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Chapter 12– Perfect PR.
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Molly Weasley is not the prettiest woman in the world, but she certainly isn't the ugliest, though she is a little on the heavier side. She has a head full of bright red hair that pairs well with her pale white skin, but that is as far as I can go with the compliments. Other than that, Molly is a short, slightly wide mother of seven.
However, I am sure she must have been quite the beauty when she was younger, as most magical people are. That is unless they have had a little too much inbreeding, which usually either results in ugliness and deformities or crazy mental issues.
As I hand over the now signed new copy of Assault On The Abominable Snowman over to Molly, I look into her eyes and immediately apply my Leigilimency to read her mind. Except, I do not go full force straight away since I want to test her defences, if she even has any, because I highly doubt that someone who was in Dumbledore's little phoenix force would have an absolutely defenceless mind, as that would be a significant chink in the chainmail.
This was actually one of my worries when I started to learn about the mind arts because if I tried to invade the mind of someone with sufficiently robust Occlumency and they repelled my attack, then I would be pretty screwed, wouldn't I? Gilderoy only ever was proficient with the obliviation charm and interviewed his victims extensively to gain their stories before specifically obliviating those memories.
Thankfully it was pretty simple how to gauge someone's Occlumency level. It was by simply not trying to enter into their mind but by simply skirting along the edges of it and feeling it out, testing its rigidity. It is quite a difficult thing to learn to do correctly, knowing how far to go and when to stop, but I had plenty of practice where there were no consequences if I failed.
The direct eyesight also helps the issue, and as Molly Weasley's eyes meet mine, I dive straight in and touch upon the edge of her mind, completely ready to feel some form of resistance, yet, there is no such barrier. Not believing such a thing since she would come to be such a crucial person in the upcoming years, I continued to poke at her mind and test her defences, but there were none to be seen.
Finally satisfied that I wasn't being lured in or tricked, I dived into her mind, and her entire life became an open book to me, and I saw how incredibly boring it was. I really overestimated just how interesting this woman's life would be just because she would become someone of importance in a few years' time.
But right now, she is just an ordinary housewife and mother dealing with petty squabbles between her children and cleaning up her own weirdly shaped house, and there really is nothing interesting. Thankfully my expert skill in Legilimency and the mind arts, in general, allows me to act much quicker, meaning while I am doing all this, it has still been a split second outside since myself, and Molly made eye contact.
But while time is slower in here, my window will eventually end, so I quickly get to work to try and find something, anything, that could possibly help me. I start by going back to Molly's earliest memories and promptly starting to skim through them to see if there is anything of importance I could glean.
She grew up as Molly Prewett, and she had two older brothers that were ironically twins just like she has herself now, and they were named Gideon and Fabian, G and F, just like her sons George and Fred, so definitely some unresolved issues there.
She went to Hogwarts like every other magical child in Britain, and I was right when she grew up a bit. She was pretty good-looking. But she only ever had a relationship with Arthur Weasley and snuck out late at night to be with him, which I skipped right over since I didn't want to see that.
By this point, Voldemort had started his war, and as soon as she graduated, she married Arthur, moved to The Burrow, and started having a family. Her brothers Gideon and Fabian actually were members of the original Order of the Phoenix, but they were murdered when ambushed by five Death Easters, including Antonin Dolohov, which is where the unresolved issues came from.
She didn't have much of a relationship with James and Lily Potter or their friend group since she was busy raising her own children, but she was still quite distraught when she heard of their death on that Halloween night. Quickly skipping forward through the years and seven children later, her good looks had faded, and she had become worn, which is what giving birth to seven different children, including twins, will do to you.
Curious as to what her opinion is of me, I focus on that and try to uncover those memories, which I quickly regret. I determinedly ignore the memories of her masturbation sessions with me as the focus, what with her being an overworked housewife that doesn't often get to enjoy herself with all her kids running around and her husband always working, and a perfect heroic sexy character in her books. Turning away from that, I quickly focused on my objective and investigated her memories involving Dumbledore.
She has respect and admiration for Dumbledore, having been her headmaster and the headmaster of her children, as well as all the amazing feats he had performed in the war against Grindelwald and the recent civil war against Voldemort. However, there is not much of a personal relationship there, she has been to Hogwarts a few times when her twins had gone too far with a prank, but that was about it.
One significant moment between them is when he consoles her regarding her brothers back during the war since they were his followers. He talked to her about it and helped with anything she needed, probably feeling guilt at her brothers' deaths since they were his followers. This brewed healthy emotions towards him in Molly, but that was about it, and I don't think this amount of goodwill would be enough for her to follow any manipulations or plans Dumbledore may possibly have.
