Gilderoy Lockhart sat up. Yes, he was Gilderoy, wasn't he?
He knew for sure now. For some reason he'd been having trouble with that lately. How could he forget? He was the one and only Gilderoy Lockhart!
But... he was in the hospital.
Why?
Then he remembered.
Years... years ago, he'd been dragged to that bloody chamber. With Potter, and... that other one. What's-his-name.
In excruciating detail, he recalled the slippery tumble down the hidden pipes, the cave-in... the backfired spell. His plan gone awry.
All his fame had probably diminished by now. Even if the word of his falsities hadn't spread, he'd have a tough time explaining why he'd been gone in the hospital for so long.
But then again...
If his reputation was still intact, he could use this situation as the perfect outcome of a daring and heroic battle against evil... he had narrowly defeated his foe, but was unfortunately in such poor condition afterwards that he'd been forced to retreat from his game for a while, and regain his former health.
Perfect!
Gilderoy looked around for a moment until he spotted the magical bell to ring for attendance.
"Yes, Mr. Lockhart?" the nurse said upon arriving.
"There you are. What took so long? Oh, no matter. I'd like to leave now."
The nurse sighed. "It's not quite that simple, Mr. Lockhart. The doctor has to approve of your condition before you're permitted to leave."
"Well then, what are you waiting for? Fetch the blasted doctor." As Gilderoy impatiently waved the nurse off, she decided that she definitely preferred the patient in his more vague state of mind.
After long minutes of waiting (quite unbearable for Gilderoy) the doctor and nurse reached his room.
"So, Mr. Lockhart, you say you're feeling better?" the doctor said.
"Yes, obviously. I wouldn't have requested you here otherwise."
The doctor rolled his eyes, as if to confirm that the patient was indeed acting more like his former self.
"Well, if that's the case, we'll administer a few tests and perhaps you'll be deemed fit to leave in a matter of days."
Before Gilderoy could put on a look to express the fact that he found that quite a while to wait, the doctor turned on his heel and left, the nurse quick to follow.
Gilderoy chuckled quietly. Once he was out of the hospital and had his fame back to previous heights, he could concentrate on getting back at Potter for the trouble he'd cause.
No, Gilderoy wasn't much for revenge, but could it hurt to try?
xxx
Well, what do you readers think? I planned it as a oneshot but it seems like it could use another chapter or two. Maybe it'll be continued slightly if I get enough positive feedback, hint hint! ;)