Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets- with Newt

Disclaimer: Not mine alright?

Chapter 6: Gilderoy Lockhart

Next day, barely grinned. For one, everyone started to stare at Harry again, which Harry absolutely hated. The trio set next to Hermione who was reading one of the Lockhart book. Hermione saw them and greeted them very stiffly. She still seemed angry by the fact that they took a flying car to school.

Neville on the other hand greeted them cheerfully as he sat next to Newt. "Mail should be coming soon. I think Gran is sending me few things I forgot." said Neville. Harry thought Neville was a nice kid but he had the worst memory of anyone Harry met.

Mails began to come. Neville's mail came and one owl dropped a letter in front of Newt. Then, a grey feathery thing fell into Hermione's jug, spraying milk and feather everywhere.

It was Errol. Ron picked Errol out of the jug and gasped. Errol was holding a red envelope that looked like it was going to burst soon.

Newt picked up Errol and gently petted his head. Then he saw what Ron was holding. "Oh, Ron. You got a howler." he said weakly.

"What's wrong Ron?" asked Harry. "This." Ron said as he showed him the envelope.

"Better open it quickly. My gran sent it to me once and I ignored it. It didn't end well." Neville said timidly.

Ron slowly started to open the envelope with trembling hand. "Harry, cover your ears quickly." Newt told Harry as he covered his own ears.

Ron opened the envelope and Harry thought it had exploded. Because a loud sound filled the hall.

"RONALD WEASLEY! HOW DARE YOU STEAL THAT CAR! I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE EMBARRASSED! BECAUSE OF YOU, YOUR FATHER IS FACING A INQUIRY AT WORK! I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH BEHAVIOR, NOT EVEN FROM THE TWINS! YOU, HARRY AND NEWT COULD HAVE DIED! IF YOU PUT ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE, I WILL PERSONALLY DRAG YOU HOME FROM SCHOOL!"

Then the letter destroyed itself. Ron and Harry looked stunned while Newt looked grim. Then people started to laugh and went back to their own conversation.

"Well, I don't know what you expected Ron, but frankly.." Hermione started. "If you're going to say I deserved it, please save it." Ron grumbled. Harry was feeling extremely guilty. Now Mr Weasley was facing a inquiry at work because of him. After all they did for him over the summer.

To distract himself from the guilt, Harry turned to Newt. "Newt, what did you get?" asked Harry. Newt sighed and handed Harry a letter. Harry began to read the letter.

NEWTON ARTEMIS FIDO SCAMANDER. What were you thinking? And don't answer that because you clearly weren't. We were going to send you a howler if it wasn't for your grandfather vouching up for you. Because he persuaded us everyone makes a mistake, we will not send you a howler. But you better graciously take whatever punishment you get, because we are sure you know that you deserve it. Also, when you come home, expect lots of work with the Hippogriffs! Now, if we get another letter from the headmaster, we WILL send you a howler regardless of your grandfather vouching for you or not.

Signed, Mom and Dad.

Newt sighed. "I guess I have to send a thank you letter to grandfather."

-HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN-

Harry had double Herbology with the Hufflepuff in the first period. After breakfast, the Quartet moved to out to the greenhouse. Harry found out one good thing they got from the Howler was Hermione started to talk to them again because she thought the Howler was a sufficient punishment.

When Harry arrived at the greenhouse, Harry groaned. Because Gilderoy Lockhart was talking nonstop next to Professor Sprout, who clearly looked uninterested on what he had to say.

Gilderoy Lockhart turned around and beamed at the students. "Why hello there! I was just telling Professor Sprout how to properly treat the recently damaged whomping willow! Oh, but don't think I am better at Herbology then her! I just happen to know few rare plants here and there!"

"Alright, Greenhouse three everyone!" Professor Sprout called out looking very annoyed. Before Harry could move, Lockhart grabbed Harry's arm. "Excuse me Professor Sprout, but would you mind if I spoke with Harry here for a moment?" he asked cheerfully.

Professor Sprout clearly did mind, but Lockhart ignored her and took Harry out. "Harry. Harry Harry Harry." said Lockhart. "I know that is my name." Harry said in an annoyed voice.

"I heard about what happened and it was all my fault." Harry was stunned. "I'm sorry, What?"

