Gilderoy Lockhart was diligently responding to his fan mail when a knock interrupted his task. He sighed, half-annoyed, half-flattered, assuming another eager fan sought his autograph. Fame and vanity were his guilty pleasures, even if they threatened to exhaust his signing hand. Upon opening the door, his ready smile faltered into an awkward grin. "John Wick, I mean, Mr. Wick, what brings you here at this hour?"
His reaction puzzled Percy, given Lockhart's previous claims of mentoring John. Yet, here he was, seemingly in awe of him. "Professor Lockhart, we need to discuss some matters. I hope you don't mind sparing us a moment of your time," John stated, his tone polite but his demeanor suggesting otherwise.
Percy, following John's lead, entered with a respectful nod. "Professor, I see you're still hard at work on the textbook, even at this late hour."
Lockhart, slightly flustered, quickly hid an envelope under some papers. "Ah, yes, the textbook," he mumbled, trying to regain his composure.
After Percy closed the door, Lockhart played the host, serving tea as if he were a waiter rather than a professor. John, meanwhile, casually conjured an extra chair for Percy with a flick of his wand.
"I've developed a sort of camaraderie with Professor Lockhart over the holidays. We're pen pals," John explained, noticing Percy's surprised look. He added, "After all, building connections is crucial for any accomplished wizard, and Professor Lockhart is no exception."
Lockhart beamed at the compliment, while Percy, not used to such pragmatism in his family, found himself warming up to John's perspective.
John unwrapped a piece of toffee, letting its sweetness mingle with the taste of his tea. "Likewise, networking shouldn't be confined to the outside world. Percy, I'm aware of your ambition to become Head Boy. Gaining support from all four houses is key."
John's insight into Percy's ambitions was spot on. Handing Percy a piece of taffy, he added with a smirk, "I'll take care of Slytherin for you."
Percy, puzzled and slightly intimidated by John's presence, hesitated. "Why would you help me?"
"Connections," John replied, his tone laden with meaning. "You're a promising individual, destined for greatness beyond Hogwarts. Why not forge a beneficial friendship now?"
John suggested leveraging Lockhart's influence to boost Percy's reputation among students, proposing the role of an additional assistant in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class as an ideal platform.
Percy, enticed by the offer, accepted the taffy and the proposition with a smile. "You're right. Connections are indeed vital."
Their handshake sealed the deal, with Lockhart as a witness to their agreement.
After Percy's departure, Lockhart voiced his concerns. "Aren't you worried he'll uncover my secret? Having another assistant might be too risky."
John reassured him, "He won't betray you as long as you continue to empower him. Stick to the lesson plans I've provided and avoid using magic." He cautioned Lockhart to keep his theatrics in check, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their carefully constructed facade. John Wick, despite his skepticism about Gilderoy Lockhart's magical abilities, which were so lacking that it was a wonder how he graduated from Hogwarts, couldn't help but offer a helping hand. Lockhart, always eager to impress, seemed oblivious to his own shortcomings. From his bag, John produced a snail amulet and a ring adorned with emeralds, placing them on the table before Lockhart. "Use these when you're in a tight spot," John advised, his tone flat. "They're enchanted with the Iron Armor Curse and the Petrification Curse. Consider them props to help you maintain appearances when necessary." Lockhart, viewing the items as treasures, was grateful. The recent doubts cast on his abilities had weighed heavily on him. "Thank you, Mr. Wick. I'll fulfill my duties diligently," Lockhart promised. As John stood to leave, he added, "Call me John. Remember, building connections is crucial for a wizard's success." Lockhart, initially taken aback, realized John's intentions were genuine, aimed at fostering alliances, much like he had done with Percy by offering power and fame. "I'll write to you after my term," Lockhart said, making a note to himself. John nodded and departed.
As October ushered in a significant drop in temperature, a flu outbreak swept through the young wizards at Hogwarts. Madam Pomfrey, ever prepared, concocted refreshing potions that, despite causing one's ears to smoke, worked wonders. John, known for his proficiency in potions, was enlisted to assist. After delivering the medicine to the school hospital, he encountered a commotion in the corridor on the second floor. Approaching the source, he found Peeves causing havoc in the girls' bathroom, tormenting the ghost of a female student, Myrtle, who wailed about being bullied.
"Peeves, that's enough," John commanded. The poltergeist, upon recognizing John, panicked, accidentally toppling a suit of medieval armor in his haste to flee. "Was all that really necessary?" John muttered, watching Peeves' exaggerated reaction.
Inside the bathroom, Myrtle continued to sob. John, attempting to offer comfort, was met with a chilling scream as Myrtle flew through him, leaving him feeling as though doused in cold water. "I was just trying to..." he started, but Myrtle's renewed crying cut him off. John, puzzled by Myrtle's attire, which seemed outdated even for Hogwarts, inquired if she was a student. Myrtle, offended, retreated into a broken toilet.
Shaking his head at the complexity of ghostly interactions, John exited the bathroom, righting a 'Malfunction' sign before returning to the Slytherin common room.
There, he found Daphne scolding Goyle and Crabbe for their gluttony, with Pansy making a snide remark about their appetites. Upon John's entrance, Daphne, adopting a more refined demeanor, handed him two envelopes. "Your dog brought these," she said, referring to John's pet.
"Tom brought them?" John asked, intrigued. Noticing three ink dots on one of the letters, he frowned, suspecting it was from Johnny. The subtle clues hinted at a message or a call for help, prompting John to carefully open the letter, prepared for whatever message awaited him. John extended a nod of gratitude towards Daphne. "Thank you for helping me take care of Tom." Daphne lifted her head with pride, though a hint of blush colored her ears.
Upon returning to the dormitory, John carefully opened the envelope he had been holding. The message inside brought a sense of relief and satisfaction, smoothing the furrow in his brow. "Mr. Dharma Alex Belby will be honored on October 10th." It seemed his investments were finally beginning to yield returns. A smile crept across John's face as he pondered the promising news.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge