Gilderoy Lockhart walked the familiar corridors of Hogwarts with a purposeful stride. His lesson had undoubtedly made an impression, but it seemed that the impact had reached higher than the students. As he approached the spiral staircase leading to Dumbledore's office, he straightened his flamboyant robes, rehearsing in his mind the version of events he would share with the venerable headmaster.
"Fizzing Whizzbee," he muttered to the gargoyle standing sentinel, and the stone guardian leapt aside to reveal the moving staircase. As it spiraled upward, Lockhart felt an odd mixture of anticipation and caution. While he respected Dumbledore immensely, he couldn't help but feel that the old man saw through most of the theatrics Lockhart so carefully maintained.
At the top of the stairs, the door to the headmaster's office stood ajar, as if Dumbledore had been expecting him. A soft, warm light glowed from within, casting long shadows from the myriad of magical instruments ticking and whirring on the shelves. The air was filled with the faint scent of lemon drops.
"Ah, Gilderoy," Dumbledore's calm, melodic voice greeted him as he stepped inside. "Do sit down."
Lockhart took a seat, adopting his usual confident posture. Dumbledore, seated behind his grand oak desk, regarded him with a twinkle in his eye that made Gilderoy feel slightly uneasy. Behind Dumbledore, Fawkes the phoenix sat perched, watching him intently with eyes that gleamed with ancient wisdom.
"You summoned me, Headmaster?" Lockhart asked with a charming smile, the same one that had disarmed countless witches and wizards over the years.
Dumbledore nodded slowly, his long fingers steepled before him. "I did, yes. Word of your lesson has reached my ears, and I must admit, it sounds… quite unlike the traditional teachings of Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Lockhart chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "Ah, well, I've always believed in pushing boundaries, Albus. Magic, after all, is meant to evolve. The students seemed quite engaged."
Dumbledore's gaze remained fixed on him, serene but unyielding. "I understand you presented some rather… unusual artifacts. A tarot card that rendered magic ineffective and a weapon you described as belonging to a 'dark wizard' named Kylo Ren. This concerned several staff members, who are unfamiliar with these items. I'm curious, Gilderoy—what exactly did you show the students?"
Lockhart's mind raced. He knew Dumbledore was not one to pry without reason, but the headmaster's perception was razor-sharp. He would need to tread carefully.
"Ah, yes," Gilderoy began, his tone light but measured. "I can assure you, Headmaster, that the items I presented were merely projections. Copies, if you will, of artifacts I've encountered during my many adventures. Nothing dangerous, I promise."
Dumbledore raised a silver eyebrow. "Copies, you say? Of real artifacts?"
Lockhart nodded, leaning forward slightly, as if to share a secret. "Indeed. You see,a while back I invented a spell that lets me make a degraded copy of objects I have seen before and during my travels, I stumbled across an ancient Pensieve—an extraordinary one, quite unlike the usual varieties we know. It allowed me to delve deeper into the memories of long-lost wizards and witches. In their recollections, I saw quite a few artifacts that I can now make a copy of"
Dumbledore remained silent, his blue eyes gleaming with curiosity. Gilderoy took that as a sign to continue.
"It's a personal spell I developed, after years of research and experimentation. Think of it as a kind of… advanced projection. I can recreate nearly any object I've read about, witnessed, or imagined in precise detail. However, the objects aren't permanent, and they don't possess the full power of the originals. For example, the tarot card The Fool—a remarkable artifact, but the version I showed the students is just a replica, capable of only temporary magic dampening."
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Fascinating. You've always been inventive, Gilderoy. However, you must understand that Hogwarts is a place of learning, and while I encourage creative teaching methods, your lesson today stirred quite a bit of unease among the students."
Lockhart straightened up, feigning surprise. "Unease? Why, Headmaster, I thought the students were enthralled! A little excitement never hurt anyone, don't you think?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, but there was a trace of seriousness behind his smile. "Excitement, yes, but we must be careful not to frighten them. Hogwarts is meant to be a sanctuary as well as a school. Describing a weapon that can strip a wizard of their magic and a 'dark wizard' who could disarm and slaughter them… well, it certainly paints a vivid picture, but perhaps it was a touch too vivid?"
Gilderoy's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "Ah, yes, I see what you mean. I suppose I may have gotten a bit carried away. But surely, Headmaster, the point of Defense Against the Dark Arts is to prepare the students for the unexpected? The magical world is full of dangers, and I believe it's important they understand the full scope of what's out there."
Dumbledore's expression softened slightly. "I agree that our students must be prepared, Gilderoy. But there's a fine line between preparation and fear-mongering. You described an artifact that renders wizards powerless, and a weapon that can cut through a person like butter. These are not just tales—they're realities somewhere else, but not in here. Yet."
Gilderoy felt the weight of Dumbledore's words. The headmaster knew. Somehow, Dumbledore had an inkling of what Gilderoy was truly capable of—of the knowledge he carried from across realities. It was as if the old man could see into his very soul.
"Headmaster," Lockhart said, choosing his words carefully, "I assure you, the items I conjure are harmless here. They're mere projections, shadows of the real things. I used them to illustrate a point—that magic isn't just about spells and wands. There are other forces at play, forces that even we might not fully understand."
Dumbledore's gaze remained steady, though his voice softened. "I have no doubt that you've seen and experienced remarkable things, Gilderoy. But Hogwarts is not the place for every secret to be revealed. There is a time and place for such knowledge, and I trust you will consider this in future lessons."
Lockhart bowed his head slightly. "Of course, Headmaster. I will be more… judicious in what I show the students."
A gentle smile crossed Dumbledore's lips. "Thank you. Now, before you go, may I ask—this ancient Pensieve you mentioned, the one that allowed you see these unknown artifacts… do you remember where you found it?"
Lockhart hesitated for a brief moment before replying, "Ah, I believe it was during one of my expeditions in the far north. A forgotten tomb, if I recall. But, alas, it was buried in a cave-in not long after I discovered it. A pity, really. The things it could have taught us."
Dumbledore nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Lockhart's face. "A pity indeed. Well, Gilderoy, I appreciate your candor. I'm sure we both have much to think about. I trust your next lesson will be… a little less theatrical?"
Lockhart stood, flashing his charming smile once more. "Of course, Headmaster. You have my word."
As he turned to leave, Dumbledore's voice called out once more. "Gilderoy."
He paused at the door, glancing back. "Yes, Headmaster?"
"Take care with the knowledge you possess. Not every secret needs to be shared."
Lockhart inclined his head respectfully and exited the room, feeling the weight of Dumbledore's words linger in the air behind him. He had been careful, but Dumbledore—ever watchful, ever wise—had seen more than Lockhart had intended.
As he made his way back to his quarters, Gilderoy's mind raced. The headmaster had been kind, yes, but there was no mistaking the underlying message. Dumbledore knew something was amiss, and Lockhart would have to be more cautious in the future. Yet, despite the caution, a part of him couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement.
For now, he would play the part of the charming professor. But deep within, the being who had lived a thousand lives knew that this was only the beginning.