"Harry Harry Harry. You flew a car to Hogwarts! I gave you a taste of publicity and that just was so good right? You just couldn't wait to do it again." said Lockhart, showing his pearly white teeths.

"Um, no Professor. You see…" Harry tried to explain but Lockhart cut him off. "Harry Harry Harry. I understand. I was once like you. Fresh to publicity, dying for more. But remember, you shouldn't take flying car to Hogwarts just so you can be noticed. You will have plenty of time and ways to get fame in the future. So small steps Harry. Small steps." Then Lockhart gave him a wink and walked up.

Harry was starting to think that Lockhart maybe even bigger of an idiot than he might have thought. To get Lockhart out of his mind, he quickly went to Herbology class.

Professor Sprout started to talk. "Today we will be learning about Mandrakes. Who can tell me about the properties of Mandrake?"

To nobody's surprise, Hermione's hand shot up in the air. "Mandrakes are also known as Mandragora. Its root resembles a small human and they can be used to make a powerful restorative. It is often used to return people who have been transfigured or cursed to their original state." said Hermione.

"Correct. 5 points to Gryffindor. Now while Mandrakes are very useful, they are also very dangerous. Anyone knows why?" asked Professor Sprout.

Again, Hermione's hand shot up, narrowly missing Harry's glasses. "A fully grown Mandrake's cry is fatal to human. Although a young Mandrake's cry is not as strong, it can still knock a person out for few hours." answered Hermione.

"Very good. Another 5 points. Now everyone put on an ear muff. Make sure it covers your ears well!" Then she pulled up the mandrake. The Mandrake looked like a small extremely ugly baby. It started to scream and cry at the top of its lung.

Professor Sprout quickly took a plant pot and buried the mandrake, causing it to stop crying. "Get into groups of 5 and do exactly what I did." Professor Sprout instructed.

The Quartet was joined by curly haired Hufflepuff that Harry saw before but never talked with before. "Hi. I'm Justin Finch-Fletchley." said Justin as he shook their hands.

"I know who you guys are. You're the famous Harry Potter, Hermione Granger always top in everything (Hermione smiled brightly as she shook his hand), Newt Scamander grandson of famous Rolf Scamander (Newt gave him a small grin) and your Ron Weasley from the flying car right?" Ron didn't smile.

"That Lockhart really is something don't you think?" said Justin. "He really is." Harry muttered. "Brave men. You read his book about how he defeated that werewolf? He was cornered but all he did was pull out a wand and zap, he defeated it! Don't know how he did it." Harry, Ron and Newt just vaguely nodded while Hermione eagerly shook her head.

"My name was down for Eton. But this place is so much cooler. My mother was bit disappointed at first but I showed her Lockhart's work and she saw that having a fully trained wizard might be a very useful thing."

After that, they couldn't have anymore conversation because they had to put on their ear muff. After Herbology, they went to Transfiguration class, which was still the hardest class. It was especially hard for Ron because his broken wand did not work properly. When he tried to transfigure a beetle into a button, all it did was make some smoke.

When the class ended they all walked out while Ron was whacking his wand on the desk. "Stupid useless stick." Ron growled. "Why don't you write home for another one?" asked Harry. "Oh, so I can get another Howler? I can imagine what they will say. It's your own fault you wand got snapped so deal with it!" said Ron. "Well Ron, you have to find a substitute quickly because I heard broken wands can be pretty dangerous." said Newt.

They all went down for lunch and Ron was still in bad mood. To make Ron feel better, Harry changed the subject. "What subject do we have next?" asked Harry. "Defence against the dark arts." Hermione replied. "Hermione, why have you put a little heart next to Lockhart's lesson?" asked Ron in disbelief as he saw Hermione's time table. Hermione blushed and hid her time table.

"I wonder if he is competent. I mean impression he gave me so far is just a narcissistic ponce." said Newt. "He is not a narcissistic ponce. Read his books. He is brilliant!" said Hermione. "Well, no matter how bad he is, he can't be worse than Quirrell." said Harry. They all agreed on that one.

They finished their lunch when they heard a clicking noise and saw a flash. They looked up and Harry saw the same mousy haired boy from the sorting. He was holding a camera.

