“Welcome,” Professor Dumbledore began, his voice warm and full of mischief. “Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!”

So this is the usual opening for the Start-of-Term feast. Got to love the Headmaster’s short speech, Scarlet mused as she began to dig into her dinner. Between bites, she answered questions from her housemates, especially the one about her latest book.

“Yes, the final book of the Akahime’s Diary series should be on shelves very soon,” Scarlet said with a polite smile. “My editor’s told me the copies are already on their way to bookstores.”

A few first-years gasped as the revelation that Scarlet was the author of their favourite series. Within moments, the news spread across the hall. Papers seemed to appear from nowhere as students rushed over, clamouring for her autograph.

Amelia huffed in mild annoyance. “Honestly, could you lot not wait until she’s done eating? A bit of courtesy wouldn’t hurt.”

“It’s alright,” Scarlet said calmly, brushing aside the concern. “I’ve got a little time now. I’m not sure when I’ll next have a chance. Best to do it while I can. Now, then - how would you like me to address you?”

Her words seemed to melt the crowd’s excitement into a gentle warmth. Scarlet didn’t just scribble her name on scraps of parchment; she carefully personalised each message. Her inscriptions read something like, To [Name], Brave your hearts as you run towards the new chapter of your life. Love, Scarlet SH. The flourish of her cursive maple-coloured ink left the first-years starry-eyed, clutching their treasures as if they were golden.

“You really spoil your fans,” Amelia remarked, rolling her eyes.

“Well, they’re my fans,” Scarlet replied, flashing a cheerful grin. “If my writing makes them happy, then I’m happy too.”

“Aww, Scarlet, you’re such a gem!” Maya exclaimed before throwing her arms around Scarlet in a dramatic hug. “Just let me know what you need for you next book, and I’ll get it for you, no matter what!”

“Next book!” Felix Carrington, the calm and confident boy Scarlet had mentally noted during the Sorting Ceremony, surprised her with his sudden excitement. “Will it be set in a completely new world different from Akahime’s? I read in the papers that you’re still searching for inspiration.”

Her editor, Mr. Wilson, had indeed kept his promise to arrange tasteful interviews after she back to London. No photographs were taken, respecting Scarlet’s preference for privacy, but the article had included a simple manga-style fox drawing as her emblem. The piece had been wildly popular, resulting in Mr. Wilson delivering three enormous bags of letters, all filled with adoration for her work.

“Yes, I’m still exploring ideas for the world-building and characters,” Scarlet replied, continuing to sign autographs. To her surprise, both Adrian Fairweather - the “golden retriever” - and Sebastian Hawthorn - the “Tramp” - were amongst her fans. Each approached shyly but left with broad smiles after receiving their personalised messages.

Meanwhile, Maya and Amelia noticed Zacharias Smith, looking distinctly unimpressed, his mouth twisting slightly as he watched the scene unfold.

The girls exchanged a quick look and shook their heads in silent agreement – such a disdainful character was the last thing they wanted Scarlet to draw inspiration from for her next story’s main character.

Before Professor Dumbledore dismissed the banquet, he made a few announcements as was customary. This time, instead of the warning about the forbidden third floor, he mentioned the presence of Aurors guarding the school to ensure their safety from the escaped Azkaban prisoner.

The announcement naturally caused a stir among the students. Many were unsettled by the thought of the escaped prisoner, who had once killed many Muggles as a Death Eater and had even orchestrated the betrayal of Sirius Black. This plot had falsely condemned Black to Azkaban while Pettigrew, the true culprit, evaded justice by hiding as an Animagus for years. Some parents had even insisted their children bring pet cats to Hogwarts, hoping they might chase away any rats that could potentially be Pettigrew in disguise. The chatter among the students was scattered with speculation and theories, but the majority felt reassured by the presence of Aurors guarding the school.

The next announcement, however, lifter the mood considerably. The previously restricted third-floor had been transformed into an entertainment room, complete with a giant chess set and various board games for students to enjoy some leisure moments.

As his announcement drew to a close, an audible cough emanated from the staff table. Scarlet finally turned her attention to the so-called “useless man with a pretty face” – Alexis’s flattering description of the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.

Professor Dumbledore, still the picture of composure and joviality, gestured toward a man with flowing golden locks and a dazzling smile seated proudly at the staff table. “I am delighted to introduce our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, Gilderoy Lockhart.”

