Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

45

As soon as they reached Flourish and Blotts, Hermione noticed there was a huge group of people outside and a large banner stretch across the upper windows that read: GILDEROY LOCKHART will be signing copies of his autobiography "Magical Me" today 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

"Grandma Elka is probably thrilled she's not here so she doesn't meet with Lockhart." Hermione stated, remembering how her Grandma Elka had called Lockhart not only a dummy, but also a fraud. Hermione, Harry, and Ron squeezed their way through the crowd trying to get towards the Weasleys. 

"Oh, there you are, good," Mrs. Weasley said, who kept patting her hair, "We'll be able to see hime in a minute..." 

Slowly, Gilderoy Lockhart came into view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face, which were all winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd. Hermione mumbled under her breath how Grandma Elka forgot to mention he was also creepy. Then there was a short man, who was dancing around taking photos with a large camera that emitted puffs of purple smoke and a blinding flash. Suddenly, Gilderoy looked over as his smile drifted. 

"It can't be, Harry Potter!" Gilderoy shouted, causing the entire crowd started to part; Lockhart dived right through the crowd, seized Harry's arm, and pulled him to the front. Harry's face turned a bright shade of red of embarrassment as Lockhart shook Harry's hand like they had been buddies right in front of the photographer. 

"Nice big smile,  Harry." Hermione could overhear Lockhart tell Harry, "Together, you an I are worth the front page." 

"Ladies and gentlemen," Lockhart said without even releasing Harry's hand, "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time! When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography, which I shall be happy to present him now, free of charge," 

The crowd applauded as Hermione rolled her eyes, now believing Grandma Elka and what she said about Lockhart. 

"He had no idea, that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his school mates will, in fact, be getting the real Magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" 

Hermione's jaws dropped. She couldn't believe this man would actually be their teacher? When Grandma Elka hears Lockhart was going to be one of the Hogwarts teachers, she was going to throw a fit about the whole thing. She watched as Harry was presented with the entire works of Lockhart. Harry wobbled across the floorboards under the weight of the books he was carrying towards Ginny. 

"Here, you can have these," Harry told Ginny as he dropped the books into her cauldron, "I'll buy my own..." 

"Bet you loved that, didn't you Potter?" Hermione turned to find Malfoy running over towards them, "Famous Harry Potter! Can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page." 

"Leave him alone, he didn't want that all!" Ginny growled at Malfoy, glaring at Malfoy. 

"Oh look, Potter! You've got yourself a girlfriend!" Malfoy shot, making Ginny turn scarlet. Ron stood in front of Ginny. 

"It's you! Bet you're surprised to see Harry and Hermione here, eh?" Ron asked him. 

"Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley," retorted Malfoy, "I supposed your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for all those." 

Ron went straight to strangle Malfoy, but Harry and Hermione grabbed each of Ron's arms to stop him from making any mistake. 

"RON!" Mr. Weasley growled, scurrying over with Fred and George, "What are you doing? It's too crowded in here, let's go outside."

"Well, well, well-- Arthur Weasley." 

Hermione glance up to see Mr. Malfoy walking over towards them. 

"Lucius," Mr. Weasley said, coldly. Mr. Malfoy paused a moment when his eyes landed on Hermione. She could see he was slightly shocked to see her here, given he was told by Barty that she wasn't supposed to be. The look quickly vanished as he returned his glare on Mr. Weasley. 

"Busy time at the Ministry, I hear. All those raids, I hope they're paying you overtime?" Mr. Malfoy said before reaching down in Ginny's cauldron and took out a secondhand book, "But obviously not. What's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?" 

"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy." he said. 

"Clearly. Companying yourself with Muggles-- and I thought your family could sink no lower." Mr. Malfoy insulted Mr. Weasley. Hermione could see Mr. Weasley was having a hard time not losing his temper as she watched Mr. Malfoy toss Ginny's book back into her cauldron. 

"I'll see you at work." Mr. Malfoy mumbled before departing with Draco behind, mumbled a similar phrase except for the change of 'work' for 'school'. 

Soon they were able to make their way to the Leaky Cauldron where they proceeded to travel back to home through Floo Powder. Hermione insisted that she had someone with her on her way back to the Burrow. She wasn't taking any risks of getting snatched again.