I won't even bother apologising :/
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but Grace Potter and her friends. And possibly the plot of this chapter but you get what I mean.
Chapter 13- The Mighty Fall
"Are we sure we want to do this?" Hannah asked cautiously. "If we are wrong then we've just created a whole lot of extra drama for nothing."
"It's not gonna be for nothing!" Ciara answered, leading the way to the library. "Trust me. There's something bogus about Professor Lockhart."
"Are none of worried about the double attack?" Trina frowned. "The thing petrified a freaking ghost, for Merlin's sake! Don't you all find that scary?"
"Maybe we should just concentrate on one problem at a time?" Miranda suggested, making a point to ignore Madam Pince on her way past the librarian's desk. "Then we can be as scared as we like."
Trina sighed but didn't say another word. The girls dumped their schoolbags on a hidden table close to the front desk and collapsed wearily into chairs.
"So what are we looking for?" Ciara turned to Hannah and Grace.
"Any records that line up with times Lockhart did something supposedly spectacular in his books," Grace explained. "Start with newspapers or the records of creatures in England. You might have to ask Madam Pince for those though."
"I'll go ask," Lara volunteered. Grace hovered behind the bookshelf closest to Madam Pince's desk; only just hearing Lara speaking to the librarian in her most simpering voice possible. "Good afternoon, Madam Pince. I hope I'm not interrupting all the important work you have to do but I was doing an extra credit assignment for Defence Against the Dark Arts and I was wondering if you could possibly help me find more resources."
"Well if it would only take a minute," Madam Pince said, pursing her lips. "After all I am only here to help the dedicated students like you. What can I help you with?"
"It's a bit of a tricky research piece," Lara admitted. "I'm forming a list of dangerous creatures that have been slayed in recent years."
"Grace, do you have your copy of Holidays with Hags?" Trina requested, tearing Grace away from Lara.
"Yeah sure," Grace pulled the book out of her bag. "Where are we starting?"
"I thought it would be easiest if we made a list of all of the dates in Lockhart's books and compared them to newspapers at the time," Hannah explained. "If each of us looks through a different book it shouldn't take so long."
"As long as we have to do this, let's get started then," Miranda moaned.
An hour later Lara finally returned from talking to Madam Pince, pages of notes clutched in her hand.
"I can't believe that took so long," she complained.
"What did you find out?" Ciara asked eagerly.
"A whole lot more than I needed to but there were a few interesting points. Chief among them the fact that the method in which Lockhart killed a vampire isn't actually possible," Lara informed them all. "Madam Pince was very insistent on that fact when I asked about it. Also the Ministry records the whenever dangerous creatures are defeated, like banshee or ghouls. But, get this; both of the ones that Lockhart supposedly killed were recorded as dead months before he says so in his books."
"The Ministry gave him awards for those though," Grace pointed out. "Wouldn't they have noticed if their own records didn't match up?"
"I thought about that. The Order of Merlin was awarded for all of his achievements altogether," Lara shuffled through the papers she had. "It didn't specifically look at any of the details. Well it would if it was a decent Ministry."
A moment of silence fell over the table as the girls returned to their newspapers with even more puzzles on their mind.
"Have any of you heard of Maureen Spangledart?" Miranda questioned.
A chorus of no's and who's echoed around the table.
"She was a famous banshee hunter. Still should be really," Miranda continued. "The Daily Prophet records her going to visit the town where Lockhart killed a banshee a month later. All mentions of her disappear after that."
"I think I've found something as well," Grace said. "There are never any eyewitness accounts of what Lockhart did. A front page spread sure but never anyone to back up what he did."
"Same thing with Spangledart," Miranda commented. "All of the town talks about her coming but none of them mention Lockhart being there."
"I read the same sort of thing about this Armenian warlock who hunts werewolves," Ciara said. "Recorded going to a town infested with werewolves, Lockhart turns up and gets rid of them, the warlock is never heard from. The villagers remember the werewolves fighting with someone but, yet again, their accounts don't match up with Lockhart's."
"Is his word the only proof we have of him doing these things?" Lara frowned.
"I guess people will believe anything they read," Grace shrugged.
"I don't," Ciara said flatly.
"What exactly are we going to do now?" Trina wondered.
"Exactly what we were planning to do," Ciara smiled. "Confront the talentless douche."
Ciara's smile was shadowed around the table; all of them thinking of how they could finally call out their Defense teacher. Bitter sweet revenge for the months of boring lessons.
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The end of term was rapidly approaching. If the girls wanted to get answers before the Christmas holidays, they had to act fast. On the very last Friday of term, right before Trina and Lara were set to return home, along with most of the panicking student body, the girl's bags were stuffed with research notes and even a letter from Maureen Spangledart. The last piece was Hannah's idea.
"I don't expect any of you to do any homework over your break but where's the work in rereading one of my books for a back-to-term quiz?" Lockhart announced to the class.
His grin faltered slightly at the cries of dismay and horror that he had caused. The final bell rang just in time.
"Have a good holiday everybody!" their teacher called after the fleeing fourth years.
