Legal Disclaimer: I own my stuff, but not the original source material. That belongs to whoever. Also, the opinions and interpretations I use here may not reflect the same in said whoever that owns the source material. Look, I'm just a poor college librarian. Suing me isn't going to get you anything but tears.

Warning: This work may be offensive to some readers. There are also references to prostitution and police misbehavior. Feel free to back out if need be.

Author's Note: At this point I have no explanation.

Submitting Info:
Stacked with: Ministry (Winter Year 1); RAVEN (2023); MC4A (Winter Year 5)
Individual Challenges: Old Shoes (Y); Bucket Listing (Y); Setting Sail; Lunar Era; In a Flash
Ministry Challenges: RRD [Day 11] (Gilderoy/Dawlish)
RAVEN Challenges: Settings [08](Back Alley); Items [55](Glass/Cup); Colors [147](Teal)
Other Challenges: Zee Monthly [Day 15](Time)
Other MC4A Challenges: Ship (n/a)[FaMed2 (Idol/Manager); WiMed1 (Holiday; In Vino Vertias)]; Chim [Rick]("Louder than Words" – Tick, Tick, Boom; Life/Death);Fire [x3](Unicorn); Hang [Phrase 4] (n/a); Soup [A](Apricot); Swap [Outerwear (Hunter Orange Coat); Accessories (Teal Cadillac Tie); Counters (Blooming Rose Tie Pin)]
Representation(s): Gilderoy Lockhart/John Dawlish
Primary & Secondary Bonus Challenges: Suddenly Audrey
Tertiary & Generic Bonus Challenges: Share (Ameliorate); AC (Mistletoe; Rampant)
Word Count: 748 words

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Questionable
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Gilderoy Lockhart had been at it for hours, lost in the pleasures of the magical brothel tucked away in the relative safety of muggle London. He had sought refuge here, away from the tabloids and their never-ending scrutiny of his celebrity life. Fame was such a burden sometimes.

But his relaxing celebration of the New Year had come to an abrupt end when he had been caught red-handed by an auror.

John Dawlish had been patrolling the back streets of the district, looking for signs of suspicious activity. Gilderoy had been his latest collar and he had been prepared to take him in, if only for the notoriety John would gain for having brought in such a famous wizard. But as he looked into Gilderoy's eyes, something stirred within him. There was a sadness there, a loneliness. It was as if John could see the vulnerabilities of Gilderoy that the public never saw.

John paused for a moment, his hand on the back of Gilderoy's neck. He wanted to take him in, wanted to punish him for breaking the law and being stupid enough to get caught. But something inside John said to let him go, to not let the justice of the law override the justice of the heart. John slowly removed his hand, motioning for Gilderoy to leave.

"Go," he said. "Take this chance I'm giving you, and you had better make this the last time I see you here."

Gilderoy nodded, grateful for the second chance. He quickly turned and left, the moist night air of the district blowing away his troubles. He turned for one last glance at his savior and ended up watching as John slowly walked away, looking ridiculous in the hunter orange coat that his auror robes had been transfigured into. He didn't know what was stopping him from whipping out his wand and taking care of the potential scandal before it had a chance to break. Still, he just let the auror leave.

Gilderoy made his way to a nearby pub, the darkness of the streets slowly giving way to the warm lights of the local watering hole. He felt a strange sense of calm wash over him as he entered, as if he had just been entered his own mother's parlor. It took a moment for the realization that he had passed through wards to wash over him. With uncharacteristic timidity, he approached the bar and asked the bartender for a drink.

The bartender smiled at him, a twinkle in his eye to match the glint of the blooming rose tie pin on his teal Cadillac tie.

"I know who you are," he declared. He quickly poured Gilderoy a glass of firewhiskey and pushed it across the bar. "On the house," he said.

Gilderoy smiled and looked around the pub. It was filled with the faces of the people of the district, all sharing a common bond in the dark places of their pasts. He felt a strange kinship with them, a bond that transcended the shared trait of magic. He raised his glass and took a sip, feeling the warmth of the whiskey run down his throat.

It was then that Gilderoy noticed the auror standing in the shadows of the corner of the room. The hunter orange of his coat looked apricot under the lights of the bar. Gilderoy walked over to him nervously, not quite sure what to say. John looked at him up and down before nodding, a slight smile on his face.

"Let me buy you a refill," he said. He motioned for Gilderoy to take a seat, and they sat side by side, speaking no words as they watched the people of the district go about their lives.

As the night went on, Gilderoy began to feel more and more at ease. He shared the stories of his struggles and his triumphs, and in return, John listened. He listened intently, not judging Gilderoy for his mistakes, but instead, empathizing with him.

When the night was over, Gilderoy felt a strange sense of peace. He had been saved from a life of crime, and found a friend in a vigilante cop. He had been given a second chance and was now determined to make the most of it. He thanked John for his kindness, and the two men parted ways.

As Gilderoy walked away, he couldn't help but smile. He had been given a second chance, and he was determined not to waste it.