"Hi Harry! I'm Colin. Colin Creevy. I heard everything about you. You survived the you know who's curse right! That is amazing! Do you really have the scar on your forehead? By the way, I think it's amazing here. I'm a muggle and my dad is a milkman. He couldn't believe I was a wizard. So I'm taking lots of photo and sending it to him. I told him about you and he was interested. Can your friend take a photo of me and you. Can you maybe sign it?" Colin said quickly as he looked at Harry with a awe.

"Signed photo? Potter are you handing out signed photos? Hey everyone! Gather around, Potter's giving out signed photos!" It was Malfoy and his stooges. And to Harry's dismay, crowd began to gather.

"No I'm not. Now beat it." Harry said angrily. "You're just jealous." piped up Colin.

Malfoy laughed. "Me? Jealous of him? You think I would want a scar on my head? I don't think getting your head cut open makes you special." Crabbe and Goyle were laughing stupidly.

"Malfoy, what part of leave decent people alone do you not understand?" Newt said in an annoyed voice. "Get lost Malfoy." Ron growled as he tried to reach for his wand.

"Careful Weasley, remember what your mummy said. 'One toe out of the line and I will personally drag you home!'" Malfoy said in shrill voice.

"You know Potter, why don't you give one of your signed photo to Weasley, then they might not have to worry about going hungry for maybe 2 years." Malfoy sneered.

Newt had to hold back Ron as he tried to lunge at Malfoy. Then suddenly they hear a very annoying voice.

"What's this I hear, signed photos?" It was Gilderoy Lockhart. "No it's not what you think." Harry tried to explain.

"Ah! Harry we meet again! Practicing you fame are we?" Lockhart said as pulled Harry to his side. Harry was humiliated and the fact that Malfoy was laughing at him didn't improve the situation either.

"Alright Mr Creevy, take the photo! We will both sign it!" Lockhart said brightly.

Colin snapped a photo and took a picture. Then, a bell signaling the start of class rang.

"Off you go then!" Lockhart said to the crowd. As the crowd began to move, Lockhart turned to Harry. "Harry, I covered back there with Mr Creevy because if he was photographing me as well, your schoolmates won't think you're setting up too much." Lockhart totally ignored Harry's attempt to explain the situation took him down the corridor.

"Word of wisdom Harry. Giving out signed photo isn't a sensible thing to do yet. There will be a day where you will have to carry around a stack of photos for your convenience. But I believe you are not quite ready for that yet."

Lockhart lead Harry to the classroom, and Harry set at the desk and hid himself behind the books so he wouldn't have to stare at Lockhart. "This man." Harry thought. "Is a bigger idiot than I thought."

-HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN-

Class began to fill in and Harry's friends sat next to him. "Harry you should have looked at your face. You could have fried an egg on it. You better hope Colin doesn't meet Ginny. They might start a Harry Potter fanclub." said Ron.

"Oh shut up." Harry snapped. He didn't want to imagine what Lockhart might say when he hears Harry Potter fanclub.

When the class was full, Lockhart cleared his throat and silence fell. He reached forward and picked up Neville's copy of Traveling with Trolls. He held it up high and gave a wink at portrait of himself that was painting a portrait of himself.

"Me. Gilderoy Lockhart. Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award but I don't talk about that. I didn't get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her!" He laughed.

Only very few people actually laughed at that and even most of it sounded forced. "I see you have all bought complete set of my books. I believe we can start with a quiz. Nothing to worry about, just to see how well you have read them." Lockhart said as he handed out the test paper. "You have thirty minutes and start now!"

Harry looked down the paper and read the questions.

1. What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite color?

2. What is Gilderoy Lockhart's secret ambition?

3. What, in your opinion, is Gilderoy Lockhart's greatest achievement to date?

The questions were mostly like those and it ended with question 54, When is Gilderoy Lockhart's birthday, and what would his ideal gift be?

Harry looked incredulous. He looked at Ron and Newt and saw their expression was same as his. Dean and Seamus were sniggering. Only Hermione was busily writing down the answers.

-HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN HPCSWN-

When 30 minutes was up, Lockhart collected the papers and began to check the answers. "Tsk tsk. Hardly any of you remembered that my favorite color is lilac. I say so in Year with the Yeti. And a few of you need to read Wanderings with Werewolves more carefully. I clearly state in chapter twelve that my ideal birthday gift would be harmony between all magic and non-magic peoples. Of course not that I would refuse a large bottle of Ogdens Old Firewhisky!"

