Chapter Two

Tea with Gilderoy

"Lavender!" Parvati's voice called down the hallway.

I quickly pulled my hand away from Lockhart.

"I'm sorry I really have to go now," I said regretfully.

The brilliant smile which Lockhart had been wearing until that moment faded.

"Do you have to?" he asked looking at me sadly. "I was really looking forward to talking to you. Couldn't you come back?"

"Lavender! Are you coming or not?" Parvati called crossly.

"Ahhhh ok, look I'll try and be back later" I told Lockhart as I moved away down the hall towards Parvati, leaving him staring after me with those vivid blue eyes. I risked a look back over my shoulder and saw the serious looking Healer, Finnigan, leading Lockhart slowly back into his room.

"Who on earth were you talking to back there? One of the patients?" Parvati asked.

"Wh..what?" I said, my mind still thinking of Lockhart. "Oh..yeah right, it was this crazy guy he thought I was..um..his aunt or something, wanted to give me a cup of tea. I couldn't get away" I fumbled.

"Well come on then, this is grandpa's room," said Parvati pushing open the door to room number 34. Parvati walked over to an old Indian man lying in a large bed. She gave him a big hug and kiss and then introduced me.

"Come in come in, girls," he said cheerfully. "Pull up a chair and make yourselves comfortable. Parvati I have some very exciting news about my Creeping Snake-Thorn".

Parvati's grandfather was really obsessed with gardening I soon found out as for the next twenty minutes he droned on about some boring shrub or something he was breeding. I found myself thinking about Lockhart the whole time. I never realized just how good looking he was, but then I suppose the last time I saw him I had only been thirteen. Well I was turning seventeen in a month. I wondered idly how old Lockhart was.....

I glanced over at Parvati to see if I could signal to her that we should leave soon but she seemed totally engrossed in what ever boring plant her grandfather was now extolling the virtues of. Parvati's family are really close and she's always having to attend family gatherings and things. She never seems to mind though, but it would drive me crazy. Suddenly I had an idea.

"Just going to find the ladies room," I whispered to Parvati. "Back in a sec".

I quickly slid out of my seat and left the room and started walking in the direction of Lockhart's room. My heart started to beat a little faster for some reason. His door was shut but could see him sitting on his bed through the glass portion in the top of the door. Hesitantly I reached out and knocked on the door.

"Come in," Lockhart called.

I pushed open the door and walked in. Lockhart stood up when he saw me and gave me another one of those brilliant smiles.

"You came back!" he exclaimed happily. "No one ever comes to visit me. Apparently I used to be a bit of a twit according to the Healer's here. Can't understand it myself though, thought I would have had loads of admirers...um...friends," he finished.

"Um ...yeah..well," I said stupidly, not knowing what to say.

"Come and sit over here we can have a cup of tea together," Lockhart said gesturing towards a small table and chairs over near the window.

Hesitantly I went and sat down. What was I doing here? I started thinking. I didn't even really know Lockhart and from the sound of things he had had his memory seriously altered. Although the healer had mentioned that he was getting better.

Lockhart sat down opposite me and pulled his wand out from his robes.

"I was only allowed my wand back last month you know," he told me conversationally giving the wand a little flick. A large saucepan appeared on the table with a pop. Green steam smelling strongly of brussel sprouts began to pour out from under the lid.

"Uh oh" Lockhart said quickly vanishing the saucepan.

"Sorry about that, I'm still getting back to my old self. I used to be quite the hand at spells you know," he said with a wide smile. "Oh but of course you know that!" he laughed "Everyone's, read my book 'Magical Me'. I am quite a writer as well if I do say so myself," he added flicking his wand again. This time a tea pot and cups appeared and the steam coming out of the tea-pot's spout at least smelt like tea.

"Would you like an autographed copy of my book?" he asked starting to get up from the table.

I didn't know what to say, I remembered that Lockhart had always been a little, well, arrogant, but he seemed completely obsessed with himself now. I began to think this had been a bad idea. Suddenly Lockhart abruptly sat down and smacked his hand on his forehead.

"You're an idiot, they told you not to ask that," I could hear him mumbling to himself. I pushed back my chair.

