Wednesday, September 1, 1993
September had arrived, and with it, another Hogwarts school year.
By the time the students started filing into the Great Hall, dusk had already settled beyond the enchanted ceiling, painting the sky in deep purples and golds. Candles floated overhead, casting warm light over the long house tables buzzing with anticipation, nerves, and barely contained chaos.
I, meanwhile, was already seated at the staff table, impeccably composed.
To my left sat Aurora Sinistra, looking as serene and elegant as ever, her dark hair neatly pinned, eyes drifting upward now and then as if she were already charting constellations that weren't yet visible. To my right…
The new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor had finally arrived.
Remus Lupin took a seat beside me, posture relaxed but reserved, dressed neatly in slightly worn robes that had seen better days. He looked thinner than I remembered, lines of fatigue etched into his face, but there was a calm intelligence in his eyes that hadn't dulled in the slightest.
I offered him a warm, welcoming smile and extended my hand.
"Hello, Remus. It's been a long time," I said pleasantly. "Perhaps you don't remember me, Gilderoy Lockhart. Former Defence professor, now teaching Care of Magical Creatures."
He took my hand gently, his grip light but sincere, and smiled in recognition.
"How could I forget?" he replied with a soft chuckle. "The boy who once wrote his own name in letters large enough to be seen from the Astronomy Tower… right across the Quidditch pitch. And, of course, your current fame makes forgetting rather difficult."
I laughed, genuinely amused. "Ah, yes. That little incident." I shook my head fondly. "All I wanted back then was for my name to be remembered by everyone. And I thought, what better way than writing it somewhere everyone would see it?"
Aurora laughed quietly at my left. "It's a shame I hadn't started at Hogwarts yet," she said. "I truly wish I could have seen that."
I turned to her with a roguish smile. "I could always do it again, Aurora. Perhaps add your name next to mine this time."
She laughed again, shaking her head, clearly entertained.
Remus chuckled and leaned back slightly. "It's good to see you're still the same, Gilderoy." His eyes glinted with memory. "I still remember James absolutely cursing your name every time you tried to flirt with Lily."
I winced theatrically. "Now, in my defense," I said lightly, "Lily was brilliant, beautiful, and entirely out of James's league at the time. I merely appreciated her… enthusiastically."
Aurora snorted into her napkin.
Remus shook his head, smiling. "Some things really never do change."
Perhaps not.
But as I glanced down the staff table, past familiar faces and toward a school that felt very different from the one I'd once known, I couldn't help but think…
Some things had changed.
And this year… this year was going to be interesting.
…
As the familiar scrape of benches and excited chatter filled the Great Hall, the returning students settled into their house tables. Then the doors swung open once more, and Minerva McGonagall strode in, posture ramrod-straight as ever, shepherding the first-years behind her like a very nervous line of ducklings.
I watched with fond amusement as their heads tilted back almost in unison.
The enchanted ceiling never failed to have that effect.
Stars glittered above us, impossibly close, as if one could reach up and pluck them out of the sky. Several of the children nearly tripped over their own feet in their eagerness to stare, and McGonagall shot them a look sharp enough to remind them where they were.
The Sorting Hat was placed upon the stool, and the ceremony began.
Name after name was called, voices trembling, hats slipping over wide eyes. I found myself only half-paying attention, mentally noting how many of these bright-eyed children would one day try to interview me, quote me, or dramatically faint in my presence.
Still, a couple names did catch my attention.
"Greengrass, Astoria."
Ah. That one.
I watched as the girl took her seat under Slytherin, pale and composed beyond her years. Draco's future wife, if memory serves. Interesting how destiny had a habit of sneaking in early.
"Vane, Romilda."
That name earned a raised eyebrow. She was sorted into Gryffindor, looking pleased with herself in a way I made a mental note of. Yes… I distinctly remembered chocolates and love potions where she was concerned. Best to keep an eye on that one in a few years.
Once the last student was sorted and the Hat had been whisked away, Albus rose from his seat, beard gleaming in the candlelight. The hall quieted immediately.
Dumbledore welcomed everyone back, old students, new students, with his usual warmth and gentle authority. He reminded them, as he always did at this time of the year, that the Forbidden Forest was forbidden (a shocking revelation to exactly no one), that magic in the corridors was prohibited, and that the list of banned objects could be found conveniently posted outside Filch's office for those who enjoyed living dangerously.
Then came the introductions.
First, he welcomed our newest colleague.
"Please join me in greeting Professor Remus Lupin, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Lupin stood and gave a modest bow, earning polite applause that swelled into something warmer than expected. I noticed several students already watching him with curiosity, a good sign. Defence was a position that tended to… chew people up.
Then Dumbledore continued.
"And finally, Professor Kettleburn has at last decided to enjoy a well-earned retirement, choosing to spend his days in peace with his remaining limbs."
A ripple of laughter went through the hall.
"In his place," Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling as he turned slightly toward me, "we welcome back a familiar and beloved face. Professor Gilderoy Lockhart will be taking over Care of Magical Creatures this year."
The reaction was immediate.
Applause thundered through the Great Hall.
Not polite clapping, but real enthusiasm. A few students actually stood. The Weasley twins were, unsurprisingly, the loudest, whistling and cheering like I'd just scored the winning goal at a Quidditch final.
What did surprise me, however, was the Slytherin table.
They were applauding too.
Some enthusiastically. Some with measured approval. A few with calculating looks that said they were already deciding how knowing me might benefit them. Sensible children.
I rose smoothly from my seat, offering a gracious smile and a small bow, soaking it all in. One must never rush moments like these. Adoration is best enjoyed slowly.
I sat back down to Aurora's amused smile and Lupin's quiet chuckle.
"Well," Aurora murmured, leaning slightly closer, "I see you haven't lost your touch."
"Lost it?" I whispered back. "My dear Aurora, I've merely refined it."
Lupin shook his head, lips twitching. "You were always good with crowds."
Crowds, yes. People were much easier than monsters. Monsters tended to bite.
Dumbledore concluded his announcements with a cheerful clap of his hands, and just like that, the long tables filled with food. Platters appeared in a glorious excess of roasted meats, vegetables, gravies, pies, puddings, and enough treacle tart to make a Healer weep.
I helped myself to a reasonable portion, appearances must be maintained, while listening to the low hum of conversation rise around the hall.
"So," I said casually, turning to Lupin, "first year back at Hogwarts in a while. How does it feel?"
He glanced around the Great Hall, expression softening just a fraction. "Strange. Comforting. A bit like stepping into an old photograph and finding it still warm."
I nodded, understanding more than I let on. Hogwarts had a way of doing that, holding onto pieces of people long after they'd changed.
Across the hall, I spotted Harry Potter laughing quietly with Ron and Hermione. No flinching, no distant stare, no hand unconsciously drifting toward his scar. Good. Very good. That alone made the past summer worth every drop of sweat and blood.
McGonagall passed behind us, giving me a brief nod of approval. High praise, coming from her. I pretended not to glow.
As dessert appeared, meringues, trifles, and an irresponsible amount of custard, I leaned back slightly in my chair, surveying the hall.
A new year. New dangers. New opportunities.
A good part of canon was gone, the board rewritten, and for once, I wasn't reacting, I was ahead.
And as the candles flickered above and the enchanted ceiling darkened into a star-studded sky, I couldn't help but smile.
Whatever this year decided to throw at us, Hogwarts had gained a better Lockhart than it ever had before.
And Merlin help it, I intended to prove that thoroughly.
…