𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 (𝟐) || HARRY POTTER LOVE STORY

27

Since the disastrous episode of the pixies, Professor Lockhart had not brought live creatures to class. Instead he read passages from his books to them, and sometimes reenacted some of the more dramatic bits.

To Julie's pleasure he usually picked Harry to help him with these reconstructions; so far, Harry had been forced to play a simple Transylvanian villager whom Lockhart had cured of a Babbling Curse, a yeti with a head-cold, and a vampire who had been unable to eat anything except lettuce since Lockhart had dealt with him.

Harry was hauled to the front of the class during their very next Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson, this time acting a werewolf. If he hadn't had a very good reason for keeping Lockhart in a good mood, Julie thought he would have refused to do it.

"Nice loud howl, Harry - exactly-"

Julie laughed at the sight while Harry shot her a cold glare.

"and then, if youll believe it, I pounced - like this - slammed him to the floor - this - with one hand, I managed to hold him down - with my other, I put my wand to his throat - I then screwed up myremaining strength and performed the immensely complex Homorphus Charm - he let out a piteous moan - go on, Harry-"

Ron and Hermione were looking at Harry in pitty while Julie was still laughing.

"higher than that - good - the fur vanished - the fangs shrank - and he turned back into a man. Simple, yet effective - and another village will remember me forever as the hero who delivered them from the monthly terror of werewolf attacks."

"Great Performance, Potter." Julie said as Harry returned to his seat. "Truly award-winning"

"Shut up, Jules." Harry said shooting me a cold glare.

The bell rang and Lockhart also got to his feet.

"Homework: compose a poem about my defeat of the Wagga Wagga werewolf! Signed copies of Magical Me to the author of the best one!"

The class began to leave. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Julie got to their feet, on their way to Lockhart.

"Ready?" Harry muttered.

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

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

"Professor Lockhart?" I stammered. "Hermione and I wanted to - to get this book out of the library. Just for background reading." Hermione held out the piece of paper, her hand shaking slightly.

"But the thing is, it's in the Restricted Section of the library, so we need a teacher to sign for it - We're sure it would help us understand what you say in Gadding with Ghouls about Slow-acting venoms..." Hermione continued.

"Ah, Gadding with Ghouls!" said Lockhart, taking the note from Hermione and smiling widely at her. "Possibly my very favourite book. You enjoyed it? Trapped that last one with the tea-strainer..."

"Oh, yes" said Hermione eagerly. "So clever, the way you-"

"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, misreading the revolted look on Julie's face. "usually save it for book-signings!"

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

"So, Harry" said Lockhart, while Hermione folded the not with fumbling fingers and slipped it into her bag, "tomorrow the first Quidditch match of the season, I believe? Gryffindor against Slytherin, is it not? I hear you're a useful player. I was Seeker, too. I was asked to try for the National Squad, I 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 expertise to less able players..."