Everywhere, Everything

xxxvii. Don't You Blink Or Miss, It's Your Time

Since the disastrous episode with the pixies, Professor Lockhart had not brought live creatures to class. Instead, he read passages from his books to his students, and sometimes reenacted some of the more dramatic bits. He usually picked Harry to help him with these reconstructions regardless of how insistent Tigerlily's hand was on the rare occasion that he asked for a volunteer.

    So far, Harry had played a Transylvanian villager whom Lockhart had cured of a Babbling Curse, a yeti with a head cold, and a vampire who had been unable to eat anything except lettuce since Lockhart had dealt with him.

On today's lesson, Harry was once again picked to play one of the roles, and this time the one of the Wagga Wagga Werewolf. Though Wanderings With Werewolves remained her favorite book, Tigerlily didn't exactly approve of the use of brute force Lockhart talked so proudly about when retelling the story in which he defeated the werewolf. Harry didn't look too sold on the idea, either, when Lockhart plucked him from his desk and brought him to the front of the class, but after some pointed looks from his friends to remind him they had to keep Lockhart happy, he complied.

"Nice loud howl, Harry — exactly — and then, if you'll believe it, I pounced — like this — slammed him to the floor — thus with one hand, I managed to hold him down — with my other, I put my wand to his throat — I then screwed up my remaining strength and performed the immensely complex Homorphus Charm — he let out a piteous moan — go on, Harry — higher than that — good — the fur vanished — the fangs shrank — and he turned back into a man. Simple, yet effective — and another village will remember me forever as the hero who delivered them from the monthly terror of werewolf attacks."

The bell rang and Lockhart got to his feet. Tigerlily leaned back on her seat, glad for Harry's lack of enthusiasm when performing the attack.

    "Homework — compose a poem about my defeat of the Wagga Wagga Werewolf! Signed copies of Magical Me to the author of the best one!"

    The class began to leave with a rustle of bags and footsteps. Harry returned to the back of the room, where Ron, Hermione and Tigerlily waited for him.

    "Ready?" Harry muttered.

    "Wait till everyone's gone," said Hermione nervously. "All right..."

    She handed Tigerlily a piece of paper she'd been folding and unfolding all class and then gave her a little push as the four of them approached Lockhart's desk.

    "Professor Lockhart?" Tigerlily said, though it sounded more like a squeak. She had to clear her throat before she continued. "I was wondering if you could help me? Please? I'd like to get this book from the library, for reference." She handed him the piece of paper, immediately drawing back her hand and hiding it behind her back.

    "I would really appreciate it if you could help me with your signature, Professor," Tigerlily continued, and her voice kept quivering the more she thought about getting an (unofficial) autograph. "You see, the book's in the Restricted Section of the library — but I promise I'm taking it out for anything bad! I mean, I would never! That'd be mad! But, you know, sir, I just finished Gadding with Ghouls and — oh, it was brilliant, Professor, perhaps my favorite now — after Wandering With Werewolves, of course — although there's that bit — "

    Ron delivered a light kick to her foot and cleared his throat before pretending to cough.

    "What I mean is," Tigerlily said quickly, chuckling nervously. "I love your books. And I think getting this one from the library could help me understand them a bit better."

    "Ah!" said Lockhart, taking the note from her and smiling widely. "Glad to know you enjoy them! And you can never go wrong with Wanderings With Werewolves, eh?"