With a sigh, Lockhart collapsed in his desk chair, resting his head in his hands. He didn't even notice the six girls that had moved to stand in front of his desk. When Trina cleared her throat, he jumped up and stared at them in surprise.
"Girls! What can I do for you?"
"We just had a few questions, Professor," Grace clarified. "About your work."
"Of course, of course! I'd be happy to answer any of your questions," Lockhart grinned. "It's always wonderful to see young fans."
"You see, Professor, we're not exactly fans," Ciara said. The grin slowly faded from Lockhart's face. "There were a few inconsistencies we found."
"Such as the fact your books claim you have this amazing magical talent yet you couldn't even defend yourself against Snape in the duelling club," Trina proposed.
"Or properly heal my brother," Grace snarled.
"Well, now, everyone makes mistakes," Lockhart reasoned, slightly flustered. "And . . . you haven't asked a question yet."
"Have you ever heard of a famous banshee hunter by the name of Maureen Spangledart, professor?" Miranda asked. The colour drained from Lockhart's face. "She hadn't heard of you either, lucky for her. When I got a reply from a letter I sent her, it was sent by a nurse at St Mungo's. She doesn't remember anything after she visited Cheshire. At around the same time you visited Cheshire, sir, to get rid of that banshee."
"I d-d-don't know what you're t-t-talking about," Professor Lockhart stuttered.
"What about the werewolves, sir?" Lara piped up. "Is it true you beat out another hunter to get the werewolves out of that village?"
"Yes, yes of course," Professor Lockhart answered, avoiding eye contact with any of them while hastily packing away his work.
"Then how come he doesn't remember it either?" Grace smiled.
"He- he must have terrible memory then. I was right in front of him when I scared that last werewolf away."
"Tell the truth, professor," Lara encouraged quietly.
Professor Lockhart looked up at the six girls. They all stared straight back at him; their faces showing a mixture of disgust, anger and confusion. It only took a few moments for Professor Lockhart to give in and slump back into his chair.
"I have heard of Spangledart. Ugly old women, too. She got rid of the banshee. I just took the credit. There's no way I could ever banish a banshee! She had no idea what hit her! Same for that warlock with the bad dress sense."
"How?" Trina said.
"Memory charms, you see, are the one thing I excelled at above all else," Professor Lockhart started to twirl his wand between his fingers. "By the time you get back to your dormitory tonight you girls won't remember any of this."
"Six very capable girls against one pathetic teacher who can't even cast a disarming charm. The odds aren't in your favour," Ciara pointed out.
Lockhart dropped his wand, looking defeated. If she wasn't so disgusted at the man, Grace would have felt sorry for him.
"We're going to have to tell Dumbledore, you know. We have enough proof for him to believe us and you have none."
"You can't! It'll ruin my career!" Lockhart said, aghast.
"What? Like you ruined the careers of countless others?" Lara shouted.
"They had talent!" He shouted back. "You think it was easy faking it for years now? They got famous easily! I had to work hard just to get my books off the shelves!"
"They did work hard! Saving people!" Grace yelled, finally losing her temper. "You were just in it for the fame! Those people studied for years so that they could get back some good in the world unlike you who just made it worse. How did you even become a Ravenclaw with what little brains you have? I don't see why we shouldn't go to Dumbledore right this instant, you lying, filthy bastard!"
Shocked silence rang around the classroom as they took in Grace's outburst.
"There may be another way," Hannah started, attracting everyone's attention. "I'm not saying we don't tell anyone but we should wait. Just until the end of the year. When all of this stuff about the Chamber is over, we tell Dumbledore."
When Grace first thought about it, she thought the plan was ridiculous. Lockhart could run away by then. But as she considered the idea, she recalled how chaotic the school was at the moment. It wouldn't be able to function at all if the Defence teacher went away. No matter how useless he was.
"Six months," Trina told him. "After that you won't be able to lie anymore."
"You better enjoy it while it lasts," Miranda commented.
With that, the girls turned around and walked out of the classroom, talking about what they were looking forward to during the Christmas break, leaving Lockhart alone at his desk, still in shock at what just happened.
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It was only a few hours later that Trina, Lara, Lee, Oliver and Jesse had to leave for the train back home. Grace stood beside George and Fred on the castle steps, pulling her coat tighter around her body. Ciara looked over at her curiously when Lee approached, carrying a small wrapped present.
"Hey Grace, do you mind giving Ciara her Christmas present? I told her I hadn't got her anything so I want it to be a surprise."
"I'll give it to her," Grace agreed. "But you're not being very secretive. She is right there."
"Ah well, I can never keep secrets from her anyway."
"Lee!" Lara called. "The train's leaving in half an hour. We have to go!"
In a matter of seconds hugs and kisses were exchanged between those staying and those leaving before they trooped down the grounds.
"Don't worry; we'll look after her heiress," George said.
"Might even head down to the Chamber for Christmas lunch," Fred said.
Scowling, Grace shoved the both of them off the steps.
"Have a good Christmas," Hannah waved.
"Don't eat too much while you're gone," Miranda added.
"We'll miss you!" Grace screamed after the distancing figures.
