Ch 26: The Fraud

The Hogwarts Express pulled into the station as night began to settle over Hogsmeade. Students bustled off the train, chattering excitedly about the upcoming year. I was among them, dragging myself with Garuda invisibly perched on my shoulder. The sight of the Thestral-drawn carriages didn't faze me—I had long accepted that seeing them was just another part of my existence now.

---

The Great Hall was magnificent as ever, its enchanted ceiling reflecting the starry night sky above. Candles floated in the air, casting a warm glow over the long tables where students eagerly waited for the sorting ceremony to begin.

I found a seat at the Gryffindor table next to Fred or was it George, who was already deep in conversation with his Twin about something. Ron and Harry plopped down across from us, looking just as eager for the feast to start.

Everything seemed normal—until I spotted him.

There he was, sitting at the staff table in his obnoxiously frilly robes and flashing that insufferable smile. Gilderoy Lockhart.

My face instantly dropped.

"Ah, shit," I muttered under my breath, leaning back in my seat. "Here we go again."

Hermione turned to me, frowning. "What's wrong, Arthur?"

"That," I said, pointing subtly at the fraud himself.

Her eyes followed my gesture, and her expression immediately brightened. "Oh! That's Gilderoy Lockhart! He's written so many amazing books! He's our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this year!"

I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Of course, he is."

Ron, who had been halfway through stealing a roll from the table, snorted. "What's your problem with him? I mean, yeah, he looks like a prat, but he's famous."

"Famous for what? Smiling on book covers?" I shot back.

"You sound like you've met him before," Harry said, raising an eyebrow.

"I wish I hadn't," I muttered, but didn't elaborate. The less I had to think about Lockhart, the better.

---

The sorting ceremony proceeded as usual, with first years nervously shuffling up to the stool as the Sorting Hat called out their houses in which was Ginny the only female Weasley sibling. The applause was polite, though slightly subdued—probably because half the Hall couldn't stop sneaking glances at Lockhart, who seemed to be reveling in the attention.

When the last student had been sorted, Dumbledore stood up to deliver his usual welcome speech. But, of course, he couldn't get through it without introducing our illustrious new professor.

"And now, I am pleased to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Gilderoy Lockhart," Dumbledore announced, smiling serenely.

Lockhart rose from his seat, flashing his pearly whites at the Hall as if he were posing for a portrait. There was a smattering of applause, mostly from the girls, while the boys exchanged dubious looks.

"Thank you, thank you!" Lockhart said, waving like he was royalty. "It is an absolute honor to be here at Hogwarts, and I can't wait to share my vast knowledge with all of you."

I bit my tongue to keep from laughing. Hermione, meanwhile, was clapping enthusiastically, clearly enchanted.

"Kill me now," I whispered to myself.

---

The feast finally began, and the usual Hogwarts spread of roasted meats, vegetables, and desserts appeared before us. I helped myself to a bit of everything, tuning out the chatter around me.

But my peace didn't last long.

"So, Arthur," Hermione began, turning to me with a determined look. "What do you think of Professor Lockhart?"

"Honestly?" I said, not bothering to sugarcoat it. "I think he's a fraud."

Her eyes widened. "How can you say that? He's done so many amazing things! Battling banshees, defeating werewolves, banishing a Wagga Wagga Werewolf—"

"Yeah-Yeah, and I'm the bloody King of Camelot," I interrupted.

Hermione frowned, clearly offended. "You can't just dismiss his accomplishments like that. Have you even read his books?"

"No, and I don't need to," I replied. "Anyone who talks about themselves as much as he does is hiding something."

Ron snorted into his pumpkin juice. "He's got a point, Hermione. I mean, who smiles that much?"

Hermione huffed, crossing her arms. "You're just jealous."

I rolled my eyes and returned to my food. If Hermione wanted to waste her energy idolizing a charlatan, that was her choice.

---

The night ended with the usual students scrambling to find their dormitories. I made my way up to the Gryffindor common room with Harry, Ron, and Neville, exhausted from the journey.

I climbed into bed that night and my thoughts drifted to what I could do about the Fraud.

I sighed, staring up at the canopy of my bed. "Just what I needed."

---Note

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