Amelia Potter and the Chamber of Secrets PART 1

114

'Wait till everyone's gone,' said Hermione nervously. 'All right ...'

She approached Lockhart's desk, a piece of paper clutched tightly in her hand, Harry, Ron, and Amelia right behind her.

'Er – Professor Lockhart?' Hermione stammered. 'I wanted to – to get this book out of the library. Just for background reading.' She held out the piece of paper, her hand shaking slightly. 'But the thing is, it's in the Restricted Section of the library, so I need a teacher to sign for it – I'm sure it would help me understand what you say in Gadding with Ghouls about slow-acting venoms ...'

'Ah, Gadding with Ghouls!' said Lockhart, taking the note from Hermione and smiling widely at her. 'Possibly my very favourite book. You enjoyed it?'

'Oh, yes,' said Hermione eagerly. 'So clever, the way you trapped that last one with the tea-strainer ...'

'Well, I'm sure no one will mind me giving the best student in the year a little extra help,' said Lockhart warmly, and he pulled out an enormous peacock quill. 'Yes, nice, isn't it?' he said, mis- reading the revolted look on Ron's face. 'I usually save it for book- signings.'

He scrawled an enormous loopy signature on the note and handed it back to Hermione.

Amelia took out a folded piece of paper from her bag and set it on the desk.

'Um, I wanted to apologize for my harsh answers on my test a few weeks ago. I was very rude, and am I very sorry about that,' Ron, Harry, and Hermione stared at Amelia. There was no way she was saying sorry to them was there? 'I read your books again, and they are really something. I was wondering if I could have your autograph?'

Amelia has her head bowed low not looking Lockhart in the eye. It seemed to Harry that she appeared even smaller than she was.

'Of course, dear girl all is forgiven!' Lockhart picked up his peacock quill and wrote his name on the paper in big cursive letters like he did for Hermione. Amelia picked up the piece of paper and thanked Lockhart. 

'So, Harry,' said Lockhart, while Hermione folded the note with fumbling fingers and slipped it into her bag, 'tomorrow's the first Quidditch match of the season, I believe? Gryffindor against Slytherin, is it not? I hear you're a useful player. I was a Seeker, too. I was asked to try for the National Squad, but preferred to dedicate my life to the eradication of the Dark Forces. Still, if ever you feel the need for a little private training, don't hesitate to ask. Always happy to pass on my expertise to less able players ...'

Harry made an indistinct noise in his throat and then hurried off after Ron, Hermione, and Amelia.

'I don't believe it,' he said, as the three of them examined the signature on the note, 'He didn't even look at the book we wanted.'

And thank god for that.' Amelia pulled the piece of paper out of her bag and showed it to the others. It was a five-inch long list of books that Amelia had been wanting to check out from the Restricted Section of the library. Harry laughed.

'I knew you weren't sorry! That was brilliant!'

Ron joined in laughing.

'That was the best performance of my life. I was trying not to laugh. Thank the lord he didn't catch on!'

'That's because he's a brainless git,' said Ron. 'But who cares, we've got what we needed.'

'He is not a brainless git,' said Hermione shrilly, as they half-ran towards the library.

'Just because he said you were the best student in the year ...' They dropped their voices as they entered the muffled stillness