"Um look maybe I'd better go...." I said my voice trailing away as Lockhart at once looked very miserable.

"I'm sorry," he said "I've had many sessions with one of the Psychiatric Healers and I know I'm getting better, it's just that sometimes I mess up. Apparently I used to be totally obsessed with...well with myself," he added with a sheepish grin. I couldn't help smiling back at him.

"Look at me, I have a beautiful guest and I haven't even asked her name," he said putting on his most charming manner.

"It's Lavender".

"Lavender! What a lovely name. I am honored to have you as my guest," Lockhart said passionately.

I felt a bit like giggling. One minute he was totally into himself and the next he was using all his charms on me. Strange as it seems there was something quite endearing about this.

"Please let me know if I uh...start to talk about myself too much," he asked, pouring me out a cup of tea.

"The Healers said that it's good for me to get reminders from other people".

"Ok, I'll do my best," I said smiling at him over my tea cup.

"So what brings you here to visit me? Did I know you before?" Lockhart asked. "If I did you'll have to excuse me, my memory you know. Still I'm sure I would have remembered someone as lovely as you in my past," he added his blue eyes twinkling.

I felt a blush creeping into my cheeks.

"Well you did used to teach me Defense Against the Dark Arts," I said hesitantly.

"Good gracious!" he exclaimed. "That was years ago. So what are you up to now? Working as a model? A famous actress? ".

I felt my cheeks get even redder.

"Actually I'm just about to start seventh year," I mumbled.

Lockhart didn't seem at all perturbed by this.

"Well you'll be out of school soon then," he said. "I remember my seventh year, I got 7 NEWTS and won the award for the best dressed at the Christmas ball that year. I wore robes of turquoise with gold trim..." he trailed off when he saw my expression.

"Oh!" he said clamping his hand over his mouth. "There I go again. I'm sorry Lavender this must be dreadful for you. My sessions with my Psyc-Healer have made me see how no one likes my behavior. Words just seems to pop out of my mouth though.... I f you want to leave I quite understand".

I suddenly felt terribly sorry for Lockhart. As conceited as he had been it was obvious he was making a huge effort to change now. It must be really depressing for him having no friends I thought.

"It's fine Professor Lockhart," I said "I really don't mind".

Lockhart locked shocked.

"Gilderoy please! None of this 'Professor Lockhart' business. It actually makes me feel old, and I'm not your teacher anymore" he said with a small smile.

"Ok...Gilderoy," I said, feeling a bit weird calling him by his first name.

"So what did bring you here to see me Lavender?" he asked.

I didn't know what to say, it seemed cruel to just admit I had been passing by, but on the other hand why would I be here?

"Um...well I was visiting my friend's grandfather and ..um...I knew that you were here and thought maybe you might like a visitor," I said, hoping I sounded sincere.

Gilderoy's expression made me glad I hadn't told him the complete truth.

"This has been the best day I have ever had here," he said in a heartfelt voice.

"Uh...I'm sure there have been....." I stated to say but he cut me off.

"I don't mean to embarrass you, but I was being honest. I've really enjoyed talking to you".

"Thank you," I said shyly "I've really enjoyed it too".

Suddenly I realized I had been gone rather a long time and Parvati would be wondering what on earth I was doing for so long in the bathroom. I stood up hurriedly.

"Look I'm really sorry, but I have to go now, I have to meet up with someone," I said apologetically.

"I understand," Gilderoy said standing up also.

He took my hand and bent down and kissed it. I was a bit taken aback, no one had ever done that before. Still, it was rather nice I thought.

"Well.....goodbye," I said.

Gilderoy just smiled his gorgeous smile at me. I turned and walked over to the door. Just as I was about to open it and leave something made me turn back around. Gilderoy was watching me with an unfathomable expression. I paused a second.

"Lavender," he said quietly walking over to me. "I don't mean to be forward, but would it be alright if I asked if you could come and see me again?"

I couldn't help the smile that spread over my face.

"Yes," I answered feeling strangely excited.

He took both my hand in his and looking directly into my eyes said

"Lavender, I would be honored if you would come and see me again".

"Of course I will," I said feeling a tingling rush from the touch of his hands.