Hey everyone,
I'm going to be honest with all of you; I had almost NO inspiration to write these chapters this month. The first half I worked on editing To Read Into The Universe and I got about 10 to 15 chapters in and after that a story idea that had been bugging me all month kept my attention for almost another week. I wrote 11 chapters in just three days, just to get the whole thing out of my head and even then I just wanted to write on.
I was actually planning to just write first page previews for all of these stories – bar Harrison and Harry, The Fidelius Kept Secret and The Unspeakable Escape Program which had chapters pre-written – and just promise you guys two chapters for next month alongside posting the 11 chapters of my new story this month. But I decided on the 22nd to just see how far I could get with all these stories and go from there.
Wish me luck,

Venquine1990
Shout-Out To:
Crystal
Yaw6113

29th of December 1976
Reading Room, Ariador
Colin's POV

"I just know I'm going to be introduced this chapter, so now it's my turn." I state, having felt happier these past few days than I have for the better part of the last year and I silently summon the book from where Mrs. Weasley laid it down when she went to talk to her kids. A few of those from the present look impressed with this and I hear Peter mumble: "I'm still struggling with that." At which I decide to help him later as I start to read.

Gilderory Lockheart

"Wait, is every book going to have a chapter dedicated to someone?" Sirius asks astounded and Hari hums before he says: "Probably. I think, if nothing else, every book but the last one will at least have a chapter dedicated to new people I meet over the years. Especially the new DADA teachers." Though then Harry suddenly realizes what he says and shudders alongside the rest of us. "What?""Fifth year." Hari answers his father and I read on, cringing myself.

The next … had arrived.

"More like I didn't appreciate the fact that you ignored how worried I was over you boys." The girl mutters in clear annoyance, but Hari rolls his eyes and says: "Hermione, back then, every time you got annoyed you took on the role of disappointed parent or disapproving teacher. And we had already dealt with the latter, so we didn't feel like getting a repeat performance. Plus, we were exhausted." The girl nods in acceptance to this and I read on.

Neville Longbottom… I forgot."

"That reminds me." Hari turns to Neville and he says: "You hardly had any luggage when we came here. What happened?" Neville smirks at this and taps the Gryffindor crest on his chest. "I changed this into a pocket and put an Undetectable Extension charm on it. Kind of got necessary halfway through last year when going back to class was getting too dangerous." And while this worries those of the present, do I read on.

Harry had … Ron faintly.

Which seems to confuse those of the present and Sirius mutters: "Wait, I thought they had the agreement with the House Elves to take such letters from the owls and just let them explode in the dorm rooms after mum kept annoying everyone with her triple fortnight of these in my First." This astounds everyone from my time and the queen says: "I have two theories. One, these are all new House-Elves. Two, Dumbledore." At which I nod and read on.

"You'd better … his ears.

Mrs. Weasley winces and mutters: "This is the whole reason I wanted to read the last chapter. I was hoping that this would be added to that as well." Yet to this the queen smiles at her and says: "I would have done the same thing, trust me. And I would have written one for both Jaurion and Sirius. Though I would have done that, because I believed in the deal with the House Elves, otherwise I would have just visited Hogwarts myself." Mrs. Weasley nods and I read on.

A split … eardrums throb.

"You were actually doing pretty well with that. It impressed a lot of those around us. You were just continuing your porridge and looked as if you had never been mentioned. As if Ron had just received a normal letter or something." Percy tells Hari, who shrugs and says: "After a while, no offense, it reminded me of all the times Vernon would yell at me. I got used to that, so yeah." Mrs. Weasley huffs a little at this, but I just read on.

"... ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED … BACK HOME."

Draco turns to his father and says: "You actually told me about that in a letter you send a few days later. You were wanting to do that yourself, but someone had already beat you to it. You were amused to know that Mr. Weasley was in so much trouble, but annoyed that you hadn't been the one to cause it." This confuses the blonde and Snuffles growls: "Dumbledore. This is just another way to make someone indebted to him."
"That doesn't make sense." Sirius tells his older self, but Mr. Weasley shakes his head and says: "No, it does because Snuffles is thinking three steps ahead. Dumbledore hints at someone to have me face the inquiry, doing it in such a way the person can't trace it back to him, and then defends me so strongly, they won't have a choice but to drop the charges. And yes, that's exactly what happened." I grimace in annoyance at this and read on.

