Arriving in Hogwarts (The Gilderoy Lockhart Tales, Part I)

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September 1975

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"And you're going to be the greatest wizard Hogwarts has ever seen," Mrs Lockhart told her son at platform nine and three-quarters while combing his hair with her fingers once more. The Hogwarts Express was ready to be boarded and the platform full of parents saying goodbye to their children for another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"Even greater than Dumbledore?" Gilderoy wanted to know eagerly.

His mother smiled proudly. "There cannot be any doubt about it."

This made Gilderoy grin. He hugged his mother and entered the train looking for a place to sit for the next six to seven hours. Many compartments were already full or the people inside not adequate for a genius like him. He knew how important it was to be surrounded by powerful, successful, popular people and the friendships he would make in his first weeks at Hogwarts could determine the rest of his life.

He walked past a compartment with four boys, a few years older than him, already in their Gryffindor uniforms. They were apparently having fun, one boy with locks telling another boy with raven black hair: "No way it happened this way, Prongs!" while everyone laughed.

Gilderoy longed to be a part of such a group but obviously he couldn't join them now. He would have to start his own clique.

He walked along a few other compartments with only girls inside and merely smiled charmingly when they looked up but went on until he found a compartment with a young girl reading a book.

Why not, he shrugged. This couldn't hurt. Smart people were always good to have around. So, he opened the door and got inside without asking for permission – he didn't need one, of course.

The girl looked up at him and revealed bright blue eyes. "Hello," she said shyly.

"Hey there," he replied confidently and gave her his best smile. "I'm Gilderoy. Gilderoy Lockhart." As if she would need his last name. His mother had told him that he would be famous already.

The girl smiled slightly. "I'm Margery. You can call me Margy."

Gilderoy was a bit bummed at her lack of enthusiasm but continued nonchalantly. "So, you're a first-year, too?" he assumed since her school uniform had no crest of one of the Houses yet.

She nodded. "And you?"

"Yeah, of course." Did she really not know who he was?

"Which House would you like to be in?" Margy wanted to know after a moment of silence.

"Gryffindor, obviously," he grinned.

She raised her eyebrows. "Why is that obvious?"

Gilderoy stared at this strange girl for a moment before he sighed and explained. "It seems like you are one of only a few people who don't know who I am. I'm Gilderoy Lockhart, one of the greatest wizards Hogwarts will ever see and a genius." He posed confidently but Margy chuckled.

"I'm sorry," she sobered at once. "Of course, you'll be in Gryffindor if you're this cocky."

"What House do you prefer then?" he asked a tad irritated.

"Oh, I'm an absolute Ravenclaw. I love to learn more about anything, and I am a hopeless bookworm." She raised her book (A History of Magic).

"Well, I suppose Ravenclaw is also great," he conceded.

"Do you come from a pureblood family?"

He shook his head. "My mother is a witch, but my father is a muggle."

"So which House was your Mum in?"

"Slytherin."

She raised her eyebrow. "So maybe that'll be your House as well."

"Maybe. What about your family?"

"Mine are all Ravenclaws, for generations even."

"Do you have any siblings?"

Margy nodded. "An older brother who is, of course, also in Ravenclaw. You?"

"Two older sisters but they don't have any magical abilities."

Margy raised her eyebrows once more but didn't comment. When it was clear that Gilderoy was done talking, she continued to read her book.

Indeed, Gilderoy was lost in his own thoughts. He watched the English scenery blur along while dreaming about his life in Hogwarts. Of course, he would become popular right away. And win a lot of House points so that his House would win the House Cup at the end of the year. He would become a Quidditch player, a Chaser, naturally, who would score the most points. And Dumbledore himself would congratulate him on his fine magical abilities.

He grinned and slowly drifted off to sleep…

"Gilderoy!"

There was a hand on his shoulder.

He woke up with a start and saw Margy's cheerful face. "Look, we're here!" she announced excitedly, but the world outside was black.

Gilderoy quickly followed his new friend outside onto the platform of Hogsmeade where a giant with an enormously wild beard called for the first-years. Apprehensively, they followed the huge man towards the lake where they were to enter small boats.

"Here," Margy offered. "You can ride next to me."

Cautiously, Gilderoy entered the boat and sat next to the girl. When everyone was seated, the boats started to float over the lake and for the first time in his life, Gilderoy saw Hogwarts. It was beautiful, even more grand than his mother had described, and he instantly felt home.

"Isn't it amazing?" Margy whispered and he could only nod.

Soon they entered the castle and the Great Hall. For Gilderoy it felt like a dream that was finally coming true. All his life he wanted to show his magical potential and now he was finally able to. There was a female professor with a stern look who explained the four Hogwarts Houses and the function of the Sorting Hat. Since Gilderoy already knew all of that, he didn't really listen but instead watched his fellow students. There were so many young wizards and witches. He thought he was one of only a few in all of Britain…

"Clearwater, Margery," the professor suddenly announced and brought Gilderoy back to reality. He watched his friend nervously sit down on a three-legged chair and it didn't take the Hat long to shout: "RAVENCLAW!"

Margy smiled at Gilderoy before joining her fellow students.

Only a few names later it was his turn already.

"Lockhart, Gilderoy."

He had anticipated some murmur in the Hall, for he was famous and everyone knew his name. But the students looked at him mostly indifferent, some excited by the overall show. No one seemed to know him…

He sat down on the chair, the Hat was placed onto his head and suddenly, he could hear the Hat's thoughts.

Let's have a look at you. You want to prove the world that you are special, and you take immensely after your mother who I put into Slytherin these many years ago. But deep down you value knowledge above all, even above glory. Therefore, I will put you into "RAVENCLAW!"

Margy sprang to her feet and clapped loudly.

Gilderoy went to sit next to her but could only manage a tight smile. He wasn't sure if he was happy with the choice of Ravenclaw but well, here he was and at least not alone.

But during the following feast something became clearer and clearer to young Gilderoy and his mood worsened constantly: he was not special. He was just one of many young wizards attending this school – and no one had heard of him or his family before…