AN: Short drabble for fun. Obviously no copyright infringement intended. Based on the property of J.K. Rowling and her publishers.

A Legitimate Opportunity

"Let each man exercise the art he knows." - Aristophanes

Gilderoy Lockhart, recipient of the Order of Merlin First Class and five time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award, couldn't believe his good fortune when Albus Dumbledore offered him the position at Hogwarts. After all the years of travelling and stealing the achievements of others to make literary masterpieces, he was finally being recognized as a Master of Defensive Magic. This was his chance to go legitimate and to impart his knowledge on impressionable young minds. They would have the opportunity to learn the fine arts of dueling, protecting, and warding off deadly creatures. That's right! No more Obliviating more talented wizards and no more lying!

There was only one miniscule flaw in his plan. He stood in front of his very first class, a group of innocent 12 year olds, who were all eager to learn but very few had done the prerequisites if the confusion on their faces was any indicator. How could they not have read the glorious accounts of his victories?! Well no matter. Some were doing quite well. The girls mostly but then again some did say girls were more attuned to intellectual pursuits and they did mature quicker. And if his questions managed to stump a few people, that was a good thing! He fondly recalled his own experiences as a student. He'd been very studious himself but alas times seem to have changed.

Then the practical portion of the class began and it was a disaster from the beginning. His students did not take Defense Against the Dark Arts seriously. He would have to rectify that over the course of the year but for now his curriculum needed to be adjusted. He delegated the task of collecting his Cornish Pixies to three Gryffindors who were brave enough to remain in the class after the others had fled. How his students expected to achieve greatness by running away was beyond him. He hadn't destroyed the vampire coven by running away. No, he thought as he took a seat in his office, he'd simply smiled and charmed his way to success. And that was the most important of the arts he had to teach: good taste, a brilliant smile, and impeccable breeding would take them all very far indeed.