A ringing … snapped Ron.

"That is the last thing a friend should want to do." Sirius says, but Remus shrugs and says: "To be honest, this reminds me of our own First and Second. Remember, I used to make the same mistake over and over every time you two got caught in your pranks." At which Peter laughs: "Yeah, and then you decided to just join in and our chances of getting caught decreased like crazy." At which Remus just shrugs and smirks as I read on.

Harry pushed … Hufflepuffs first.

"Good, at least you're starting the school year of easy. After our entrance, you definitely deserved that." Lindilwen mutters to herself, making her son smile at her before he says: "Yeah, trust me, that changed completely by the time Fifth year came around. We had Potions, Divinations – which sucked – DADA with the most horrible teacher ever and History all on the same day – on Monday." This makes everyone wince and I read on.

Harry, Ron … Gilderoy Lockhart.

"Wait, why is he there? Shouldn't he be preparing his classes? Make sure he makes a good first impression?" Lindilwen asks, but Hari rolls his eyes and asks: "You don't get in contact with him these years, do you?" His mother shakes her head and he says: "Then I guess it makes sense. Trust me, to Lockhart any impression is a good one. And teaching? His existence is a lesson in itself – or so he thinks." The girl looks astonished and I read on.

Professor Sprout's … Whomping Willow!

"I'm guessing he cast cleaning charms on himself when he saw the students?" Lucius asks, but his son snorts and says: "More like he did nothing and just stood by and gave helpful advice. It's something he did all over the year. Trust me, this is not the last time he's going to pop up where he isn't welcome or needed." And the rest of us nod as I read on. Yet as I read on, do I notice Harry wince and rub his arm with his other hand.

But I … dangerous plants.

"I definitely loved that. Professor Sprout even helped me a few times last year. She would sneak me into the Greenhouses and then enchant their windows to make sure I wouldn't be seen. Got me several chances of an hour or so a week to just work all of my nerves and concerns out of my system. I mostly worked in that one and Greenhouse four and five. Those were the best." Neville says, a huge grin of contentment on his face and I read on, happy for him.

Professor Sprout … her face.

"That's it. It's official. If we had been alive at this point, I would have made sure that you take Andrew with you. He probably would have hidden himself with our family cloak most of the time, but at least you would have had someone to properly represent you and keep crap like this from happening.""How do you know it's going to be crap?" Lucius asks and the queen answers: "From their faces." At which I just read on, grimacing.

"Harry," said … it again."

"Ehm, excuse me? That doesn't even make sense. The article wasn't even mentioned in the book and there were several weeks between. Not to mention that Hari is way more famous than he'll ever be." Peter exclaims in shock and Hari rolls his eyes as he says: "Trust me, alongside Lockhart, there is one other person who seriously thinks the world of herself and nothing of everyone else." And this makes me shudder in revulsion again as I read on.

"Oh – no … all right?

Draco hugs Hari close at this and mutters: "Trust me, you only need to walk into the room for people to notice you. And I don't mean your scar, gorgeous. You have an aura of kindness and power that just naturally draws people to you. I mean, just look around you, at everyone who is here and willing to help you." Hari turns red at this as we all nod in agreement with the slightly older teen and smiles at us as I read on.

"Plenty of … a start."

I suddenly notice Luna having turned furious, having dropped her usual mask of calm kindness and ask: "Are you – are you alright, Luna?" The girl growls underneath her breath and mutters: "It's – there's something – that bastard." But then she shakes her head and says: "Just let me calm down. I'll explain when I have." I nod, but feel pretty sure that this chapter is probably not going to help her with that, which makes me grimace as I read on.

He gave … her shoulder.