Harry will be starting in a month or so, and If this is truly an evil/manipulative Dumbledore situation, then surely he would have already tried to talk her into it by this point, plus he would need a better relationship with her to request her to do such a thing. That is, if he isn't just straight up going to mess with her mind and use magic to make her follow his orders, I haven't found proof of Dumbledore, but I can't rule it out either. I haven't found evidence of him being good after all.
Finding nothing more of interest and having nothing more to do here, I quickly exit Molly's mind and return to the normal speed in the outside world, where Molly breaks eye contact with me while blushing, hurriedly grabbing the book. I quickly ignore that in favour of looking at the two children that she has brought with her, both of which will be very important in the future, and both in different ways.
"Now, Molly, who are these two little munchkins you have brought with you?" I ask Molly, who quickly looks behind her at her two children, who both look up like deers in headlights, surprised to be mentioned. Molly herself quickly goes to answer, eager to please, and she doesn't make any mention of me calling her by her first name.
"Ah, these are my two youngest. This is my darling daughter Ginny, and this here is Ronald, who actually starts Hogwarts this year. Ginny will be going next year. Say hello then, dears." Molly places her hands on each of their shoulders and brings them forward in front of her, showcasing them for me. And when their mother tells them to greet me, Ron awkwardly waves and mumbles out a hullo while Ginny stares down at the ground, unprepared for the focus to be on her, and she mutters a quiet hi.
"Haha, Hogwarts already, huh? You will be spending nearly an entire year there, and it is a big place, so here is a book to keep you company and entertained. And here is one for you, Ginny. you might get quite lonely without your brother home, so I hope you can find some enjoyment in this." Saying so, I hand Voyages With Werewolves to Ginny and Travelling With Trolls to Ron, which I suppress a snicker at since the boy will become face-to-face with an actual troll this year.
"Aren't you going to sign these ones?" Ron rudely blurts out just before I hand the books over, which makes my smile freeze and my hand stills. This little snot stain was getting free shit, and yet he was wanting even more.
"Ron!" Molly whisper shouts at Ron, who looks at her blankly like he doesn't know what he has done wrong, which he clearly doesn't, while Ginny continues to be shy. Acting fast, I hurriedly place both books on the desk and flip them both to the first page, after which I quickly scribble my autograph on both and then pass them back over to Ron and Ginny.
"Please, Mr Lockhart, we couldn't possibly accept these. So please take them back." While Ron and Ginny easily take the offered books, as children find no problem with accepting free things from a practical stranger, their mother quickly tries to return the books, which I obviously refuse since a couple of little books mean nothing to me. But, at the same time, they could give me some sort of positive image in the eyes of these two future vital people.
"Nonsense Molly, what are a few books compared to the enjoyment of children? Now young Ronald, have you done all of your school shopping yet? Have you gotten your wand from Ollivanders?" I question, quick to change the subject away from the books, as Molly would doggedly try to return them, finding it hard to accept a single free book, let alone three.
"Ah, actually, Mr Lockhart, sir, the school shopping doesn't really start till next week. it allows Madam Malkin to procure all the Acromantula silk and other things she needs for the first year's robes, along with all the other shops having all the other things the new students will need to be stocked up in bulk, ready to be bought." A Flourish and Blotts employee speaks up, the same one waiting to pack up the stage, and tells me about the school shop.
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"Oh really, well, I don't remember that-" Again, I am rudely interrupted by Ron, who just can't seem to keep his mouth closed. It is like the boy has no filter, and he is also kind of dumb.
"I already have my wand. Here, look. It is from Ollivanders, but it first belonged to my brother Chalie before I got it. It is twelve inches, made of ash, and has a core of unicorn hair. Mum says Charlie was a fantastic wizard with this wand and that I will also be one using it." Ron says, pulling out a wand from his back pocket that is relatively light and straight, but there is a conspicuous hair sticking out of the end of the wand, clearly the unicorn hair.
Clearly, this is different from the heritage kind of situation where a wand is being passed down, like Neville, who will be forced to use his father's wand by his grandmother. This situation is instead due to their financial situation. The Weasleys are much too poor to provide for all seven of their children adequately, but they make do by passing down all the items and clothing, though Ginny obviously gets new things as the only girl.
As I look down at the wand, I am reminded that this stupid thing would break in Harry Potter's second year when the Chamber of Secrets incident would happen, and a Basilisk would be set loose upon the school. This dumb little wand would be what originally gave Gilderoy brain damage and wiped his memories when it backfired on him. This wand malfunctioning essentially destroyed him.
I know that such a thing isn't liable to happen since things will be different with me at the wheel, but I have seen many stories where events try to fit into a planned structure and follow a linear path, even if you try to diverge from it. So what if this world is meant to go that way, and Gilderoy died too early, which is why I was brought here, so I could be there to be mindwiped at the correct time?
