Chapter 5
School Years 1 and 3
Year One - 1969
Quirinus sucked in a breath of excitement, "You're M-muggle-born?!" He looked like it was Christmas and his birthday all at the same time. "T-tell me all about it! How is it d-different from being in a W-wizarding family?"
"Well, I don't really know because I don't know what Wizards do. My mum wakes me up in the morning and gets me breakfast, then sends me off to school…"
"M-Mine does too!" Exclaimed Quirrell, "except that I l-learned my lessons at home. Hogwarts is the first time I've g-gone away for school. Do you have any brothers or sisters?"
"Nope, there's just me."
"Just m-me t-too! M-maybe we could be like b-brothers then."
"Yeah, okay," Gilderoy smiled.
Quirrell fished in his pockets for a moment, eventually producing a deck of cards. "Th-this game is called exploding s-snap. It's really fun, b-but you have to be quick… ow!" He licked his fingers as one of the cards exploded under his hand.
The boys huddled together playing the game and enjoying their newfound friendship.
The next morning after breakfast, Gilderoy and Quirinus headed to their first class, Herbology. The had to cross through the courtyard, and it was a bit damp and windy out. A group of third year Slytherins passed in front of them, and Gilderoy noticed Narcissa at the back of the group. She was constantly swiping at her flyaway hairs around her face. Such a vision of loveliness - although even such visions can use some help at times.
He ran over to her and said, "I couldn't help but notice that your hair keeps frizzing up and flying away." The other girls around Narcissa looked surprised, but then laughed and kept moving across the courtyard. Narcissa blushed with embarrassment and anger.
"Why, that's not a very nice thing to say at all!" Narcissa said.
"Oh, I didn't mean it like that. I just wanted to share with you what I use to control the frizz and flyaways. It's a shampoo that my friend, Charlotte, tipped me on about last year. Just look how beautiful my hair is. I couldn't go a day without it." He started rifling through his bag in search of the shampoo bottle.
"And you just happen to be carrying shampoo with your school books?" she sneered, looking into his sack.
"Of course! Along with my facial cleanser and cream, buffing block, nail file, pumice stone, body lotion, and translucent powder. I wish I could have fit my curlers in here," he sighed, "but there just isn't enough room. Maybe if I take out one of my textbooks…" He found the bottle and showed it to her with a smile.
"But that's a Muggle product." She sniffed her nose up in repulsion.
He looked at her questioningly. "Why would you argue about something that works?"
"Well, you do have nice hair…," she continued fussing with her unmanageable locks for a moment and then acquiesced, "All right, I'll give it a go. Can you bring some to dinner tonight?" She looked around quickly making sure no one was watching. Just the other little Ravenclaw boy. She supposed he didn't matter.
"Yes, I'll bring some to you then," Gilderoy called after her as she ran to catch up with her classmates.
"What was th-that about?" asked Quirinus when they started toward the greenhouse again.
"Oh, you know, just sharing beauty secrets," Gilderoy chuckled.
Later that day, during potions class, Gilderoy nicked an extra bottle and stopper and slid it into his bag. When he got back to his room, he carefully poured out a week's worth of uses of his beloved shampoo into the beaker. It just looked like another potion this way - no way to tell that it was a Muggle product.
At dinner, Gilderoy rushed over to the Slytherin table. Most of the students stopped their eating and conversations to look up and watch him. Slytherins didn't usually fraternize with other houses. Gilderoy slowed his walk as he felt all the eyes on him. He approached Narcissa and produced the bottle. She looked nervous, and her face was pink again, but he could see her visibly relax when she saw that it was a non-descript potion bottle. He was glad he had thought of that.
Lucius sat at the table across from Narcissa. He stood up quickly and slammed his hands on the table as he leaned menacingly toward Gilderoy. "Have you been playing 'make-up and dress-up' with your sister, ickle First-year?" Lucius snorted.
Gilderoy looked confused and glanced down at Narcissa who lowered her eyes. He met Lucius' gaze again and said, "Well, I don't have a sister, if that's what you're asking, but I could probably give you a bit of advice on making the best of your features." Gilderoy cupped his chin as he studied Lucius for a moment. "Hmmm, your hair is very damaged and limp. You definitely could use a trim - so many unsightly split-ends," he shuddered, "and maybe a light dusting of translucent powder across your forehead and nose to cut down on the shine a bit."
