The Auror Office was never truly quiet, even when no active cases were being discussed. Papers rustled constantly. Enchanted quills scratched notes into floating parchment without prompting. Maps of magical Britain flickered across walls, updating themselves in real time with shifting threat indicators. The smell of strong tea mixed with ink, parchment, and faint traces of magical residue from recent fieldwork. On this particular afternoon, the atmosphere was unusually crowded. Senior Aurors occupied most of the central briefing room, while others leaned against desks or hovered near enchanted case boards. There was a sense of controlled tension in the air, the kind that came from years of knowing that any quiet moment could be interrupted by chaos. Remus Lupin stood near the side of the room, listening to a discussion between Kingsley Shacklebolt and Amelia Bones. Sirius Black sat nearby with a restless energy that made it clear he was not built for administrative work. Tonks was absentmindedly changing the color of her hair every few seconds. Moody sat in the corner, watching everyone at once. Nagini stood slightly apart, arms folded, her posture alert and composed as always. James and Lily Potter spoke quietly with Frank and Alice Longbottom, while Korrin Silverthorne and Nyx Silverthorne observed the room with quiet curiosity that didn’t quite match their ages or appearances.
Remus was in the middle of replying to Kingsley when something small and gold shot into the room.
It didn’t announce itself.
It didn’t need to.
The Snitch Camera hovered above the briefing table for a brief moment, its enchanted runes flickering faintly blue. Then it projected an image directly into the center of the room. The Aurors instinctively straightened. Moody’s eye spun. Tonks leaned forward instantly. Sirius tilted his head with immediate interest. Amelia Bones raised a hand slightly, as though preparing for a threat assessment. But then the footage began.
And the room stopped being an Auror office.
The first scene appeared in the Hogwarts's Great Hall.
Dumbledore spread his arms grandly.
"Please welcome Professor Gilderoy Lockhart."
The hall applauded politely.
Lockhart positively glowed.
This was his moment.
His stage.
His audience.
His smile widened.
He rose magnificently from his chair.
And then—
PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT!
The sound echoed across the Great Hall.
Loud.
Clear.
Unmistakable.
A perfect fart noise.
For one glorious second, nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
Nobody seemed capable of processing what had just happened.
Lockhart froze halfway through standing.
His smile remained in place.
Barely.
The silence stretched.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three.
Then a first-year Hufflepuff snorted.
That was all it took.
The hall exploded.
Laughter erupted from every table.
Students doubled over.
Several nearly fell from their benches.
Lockhart stood frozen.
His face had gone bright red.
"No, no," he stammered. "That wasn't—"
PFFT!
The chair produced another smaller noise.
The hall erupted again.
Someone at the Ravenclaw table actually fell off their bench.
Sirius immediately choked on his laughter.
Tonks burst out laughing without hesitation.
Kingsley covered his mouth, though his shoulders shook.
Amelia Bones looked like she was questioning reality.
Remus blinked slowly.
Moody muttered, “What in Merlin’s name—”
The Snitch Camera shifted scenes.
The next scene is the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom with Lockhart taking out parchments from his desk.
"Now then," he declared, clapping his hands together. "I have prepared a short quiz."
Groans immediately spread throughout the classroom.
Hermione looked delighted.
Everyone else looked less enthusiastic.
Lockhart began distributing parchment sheets down each row, "It's simply a way for me to assess how much you've learned from my books."
Draco picked up his quiz.
His expression immediately darkened.
Sapphira glanced at hers.
Then blinked.
Every question was about Lockhart.
Not defense.
Not magical creatures.
Not curses.
Just Lockhart.
Then a moment later, t
he questions on the parchment shimmered briefly.
Nobody noticed.
Not even Lockhart.
Then the transformation was complete.
Students began reading.
The silence lasted approximately five seconds.
Then Seamus Finnigan snorted.
Dean Thomas started coughing.
Neville looked confused.
Ron blinked several times.
Hermione lowered her parchment and stared.
Draco buried his face in one hand.
The quiz now read:
True or False: Professor Lockhart has three nipples?
True or False: Professor Lockhart wears bright pink pajamas with tiny hearts?
True or False: Professor Lockhart keeps a vial of his own "heroic tears" as a potion ingredient?
