When they arrived at the station, they clambered into the carriages. None of them could see, but they knew the carriages were pulled by thestrals, invisible horses one can only see if one has seen death. Gratefully, none of them had. They continued their fervent discussion about Ginny and the diary.
"I can sneak down to the first year's dorms and try to get it, seeing as I'm the only one who can," Natalie suggested.
Sean looked deep in thought.
"What about you Sean?" Eddie asked. "Got any ideas?"
"I say let it happen," Sean said, finally coming out of his reverie. "Easiest way to catch him."
"Alright, that's fair…All in favor?" Six of them raised their hands, with the exception of Natalie, Lily, and Victoria. "Motion passed."
They got to the castle and sat down in the Great Hall, awaiting the Sorting Hat's song for 1992. They hadn't seen this one, as Harry (and Ron) missed the song and subsequent feast due to them flying a car to Hogwarts.
The hat opened its brim-
"Be you short or tall,
Large or small,
I am the hat
That is here to sort you all.
I am here to choose the table
Where you will be sat.
For I am the one, the only,
Hogwarts Sorting Hat!"
Smart Ravenclaw, bright and clever,
was on the ball,
She took the quick and able,
One and all,
Cunning Slytherin, shrewd and witty, felt Muggle-borns didn't belong.
His belief was potent.
He wanted those of blood only pure and strong,
Only those with a good magic quotient.
Bold Gryffindor, brave and stubborn, was audacious,
True to his nobility and daring,
He wanted only the courageous,
To save us from our failing.
Kind Hufflepuff, caring and considerate,
Not adverse to diversity,
Was full of warmth and fun!
She took the miscellany,
She wanted each and every one!
These four great houses stand apart
But this should not be the case.
So put me on, look to your heart!
To see where is your place!"
They clapped with the whole hall as the hat finished. The first new student went to Hufflepuff, which pleased Eddie and Lily. Then, as expected, Colin Creevey was placed in Gryffindor, Luna Lovegood was placed in Ravenclaw, and Ginny in Gryffindor. When she sat down, they noticed Ron was there, congratulating her. Clearly Dobby had not blocked him from the barrier this time. Eddie snorted, as this mean there was no Howler to look forward to. So with the sorting out of the way, they turned their attention to the feast. When it was finished, Dumbledore got up to speak.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" he shouted to the school. "Before any other announcements can be made, I must welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart!"
Lockhart stood up, beamed widely at them all, and took a huge bow. The applause was mixed for him. While many of the girls swooned, the boys gave him suspicious looks. Eddie just rolled his eyes.
He looked over at Hannah nervously, and wasn't at all pleased to see that she was one of the many girls staring at the fraud of a professor with dream-like eyes. Something had changed with him over the summer, as he had hung out with the rest of the Hufflepuffs and gotten to know them more..was it a crush? No, it couldn't be…he just didn't like the idea of her idolizing a liar and a manipulator. Yes, that was it..
But, said a mischeivous voice in his head, I don't see you thinking of Susan or Megan that way..
Shut up, he told it.
While he was lost in thought, Dumbledore finished his announcements. Justin nudged him gently as they got up to leave, clearly, the headmaster had dismissed the school.
Eddie trotted up to bed, head swimming.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A few days after that, they had their first Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Eddie groaned initially at the prospect of having to take Lockhart's frivolous "quiz", but then he thought he'd entertain himself with the questions.
Lockhart waltzed into the room, his pearly white teeth sparkling in the sunlight.
"Let me introduce you to your newest Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!" he boasted pompously. "Me." He looked around at them all. "Gilderoy Lockart…..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, of course. I didn't get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at him." He chuckled at his little joke.
He went on to tell the class where exactly in Break with a Banshee they could find his "thrilling" tale of how he actually performed his "spectacular" feat, but Eddie wasn't listening. He was reaching into his bag for a new quill, as he'd snapped it when Hannah giggled at Lockhart's poor excuse for comedy. Now in a fouler mood than usual, he straightened up in his chair, eyes on the witless Ravenclaw that somehow became a teacher.
The ill feelings abated, however, when Lockhart passed the quiz out, and he saw the questions. He himself had trouble stifling a laugh. Lockhart looked at him.
"Something amusing, Mr. Pattinson?" he asked sharply.
"Ah, sorry, Professor," Eddie fabricated. "I just recollected your joke from page seventy three in Travels with Trolls…" He had, in fact, done some reading of Lockhart's material, just to have a laugh when he was bored.
"Oh!" said Lockhart, not catching on to Eddie's sarcasm. "Yes, that was one of my favorites…" he reminisced. "You enjoyed it?" he asked him eagerly.
"Oh, yes!" Eddie said, smiling. "You're such a fantastic wizard!"
"Why, thank you! You flatter me!" Lockhart replied. He really was an idiot.
Eddie turned his attention to the quiz after that.
What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite color...he remembered that was lilac. What is Gilderoy Lockhart's secret ambition….that was something to do with ridding the world of evil and starting a...hair care potion buisness? That would have to do. How many times has Gilderoy Lockhart won Witch Weekly's...Five, he had just bragged to the class, hadn't he?
The other questions he decided to have a little fun.
What, in your opinion, is Gilderoy Lockhart's greatest achievement to date? Hitting a grand slam home run to win the World Series.
Which is Gilderoy Lockhart's best side for photographs? Dunno, he takes too many to figure out a "best one."
Has Gilderoy Lockhart ever won the Dunstable Duelling Championship for wizards or just been pipped at the post? No, but he is still the best dueler ever named Gilderoy Lockhart.
Which product does Gilderoy Lockhart use to clean his teeth with to achieve his famous dazzling white smile? Colgate toothpaste.
Which is the person name which Gilderoy Lockhart has given to his broomstick? Gilderoy.
When is Gilderoy Lockhart's birthday and what would his ideal gift be? January 26 (which Eddie answered correctly), and to have more awards.
When time was up, he passed up the quiz. Lockhart told everyone that he was sure they did a fantastic job, and that he'd look at them later. He then climbed up on the desk, which confused the class.
"Now be warned," he told them all dramatically. "It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizardkind." Eddie rolled his eyes. The pixies. Here we go.
"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 ask you not to scream. It might...provoke them!" He lifted off the tattered blue cover of the cage.
Lily laughed. "Cornish pixies!" she exclaimed, playing the role of Seamus.
"Freshly caught Cornish pixies!" Lockhart told her. "Laugh if you will, Miss Jackson, but be careful. Devilishly tricky little blighters. Let's see what you make of them!" And with that, he released the pixies.
After they had rounded up all the pixies and stuffed them safely back in to their cages, they had to dismiss themselves, because Lockhart had left the room in fear. And as Eddie left, he eyed Hannah anxiously, who was chatting animatedly about what a fun lesson they had just had with Susan and Megan. He then steeled himself to look anywhere but at her until they had reached their dormitory.
A/N YES I know it's been awhile. I'm sorry. I was too lazy to write for much of the Christmas holidays, plus I had writers block. But, hey, I'm back so enjoy. Happy New Decade! I know the chapter's shorter than usual, but I don't think the next thing I have planned can fit without this thing going an insane amout of words. Next chapter will be bigger, I promise.