Narcissa started giggling, and Lucius' face started to turn red. Just as he opened his mouth for a retort, Narcissa's older sister, Andromeda, stood up and placed her hand on Lucius' arm. "Thank you for your advice, Gilderoy. I'm sure we can all glean some benefits from it.
"Not at all," Gilderoy smiled and strode back to the Ravenclaw table. It felt good knowing that he was able to help people.
That evening, in the Ravenclaw common room, Quirinus began lugging out One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi and unrolled a piece of parchment.
"Let's play some more exploding snap," suggested Gilderoy as he took the seat opposite Quirinus.
"Y-you can't be serious," yawned Quirinus," not with the m-mountain of homework we have. "We n-need to write an essay on the care of the d-dittany plant and its properties for Herbology, and then S-Slughorn wants us to list five separate potions using d-dittany - FIVE - with all their ingredients listed, instructions f-for blending, and examples of s-situations each p-potion would be useful. R-rather insightful of Slughorn and Pomona to collaborate on their s-subject matter today…"
"You just said, 'Pomona'," said Gilderoy.
"Wha?" said Quirinus, rubbing his forehead.
"Pomona," he repeated. "Isn't that Professor Sprout's first name?"
"Oh!" Quirinus' cheeks turned bright pink. "Oh, I… um… w-wouldn't know…"
"Welcome to the first meeting of Pumpkin Juice!" Rita exclaimed as she clasped her hands together. She looked excitedly around the room at the attendees. Gilderoy looked around too, a bit confused. It was just him and Xenophilius. "Right then, now I envision big changes this year for our paper."
Xenophilius cleared his throat, "Um, Rita… this is the first year of our paper."
"Precisely why I think we should have a clearer set of goals in mind. Now I want it to be edgy, modern, and above all, interesting to read. I want the students reading our newsletters cover-to-cover each month."
"All right," Xenophilius said, "This is what I propose: The students here really enjoy two things - that is Quidditch and gossip. Now, I really would like the students to have a dose of Wizarding news interjected into our newsletters as well, you know, to keep our publication respectable."
"That sounds great," said Rita. "I'll take gossip. Xen, you take news. Gilderoy, that means you've got Quidditch."
Gilderoy looked sheepishly from Rita to Xenophilius. "Ummm… what's Quidditch?"
"Oh you'll l-love it!" said Quirinus as they followed the crowd of students to the Quidditch pitch. "It's the best Wizarding sport!"
Gilderoy sighed as he thought gloomily to himself, I'm to write the sports section…
"G-Gryffindor and Slytherin are p-playing today. It'll be g-great!" Quirinus said. He continued chatting about the rules of the game and who the players were on each team. Gilderoy knew he should be paying attention - this was all information he would need for his Pumpkin Juice article, but he just wasn't interested.
After getting to the pitch, they found seats in the Ravenclaw stands and Gilderoy prepared to watch his first Quidditch game. The excitement of the crowd reached a fever pitch as the teams kicked off from the ground and flew into the air on their broomsticks.
Quirinus tried to explain the game and each play as they watched, but the crowd drowned out his timid voice. Gilderoy settled for enjoying the sunshine and listening to the commotion of the crowd while watching the Quidditch players fly. He hadn't been able to fly yet. He had had a handful of flying lessons so far, but as yet had been unable to lift above the ground. He wondered what it would feel like to fly that high in the air, turning loops and diving dangerously toward the ground.
Back in the common room, after the game, Gilderoy wrote his article on the Quidditch match for Pumpkin Juice.
The Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin was very exciting. Gryffindor's colours of red and gold are very complimentary and shown well to all spectators. Although the Slytherin colours of green and silver are also complimentary, it was very hard to distinguish the Slytherin players from the mainly green backdrop of lush grass. I didn't really understand the game, but it was nice to see other people enjoying it.
"Here, Quirinus. Can you read this over and tell me what you think?" Gilderoy handed the parchment to his friend.
Quirinus scanned the page and lifted his eyes back to Gilderoy. "Ummm, yeah it's n-not bad for your f-first attempt. M-maybe you should m-mention the score though."