True or False: Professor Lockhart refused to fight a vampire unless someone fixed his hair first?
True or False: Professor Lockhart sings like a banshee?
True or False: Professor Lockhart's most heroic deed involved a confused Puffskein and a broom closet?
True or False: Professor Lockhart once mistook a Fwooper for a fan trying to compliment him?
True or False: Professor Lockhart thinks Expelliarmus is pronounced "Ex-pelly-hair-me-us"?
True or False: Professor Lockhart sleeps with a framed picture of himself on his bedside table?
True or False: Professor Lockhart once tried to duel a Boggart and lost?
True or False: Professor Lockhart attempted to autograph a Howler before it exploded?
True or False: Professor Lockhart once tried to duel a mirror because he thought the reflection was a dark wizard copying him?
True or False: Professor Lockhart dances to the Can Can song while wearing women's clothing?
The room descended into chaos.
Students were laughing.
Actually laughing.
Several nearly fell out of their chairs.
Ron had tears in his eyes.
Dean was hiding behind his parchment.
Seamus looked incapable of breathing normally.
Even Neville was laughing.
Hermione was trying very hard not to.
Lockhart finally noticed.
His smile faltered, "What's so amusing?"
Nobody answered immediately.
That made him suspicious.
He walked toward the nearest desk.
Picked up a quiz.
Read the first question.
Then the second.
Then the third.
His face turned bright red, "What?!"
The laughter intensified.
"These aren't my questions!"
He grabbed another quiz.
Then another.
Then another.
Every single parchment displayed the same absurd list.
Lockhart looked horrified, "None of these are true!"
That declaration only made things worse.
Because the students were no longer looking at the quizzes.
They were looking behind him.
Lockhart frowned.
Slowly.
Confused.
The classroom had fallen silent.
Students stared past him with wide eyes.
Ron pointed.
Seamus pointed.
Dean pointed.
Hermione blinked.
Even Harry looked stunned.
Lockhart turned around.
And froze.
Standing atop the professor's platform was another Gilderoy Lockhart.
A perfectly lifelike magical illusion.
This version wore an outrageously bright pink dress trimmed with lace and ribbons.
A massive feathery fan rested in one hand.
The illusion smiled dramatically.
Then music erupted through the classroom.
Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da!
Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da!
The unmistakable strains of The Infernal Galop filled the room.
The Can Can.
Students immediately lost all remaining self-control.
The illusionary Lockhart began dancing.
High kicks.
Spins.
Flourishes.
Perfectly executed theatrical movements.
The feathery fan snapped open dramatically.
The pink skirt swirled.
The illusion twirled across the platform with astonishing enthusiasm.
The classroom exploded with laughter.
The illusionary Lockhart performed another spinning kick.
Then another.
Then dramatically posed.
The fan fluttered.
The music swelled.
The real Lockhart stood frozen.
Utterly speechless.
His mouth opened.
Closed.
Opened again.
No words emerged.
The contrast between the real professor and his dancing duplicate made the scene even more ridiculous.
"THAT IS NOT ME!" Lockhart finally shouted.
The illusion immediately struck another dramatic pose.
The music continued.
Students laughed harder.
Tonks lost it entirely, “I need that spell.”
James wiped tears from his eyes.
Lily looked scandalized—but was smiling despite herself.
Frank Longbottom looked confused.
Alice leaned toward him and whispered something that made him laugh.
Sirius pointed at the projection, “That is
criminally
good.”
Remus didn’t say anything.
But he was definitely watching.
Carefully.
The montage continued.
The next scene was at the Great Hall. Lockhart was at the staff table who was taking a drink of his pumpkin juice.
Lockhart set the goblet down.
Everything appeared normal.
For approximately five seconds.
Then Lockhart cleared his throat.
"Ahem."
Instead of words, a loud parrot squawk erupted from his mouth.
The Great Hall froze.
Every conversation stopped.
Every fork paused halfway to someone's mouth.
Lockhart blinked.
Confused.
Professor Sprout blinked.
More confused.
Lockhart tried again.
"SQUAWK!"
The noise echoed throughout the Great Hall.
Several first-years jumped.
One Ravenclaw accidentally dropped a spoon.
Lockhart stared in horror.
His face slowly turned red.
Then pink.
Then red again.
