Gilderoy pushed the bronze doors and enters the Great Hall, his eyes stuck in awe of the ceiling. The ceiling was bright blue now, matching with the morning sky outside.
Merlin's beard… I could stare at this forever. Whoever designed this enchantment deserves an award. Beats any cathedral ceiling back on my Earth.
Gilderoy's eyes spread over the rows of tables, students chatting, reading their newspapers, and eating their morning breakfast. He sat at the Ravenclaw table and has an idea.
Sliding onto the Ravenclaw bench, he had a sudden thought.
Let's make this a proper protein breakfast. We have slaves…I mean elves here.
Raising his voice, he called out, "Excuse me! Could I Please get three soft-boiled eggs, some porridge, toast, and… two bananas."
Within seconds, the plates shimmered into existence before him.
"Thank you, kind elves," Gilderoy murmured with a polite smile—and just like that, one more dish appeared: a slice of chocolate cake.
Across the hall, a girl from Hufflepuff having a big smile, bigger… assets rose and made her way over, plopping down beside him. "So, you do know the secret of how food appears here," she teased, her eyes gleaming.
She extended a hand. "Amelia Bones."
Gilderoy nearly choked on his toast. Amelia Bones — that Amelia. Clever, and destined to become Head of the DMLE someday.
Her vibrant red hair tumbled in soft waves around her face, perfectly framing her flawless, fair skin and striking blue eyes that seemed to miss nothing. Even beneath the plain black robes, the gentle curve of her hips, the elegance of her posture, and the generous proportions for which the Bones family was renowned hinted at the remarkable figure beneath.
A good morning indeed.
Turning on his charm, he leaned toward her. "Miss Bones, aren't you the talented and beautiful lady at the top of our Defence Against the Dark Arts class?"
A flush crept into her cheeks at the sudden compliment. Clearly not used to being recognized for her own skill, rather than just being Edgar Bones' sister. She quickly composed herself, but Gilderoy could tell she was pleased.
"I knew you Hufflepuffs were cunning," he teased. "Keeping kitchen secrets all to yourselves. Must be wonderful, living right next to the food, sneaking a midnight snack whenever you want."
Amelia grinned. "Don't complain, Gilderoy. Every House has its perks."
"Maybe," he said with mock seriousness. "But as a foodie, I think I'd prefer Hufflepuff. Not to mention, I hear a dazzling young lady also lives there."
Her blush turned into a sly look. She leaned forward, arms folded beneath her chest, deliberately closing the distance. "Oh? And who is this lady?" Her tone was sultry, challenging.
Gilderoy cleared his throat and, with a perfectly straight face, replied, "Professor Sprout. Very pretty woman."
Amelia leaned back in mock outrage, swatting his arm. He only grinned wider.
A moment later, he turned puppy eyed. "Amelia, would you be willing to tutor me in DADA? I'd owe you a future favour. Please."
She smirked, tapping her chin. "Not afraid I'll ask for something outrageous in return?"
Gilderoy grinned mischievously. "I trust you, my lady. And if you take advantage of me, well… I don't mind."
She muttered, "Pervert," though the blush returned. Gilderoy 2, Amelia 0, he thought smugly. I, Gilderoy Lockhart, am irresistible.
Her eyes softened a little. "You do seem… different this year."
Gilderoy puffed his chest. "Still the same dazzling Gilderoy, but I've realized Voldemort's regime is worsening and It's time I improve my skills."
Right… truth is, I know what's coming. Voldemort will wipe out her family, leaving poor Susan an orphan. I can warn Amelia, maybe save them. I could change so many deaths… but not all. Some events can be changed. But not Canon events.
The Potters' deaths seemed like one of those canon events. Even if I decided to intervene, there's nothing I could do yet. I'm still weak, and revealing that I'm a transmigrator would be a one-way ticket to capture by the Ministry. Telling Dumbledore is out of the question—I still don't know if this Dumbledore is the good Dumbledore, the "greater good" Dumbledore, or just the old senile one.
Gilderoy leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Amelia, have extra protections and wards at your family's home. Death Eaters have become more active recently, and since Edgar is openly a staunch opposer of them, your family might be targeted."
Amelia's eyes softened, gratitude flickering across her face. "I'll talk with my brother and tell him about what you said."
Before Gilderoy could reply, he spotted a hook-nosed young man with greasy black hair slip into the hall. Snape! he thought excitedly. The man sat stiffly beside a pot-bellied professor Gilderoy instantly recognized as Slughorn. Amelia noticed too.
"Yes, that is Severus Snape," she confirmed softly. "He apparently took the Potions Mastery exam soon after leaving Hogwarts, became the youngest Potion Master in a century, and is now serving as Slughorn's assistant."
Earlier, Gilderoy had checked the present year, and it was currently 1979. Ah… the year Snape already switched sides and confided in Dumbledore. Otherwise, Dumbledore wouldn't have let him take a position at Hogwarts. But even so… bro is conflicted inside. Deep down, he's still wrestling with old loyalties. Could be fun to nudge him gently away from the dark side.
After all the dark side does not have cookies.
He cast a glance around the staff table. Then again, the senile old man running this place let's all kinds of weirdos fill the DADA post.
First a stuttering Quirrell, then… me, well the fraud Lockhart. Maybe Dumbledore likes to keep an eye on the chaos he invites in, at the expense of his students.
For the greater good.
But where is that senile old man today? Gilderoy's eyes roam over to the empty throne at the centre of the staff table. Must have gone to ICW meeting or summoned by incompetent ministry for consultation.
As he glanced down at his table, he noticed his slice of chocolate cake had vanished. Did she eat this while I was lost in my own thoughts?
He looked up at Amelia, who was licking her fingers, a few suspicious black crumbs dotting her lips. Gilderoy felt an odd, impulsive urge to… eat it off her lips.
She met his gaze innocently, wiping her mouth and erasing all evidence. Gilderoy let out a small chuckle. Well, that's one way to make breakfast more exciting.
Shaking his head, he pushed the empty plate aside. Breakfast was over, and it was time for Transfiguration class.
Amelia bumps me with her arm." Hey, bring your bag and meet me outside transfiguration class. Since we are from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, we are attending almost all classes together."
Amelia rose gracefully from the Ravenclaw table and drifted toward the great oak doors, her hips swaying with an unstudied elegance.
At the threshold, she paused just long enough to glance back over her shoulder, her eyes catching his with a spark of quiet mischief. A playful half-smile tugged at her lips before she turned away again, the movement light and unhurried.
A soft, almost musical laugh followed her as she slipped through the doors, leaving him with the lingering echo of her teasing charm.
Gilderoy grinned. Damn, what a woman.
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