Willow

C.4

Willow smiles as she and Harry meet up with their friends "We'll meet you in Florish and Blotts in a bit, you go enjoy yourselves for a bit." Davina tells them. "Okay, see you later." Willow smiles. The seven twelve year olds head to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, each of them getting large ice creams to eat as they walk round the shops. Ron gazes longingly at a full set of Chudley Cannon robes in the windows of Quality Quidditch Supplies, Hermione and Willow dragging the boys next door to buy ink and parchment. They then moved onto Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop, finding Fred, George and Lee Jordan stocking up on Dr. Filibuster's Fabulous Wet Start, No Heat Fireworks. Finally they end up in a tiny junk shop, Percy deeply immersed in a small book titled 'Prefects Who Gained Power'. Ron looks at the back of it "'A study of Hogwarts prefects and their later careers'. That sounds fascinating..." he says sarcastically. "Go away." Percy snaps. "Course, he's very ambitious, Percy, he's got it all planned out... he wants to be Minister of Magic..." Ron tells them as they leave. Harry looks at Willow, the two of them having a silent conversation "I need to tell you guys something, but you can't tell anyone." Harry tells the others. "Okay, what is it?" Theo asks. Harry quickly explains everything that happened at Gringotts "Bloody Hell." Ron remarks. "Hang on... that makes us cousins. Regulus is my mother's cousin." Draco tells Harry, making him nod in response.

The friends head to Flourish and Blotts, still reeling with the information Harry just told them. Reaching the shop, they frown in confusion when they see a crowd already gathered "What the...?" Willow frowns in confusion as they walk over. In the shop window they see a sign 'GILDEROY LOCKHART will be signing copies of his autobiography MAGICAL ME today 12.30—4.30'. Willow and the boys groan "We can actually meet him! I mean, he's written almost the whole booklist!" Hermione smiles excitedly. "I don't believe a word of it, neither does my family." Willow remarks, Draco, Blaise and Theo nodding in agreement. They push their way through, finding Kol, Davina and Remus with Mr and Mrs Weasley, Mr and Mrs Granger, Fred, George, Percy, Marcus and the Slytherin quidditch team. Willow smiles as she's engulfed into a group hug by the quidditch team "We picked up everyone's books, we're just waiting to get your Lockhart books." Kol tells them. "Oh, there you are, good. We'll be able to see him in a minute..." Mrs Weasley tells them, sounding breathless while patting her hair. Willow and the twins make eye contact before looking away, the four of them trying not to laugh at Mrs Weasley's behaviour.

Just then, Lockhart walks into view, sitting at a table surrounded by pictures of himself. Willow grimaces as all the pictures flashing their dazzling white teeth and wink, the real Lockhart wearing robes of forget me not blue and a pointed wizard's hat on his wavy hair at a jaunty angle. "Out of the way, there. This is for the Daily Prophet." a short, irritable man says, pushing past with clouds of purple smoke coming out of the camera. "Big deal." Ron glares, rubbing his foot where the photographer had stepped on it. Lockhart looks up, looking at Ron before spotting Harry. He leaps to his feet "It can't be Harry Potter?" he practically shouts. The crowd parts, whispering excitedly as Lockhart dives forward and goes to grab Harry. Willow glares and steps in front of Harry, stopping Lockhart from getting her friend "Sorry, do you have his guardian's permission to have pictures of him taken with you? No? Then back off." she tells the man, Kol smirking proudly at his daughter. "Now, now, I'm sure Harry wants some pictures with me, together we are worth the front page." Lockhart smiles. Willow tilts her head "Sorry, who are you again? Harry I know but I'm not sure who you are, I know many people but you don't stand out." she tells him, Kol having to bite back a laugh. Lockhart clenches his jaw "I'm Gilderoy Lockhart, I've been awarded the Order of Merlin, third class, I am also an Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defence League, and the five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award." he tells her with a smile.

"I don't see why, it's not a very charming smile. If anything it's rather startling, a bit scary to be honest." Willow responds, many women whispering and muttering to each other. Lockhart decides to change the topic, slightly red in the face "Ladies and gentlemen. 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 and his friends 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. He had no idea, that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his schoolmates 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!" he smiles, the crowd of women cheering and clapping as Harry is given a pile of books. "Let's get out of here." Willow mutters, leading her friends away.