Quirinus handed the parchment back, and Gilderoy added:
My friend, Quirinus said the score was 150-70 to Slytherin.
When he turned his article into Rita the next day, she scanned it over and looked back at Gilderoy. "It's not very good, Gilderoy. I'll tell you that right now. People want to be able to sink their teeth into Quidditch, and you've hardly given them a morsel."
Gilderoy sighed, "I'm sorry, I just… I don't really like Quidditch…"
"Hmmm," said Rita, tapping her glasses, "I'll re-assign you to another subject then. How about health and beauty care?"
"I think that would be just fine," Gilderoy beamed.
Year Three - 1971
He huddled himself into the corner, shrinking as far into the shadows as he could against the slimy, wet walls of the corridor. He was a monster - repulsive. He didn't dare let anyone look upon the hideousness of his visage.
A 15-year-old Narcissa Black bravely strode up to him, her unflinching gaze took him in.
"Gilderoy," she breathed. "Oh Gilderoy, what's happened to you?" She knelt down in concern and put her hand on his shoulder.
"No!" he gasped. "Don't touch me! I'm… I'm so ashamed."
"Gilderoy," she tilted his face up to look into his eyes. They were filled with unshed tears. She knew he was holding them back in an effort to spare himself the blotchy complexion and red eyes that accompanied a crying spell. "Tell me what's wrong."
"I… I've… broken a nail!" he wailed as his shoulders heaved. He was unable to hold back the tears any longer. "And now I'll have to live with this horrible disfigurement until it grows out," he sobbed.
She wrapped her arms around him and smiled into his hair. "Oh Gilderoy," she comforted, "this is nothing. There are so many things magic can do. Here, let me help you." She withdrew from him slightly and gently took the hand he cradled against his chest. There was an infinitesimal snag on the pinky nail of his left hand. "Unguis Emendo," she said as she tapped the jagged tip of his fingernail with her wand. The broken edge of his nail immediately began to repair itself, and soon he was left with a perfectly smooth and buffed nail.
"Oh Narcissa! Thank you so much! What would I do without you?"
"It's nothing, Gilderoy," she said, "I'm glad I was finally able to return the favor. I have to go, I'm going to be late for History of Magic." She smiled and waved as she turned around and ran down the corridor and around the corner to catch up with her classmates. She ran into Lucius, his face in an arrogant glower.
"What was that about?" he sneered.
"Oh, you know, just sharing beauty secrets," Narcissa chuckled.
"I don't like him," said Lucius.
"You don't have to like him," said Narcissa, "he's my friend, not yours."
"What would your parents say if they knew you were fraternizing with the enemy?"
"The enemy?!" She puffed incredulously. "How on earth is he my enemy?"
"He's a mudblood, Narcissa."
"I don't like you using that word, Lucius."
"That's what he is."
She whirled around, infuriated. "He's a person just like you and me," she said, jabbing a finger into his chest. "Besides, Andromeda has some Muggleborn friends, and no one's made a big deal about that."
"Andromeda is walking a very tight line right now. She's a bit too chummy with that Edward fellow, and if she doesn't watch herself, I think she may end up being disinherited."
"Oh Lucius, you're always so quick to jump to the worst possible conclusion."
"I mean it Narcissa, I don't want you talking to that filthy Mudblood anymore."
She rolled her eyes and pushed past him into Professor Binn's classroom.
Lucius' eyes burned with malice. I'll put a stop to this one way or another, he thought.
The next day, Lucius unexpectedly found his opportunity when he entered Potions class. Third-year Ravenclaws had just finished and were filing out of the room when he noticed the Mudblood had left his school bag under his desk. Lucius casually made his way over to the empty desk, sat down, and began rifling through Lockhart's things. He found a jar of powder and smiled as he twisted the lid off. Pointing his wand at the contents, he cursed the powder with a particularly nasty hex he had learned from his grandfather. He replaced the jar quietly as he laughed to himself.
"Lucius," Narcissa said as she sat down next to him, "what time did you say Slughorn's Christmas party was supposed to start tonight?"
He looked up sharply as he let go of Lockhart's bag. "Eight o'clock, Narcissa. I will meet you in the common room at 7:45. Be sure to wear something striking, yet tasteful. There are bound to be some Wizards of influence in attendance this evening."