Last year, when Quirrell was appointed to the post, no introduction had been made at the feast. The Headmaster had preferred to keep things light and festive, saving lengthy details for later. But this year, Scarlet could tell the grand announcement had to be Lockhart’s idea – a self-styled spotlight in front of the entire body.

Polite applause echoed through the Great Hall, though it was punctuated by ecstatic squeals from some of the older girls. Judging by their faces, most of the boys seemed less enthusiastic. Diehard fangirls, Scarlet mused, taking in the scene. She had to admit Lockhart was undeniably attractive...though she thought the effect would vastly improve if he toned down the over-the-top smile.

Lockhart rose from his seat, his grin practically radiating as if he’d been awarded some prestigious accolade. “Thank you, Professor Dumbledore!” he called out, his voice perfectly pitched for dramatics. “It is an absolute honour to be here at Hogwarts, a place of such historical importance and academic excellence.”

He punctuated his words with a wink, sending ripples of giggles among his admirers, while several boys groaned and rolled their eyes.

“I trust you will all benefit immensely from my extensive knowledge and experience,” he continued, shamelessly puffed out his chest in an almost theatrical manner. “I encourage you all make the most out of my class, and I promise you will definitely make you a brighter individual, like me.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

Maya, seated beside Scarlet, leaned toward her housemates. “I thought Scarlet might’ve been overdramatic when she described this to Hermione, but honestly, Scarlet was holding back.”

Amelia smirked. “If I had to pick between authors, I’d choose Scarlet without hesitation.”

The feast concluded shortly after Lockhart’s speech, with Professor Dumbledore stepping in before he could ramble further. As the crowd shuffled out, Scarlet, as usual, chose to wait for the throng to clear. Maya and Amelia lingering with her.

“Sensei!” Alexis appeared in a blur, startling Maya and Amelia with her sudden enthusiasm.

“Good heavens, Alexis!” Maya exclaimed.

Giving her a slight nod, Alexis beelined toward Scarlet, grabbing her hand and lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Guess what? I’ve got DADA tomorrow afternoon!”

“...And?” Scarlet arched a brow, watching as Alexis clasped their hands together, hers still enclosed within Alexis’s grip, as though in a gesture of earnest prayer.

“Look, this is, like, totally different now,” Alexis began, her accent thick with dramatic emphasis as she recalled what she read in the books or watched in the movies. “The Whomping Willow? Totally fine. Harry Potter? Fine! Everyone’s safe and sound! But, that cheesy dude? He kept looking at you, and not Harry!”

“You watched him the entire dinner?” Scarlet blinked.

“Yeah, but that’s not the point,” Alexis said with uncharacteristic seriousness. “I’m not sure if the scene’s actually gonna happen tomorrow, or still take place in Harry’s class, but just in case, Sensei...” She locked eyes with Scarlet. “Do you mind getting more famous?”

“...huh?”

And that was how Scarlet found herself, the next day, free of classes before Astronomy in the afternoon, preparing to join Alexis in the Gryffindor fourth-year Defence Against the Dark Arts class.

“Just because she’s learning Japanese from you and calling you professor – oh, right, ‘Sensei’ - that doesn’t mean you have to be responsible for everything she begs you to do,” Amelia said, frowning in disapproval. “If what she said was true, and Lockhart really does cause chaos in the class, how exactly are you supposed to help?”

“She just needs some emotional support, that’s all,” Scarlet reassured Amelia with a small smile.

Maya, however, was more intrigued by Alexis’s supposed prediction – the “divination” she had come up with after the feast as an excuse to involve Scarlet. “What sort of method do you reckon she used to foresee Lockhart’s lesson going pear-shaped? I’m starting to think I should consider Divination next year.”

“I’ve no idea, but you can always ask her later,” Scarlet replied, waving goodbye to her roommates before heading to the hallway. There, Alexis was waiting for her with the Weasley twins in tow.

“Seriously, Are-chan,” Fred began, raising a brow in mock sternness, “Milady’s time is far too valuable to waste attending some DADA lesson taught by a shiny Lockhead. She ought to be drafting her next bestseller!”

George chimed in, “Indeed, Are-chan. Lockhart is nothing we can’t handle, and our noble sibling deserves some peace and quiet to meditate over her literary genius.”

“I don’t mind at all,” Scarlet said lightly, amused by the twins’ banter. “In fact, I’m quite curious to see what mischief our dear Professor might cause. But speaking of that,” she added with a playful smile, turning her gaze to Alexis, “I’m even more curious about how they’re addressing you, Are-chan. Anything interesting happen last night that you’d care to share?”