He tried speaking a third time.
"KRAAAK!"
A strange musical trill followed.
"Trill-trill-squawk!"
The silence lasted exactly one second.
Then the students exploded.
Laughter crashed across the Great Hall like a tidal wave.
Lockhart stood abruptly.
He attempted to demand an explanation.
Instead—
"SQUAWK! KRAAAAK! TRILL-TRILL-TRILL!"
The sounds resembled an extremely offended tropical bird.
Professor Flitwick nearly inhaled his tea.
McGonagall immediately looked away.
Nobody could tell whether she was suppressing laughter or suffering from second-hand embarrassment.
Professor Sprout's face had become alarmingly red.
Even Dumbledore's eyes twinkled suspiciously.
Lockhart pointed dramatically at the students.
He clearly intended to accuse someone.
The resulting noise sounded like an outraged parrot arguing with a window.
"SKRAAAWK! TRILL! SQUAWK-SQUAWK!"
The hall erupted again.
Lockhart looked increasingly desperate.
Snape slowly lowered his teacup.
His expression remained perfectly neutral.
Almost suspiciously neutral.
Lockhart looked toward him desperately.
The professor gestured wildly.
Clearly pleading for assistance.
Snape stared for several moments.
Then spoke,
"Professor Lockhart appears to be experiencing a temporary vocal complication."
"SQUAWK!"
"Indeed," Snape nodded thoughtfully, "A very unfortunate one."
Nearby, Dumbledore gently cleared his throat.
His eyes sparkled behind his spectacles.
"I am sure Madam Pomfrey can assist."
Lockhart looked relieved.
Then he attempted to thank the Headmaster.
"KRAAAK! TRILL!"
The laughter restarted.
By now, even some professors had surrendered.
Flitwick openly laughed into his napkin.
Sprout wasn't doing much better.
McGonagall continued staring very intently at her breakfast.
Far too intently.
The evidence was becoming difficult to ignore.
Finally, Lockhart fled.
Or at least attempted to flee with dignity.
Unfortunately, dignity was difficult to maintain while repeatedly squawking like a parrot.
The professor swept from the hall in a dramatic swirl of robes.
"SQUAWK!"
The doors slammed shut behind him.
Silence followed.
Brief silence.
Then the entire Great Hall burst into applause.
The office erupted instantly as footage showed Lockhart screeching like a tropical bird at the staff table.
Sirius collapsed sideways into James.
James couldn’t speak anymore.
Tonks had fully stopped functioning.
Kingsley was trying very hard to retain professionalism and failing catastrophically.
The next scene took place in the DADA classroom. Lockhart had made the mistake of declaring that he can outwit the cleverest Niffler.
Lockhart paced dramatically across the room.
"One must understand the psychology of magical creatures."
Pip reached the front row.
Lockhart gestured grandly.
"They respect confidence."
Pip slipped between two desks.
"They recognize superior intellect."
Pip reached the professor's desk.
"And naturally, they know when they have been outmatched."
Pip climbed onto the desk.
Several students immediately stopped taking notes.
Nobody wanted to miss what happened next.
Lockhart continued speaking.
Completely oblivious.
Pip examined the belt carefully.
A professional evaluating a masterpiece.
Then he reached out.
Tiny paws moved with remarkable precision.
The buckle clicked.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
Snap.
The belt came free.
Pip immediately vanished beneath the desk.
For approximately three seconds, nothing happened.
Then gravity intervened.
Lockhart took another dramatic step.
His trousers immediately dropped to his ankles.
The classroom froze.
Complete silence.
Absolute silence.
Lockhart blinked.
Several students blinked.
The professor looked down.
His expression slowly transformed from confusion to horror.
Then the room exploded.
Laughter erupted from every direction.
Students doubled over.
Theo nearly fell out of his chair.
Blaise actually did fall out of his chair.
Daphne buried her face in her hands.
Draco laughed so hard he couldn't breathe.
Even Hermione looked dangerously close to laughing.
Ron slammed both hands onto his desk.
Harry had to grab the edge of his chair for support.
Lockhart stood frozen.
Brightly patterned heart-covered boxers peeked above his socks.
Several students immediately noticed.
The laughter intensified.
Much intensified.
Someone in the back shouted, "The boxer rumor was true!"