I can not take that chance. I know it sounds pretty farfetched and absurd, but I have been transmigrated into the body of Gilderoy Lockhart, and I am living in a world of magic. Ridiculous things happen all the time. So the first thing to do is divert from that set path, and I will try to do this first by changing something simple, such as this wand.
It could do nothing, or perhaps it was because the wand was old and wasn't loyal to Ron that it actually broke. Either way, I want to make a change, but just a small one to see if it will work or if there is some sort of mystical will of the world that will reset things to how they are meant to be.
"A passed down wand, and even more so, made with ash wood and a unicorn hair. A wand chooses the wizard. Hardly ever does a passed-down wand properly fit the new wizard and not only that. Ashwood cleaves to its one true owner and ought not to be passed on or gifted from the original owner, as it would lose power, as well as the Unicorn Hair core, as they are the most faithful of all wands and usually remain firmly attached to their first owner." I speak before Molly can, probably wanting to explain the situation and tell them the cold facts. I read up on wands in my spare time.
"With both the ash wood and the unicorn hair being paired together, and with young Ronald not being the original owner, while this wand is in Ron's possession, he will most likely not be able to demonstrate his magical skills to his total capacity. I do not mean to impede on you, but I am merely stating the facts. It is our duty as the current generation to make sure the future generations grow up strong, something young Ronald will not be able to do with this here wand." I say, and Molly turns red in the face, as does her son Ron, but while Molly's is more out of embarrassment and shame, Ron's is out of jealousy and rage.
"WHAT!? IF CHARLIE'S WAND IS NOT GOING TO WORK FOR ME, THEN WHY AM I GOING TO USE IT! IT- it isn't fair... why do I have to have everybody's old stuff... why can't I have something new of my own?" Ron starts shouting, but he whispers out the last few things meaning only us on the stage can hear it, embarrassed and ashamed of his family's situation. Molly looks sad as well as angry and is about to scold him, but that is when I cut in since this situation is perfect for me.
"Now, now, young Ronald. I am sure your mother didn't know about those issues. We can't all have an in-depth knowledge of wands, after all. Actually, hmm. This gives me an idea. Hey, has Ollivander begun to sell his wands to the first years as well?" I calmed Ronald down and stopped his mother from having an outburst before directing a question toward the same employee who interrupted earlier.
"Ah, uh, Ollivander? Well, it is a tradition for everybody to do all of their school shopping at once, so even though Ollivanders is open and ready to sell, the new 1st years will not buy a wand until they can do all of their shopping at once and get their robes fitted. This goes the same for Muggle-borns as well since a member of Hogwarts staff will go to meet with them to introduce them to the wizarding world. And only after everything is ready to be bought so they can offer to take the Muggleborns to do the shopping or simply give them the address of the Leaky Cauldron. So it is unlikely that a first-year has bought their wand yet." The staff member finishes their ramble, prompting a raised eyebrow from me.
"Uh, I wanted to work in The Department of Magical Education." The employee answers the unasked question, awkwardly scratching the back of their head.
"Right, well, that answers that. Now, you lot! Stop packing your equipment away and follow me. I have a new headline for you! You as well, young Ronald, come along." I addressed the entire room, speaking directly to the reporters that were packing away, whose heads perked up as soon as I mentioned more news. Then, acting quickly, I put an arm around Ron's shoulders and shuffled him off the stage and towards the exit. His mother only realises what is happening when we are halfway there and hurries after us with her daughter but is blocked off by the gaggle of reporters trailing after us.
"Hey, get off. Where are you taking me?" Only once we are out of the building and walking off down Diagon Alley does Ron come to his senses and try to shake me off of him. of course, his puny child strength is no match for my fully grown adult strength, and so I continue to shuffle him down the street, However, what with me being the famous Gilderoy Lockhart and the gaggle of reporters straggling along behind me we do attract a lot of eyes from the passersby, and Ron struggling would not look good for me, so I lean down to whisper to him.
"Listen well, young Ronald, we are on the way to procure a brand new wand for you. A wand, this is completely and utterly yours. With this, you will have a wand that is perfectly matched to you, and you will perform magic the way you were meant to, so just follow me." I whisper to him, after which he noticeably stops struggling, though he doesn't seem particularly seem to be happy being pulled along with me, so I let him go, and he walks alongside me.
I can hear Molly trying to break through the crowd behind me, but she just can't get through the scoop-hungry reporters, and I ignore her calls for me to stop as I have a single goal in mind. And finally, we come to a stop outside of Ollivanders, makers of fine wands since 382 B.C., and I turn around to face the crowd of reporters that are already flashing away and taking photos, and I meet them with my hand on Ron's shoulder, who looks very out of place.
