Capítulo 103: Lockhart
"We can actually meet him!" Hermione squealed. "I mean, he's written almost the whole book-list!"
'Oh, boy…' thought Matthew as he stared at the exited brown-haired girl, "Hermione are you for real? If you actually read his books you will realize that Lockhart is a fraud. I have no idea why Dumbledore invited him as our DADA teacher, well maybe he didn't have any other candidates, but you will learn nothing from him."
"B-But he wrote our Book-list." Stammered the girl with shock in her eyes. While the two other boys already lost excitement for the next year.
"In one of his books, he stated that he wrestled with a Werewolf, a creature that has a chance to infect you with its curse with only a scratch, and created the cure to Lycanthropy. Trust me if he created the Cure for Lycanthropy, he would be loaded. Potion Masters are highly sought and have no problems making money, there is no need to Scam his Students by making them buy his Second Rate Fiction Books." Preached an annoyed Matthew, "Just read the Books, and you will realize it yourself. Just don't get blinded by his smile. He may have zero talent in Magic but as a con artist he is top notch."
"But he wrote books." Muttered the Girl.
"You can't trust everything that is written in Books. Especially here in the magical world. They don't have an actual review proceeding like the peer-review the scientists have in the non-magical world. And even if there where they still can publish their written work even if it is manipulated or paid by companies in their favor. You need to always question what you read. Find other sources, ask your teachers, confirm it yourself, there are many methods. But don't believe everything you read somewhere even if it's published in a seemingly trustworthy source." Explained Matthew trying to make the three young students to use their brains while thinking about the experiences of his past life with the climate Crisis.
"Okay, but I will still read his books. I will make myself an image of him." Said Hermione while realizing one of her mistakes.
The four Students entered the Store and found a crowd of people already inside. The crowd seemed to be made up mostly of witches around Mrs. Weasley's age. A harassed-looking wizard stood at the door, saying, "Calmly, please, ladies... Don't push, there... mind the books, now..."
They squeezed inside. A long line wound right to the back of the shop, where Gilderoy Lockhart was signing his books. They each grabbed a copy of their necessary school books and sneaked up the line to where the rest of the Weasleys were standing with Mr. and Mrs. Granger.
"Oh, there you are, good," said Mrs. Weasley. She sounded breathless and kept patting her hair. "We'll be able to see him in a minute..."
Matthew had to roll his eyes at that comment, while the golden trio smirked at his reaction. Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face, all winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd. The real Lockhart was wearing robes of forget-me-not blue that exactly matched his eyes; his pointed wizard's hat was set at a jaunty angle on his wavy hair.
A short, irritable-looking man was dancing around taking photographs with a large black camera that emitted puffs of purple smoke with every blinding flash.
"Out of the way, there," he snarled at Ron, moving back to get a better shot. "This is for the Daily Prophet —"
"Hey be careful, just because you are a photographer of the Daily Prophet no need to harass the students here. You even stepped on his foot." Admonished Matthew the man as Ron rubbed his foot that he stepped on.
"Eh, sorry boy." Replied the man a bit flabbergasted.
Gilderoy Lockhart heard him. He looked up. He saw Ron and Matthew — and then he saw Harry. He stared. Then he leaped to his feet and positively shouted, "It can't be Harry Potter?"
The crowd parted, whispering excitedly; Lockhart dived forward, seized Harry's arm, and pulled him to the front. But Matthew grabbed Lockhart's arm and stopped him right there. Thanks to his high fitness he was as strong as an adult Wizard and could hold him there.
"And what exactly are you trying to do here?" asked Matthew as he starred at the ponce with a threatening look.
"I and young Harry here could make it on the front page together if we pose for a nice photo. So let me—" explained the man with his annoying smile that gave Matthew the feeling he wanted to bash his face into the ground but restrained himself as he interrupted the explanation.
"And that made you think, you could just grab Harry and drag him in front of the ground. An under-aged Wizard whose Guardians are not present. That's Child Harassment. Do you have the permission of Harry or his Guardians?" scolded Matthew as he didn't let go of the man's wrist.
"E-eh no sorry. Harry would you like to pose for a photo with me?" tried Lockhart as the last try.
"No sorry." Replied Harry relieved that he didn't need to pose for a photo that landed in the Papers.
"Oh ok. Well at least let me apologize to you. Ladies and gentlemen," he said loudly, waving for quiet as Matthew let go of his arm. "What an accident this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time!"
'Of course, he still does turn the Situation into his Favor. In PR he is probably the biggest expert in the Wizarding World.' Thought Matthew.
"When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography — which I shall be happy to present him now, free of charge —" The crowd applauded again. "He had no idea," Lockhart continued, giving Harry a little shake that made his glasses slip to the end of his nose, "that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" The crowd cheered and clapped and Harry found himself being presented with the entire works of Gilderoy Lockhart. He quickly left the limelight as Matthew followed him.
"Thank you, Matthew." Said, Harry.
"Don't worry about it. I can't stand the guy either way." Replied Matthew as they reached Ginny standing there with her new Cauldron.
"You have these," Harry mumbled to her, tipping the books into the cauldron. "I'll buy my own —"
"Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter?" said Draco as he approached them.
'After one idiot another follows directly. The moment of truth' Mused Matthew. While Matthew was in his thoughts the whole Situation escalated further and Malfoy's father and Mr. Weasley joined them.
"Well, well, well — Arthur Weasley."
It was Mr. Malfoy. He stood with his hand on Draco's shoulder, sneering in just the same way.
"Lucius," said Mr. Weasley, nodding coldly.
"Busy time at the Ministry, I hear," said Mr. Malfoy. "All those raids... I hope they're paying you overtime?" as he reached into Ginny's cauldron and mocked her books.
"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy," replied Mr. Weasley after Lucius called him a disgrace.
"Clearly," said Mr. Malfoy, his pale eyes straying to Mr. and Mrs. Granger and Matthew, who were watching apprehensively while Matthew just stared back bored by Lucius's insults. "The company you keep, Weasley... and I thought your family could sink no lower."
And at this moment two adult Wizards began fighting with their fists. They only were pulled apart as Hagrid arrived. Matthew kept watch of the whole situation and kept Ginny's books in his eyes the whole time. During the exchange, Lucius pulled an old black book out of his robes while everyone was distracted by their fight.
"Here, girl — take your book — it's the best your father can give you —" Pulling himself out of Hagrid's grip he beckoned to Draco and swept from the shop.
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