Lockhart looked ready to faint, "P-Professor!"
He desperately tried pulling his trousers up.
Unfortunately, this proved difficult while simultaneously attempting to preserve his dignity.
A losing battle.
Especially when Pip emerged triumphantly from beneath a desk holding the stolen belt.
The Niffler proudly waved it above his head.
The classroom erupted again.
Lockhart stared.
Pip stared back.
The belt sparkled.
Pip hugged it protectively.
For a brief moment, professor and Niffler simply regarded one another.
Then Pip chirped happily.
As if declaring victory.
"It seems the Niffler is far more intelligent than Lockhart." Kingsley commented.
"Can we hire him for pranks?" Sirius asked.
"He belongs to someone else." Remus pointed out.
The next scene takes place in the Great Hall.
At the staff table, Gilderoy Lockhart was desperately attempting to behave as though nothing unusual had happened.
Unfortunately for him, Dumbledore had other plans.
The Headmaster waited until most of the students had settled.
Then he turned toward Lockhart.
His eyes twinkled behind his half-moon spectacles, "Professor Lockhart."
Lockhart immediately smiled.
A practiced smile.
A nervous smile, "Yes, Headmaster?"
Dumbledore folded his hands together, "I heard an interesting story today."
Several nearby professors immediately became suspicious.
McGonagall's lips twitched.
Flitwick suddenly became very interested in his dinner.
Snape quietly reached for his goblet.
Dumbledore continued, "It involved a Niffler."
Lockhart visibly froze.
Dumbledore's smile remained perfectly innocent, "I understand the creature stole your belt." A pause, "And that your trousers subsequently fell down."
The silence that followed lasted exactly one second.
Then Flitwick choked on his pumpkin juice.
McGonagall lowered her head.
Professor Sprout looked away entirely.
Even Snape's shoulders twitched once.
Lockhart laughed.
A strained laugh.
A very strained laugh.
"Ah."
Another laugh.
"Yes."
His face had become slightly pink, "A rather amusing misunderstanding."
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully, "I also heard the Niffler escaped successfully."
The twinkle in his eyes intensified.
Lockhart smiled weakly, "Quite."
"And that it appeared delighted." Dumbledore smiled.
Lockhart's eye twitched, "Indeed."
Dumbledore nodded again, "Remarkable creature."
Lockhart desperately attempted to redirect matters, "Speaking of remarkable creatures, Headmaster, have I ever told you about the time I single-handedly outwitted a manticore?"
Dumbledore smiled kindly, "I believe you've told me six times."
Lockhart deflated slightly.
The professors suddenly found their meals very interesting.
Then a first year Hufflepuff approaches the staff with a small box in his hands.
Lockhart immediately brightened.
The boy nervously handed it over, "A fan asked me to give these to you, Professor."
Lockhart looked thrilled.
"Oh?" His smile widened, "How thoughtful."
The boy quickly retreated before he started laughing.
Lockhart admired the chocolates.
The decorative ribbon.
The elegant wrapping.
The attached note.
"To the bravest wizard alive."
Lockhart looked positively radiant.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
Snape slowly lowered his goblet.
McGonagall closed her eyes briefly.
They all knew Hogwarts students far too well.
Lockhart, unfortunately, did not.
Without hesitation, he selected a chocolate.
Then another.
Then a third.
The professor clearly wanted everyone to witness how beloved he was.
He popped one into his mouth.
Chewed.
Smiled.
Swallowed.
Everything seemed normal.
For approximately four seconds.
Then Lockhart froze.
His smile vanished.
His eyes widened.
His face turned red.
Then redder.
Then alarmingly red.
A moment later—
"AAAAAAAHHHHH!"
The scream echoed throughout the Great Hall.
Every student jumped.
Several forks hit the floor.
Lockhart leapt to his feet.
His chair crashed backward.
"FIRE!"
Another scream.
"MY MOUTH IS ON FIRE!"
The Great Hall descended into chaos.
Students stared.
Professors stared.
Lockhart grabbed his goblet.
Then drank the entire contents.
Nothing happened.
The spicy enchantment intensified.
"AAAAAHHHHH!"
He seized a pitcher.
Drank that too.
Still nothing.
The spice only grew worse.
