𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓣𝓱𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓕𝓪𝓽𝓮

32|The Writing on the Wall

A/n: Yes, the title is same as in CoS but hush! 

As Alex, Ron and Hermione neared the greenhouses; they saw the rest of the class standing outside, waiting for Professor Sprout. Alex, Ron and Hermione had only just joined them when she came striding into view across the lawn, accompanied by Gilderoy Lockhart. Professor Sprout's arms were full of bandages and Alex spotted the Whomping Willow in the distance, several of its branches now in slings.

"Oh, hello there!" Lockhart called, smiling like an idiot around at the assembled students.

"Just been showing Professor Sprout the right way to doctor a Whomping Willow! But I don't want you running away with the idea that I'm better at Herbology than she is! I just happen to have met several of these exotic plants on my travels ..." he boasted.

"Greenhouse Three today, chaps!" said Professor Sprout, who was looking as irritated as Alex felt, not at all her usual cheerful self.

Alex had thought that this year would be much better than his first. Last year, he had almost saved the school all alone but Slytherin had still ended up winning. This year, this fancy oyster shows up taking all of his glory away.

"Alex! I've been wanting a word – you don't mind if he's a couple of minutes late, do you, Professor Sprout?" the oyster asked Professor Sprout.

Judging by Professor Sprout's scowl, she did mind, but Lockhart said, "That's the ticket," and closed the greenhouse door in her face.

"Alex," said Lockhart, his large white teeth gleaming in the sunlight as he shook his head. "Alex, Alex, Alex."

At this, Alex stared at Lockhart with so much contempt that it might have matched Hadrian's when he looked at their parents.

"When I heard – well, of course, it was all my fault. Could have kicked myself," Lockhart continued, ruefully.

Alex could visualize himself punching this oyster now. He nodded mentally in satisfaction.

"Don't know when I've been more shocked. Convincing your friend to fly a car to Hogwarts! Well, of course, I knew at once why you'd done it. Stood out a mile. Alex, Alex, Alex," Lockhart seemed to like saying his name in particular.

"Gave you a taste for publicity, didn't I? Gave you the bug. You got onto the front page of the paper with me and you couldn't wait to do it again." said Lockhart.

"Now, listen here -" Alex started, only to be cut by Lockhart.

"Alex, Alex, Alex," said Lockhart, reaching out and grasping his shoulder.

"I understand. Natural to want a bit more once you've had that first taste – and I blame myself for giving you that, because it was bound to go to your head – but see here, young man, you can't start to try to fly cars to try and get yourself noticed. Just calm down, all right? Plenty of time for all that when you're older. Yes, yes, I know what you're thinking! 'It's all right for him; he's an internationally famous wizard already!' But when I was twelve, I was just as much of a nobody as you are now. In fact, I'd say I was even more of a nobody! I mean, a few people have heard of you, haven't they? All that business with He Who Must Not Be Named!" he glanced at the scar on Alex's cheek.

"I know, I know, it's not quite as good as winning Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award five times in a row, as I have – but it's a start, Alex, it's a start," the idiot winked at Alex and walked off.

Alex stood there, trying to digest the fact that this was the person his mum idolized. This... this shiny oyster!

"Urgghh! Merlin help me! Hadrian is rubbing off on me! I want to kill that git for whatever rubbish he said!" Alex clenched his fists in frustration, before heading in for his class.