like a redheaded stepchild

Chapter 21: And now for something Completely Different

Chapter 21: And now for something Completely Different

The room was lit by a flickering red light as a Veela danced and sang in the corner, the tune a haunting melody as she gyrated slowly. The floor was filled with dust and sand, and the grimy and worn upholstery of the seats matched the equally tattered patrons. Sullen men and woman nursed glasses of alcohol, most of them ignoring the Veela, who looked more exhausted than titillating at the moment. The air was filled with a haze of smoke from hasheesh and tobacco. The bartender was a rough looking djinn, who had a large sword strapped to his back that gleamed dully in the light.

In the corner, a man with a dark eyepatch hunched over his drink which he nursed while glaring around the room with his good eye. He'd positioned himself so that he could see the entire bar area as well as both the entrance and exit. His eye never stayed still for long, roaming around the room as his the fingers of his right hand stroked his wand handle. Alastor Moody was starting to somewhat enjoy his retirement. He'd been at this particular dive for three nights running though, and he'd already picked fights with the most likely suspects, leaving them tied up for the local aurors to take in for the dark artefacts they'd had on them. He was starting to think this particular watering hole was played out. Maybe he should think of venturing out to the Blackwater Oasis and having a go at the nundu that was rumored to haunt the place.

Suddenly, the door burst open, letting in a blast of hot air. Despite the fact that the sun had set, the Moroccan desert was always hot in summer, no matter the time of day. Moody glared at the stranger standing silhouetted in the doorway, his cloak billowing dramatically about him. The patrons all turned toward the man as the veela singer fell silent. The newcomer stepped forward, twirling his blond mustache as he swept off his hat and bowed. "Good evening ladies, gentlemen, and unnatural abominations. Tell me, have any of you wicked lot heard tell of a nundu in these parts recently?"

"And who the hell are you?" someone called.

The man flourished his cape, grinning roguishly. "Why it is none other than I, Gilderoy Lockhart, Monster Hunter Extraordinaire!"

A hush fell over the bar, and several patrons began to sweat nervously at the presence of the renowned gentleman adventurer and vanquisher of evil.

"You mean, you're here to see to that nundu that's out at the Blackwater Oasis and been terrorising the local villages lately?" someone called.

Lockhart flashed a grin, showing off his pearly white teeth. "Indeed I am! However, I am in need of a guide. And of course, perhaps a few good wands who would be willing to aide me in my latest heroic conquest? I'll be willing to pay, of course."

The bar fell silent. Moody picked up his glass and downed the last of his drink, then stood. "You're a bloody fraud, Lockhart. I've investigated your books, and half of what you claim to have done is bloody impossible! The other half has such a horrifically inconsistent timeline even a snot nosed firstie at Hogwarts could tell you were lying."

There was a collective gasp from the rest of bar.

Lockhart's eyes narrowed as he studied Moody. "Bold claims to make, stranger. I have given you my name. What, pray tell, is yours?"

"Nonya," Moody growled.

Lockhart rolled his eyes. "Oh, very clever. I suppose that is short for Nonya Buisness?"