Lockhart's eyes watered.
His hair appeared moments away from igniting.
"MORE WATER!"
He grabbed another pitcher.
Then another.
Then another.
Nothing helped.
Lockhart staggered toward the staff table.
"Milk!"
A house-elf instantly provided some.
Lockhart drank it.
Then froze.
Then screamed even louder.
"IT'S WORSE!"
The hall erupted.
Students collapsed against benches.
Even some older students couldn't breathe from laughing.
Lockhart ran toward the doors.
Then stopped.
Then ran back.
Then toward the doors again.
Pure panic had replaced all coherent thought.
His internal monologue consisted entirely of variations of fire, fire, fire.
"Madam Pomfrey!"
He bolted from the hall.
"HELP!"
The doors slammed behind him.
"Why didn't
we
think of that?" Sirius asked.
"He deserves it." Moody replied.
The next scene took place in the Great Hall again.
Then Dumbledore stood.
The Headmaster smiled warmly at the assembled students. "Before we begin today's announcements—"
Lockhart immediately rose to his feet.
What emerged from his mouth was not speech.
It was singing.
Loud singing.
Operatic singing.
"AHHHHHH, YEEESSSSS, HEEEAAAADMASTERRRRR!"
The entire Great Hall froze.
Lockhart froze.
Dumbledore froze.
A spoon clattered onto the floor somewhere near Ravenclaw.
Lockhart stared.
His eyes widened.
Then he tried again.
"IIIIII WAAAAAS HOOOOPIIIINGGGGG!"
His voice soared upward into an impossibly dramatic tenor performance.
The sound echoed off the enchanted ceiling.
Students stared.
Some looked confused.
Others looked horrified.
Most looked delighted.
Lockhart looked around desperately.
His face had turned bright red.
"MYYYYY VOOOOOIIIICE APPEEEEEARS!"
The opera became even louder.
A group of Hufflepuffs began shaking with silent laughter.
Several Ravenclaws appeared fascinated from an academic perspective.
The Weasley twins looked seconds away from collapsing.
Even Sapphira struggled to maintain composure.
Lockhart cleared his throat.
Then attempted a simple sentence but the result was catastrophic.
"GOOOOOOOOOD MOOOOOOORNINGGGGGGGGG!"
The final note lasted nearly ten seconds.
Several nearby candles flickered.
Students finally broke.
The Great Hall erupted.
Laughter exploded from every table.
Some students doubled over.
Others openly cried from laughing too hard.
Even older students who normally maintained dignified composure lost the battle completely.
Lockhart looked as though he wanted the floor to swallow him.
Professor McGonagall pinched the bridge of her nose.
Flitwick had stopped pretending to be composed.
The Charms professor's shoulders shook visibly.
Professor Sprout looked ready to burst into tears from suppressed laughter.
Dumbledore's beard twitched suspiciously.
Only Snape remained completely expressionless.
Or at least mostly expressionless.
Those watching very carefully might have noticed the faintest hint of satisfaction in his dark eyes.
Lockhart turned desperately toward the Potions Master.
"PROFESSOR SNAAAAAPE, PERHAAAAAPS—"
The operatic performance somehow intensified.
The note rose dramatically.
Then higher.
Then even higher.
Students applauded.
Actually applauded.
"Impressive." Frank commented.
"I think that spell is only making him sound talented." Alice commented.
Kingsley nodded, "I also have to admit that he sounds better as a opera singer than a teacher."
"Indeed." Korrin nodded.
The next scene took place in the DADA classroom. Lockhart was at his desk.
Lockhart reached for a drawer.
The professor opened the top drawer.
Inside sat a stack of parchment.
He removed a single sheet.
Then casually pushed the drawer closed.
Click.
Immediately—
A different drawer slid open.
Students glanced toward the desk.
Lockhart frowned.
He reached over.
Closed it.
Click.
Another drawer opened.
The class grew quieter.
Lockhart blinked.
Then closed that one.
Click.
A third drawer opened.
The room became silent.
Lockhart stared at the desk.
The desk stared back.
Or at least seemed to.
He reached forward again.
Closed the newest drawer.
Click.
Another opened.
Then another.
Then another.
The desk suddenly resembled a confused magical accordion.
Students exchanged looks.
Several were already struggling not to laugh.
