"~" Kane let out a long, weary sigh.
While his initial plan involved "white-piggybacking" off Lockhart's fa and getting free copies of his novels, eting him this early was definitely not part of the schedule.
His original strategy was to wait until the start of the term. By then, Lockhart would likely have forgotten about being stood up all sumr.
Even if he did rember, as the saying goes, ti heals all wounds—or at least, ti gives a narcissist a chance to find a new subject to boast about.
Maybe he'd pivot from "The Grand Adventure with a Young Prodigy" to "My Days as a Professor at Hogwarts."
Kane could even play the "hype man"—actually, no. That heavy, soul-crushing responsibility should be left to Harry or Hermione. One look at them told Kane they had the natural talent for suffering through social obligations.
Kane pulled the hood of his raincoat up, intending to hide in plain sight. He briefly considered slipping away to buy supplies elsewhere, but... mmm.
Knowing Lockhart's style, the man would spend the entire day tirelessly shouting his own praises and tricking friends into buying his books. He'd be here from dawn till dusk.
However, Kane had severely underestimated Lockhart's mory—or rather, his PTSD. While the man couldn't see Kane's face, he definitely recognized that hood.
Those terrifying shadow tentacles that had once wrapped around him and tossed him into the distance were etched into his mory.
Mysterious little raincoat man, I knew you weren't simple at first glance!
Lockhart was currently in desperate need of a young wizard to help him demonstrate a famous scene from his book.
Compared to random fans who might actually think he was powerful and accidentally hit him with a full-strength Shield Charm—which would be embarrassing if he couldn't break through it—Kane was a better bet.
Kane knew his "true colors" and was... a good person. Surely he'd cooperate?
After all, though Kane was "abstract" during their few days together, he seed mostly rational. He wasn't the type to kill soone over a minor offense.
Plus, Kane had ghosted him for two months; surely he'd feel enough guilt to play along!
So...
"I choose you! That mysterious raincoat lad over there!" Lockhart shouted, pointing a finger excitedly at Kane.
"???"
Kane, like most people in the small bookstore, began looking around curiously to see who else was wearing a raincoat. But as he turned, he saw only dozens of eyes staring directly at him.
"This is a genuine leather coat, not a raincoat," Kane explained awkwardly, trying to preserve his dignity.
"The mysterious little wizard in the leather coat with the two little tentacle-tails in the back—please, co up to the stage!"
Ron patted Kane on the back, stifling a laugh. "Go on then, 'mysterious wizard with tentacle-tails.' Pfft!"
Kane sighed. He and Lockhart were on the sa page for once: he had stood the man up for two months. If he couldn't help with this one small favor, he really would be a bit of a jerk.
"Fine, fine. Coming, great author Lockhart," Kane grumbled, stepping onto the high platform made of desks. "There's a sea of wizards here; did no one think to use a Transfiguration spell to make a real stage?"
He wobbled slightly, the desks clattering beneath his feet.
"Alright, friends! Let's have a round of applause for our excellent guest!" Lockhart ignored the clatter, grabbed Kane's hand, and marched him to the center of the stage, bowing in every direction.
Kane saw the crowd—three layers deep inside and more outside—clapping wildly. Mrs. Weasley was at the forefront, her hands turning red from applauding so hard.
She was a true devotee. Mr. Weasley, anwhile, stood nearby, huffing and puffing with his beard twitching in annoyance.
"Wait, this isn't right. You're the one making money; why am I bowing too?" Kane felt sothing was off, but he didn't want to ruin the flow. He bowed along like an actor in a stage play.
"Thanks, Kane. I'll owe you four later," Lockhart whispered.
"Mmm-hmm."
Lockhart straightened up. "Perhaps you've forgotten the final chapter of my book, Break with a Banshee. Not that I'm making this up, of course—I asked several readers before coming up, and they truly had forgotten!"
"Now, to ensure you never forget the charm I used to banish the Banshee—and to ensure your safety should you ever et one—this young wizard and I will reenact the scene for you!"
"Now, young man, stand over there. And could soone please place so large cushions behind him?"
The bookstore staff quickly brought over two large cushions. One was placed behind Kane, and one behind Lockhart.
Lockhart looked at the cushion behind him and acted offended. "Move the one behind to the boy's side! Do you truly think I could be knocked back by a Banshee?"
And so, Kane's safety padding was doubled.
Mmm.
Kane decided to assu Lockhart was just worried about him getting hurt. If he thought about it any deeper, Lockhart would start looking extrely punchable.
Mrs. Weasley and a group of young wizards stood behind Kane as well, ready to use magic to catch him if the cushions failed.
"Are you ready, boy?" Lockhart called out from ten ters away.
"Ready," Kane nodded.
"Need a countdown?"
"No need, sir."
Lockhart gave one final, flamboyant bow to the audience. "Now, everyone, let demonstrate the spell I used to repel the Banshee! Rest assured, I will keep the power at a minimum; I would never put this lovely young wizard in even a hint of danger."
He turned back to Kane and bowed gracefully. "I am ready. I suggest you cast your defensive spell now."
"Ah, right. Okay." Kane nodded. He followed the script and cast a very, very light defensive spell: Shadow Armor.
He suppressed his shadow output to the absolute limit. It was so thin that a simple Tarantallegra could probably shatter it. Surely Lockhart could handle that?
It didn't really matter. Even if Lockhart's spell was weak, Kane planned to throw himself backward anyway. He was sacrificing his dignity for this; Lockhart better give him a massive "friendship fee" later.
"Prepare yourself, young wizard! Here it cos!" Lockhart raised his wand high, bowed to Kane one last ti, and then spent another minute explaining the theory of the spell to the enraptured audience.
"What a psycho..." Kane muttered under his breath. Maintaining his shadow output at such a precise, low level was actually quite exhausting. But the audience was hanging on Lockhart's every word.
Well, he's got the makings of a good teacher, Kane thought. At least he's more engaging than Professor Quirrell.
Finally, Lockhart finished his lecture and asked Kane one more ti if he was ready.
"Ready!" Kane concentrated, making the Shadow Armor even thinner than before.
Lockhart nodded and flourished his wand with a violent snap.
The next mont, Lockhart went down.
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