"We love you!" Ciara shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Who else feels like hot cocoa in the kitchens?" Grace shivered. Her teeth were chattering in the cold wind when a large ball of snow hit her in the face. "Fred! George!"
"Watch out George, she'll set Slytherin's monster on us," Fred cackled.
"Throw more snow at my face and I'll find a way!" Grace retorted, wiping her face with her sleeve.
"Love, how bout you head up to our dormitory and Fred and I will bring you girls some hot cocoa?" George suggested.
Grace was still slightly suspicious until Fred held up his hands in surrender.
"We promise that there is nothing behind it," he swore.
Shaking their heads and laughing at the twins Grace walked inside and ascended the marble staircase with Ciara, Hannah and Miranda.
"What was Lee talking to you about earlier?" Ciara questioned Grace.
"Oh, he just wanted to say merry Christmas," Grace answered loftily, thinking she was much better at surprises than Lee.
Hannah and Miranda shot Grace curious looks but didn't ask. They were just walking down the Gryffindor corridor when they passed Harry and Ron going the other way.
"Harry! I haven't been able to talk to you in ages. I've barely seen you since you were in the hospital wing. What's been keeping you so busy anyway?"
Ron and Harry exchanged rueful glances.
"Hermione keeps us busy with homework," Harry shrugged.
"Yeah, we should probably be heading off," Ron added. "Hermione's expecting us."
"It's holidays. You've got ages for homework," Grace waved off the suggestion. "Come join us. Fred and George have gone to get hot cocoa."
"Maybe some other time," Harry said. With a small smile, he and Ron rushed off in the other direction, away from a dumbfounded Grace.
"I really am starting to get worried about that boy," Grace commented.
"What's there to worry about?" Miranda said. "He's doing homework."
"That's not what you think he's doing though," Ciara guessed.
Grace pursed her lips but didn't say another word. There was no way in the world that Harry and Ron were doing homework. She just didn't want to worry her friends until she had more proof.
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Grace woke up bright and early on Christmas morning to someone bouncing up and down on her bed. Squinting through the winter sun that was already poking through the windows, Grace made out the shape of Hannah and Ciara standing on her bed.
"Good, you're awake," Ciara stated. "Now it's Miranda's turn."
"Merry Christmas," Hannah smiled.
"You too," Grace returned. "Have you got any presents?"
"Just the ones from you guys, my family are giving me mine later –" the end of Hannah's sentence was cut off by Miranda yelling and throwing cushions at Ciara. Peering past Hannah, Grace saw a small pile of presents at the end of her bed.
"C'mon! Start unwrapping!" Ciara yelled, bounding back to her own bed.
"Here," Grace said as she threw a small box over to Ciara. "That's from Lee."
"But we agreed on no presents!" Ciara gaped. "I didn't get him anything!"
"Just put up with the fact that your boyfriend likes to spoil you," Miranda mumbled, reluctantly putting her glasses on to pull presents into her lap.
"It's so pretty!" Ciara squealed, holding up the intricate locket filled with a picture of her and Lee. "I still feel a bit guilty though."
By the time the girls got out of bed for Christmas breakfast the dormitory floor was covered in wrapping paper, so much so that not one bit of carpet could be seen. Grace couldn't wait to thank the boys for her presents. Harry had given her a box of her favourite fudge. Fred and George had pitched in with Oliver, Lee and Jesse for earrings she had been admiring in a magazine. Even Mrs Weasley had made her a Weasley jumper; purple with a bright red G. She only hoped that everyone liked the presents she had gotten them.
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"I can't believe he still hasn't noticed," Ciara laughed, looking at Percy.
"Oh my Godric, he looks like . . . such an . . . an idiot!" Grace choked out between gasps of laughter.
Earlier that evening Fred had bewitched Percy's Prefect badge to read 'Pinhead'. When he and George pointed it out to Miranda, Ciara and Grace in the middle of pudding they had trouble hiding their laughter.
"Another helping of cake, love?" George offered Grace, his eyes twinkling mischievously. Grace nodded her head but was still trying to control her laughter.
"You alright there, Miranda?" Fred asked, drawing their attention to the girl across from him.
Miranda had dropped her fork on the table and was making strange hiccupping noises. Her face was getting redder by the second.
"Oh no, she's dying!" Fred cried mockingly. "Someone get Madam Pompfrey!"
Miranda threw the leftovers of her cracker at Fred's head.
"By the way, you need to thank your mum for me," Grace mentioned. "I still can't believe she remembers me every Christmas."
"She made me one too," Ciara said. "Your mother really is amazing."
"Why thank you, I personally think it's in the family," Fred bragged. "We're all just that amazing."
"No, I think it's just your mum," Miranda said breathlessly, shaking her head. "You definitely aren't that amazing."
"You just don't want to admit that I am the most amazing person here," Fred retorted.
Ignoring the others around them, Fred and Miranda started bickering for all the world was worth.
"Merry Christmas," George whispered into Grace's ear, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
Grace smiled up at him, content after a long and happy day.
Naw how cute! Haha please review with any comments, questions or advice! Thank you for reading!