Lockhart forced a smile, "Ahem." He laughed nervously, "Interesting."
The desk responded by opening another drawer.
The smile disappeared.
Now determined to regain control, Lockhart grabbed two drawers simultaneously.
He slammed both shut.
Click.
Click.
Two more immediately sprang open.
The classroom erupted.
Laughter exploded throughout the room.
Lockhart froze.
Then tried again.
Three drawers.
Three hands would've been useful.
Unfortunately, he only possessed two.
The desk apparently knew this.
The moment two drawers closed—
Two others opened.
It was as though the furniture itself had declared war.
Then things became worse.
Much worse.
One drawer burst open violently.
A cloud of sparkling glitter exploded into the air.
Golden dust showered the room.
Students squealed.
Several ducked.
Lockhart staggered backward.
The glitter settled all over his robes.
His hair.
His face.
Everything sparkled.
Absolutely everything.
Before Lockhart could recover, another drawer opened.
A massive, feathered boa erupted outward.
Bright pink.
Extremely fluffy.
Very alive.
The enchanted accessory wrapped itself around Lockhart's shoulders.
Then around his neck.
Then around his arms.
It appeared absolutely delighted.
Lockhart struggled.
The boa hugged tighter.
Students howled with laughter.
The professor spun in circles attempting to free himself.
The boa interpreted this as a game.
And hugged him even more enthusiastically.
Another drawer opened.
This time enchanted quills shot into the air.
Dozens of them.
They swarmed around Lockhart like a flock of birds.
Ink splattered everywhere.
One quill attempted to autograph his forehead.
Another signed his sleeve.
A third signed the boa.
Several students nearly fell from their chairs laughing.
Lockhart waved frantically.
The quills interpreted the movement as encouragement.
More signatures appeared.
Everywhere.
Then came the mirror.
A small ornate mirror floated from another drawer.
It hovered directly in front of Lockhart.
The reflection smiled.
Then spoke, "Oh my," The mirror sighed dreamily, "What magnificent hair."
Students immediately lost control.
The mirror continued, "Such dazzling eyes."
Lockhart stared.
Horrified.
The mirror floated closer, "You truly are the most handsome wizard I've ever reflected."
The classroom dissolved into chaos.
Lockhart finally managed to grab the mirror.
Unfortunately, this caused another drawer to open.
A shower of enchanted paper hearts burst into the air.
They fluttered around his head.
Several carried messages.
"Gilderoy, you're wonderful!"
"Your smile brightens my day!"
"Marry me!"
The mirror sighed dramatically, "I agree with all of these."
The students were now openly crying with laughter.
Lockhart looked moments away from resignation.
At the back of the room, Snape appeared in the doorway.
Nobody knew how long he had been standing there.
The Potions Master observed the chaos silently.
Glitter-covered Lockhart.
The enchanted boa.
Floating quills.
Complimenting mirror.
Flying hearts.
Open drawers.
Students laughing hysterically.
Snape's eyes moved slowly across the scene.
Then settled on Lockhart.
A long silence followed.
Finally—
"Having trouble with your furniture, Lockhart?"
The classroom exploded.
Again.
Even the mirror laughed.
Lockhart looked as though he wanted to disappear entirely.
And somewhere beneath the chaos, hidden within the enchanted desk itself, a final drawer quietly opened and released a tiny banner that unfurled above Lockhart's head.
WORLD'S MOST ADMIRED WIZARD
"More like the Wizarding World's biggest joke." Nyx commented with his arms crossed in front of his chest.
The entire Auror office roared in laughter.
And then—
The Griffin.
Sirius stopped laughing for half a second, “That one’s new.”
Lockhart approached Solareth with the swagger of a man making a terrible decision.
"Students," he announced loudly, "allow me to demonstrate how one properly establishes dominance over a magical creature."
Solareth slowly turned her head toward him. Her expression remained calm. Curious, even. Lockhart interpreted this as interest. It was not. The Griffin studied him the way someone might study an unusually loud insect.
Lockhart puffed out his chest. "Creatures respect confidence." He took another step forward. Solareth blinked once.
Then twice.
Then she sighed.
Actually sighed.
Several students noticed.
"Did that Griffin just sigh?" Tonks asked, surprised.