Alexis rolled her eyes dramatically. “Ugh, they found out I’m, like, totally securing myself a future career with Kyle. Y’know, heading off to Japan right after I graduate, and I got a room for myself while they don’t.”

“How could you, Are-chan--” Fred exclaimed, clutching his chest theatrically.

“--abandon us here, stranded in Britain, with only the ashes of our game-development ambitions to keep us company!” George finished, matching Fred’s tone of mock heartbreak as he dabbed at imaginary tears with a handkerchief.

“I did not!” Alexis shot back, exasperated. “I’m the core visual designer of Wizard’s Gambit! There’s no way I’d abandon it. Honestly, if I took my hands off the designs, you two would probably come up with the ugliest visual elements imaginable. Your taste is, like, so not trustworthy!”

“Hey! Our designs are bold, striking, and downright attractive!” Fred began, narrowing his eyes.

“You’d notice them a mile away,” George finished confidently.

“Exactly! Like how they’d attract an eight-year-old boy,” Amelia interjected with a pointed roll of her eyes.

“Well, pink’s eye-catching, too!” Fred protested.

“Exactly - perfect for the eternal little girl in every lady’s heart!” George quipped.

“I don’t just slap Barbie pink onto my designs!” Alexis exclaimed indignantly. “And for the record, Barbie pink is iconic! Apologize for disrespecting such a fabulous color!”

Scarlet chuckled, shaking her head as the trio bickered. These three game developers could put on a talk show or a standup comedy and keep an audience entertained for hours. Scarlet mused as the headed toward the classroom.

They soon arrived at their destination, and the atmosphere shifted. As they entered, every head turned toward Scarlet. Some students giggled and greeted her, others looked amused, while a few rolled their eyes. Judging by their expressions, many assumed this was some elaborate new prank by the Weasley twins – one involving the famed children’s book author for added flair.

Lockhart didn’t notice Scarlet at all, as the twins and Alexis had effectively hidden her under the table. Their friends pitched in, discreetly covering for them as well.

Once the class was settled, Lockhart cleared his throat loudly, commanding the attention to the room. The chatter died down as silence fell.

He reached for a student’s copy of his book, holding it aloft to showcase his own winking portrait on the cover.

“Me,” he announced, jabbing a finger at the illustration and mimicking its exaggerated wink.“Gilderoy Lockhart, Order or Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defence League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly’s Most-Charming-Smile Award – but I don’t talk about that, of course. I didn’t get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her!”

He paused, clearly expecting laughter, but only a few weak smiles greeted him.

Scarlet observed the reactions of the students, particularly the girls. A handful wore stunned expressions, as though they couldn’t reconcile these flamboyant theatrics with the image of the cool, battle-hardened professor they’d imagined from his autobiographies.

This didn’t match Alexis’s description, Scarlet mused. According to her report, Lockhart had diehard fans hanging onto his every word. Did she misremember them? Or had Lockhart’s charisma taken a nosedive for some reasons?

“I see you’ve all bought a complete set of my books – well done!” Lockhart continued, beaming. “I thought we’d start today with a little quiz. Nothing too taxing, just a bit of fun - to see how well you’ve read them, how much you’ve absorbed--”

Once the test papers were handed out, he returned to the front of the class with a dramatic flourish. “You have thirty minutes. Start – now!”

Alexis subtly slid her test paper toward Scarlet, her eyes rolling dramatically:

1. What is Gilderoy Lockhart’s favourite colour?

1. What is Gilderoy Lockhart’s secret ambition?

The questions went on like this page after page, down to the utterly absurd:

54. When is Gilderoy Lockhart’s birthday, and what would his ideal gift be?

“...” Scarlet stared, wide-eyed. Now she understood why Alexis had found this man so utterly revolting. Scarlet had deduced from his books that Lockhart was narcissistic, but this level of self-absorption defied even her wildest imagination.

And yet, another thought struck her. What was originally supposed to be protagonist’s predicament seemed to have shifted. Now, Alexis and the Weasley twins were shouldering the ridiculousness.

...Could I be mistaken? Scarlet pondered. Was Jessica not the main female character in this fanfic world, but Alexis instead?

Before she could entertain the idea further, the classroom grew more animated. The moment Alexis had warned about appeared to be unfolding. Scarlet refocused, knowing her role wasn’t to question the narrative, but to watch and step in, should the need arise.