Gilderoy had been most surprised to get the urgent call from Dumbledore. He had always respected the headmaster of Hogwarts and had listened to what he had to say, his face growing paler and paler with every minute of the conversation, his mouth hanging open slightly.

A raid? On the homes of members of Dumbledore's little vigilante group? Lord Voldemort must be feeling confident if he could do such a thing.

Of course, it was obvious that Dumbledore would turn to himself for Lockhart was the minister after all, and an exceptionally powerful wizard. Dumbledore's absolute insistance on secrecy had been offputting, however.

Lockhart didn't like secrecy. When he accomplished something, he wanted the world to know—press conferences, interviews, radio appearances and even books. Still, Dumbledore had promised that once the war was over, he would tell the world what Lockhart had done. Gilderoy had accepted—praise from Dumbledore, telling everyone about his bravery and personal efforts against the Death Eaters would further cement his legacy. It was worth keeping quiet about it now to benefit more in the future. Why, this could help make him be considered the greatest Minister for Magic of all time!

And so, Lockhart had abandoned his official portrait and gone Hogwarts. Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall and Professor Severus Snape had been waiting for him. They all looked grim and determined.

"You remember what you have to do, Gilderoy?" Dumbledore asked.

Gilderoy gave a firm nod. "Of course," he said. "Simple night's work for a wizard like me." In truth, however, and he would never admit this out loud, he was terrified at coming face-to-face with the Death Eaters, even alongside three extremely powerful wizards.

"Delacour first," said Dumbledore, "He has assigned his most dangerous duelist to murder her."

"Dolohov," Snape spat.

Dumbledore led the way outside the grounds. "Apparate, now—remember, subdue. Don't kill."

First Dumbledore, then McGonagall and Severus Snape together apparated. Lockhart hesitated for a few seconds, took a deep breath to steady himself and apparated too. He emerged in a pleasant distract of London. The house they were outside of was completely silent.

"Are we early?" Lockhart said.

"Shhh!" hissed Snape.

Suddenly, there arose a loud explosion and a crack followed by a yell from in the distance. A jet of light shot into the air.

"This way!" Dumbledore yelled and led the way, springing surprisingly fast for an old man down a nearby street.

Lockhart hurried after them, sticking to the rear. People ran by screaming and, in the middle of Hyde Park, Lockhart could see two figures dueling—one wearing a black mask, the other with long, silvery-blonde hair.

There was another figure on the floor. Lockhart shuddered—his head had been transfigured into a pumpkin.

"Gilderoy, stick with Severus!" Dumbledore shouted and darted forward, his wand raised.

Dolohov turned to meet this new threat, but it was over before it had begun. Dolohov might have been an exceptional duelist, but he was no match for Albus Dumbledore. Within seconds, the Russian Death Eater was unconscious on the floor with Dumbledore stood over him. McGonagall, meanwhile, was consoling Fleur Delacour.

"Gilderoy," said Dumbledore, looking up. "It is time, do what you have to do."

Lockhart glanced at the pumpkin-headed Death Eater, then at the unconscious form of Antonin Dolohov. He raised his wand and pointed it at the man. "Obliviate," he whispered.

It was a simple task for a wizard as skilled as him. He modified Dolohov's memories, trying to think how the Russian would best beat Delecour. Severus Snape had told him in detail about Dolohov's signature curse. He would kill with that. Lockhart felt proud at the detail of using the tree's to detain Delacour and then, the finishing touch, Dolohov's signature spell.

"It is done," Lockhart said, finally.

"Good," said Dumbledore. "There is no time to waste. Fleur, make your way back home. Severus, revive Dolohov. Then we head to Diggle."

At Diggle's, Snape stupified Theodore Nott from behind, whilst Dumbledore restrained Abaddon Nott without even breaking a sweat. Lockhart couldn't help but admire Dumbledore's skill. He made immobilising an opponent so simple. It was no wonder he had vanquished Lord Voldemort during the First Wizarding War.

Lockhart did the same thing with Dedalus Diggle's attackers—modified their memories to show Theodore Nott and Abaddon Nott murdering him.

They then apparated to Hestia Jones house, but, much to their surprise, their presence wasn't needed. They arrived just in time to see Hestia screaming "don't come back!" as her attackers apparated.

"Hestia is quite the witch," Dumbledore said.

"Of course she is," said McGonagall. "She was one of the best students I ever taught."

"We should check on Emmeline," Snape said.

Unfortunately, there, they were too late. The Dark Mark was flying over her house. Dumbledore led the inside, his wand raised, just in case, but the house was deserted.

"Merlin's beard!" Gilderoy said, his knees growing weak as he looked at Emmeline Vance's dead body. She had been strangled, her eyes bulging wildly out of their sockets.

Beside him, McGonagall was sobbing.

"I ..." Lockhart began before his knees buckled out from under him and he passed out.