Later that evening, in the first floor girls' bathroom, Gilderoy was unrolling the last curler out of Narcissa's hair. She was wearing a pretty silver party dress that shimmered as it caught the light.
"I've never had my hair curled before," giggled Narcissa. It looks so different.
"It looks very elegant and frames your face beautifully." She really did look very attractive tonight, he thought to himself. She lowered her lashes and blushed. He started sweating under his arms.
"I have some...," he started, his voice cracking. He cleared his throat. "I have some face powder I want you to take with you tonight. If you get shiny at all, just dust a little bit on."
"Well, thank you, Gilderoy, that's very kind."
"Don't mention it," he smiled, "I'm glad I have it for you. I left my bag in Potions earlier today. I had to run back down there to retrieve it just before meeting you tonight."
"I'm glad you have it too. Well, I better be off. Lucius is very punctual, and I don't want to make him wait," she said as she gathered her things. Then, looking like a princess, she walked out the door.
The party was a somewhat boring affair to Narcissa. Lucius seemed to be enjoying himself though. Just as she had expected, Professor Slughorn had invited some rather distinguished Wizards and Witches to the party. This was an excellent opportunity to network and rub shoulders with what her parents would call 'the right sort of people'.
She could tell Lucius was a bit nervous, but he held himself well - chatting about the latest goings on at the Ministry and making small talk about Quidditch. She had been to many functions like this in the past since her family was well-known and respected. She was an ornament for Lucius' arm. She knew that. It was her place to smile, nod, and laugh at the right times, and she did.
When there was a lull in conversation, Narcissa turned slightly away from the crowd and opened her clutch to retrieve Gilderoy's face powder. It was a bit stifling with so many people in such small quarters, and she could feel a thin sheen of sweat on her face. She opened the jar and dusted the pouf with powder, then gingerly patted it over her nose.
All of the sudden, she felt blistering pain erupt inside her nostrils as thick, yellow, pungent pus shot out from her nose. It hit the wall, and some of it splattered back onto her dress. She turned around in confusion and pain and inadvertently sprayed the closest party guests with the foul pus. The party-goers looked on in horror and disgust as she continued shooting pus from her nose projecting it all around her and down her dress. She had to open her mouth in order to breathe, which enabled the pus to drip in it. She gagged and vomited, falling to her knees.
When Professor Slughorn realized the cause of the commotion, he immediately crossed the room in swift strides pulling his wand out. "Finite incantatem!" he roared.
Immediately the pus ceased flowing, and the pain stopped. Narcissa wretched again on the floor.
Lucius looked on in confusion and disgust until sudden comprehension dawned on him. Of course! Lockhart must have given her his powder tonight. Well, this wasn't his intended result when he had hexed it, but it would certainly do the job. He schooled his features to show concern instead of repulsion and bent down to offer Narcissa his hand.
"My dear, Narcissa, are you feeling unwell? Let me take you to the hospital wing."
She weakly lifted her pus-covered hand to his. He choked back bile and took her hand.
Professor Slughorn came closer to inspect the scene and observed the powder spilled on the floor behind Narcissa. He waved his wand above it and quickly recoiled. "This powder has been hexed," he announced. "Take care not to touch it. I will have it removed momentarily." He turned toward Narcissa who was sheltered under Lucius' arm now. "Dear girl, where did you get that?"
"F-from… someone I thought was my friend." Her lower lip quivered, and she buried her head into Lucius' chest as she began to sob.
"I'll take care of her, Professor." Lucius said as he escorted her away.
As they approached the hospital wing, they passed a group of Ravenclaws making their way back from dinner in the Great Hall. Lucius noticed that Lockhart was among them. He wasn't the only one who noticed. Narcissa tore herself from Lucius' arms and stormed over to Lockhart.
Gilderoy was stunned when he saw Narcissa stalking toward him. She was an absolute mess. Her beautiful dress was ruined, her hair was in disarray, and her make-up was flowing freely down her face along with her tears. The smell emanating from her was also horrific. She looked like something out of a nightmare.
"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU, GILDEROY LOCKHART!" she cried before she turned and ran down the corridor, tears trailing down her soft cheeks.
Gilderoy stood there, dumbfounded. Lucius glared at him and then turned to follow Narcissa down the hallway, a smile spreading across his face.