This makes everyone smile and Neville asks: "We all have something like that, don't we? Something that comes so natural to us we instinctively know how to avoid the more dangerous aspects." And we all nod at this as I think: "It's photography for me. I don't know how, but I always managed to take pictures of students breaking the rules while making sure they couldn't spot me doing so." And while I think back to my trusted camera, do I read on.
Or so I want to, but then Luna sighs in relief and mutters: "I needed that." We turn to her and she sighs as she says: "Lockhart actually had this – this deal set up with some of the – shadier reporters of the Daily prophet. He would have this enchanted quick-quoting quill set up in his office and the reports written would be picked up by their owls every week. And even after the curse hit him, they still published it in a single book.
It was disgusting. It made the book Skeeter wrote on Dumbledore last year look complimentary – and that's not taking into the fact that most of her statements were actually true or anything." The girl grumbles in the end, her calm demeanor gone once again and we all wince at this as Hari asks: "How come we don't know about that?" And the girl answers: "Did you even look for anything regarding him after that year?" At which Hari shrugs as I read on.

Harry, Ron … the family ..."

"I'm guessing he's going to play an important role later on? Or is he just the Junior Lockhart of your year or something?" Sirius asks annoyed, but we all shake our heads as Hari says: "Justin does play an important role. He was also one of the only ones in my year who didn't persecute me last year. Though some of his friends – I had a love/hate relationship with them at least up until Fifth." And while I fondly remember the DA, do I read on.

After that … his wand.

"That is actually a family thing. I have the same problem every year. And I know that dad did too. He told me." The king nods to emphasize his son's words and the queen smiles at her grandson as she says: "Though you are very lucky, dear. The fact that you're a Music Elf is a huge advantage. You can actually use certain songs and tunes to help your own progress. I'll have someone help you learn later." Hari beams at this and I read on.

Ron was … wasn't pleased.

"What? Is she actually expecting him to buy his own wand or something? Doesn't she think he's been punished enough already? He got the life scared out of him, has detention and had that Howler. Or is she blaming him for that as well? Is she blaming him for interrupting her meal or something?" Fleur asks, shocking me as she has been quiet for almost the entire reading and Bill answers: "No, I think she just has a pride issue." At which I read on.

Harry was … got snapped –"

This makes his mother look at him in guilty concern and she asks: "Ron, surely you know me better than that, dear. You surely realized that that Howler was just my way of calming down and that I wouldn't want you to risk the rest of your education with a faulty wand." Ron winces and mutters: "I do, but I also inherited your temper – and your stubbornness." Which makes his mother smile at him and their family snicker as I read on.

They went … sign it?"

By now I have my face in my hands and Ginny, who sits next to me, is the one reading as I really never realized just how crazy and horrible this all sounds. "Can I just say something?" Sirius asks and he actually makes me feel slightly better as he says: "I think it's incredible, seeing Hari's fame, that this is actually the first time he meets a fan this excited. Is that just me?" And a lot of those around me shake their heads before Ginny reads on.

"Signed photos? … special, myself."

Hari frowns at his mate over this and asks: "Why are you the only one who realized that? And why couldn't you have shouted that part instead?" His mate gapes at him over this and the others laugh as Fred says: "Harry, everyone who gets to know you learns that eventually." And George laughs: "Yeah, those others are just idiots for not taking such a chance." And everyone nods in agreement to this as I take back the book and read on.

Crabbe and … the crowd.

Draco himself rubs the back of his head at this and mutters: "Can I be honest about something?" And Hari seems to instantly know what it is as he gapes at Draco and mutters: "You didn't." But Draco shakes his head and mutters: "No, Goyle did. He told Lockhart to wait around the corner. That's why I was shouting at the beginning and waiting behind Colin over here." And while Hari stutters incoherently at this, do I read on.

"Come on … his side.

Yet Hari actually smirks and asks: "Tell me, guys, how often did this happen – after November?" The others and I all think back to this, yet I decide to stop early as I got Petrified shortly after Halloween and Ron's eyes widen as he says: "It didn't. What did you do?" And Hari grins as he says: "I constantly told him two words Dueling Club. And I always had my wand in hand when he was there." At which his friends laugh as I read on.

"A word … there yet."

"And trust me, he was sure to embellish that up to the Astronomy Tower and beyond in his first few chapters. Though I got to admit, I kind of always wondered why he suddenly stopped on that subplot in his biography after Halloween. Got to say, I love the answer to that mystery." Luna giggles to herself and Hari's friends all nod and smile in congratulations at the young prince. And while I wish I had been there to see it, do I read on.

They had … fan club."