"Everyone! To celebrate the release of my new book, I have decided that I will pay for every wand purchased for every new Hogwarts student. And here today, right next to me, is the first recipient, Ronald Weasley. So he will be getting his wand today, and I will be footing the bill for it, just like I will be for the rest of the new students this year." So I say to the applause of the surrounding crowd, people having joined it when they noticed the reporters stopping here and watching me.
Instinctively I pose and show my better side towards the camera while shuffling Ron around next to me, so that he is positioned correctly. Then, finally, the cameras start to flash us, getting at least one good photo before Ron groans and shields his eyes. Molly quickly comes up to us, dragging Ginny along with her, but before she can say anything, I quickly push Ron forward into the shop, and Molly follows behind us.
"Mr Lockhart, I appreciate the spirit of what you are trying to do, but I really do not think it is appropriate for you to be buying my son a wand." Molly immediately speaks as soon as the door closes behind her, trying her best to remain polite while not showing her anger. Ginny stays silently by the door while Ron rushes to the counter excitedly, waiting for Ollivander to show, excitedly jumping up and down in anticipation of his new wand.
"Please pay attention, Molly. This is not something that is being done specifically for young Ronald. I will be performing this same action for all new first-year students this year. Now, ah, Mr Ollivander, it is good to see you." I really have no idea why I keep saying young before saying Ron's name. It just seems to fit, I guess. Anyway, I spot Ollivander finally emerging from between the shelves of wands, looking very confused. I was kind of expecting him to pop up behind me.
"Ah, nine inches, made of cherry, has a dragon heartstring core, slightly bendy. Wands constructed from cherry are usually misinterpreted by Western purchasers for frivolous or merely ornamental reasons, but they make a wand of truly destructive power, regardless of the core. However, a cherry wand with a dragon heartstring core should never be teamed with a wizard without exceptional self-control and strength of mind." Garrick Olivander begins monologuing as he slowly walks over to the counter, completely commanding the room with his mysterious presence.
"I must admit, I was sceptical when you first entered this store and went away with the wand, unsure if this wand was truly meant for you, but alas, the wand chooses the wizard. However, your written adventures do tell the story of a wizard with exceptional self-control and strength of mind, but even then, I found it hard to associate such fantastical tales with the boy that walked into this shop. But here you are, and I dare say that you are perfectly in sync with your wand, a true match. So, Gilderoy Lockhart, I suppose you are the reason for all the hubbub in front of my shop this fine day." He finally reaches the desk and looks toward me, his wide, pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom of the shop.
Well, I already knew that stuff about my wand. It was the reason I started my research on wands, after all. I was actually surprised that this was Gilderoy's wand, I don't know about self-control, but I suppose at the age of eleven, Gilderoy did have exceptional strength of mind so assured by his own genius and specialness that perhaps this wand did match with him, at least until he went to Hogwarts and found out he wasn't as unique as he thought. Though looking through his memories, I feel a greater attachment and bond to this wand than Gilderoy ever did.
"Well, Mr Ollivander, I have just made the decision to pay for every new Hogwarts student's wand. And Ronald Weasley here is the first to get a new wand, so let's do this thing." So I speak, ready to get this show on the road.
"Each wand costs seven Galleons, and I am afraid that several customers will not like you paying for their wands. Therefore, I cannot accept this arrangement. you will have to find somewhere else." Of course, Ollivander rejects my offer, but I can't stop now, and I know Ollivander is human, just like the rest of us.
"I will pay ten Galleons for each wand bought for a first year." I know that there are 40 students in Harry's year, which means that I will be paying four hundred Galleons in total, but that is petty cash for me with the number of books I sell and all the other income I have coming in. So even if there are over a hundred students this year, it will be fine. My Gringotts vault is quite hefty at the moment.
"Deal. Ten Galleons for every wand sold to a first year." Ollivander agrees since profit is the number one motivator, after all.
"Good, just give all the wands away and send me an invoice for the amount sold when Hogwarts finally starts. I will then give you the amount." I reach out my hand towards him to shake on the deal.
"How can I trust you will keep up your side and just not pay me after all the children have gone off to Hogwarts?" He also reaches his hand forward but hesitates to connect it with mine, stopping a few inches away.
"I just told all those reporters out there about this. plus, if I don't fulfil my end, you can go inform The Daily Prophet and ruin my reputation, so do we have a deal?" Ollivanders hand finally clasps mine, and he gives me a firm nod, after which I turn around to Ron.
"Come here, young Ronald. It is time for you to get a new wand."