"I believe so." Lily replied.
"I would sigh too." Amelia commented.
The professor continued his approach. "Now then, magnificent beast, perhaps you recognize a fellow legend when you see one."
Solareth's amber eyes narrowed slightly. Pip stopped digging and watched. Finn stopped cleaning himself and watched. Even several birds perched nearby seemed interested in the outcome. The natural world itself appeared to sense something inevitable approaching.
Lockhart reached out a hand. "Good griffin." His voice dripped with confidence. "Allow me to show these students how—"
Solareth grabbed him.
The entire class froze.
Lockhart vanished upward with a startled yelp.
Students stared.
Lockhart stared.
The Griffin flapped her enormous wings once.
Then twice.
Then soared into the sky carrying a very confused Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
The silence that followed was extraordinary.
Theo finally spoke. "Did that just happen?"
"Yes," Blaise sounded impressed, "
Definitely
happened."
The students watched as Solareth became a distant shape against the blue sky. Lockhart's screams echoed faintly across the grounds. They grew quieter with distance. Then quieter still. Eventually, both Griffin and professor disappeared beyond the edge of the Forbidden Forest. The class remained silent for several seconds. Then everyone looked at Sapphira.
Draco raised an eyebrow, "Should we retrieve him?"
Sapphira considered the question seriously.
Very seriously.
Then she shrugged, "He'll be fine."
Several students looked skeptical.
Sapphira continued, "He's a Merlin Third Class wizard," Her expression remained perfectly innocent, "This will be easy for him."
Fred collapsed against George.
George wheezed.
Several students began laughing.
Even Daphne's composure cracked.
"Sounds like good character building." Sirius commented.
Kingsley raised an eyebrow, “So a Griffin dropped him into the Forest?”
Moody grunted, “Deserved.”
Nagini tilted her head slightly, studying the projection with mild curiosity.
Korrin let out a low whistle.
Nyx looked faintly amused.
Lily pressed a hand to her mouth, “That poor man…”
James leaned toward her, “He’ll be fine.”
Remus didn’t look convinced anyone would be fine.
The Snitch Camera finally ended the montage with Lockhart emerging from the Forbidden Forest.
Disheveled.
Traumatized.
And very, very exposed at the back.
The room went silent for exactly one second.
Then it broke.
Completely.
Sirius practically fell out of his chair laughing.
Tonks had to lean against a desk for support.
Kingsley shook his head in disbelief.
Amelia Bones pinched the bridge of her nose.
Moody muttered something that sounded suspiciously like approval.
Nagini let out a quiet, sharp exhale that might have been a laugh if she allowed herself one.
Frank looked horrified.
Alice looked fascinated.
James was wheezing.
Lily had tears in her eyes from laughing too hard.
Remus finally spoke.
Slowly.
Carefully.
“That… is a lot of incidents for one professor.”
Sirius wiped his eyes, “That is a
gifted
student.”
Tonks grinned, “I want to meet her.”
Kingsley glanced at the projection fading in the air, “That would be Sapphira Silverthorne?”
At the mention of the name, several people straightened slightly.
Nagini nodded once, “Korrin and Nyx’s sister.”
Nyx added quietly, “She causes… structured chaos.”
Moody snorted, “That’s one way to put it.”
Amelia Bones looked thoughtful, “If she can produce that level of precision without detection…”
She trailed off.
Kingsley finished the thought, “She’s either going to be a problem…” A pause, “…or an asset.”
Remus looked back at where the Snitch Camera had hovered moments earlier.
It was gone now.
Sent back.
But the impression remained.
The carefully orchestrated chaos.
The precision behind every prank.
The control beneath the absurdity.
It wasn’t random.
It was targeted.
Intentional.
Almost strategic.
He exhaled slowly.
“Whoever she is…” Sirius grinned, “Oh, I already like her.”
Tonks nodded enthusiastically, “Same.”
Lily sighed, still smiling faintly, “I feel bad for Lockhart.”
James leaned back, “No you
don’t
.”
Lily didn’t deny it.
Across the room, the Auror office slowly returned to normal activity.
But the laughter lingered.
And somewhere in the background of Remus Lupin’s thoughts, one idea settled firmly into place.
Hogwarts, it seemed, was going to be very interesting this year.