expected and is filled with my adoring fans. Every face I see looks to be in a state of near euphoria. Is this what normal celebrities' experience?

I completely ignore the Skill Cards hovering around each person as I take another moment to just take everything in. It's as if a blissful warmth is filling my body. I can see why Old Gil was such an attention-whore. This feels amazing, to be adored by complete strangers.

Seizing full control of my body, I grasp my hands together towards the gathered witches and wizards in a show of appreciation. I ignore the blinding flash of a camera and plumes of purple smoke floating into the air. Taking a deep breath, I school my face to show my gratitude.

"Thank you. Thank you," I gratefully say as I drop my hands to my sides and wait for the applause to die down.

"Words can not express how truly grateful I am for each and every one of you," I sincerely state to the hushed crowd. "All of you; make every danger I've faced worth it. Again, I thank you," I heavily state as I scan the faces of those closest to me.

I didn't think it was possible, but the looks I'm getting back appear to be near worship levels of adoration. I can't help but bask in the looks for a moment longer.

Giving the crowd the standard Gilderoy Lockhart smile, I clap my hands together and raise my chin a bit. "Now, you all have waited long enough! Let us begin," I finish as I turn and take a seat behind the table. Grabbing a flamboyant peacock feather quill, I dip it in the crystal jar of lavender colored ink and welcome my first fan.

I easily fall into a rhythm. As the witch or wizard approach, I make a comment of welcome and ask their name and about their day. I try to give an appropriate response based on what they say, and then write a small personal message in their book or photo. I even stand and pose with the individual if they have someone to take a picture of the two of us.

There was an annoying urge in the back of my head to avoid posing with fans. Either from the thought of taking a bad picture, or losing the income of having the person buy my own prepared photos. Whatever the case, I ignore the feeling and even decide to push the bounds of my comfort by allowing my fans to place their arm around me for the picture.

Of course, an unflattering photo nearly happened when I was posing with a rather mature and sexy witch. It wasn't her tight-fitting robes or the sultry looks she was giving me that nearly broke my streak of perfect pictures. It was due to me nearly jumping as I felt her firmly squeeze my ass.

I can only assume the folded piece of parchment she slid into my vest pocket was my reward for maintaining my poise during her groping. Her seductive look and wink promised further rewards. A scan of her Skill Cards revealed a skill I hadn't seen yet. A green-colored Sexual Intercourse Skill Card. The promise her eyes were giving was looking more like a guarantee!

I can get used to this.

Of course, I wasn't just idling chatting with people or collecting sultry looks from attractive witches. I was using the little bit of time I created with each person to learn as much as I could about my new ability. It took less than thirty minutes, and I had a complete set of blue skill cards for all of Hogwarts' curriculum.

Judging by the fact that most Hogwarts aged children mostly had white and green colored magical skill cards, I think I've figured out the levels of the Skill Cards. Grey cards seem to be the very first level, followed by white, green, and then blue. I've not seen any other colors yet, but I'm sure they exist.

Of those colors, I'm confident blue cards are for N.E.W.T. level spells. That would mean the green cards are around O.W.L. level. I've not tested this theory yet, but I will soon.

Another thing I've noticed about the skills of those around me; is that the skill cards, Magic Comprehension and Magical Theory, seem to be a cornerstone for advancement. The highest I've seen either one of those cards is the faintest colored green and the witch that owned that had the darkest blue Charms card I've seen on anyone so far. If I were to make a wager, I would bet Dumbledore has a rather high skill card in both areas.

I also noticed there are specialized skill cards. There were a few Magical Healing, Magical Painting, Magical Enchanting, and even a wizard with a Magical Curse-Breaking Skill Card. I'm unsure of how these skill cards were created, but I made sure to include one of each of them in my own collection. Having gained a skill card for all of Hogwarts' classes, I began to pick up any additional skills that peeked my interest. Such as the Sexual Intercourse card from the handsy-witch.

It wasn't long before I was getting a second and even third copy of certain skills that looked to be a darker blue than what I previously acquired. No sense in not taking the best each person had to offer!

As I finished taking a photo with an elderly witch, I spot a portly witch that kept patting her flame-red hair. Her motherly face and several red-headed children around her gave me a pretty solid hint as to what her name is. Catching a glimpse of a scrawny boy with dark hair and glasses beside Molly Weasley, I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment at the soot covered kid only having a passing resemblance to Daniel Ratcliff.

There was no point in me pulling Harry beside me and embarrassing him, just to ensure I would be on the front page of the Daily Prophet. I was about to turn away from the young hero when something caught my eye. Floating to the side of Harry Potter's head was a second set of skill cards!

Two sets were floating around him! The shocking part, the smaller set had several cards in a burnt orange color and many more in different shades of purple!

"Sorry, Mr. Potter," I say under my breath. "But this is for the greater good."

Taking on the image of disbelief, I turn to face the Weasley family. "Do my eyes deceive me?" I cautiously ask. "Harry Potter."

As if responding to my desire, my loyal fans swiftly usher The-Boy-Who-Lived towards me. With mounting horror on the young Potter's face, I ignore his discomfort and focus on the smaller set of Skill Cards around Harry's head.

I'm not sure why, but something was urging me to take one of the orange-colored skill cards. Their limited number versus the purple ones led me to view them as higher quality. That feeling intensified when I noticed one of the orange skill cards was Magic Comprehension! Without further delay, I EXTRACT my chosen card before gazing out over the watchful gathering. Harry's own cards aren't really worth me looking at.

"Near ten years ago, the Potter Family gifted us with a peace we desperately sought," I soberly begin. "The sacrifice of James and Lily Potter ushered in an end of the wizarding war at great personal cost to you, Harry. For that, I wish to express my gratitude to the Potter Family," I say with a look of sorrow filling my face.

At Harry's gobsmacked face, I respectfully bow to the confused pre-teen as a camera flashes somewhere in the background. I straighten from my little display to the applause of my faithful fans. I pay no attention to the look on Harry's face and slid my arm around his shoulders. Giving up trying to hide my joy, I allow the patented Lockhart smile to shine out over the crowd.

Maybe I really should patent my smile? Trademark and insure it, at the very least. Thoughts for another time.

"Well," I cheerfully call out. "In lighter news, I wish to announce something I've been sitting on for some time now. I wish to publicly announce that I, Gilderoy Lockhart, have accepted the post of Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor come this September! I intend to use this opportunity to pass on my experiences to the future witches and wizards of Wizarding Britain!"

I continue to smile at the applauding crowd and angle myself and Harry to allow the camera to capture my good side. As the clapping begins to die down, I nudge Harry back towards Molly Weasley.

"Now, Mr. Potter, I'll allow you to get back to your school shopping," I cordially state before returning to my table.

I do my best to resume my previous act, but the thought of gaining Voldemort's comprehension of magic is flooding my head with ideas of grandeur.

Oh, yes. I can really get used to this.