"We actually had one for a few weeks." Ginny mumbles to herself and Hari looks at me in fright. But I shake my head and say: "The Chasers spotted us. Apparently a First Year in Hufflepuff had been learning privacy spells to hide himself so he could literally stalk you. We, being stupid like we were, just envied him over this, so she got the other Prefects to shut our club down." Yet this confuses Percy and he asks:
"Why didn't they ask me to do so?" And Ginny answers: "They were doing me a favor. I didn't want to get in trouble with you, because you usually made a public display of that and Angelina didn't want Lockhart catching wind of this. She too recognized how much Lockhart had missed the mark and didn't want to worsen it for Hari. The other Prefects were more inconspicuous about their roles." Percy winces and mutters: "Good point." As I read on.

"Shut up," … taken in ..."

"Only Hermione, Parvati and Lavender passed that test." Neville mutters and instantly the queen asks: "What? Why would you all fail it? How is that possible?" And Ron rolls his eyes as Hari says: "Just read the test. It's a perfect representation of about 80% of those books and their actual content." And while I remember my own test that Lockhart had us do and how badly I failed – something I'm proud of now – do I read on.

When he … gift be?

"I had the same test. Down to the last question." I mutter, feeling slightly disgusted at the fact that I had to reread this ridiculous bit of text all these years later and Fred says: "Of course you did, Colin." And George goes on: "Yeah, instead of just using one of his books for each year.""Lockhart had all of us read all of his books. So of course all tests are the same.""And they all suck." Severus growls in annoyance and we all nod as I read on.

Half an … for Gryffindor!

I notice that Luna is frowning at Hermione in clear concern and my year mate asks: "Hermione, have you ever been in a room with just Lockhart? Or a hallway or something?" Yet Hermione shakes her head and says: "Though to be honest, I can't say for sure for when it comes to the time between halfway through April and the start of June." At this the girl nods in concern and while I slightly envy her for having missed so little, do I read on.

And so … wizard kind!

"Surely even he's not stupid enough to put 12 years old up against something dangerous, especially not on the first class. Surely he knows that –." Lindilwen worries herself, but then Hari lies a hand on her arm and says: "Don't you worry. Just remember that Lockhart is basically in the belief that his entire life is just one big stage show or something and that it's Lockhart. He's like Vernon, though less violent." The girl nods in relief and I read on.

You may … this room.

"No, we did that a year later." Ron mutters carelessly and instantly his mother shrieks: "WAIT WHAT?" But while her son winces, does Hermione say: "A Boggart! Our first class for Third year was a Boggart. And we studied the counter-curse in various stages before we faced it. Please, Mrs. Weasley, remember who our teacher was that year." And this calms the woman down, yet she keeps herself from smiling at Lupin as I read on.

Know only … of terror.

And the same happens here as my friends and I laugh at how, even with Hari's warning and reassurance, Sirius and Peter had still started looking excited and are now gaping in disbelief. "We warned you." Ron laughs while his mother mutters: "At least it's just Cornish Pixies. Annoying, yes, but not dangerous." Yet to this I can't help but think: "Not dangerous – unless around a moron like Lockhart." And I read on, already expecting the worst.

"Yes?" he … Ron muttered.

And with that do I close the book and mutter: "That – was basically my first class with him. Though he didn't use Pixies with us, he tried to cast some kind of spell that would make a reenactment of one of his adventures be shown to the class. It failed, so he just had us read a chapter from one of his books, picking a new student at random points to continue where another had left off. It was beyond annoying." Ginny nods at this and the twins smirk.
"He actually tried to get us to help him make the class more interesting. He left the rest of the class to us about ten minutes in. We just finished our little act, had everyone laugh and then left the class altogether. Headed for the library and did our homework for our morning classes." And at this we all laugh while Lupin says: "All in all, the first day proved just who Lockhart really was." And the fact that he's the one to say this makes us laugh even harder.

Good on you, Lupin.

And to be honest, I think I am going to use a future chapter sometime soon to give Lupin a new first name, same with Snuffles. Not that I mind the names, but I just don't want to accidentally make people confuse the younger one with the older one or make a typo and have Remus say something only Lupin could have known. Also, I am feeling quite amazed that I still managed to write all of my chapters for this month.
Yay me,

Venquine1990
PS. I will elaborate on Lockhart's "book" in later chapters.