Inside Gringotts, Charlie walked up to a random teller.
As always, the goblin didn't even look up, quill scratching across parchment with mechanical precision.
Charlie pulled out two fist-sized gold ingots and dropped them onto the counter.
The heavy clunk echoed loudly.
Drawn by the sound, the goblin finally looked up, and froze.
The gold shimmered under the lamplight. His pupils dilated, and his breath grew shallow with greed.
He carefully put down his quill and reached out with a bony hand, cautiously brushing the surface of the gold.
"Is this pure gold?" the goblin asked, voice thick with desire.
"Of course. Exchange it all for Galleons."
The goblin brought out a measuring device to confirm the purity, then began weighing it.
"Two thousand six hundred forty-five grams."
His clawed fingers flew across the abacus faster than the eye could follow.
"At today's rate, that's 5,291 Galleons."
Charlie nodded. "Give me one thousand in cash. Deposit the rest in my vault."
The goblin reluctantly extracted 1,000 Galleons and handed them over with visible pain.
"One thousand Galleons. Please count."
Charlie gathered the coins and left Gringotts.
By the time he arrived at Flourish and Blotts, Harry and the others were already waiting outside. He'd spent a little longer exchanging the gold.
Technically, Charlie didn't need to buy any books, he didn't read them anyway.
But skipping the purchase altogether would probably earn him a death glare from every professor.
A large crowd had formed outside the bookstore, mostly middle-aged witches like Mrs. Weasley.
A banner hung from the second floor:
"Gilderoy Lockhart Signing: Magical Me"
"It's Lockhart! We get to see him in person!" Mrs. Weasley's eyes sparkled. She was clearly a devoted fan.
"Molly, do we really have to line up?" Mr. Weasley asked, his voice laced with despair.
"Of course we do!" she replied, voice rising an octave. "It's Lockhart's signature!"
Charlie had no intention of queuing for an autograph.
But with the entrance clogged by fans, even getting inside to buy books was a challenge.
He peered through the crowd.
Lockhart was seated behind a desk, wearing a pristine blue robe. His bright blue eyes glinted under the lights.
Golden curls, perfectly styled. The whole aura of a "legendary wizard."
A massive photo hung behind him, Lockhart, beaming and winking at the crowd.
Mrs. Weasley was swooning.
"No wonder he keeps winning Most Charming Smile."
Someone shouted, "Lockhart, give us a smile!"
Lockhart raised his head, lips curving into a practiced grin.
"It's been so long since I did this... years, really," he said with a smooth, magnetic voice. "After all, I didn't banish the Banshee with a smile."
He paused, scanned the crowd.
"But since everyone insists…"
He flashed his teeth in a perfect eight-tooth grin.
Sunlight poured through the window, catching his face like a spotlight.
"Ah, just a little something," he added modestly.
Mrs. Weasley and the other witches were practically melting. A few screamed.
Mr. Weasley, standing beside her, looked like he'd bitten into a lemon.
"Oh, he's just so- "
Mrs. Weasley shot him a glare.
He immediately corrected himself, "So inspiring."
He looked like he wanted to die.
Just then, Lockhart spotted Harry at the door.
His eyes lit up. He sprang from his seat and dragged Harry forward by the arm.
"Well if it isn't Harry Potter!"
The fans gasped and stepped aside, creating a clear path.
Without waiting for permission, Lockhart pulled Harry toward the table.
"Come on, Harry, smile for the camera, this will be historic."
Harry's face turned bright red. He hated being the center of attention, and his cheeks were burning.
The photographer raised his camera. The flash was ready.
But as Lockhart posed with his perfect smile, his gaze drifted, then landed on Charlie in the crowd.
His expression changed instantly.
"Is that… our newest Merlin Second Class Medalist? Mr. Charlie White?!"
Gasps rippled through the fans. They parted again, making way.
Lockhart rushed toward Charlie, hands outstretched like he had with Harry.
Charlie sidestepped him effortlessly.
He didn't like being touched without warning.
With the crowd cleared, Charlie took the chance to slip inside the bookstore.
Seriously. Buying textbooks shouldn't be this hard.
Who even assigned all these Lockhart books for Defense Against the Dark Arts?
Lockhart's arms froze midair.
He tried to recover, flashing his signature smile to the crowd.
"Looks like our brilliant young potioneer just couldn't wait to pose with me!"
Then he chased after Charlie, still beaming.
"Mr. White! I'm Gilderoy Lockhart."
He extended his hand, charm oozing from every syllable.
"I've heard so much about you. What an honor!"
Charlie looked at that grinning face and frowned.
That smile looked so rehearsed… so fake.
Then again, he'd worn the same smile himself when faking it, he could spot a fellow performer from a mile away.
"You need something?"
Charlie's voice was cold.
Lockhart realized Charlie wouldn't be as easy to charm as Harry. Time for plan B.
He pulled out a full set of his books and offered them with both hands.
"A small gift," he said, grinning even wider.
"They're required reading this term at Hogwarts. I thought you'd find them useful."
Charlie blinked, surprised.
He took the books, and a smile crept onto his face.
Well, why didn't you say so earlier?
I always knew Lockhart seemed like a genuinely kind person.
Encouraged, Lockhart handed another full set to Harry.
"These are for you too, Mr. Potter."
Harry hesitated, but took them.
The photographer still stood nearby, waiting. Lockhart's eyes lit up again.
"How about the three of us take a group photo?"
He positioned himself between the boys, arms casually draped around their shoulders.
"This is truly a historic moment!"
"Like a scene from a century-old legend!" someone whispered excitedly.
But another voice murmured, "Charlie seems even more charming than Lockhart… And a Second-Class medal? That outranks Lockhart's Third-Class."
Lockhart's smile tightened.
He heard that.
He said nothing, but his hand subtly moved, his sleeve draping over Charlie's head, blocking it from view.
To the crowd, it looked like a senior wizard affectionately shielding a junior.
Charlie, feeling the sudden weight on his head, narrowed his eyes.
This bastard's using me and Harry to boost his own image.
That's gonna cost extra.
Without a word, Charlie moved his hand behind Lockhart's back, out of everyone's line of sight.
His fingers morphed into dragon claws.
He pulled down.
Caught off guard, Lockhart lost his balance and dropped to one knee, hard.
"Ah!" he squealed.
Right then, the photographer hit the shutter.
Click.
The image captured perfectly:
Charlie stood tall, smiling calmly.
Harry looked confused.
Lockhart knelt before Charlie, head bowed, like a man paying tribute.
The crowd fell silent.
"What just happened?"
"Did Lockhart just kneel?"
Charlie feigned a moved expression and reached out.
"Mr. Lockhart, you're too kind."
"To think you'd kneel just to match our height for the photo…"
Lockhart's face turned red, not with shame, but with fury. What the hell was that strength just now?
Still, he forced a laugh and stood back up.
"Haha, of course. Just doing my part."
The fans gasped in admiration.
"Such humility! Lockhart is so thoughtful!"
The photographer hesitated.
"So… should I use that photo?"
"Of course!" Charlie answered brightly.
"This shot captured Mr. Lockhart's most considerate side. It's truly memorable."
Lockhart had no idea how the photo actually looked. That stumble had shaken him more than he cared to admit.
Still, he kept his smile glued on.
"Yes… very memorable indeed."
<><>---------------------------------------
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Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
💥> Naruto: Mind Control (Highly Recommended)
💥> Bleach: Sephiroth Template
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