Harry was shocked. Ron was looking at Lockhart with disbelief in his face while Newt's face remained neutral but he looked uncomfortable. Only Hermione and few girls were staring at Lockhart with adoring expression.

"Ah! But Miss Granger here knows that my secret ambition is to rid the world of evil and market my own range of hair care potion. Amazing. Also, she got a full mark! Where is Miss Hermione Granger?"

Hermione holded up her trembling hand. "Excellent! Take 10 points to Gryffindor. Now to business." Lockhart said as he pulled out a large covered cage.

"Now beware! It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizardkind! You may find yourselves facing your worst fears in this room. Know only that no harm can befall you whilst I am here. I must now ask you to not scream. It might provoke them."

The class leaned forward to get a better look at the cage. Lockhart pulled off the cover. "Behold! Freshly caught Cornish pixies!" he said dramatically.

Seamus burst into laughter. "Cornish Pixies?" he laughed and he raised his hands. "Yes Mr Finnegan?" asked Lockhart.

"Well. They are not really dangerous are they?" Seamus said still sniggering. Lockhart wagged his finger. "Do not be sure! If you do not know how to properly handle them, they are extremely dangerous!" said Lockhart. To Harry's complete shock, Newt nodded.

The pixies were electric blue and about eight inches high, with pointed faces and voices so shrill it was like listening to a lot of budgies arguing. The moment the cover had been removed, they had started jabbering and rocketing around and rattling on the bars.

"Right, then," Lockhart said loudly. "Let's see what you make of them!" And he opened the cage. It was pandemonium. The pixies shot in every direction like rockets. Two of them seized Neville by the ears and lifted him into the air.

People began to scream and some ran out of the class. The pixies began to pick up things and throwing them all over the classroom. Two of them even left Neville hanging on the chandelier.

"Come on now! Round them up, round them up, they're only pixies," Lockhart shouted. He rolled up his sleeves and pulled out his wand, yelling "Peskipiksi Pesternomi!"

That did nothing. One of the pixies grabbed Lockhart's wand and threw it out the window. Lockhart saw the Quartet and said "Well, I'll ask you three to just nip the them back into their cage." He swept past them and shut the door quickly behind him.

"That complete idiot!" Ron roared. "How are we going to get these pixies into their cage?" "Leave it to me. Oh and guys, help Neville off the chandelier." Newt said. Ron and Harry quickly went on top of the desks and safely brought Neville down. Neville thank them and quickly left the room, not wanting to spend another minute with the Pixies.

Newt reached into his pocket and pulled out some mint humbug Harry often saw at dinner. Newt unwrapped the humbugs and carefully put them on the bottom of the cage. Then he gave a loud whistle. All the pixies turned around and they darted to the cage. When every single on of them was inside, Newt locked the cage lock.

"Newt! How did you do that?" asked Hermione in surprise. Newt shrugged. "Cornish Pixies, like most pixies are fond of sweet things. I just took out few candies and lured them back."

"Newt, you are a genius." said Ron. Newt blushed. "I mean you are probably more capable then that idiot!"

"Ron! He is not an idiot. He just wanted to give us some hand on experience." Hermione defended. "Hand on experience? Hermione are you joking?"

"Come on. You read his books. Look at all the thing he did on the books." said Hermione. "Or he says he's done. Only thing that buffoon taught me was to never release pixies on classrooms."

"Well he did teach another thing." said Newt. Harry and Ron looked at Newt. "He told us if you do not know how to properly handle them, they are extremely dangerous. That's our family belief." said Newt.

When the others looked like they couldn't understand, Newt continued to explain. "Scamander family has been famous for their work with the magical creatures for generations. Our family has wrote books about them, did works on protecting them and many other things. Our family strongly believes that no creature is dangerous if and only if you know how to properly approach them. Same goes for vice versa."

"So that was why you were nodding at what Lockhart said." said Harry. "See Ron? Lockhart actually is taught us something important." said Hermione.

"But I agree with Ron about him being incompetent. That man clearly does not know how to deal with magical creatures. What he did was beyond foolish." said Newt.

Hermione huffed and walked out.

A/N Some descriptions are from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling. Please leave a review!