The incident began during a Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson three days after the disaster involving the enchanted desk. By now, many students had developed a habit of arriving early to Lockhart's classes, not because they expected to learn anything useful, but because the chances of witnessing some form of catastrophe had become remarkably high. The classroom buzzed with anticipation as students settled into their seats. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, illuminating dust motes that drifted lazily through the air. Outside, the autumn sky stretched clear and blue above the Hogwarts grounds. Lockhart stood proudly at the front of the room with the confidence of a man who had somehow convinced himself that recent events had enhanced rather than damaged his reputation. The students exchanged knowing looks. Experience suggested otherwise. Somewhere near the back of the room, Fred and George were already taking bets on how long it would take before something went wrong.
Lockhart clasped his hands dramatically behind his back and paced before the class. "Today," he announced, "we shall discuss the proper handling of magnificent magical creatures." His smile widened. "Naturally, I have extensive experience in this field." Several students immediately looked toward Mira. Lockhart noticed and brightened even further. "Ah yes, Miss Silverthorne! You possess a remarkable collection of creatures, do you not?" Mira suddenly had a very bad feeling. Draco recognized the expression instantly. Theo recognized it too. Both boys slowly leaned away from whatever disaster was approaching.
Mira nodded cautiously. "A few."
Lockhart beamed. "Splendid!"
A short time later, the class found themselves gathered outside on the Hogwarts grounds. The autumn breeze carried the scent of grass and distant pine from the Forbidden Forest. Students clustered together while Lockhart continued speaking enthusiastically about creature management. Most of them had stopped listening several minutes ago. Mira stood near Draco, Blaise, Theo, and Daphne while several of her familiars rested nearby. Pip the Niffler dug enthusiastically through a patch of dirt searching for shiny objects. Finn the Jackalope sat beneath a tree cleaning his paws. And standing several yards away was Solareth. The Griffin was magnificent. Golden feathers gleamed beneath the sunlight. Powerful leonine muscles shifted beneath her coat. Her enormous wings folded neatly against her sides. Amber eyes watched the world with the confidence of a creature that knew perfectly well it occupied the top of the food chain.
Unfortunately, Lockhart noticed her.
His face lit up, "Oh my."
Mira closed her eyes.
Draco groaned quietly.
Theo muttered a prayer.
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.
Daphne covered her mouth.
Draco nearly laughed.
Mira looked concerned.
Not for Solareth.
For Lockhart.
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 Mira.
Draco raised an eyebrow, "Should we retrieve him?"
Mira considered the question seriously.
Very seriously.
Then she shrugged, "He'll be fine."
Several students looked skeptical.
Mira 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.
The lesson ended shortly afterward because, technically speaking, the professor had been carried away.
Hours passed.
The story spread through Hogwarts with remarkable speed. By dinner, nearly every student in the castle had heard some version of the tale. Some accounts claimed Lockhart had bravely battled the Griffin. Others insisted he had attempted to ride her. One particularly imaginative rumor suggested he had challenged her to a duel. The truth was far funnier than any of them. The Great Hall buzzed with conversation that evening. Students filled every table. Teachers occupied their usual places. Dumbledore listened politely as various professors discussed the day's events. Snape appeared unusually calm. McGonagall seemed torn between concern and exasperation. The only missing person was Lockhart.
Then the Great Hall doors opened.
Conversation stopped.
Every head turned.
Lockhart stood in the doorway.
He looked terrible.
His hair resembled a nest that had recently survived a hurricane. His robes were torn. Mud covered one sleeve. Leaves stuck out of his hair. Scratches marked his hands and face. One boot appeared partially melted. He looked less like a celebrated adventurer and more like someone who had lost a prolonged argument with nature itself. The silence lasted all of three seconds.
Then laughter exploded.
Lockhart attempted to maintain dignity.
The attempt failed immediately.
He limped toward the staff table.
Every step seemed painful.
Dumbledore regarded him kindly, "My goodness, Gilderoy."
Lockhart sank into his chair, "The Forbidden Forest is a complete nightmare."
The statement carried genuine conviction.
Several students laughed harder.
Snape glanced up from his meal, "Indeed," His voice remained perfectly neutral, "How did you manage to leave it?"
Lockhart froze.
The question clearly struck a nerve.
For a moment, horrifying memories flashed across his face.
Something involving Acromantulas.
Something involving a bog.
Possibly both.
Lockhart shuddered visibly, "I don't want to talk about it."
The answer arrived immediately.
Students exchanged curious looks.
Snape raised one eyebrow, "A pity."
Lockhart focused intensely on his dinner.
As though eating quickly might allow him to escape further questioning.
Eventually he rose to leave.
The professor looked exhausted.
Humiliated.
Traumatized.
The entire hall watched him walk away.
Then somebody noticed.
A huge tear stretched across the back of his trousers.
The hole was impossible to miss.
Several students gasped.
Others covered their mouths.
Then the realization spread table by table.
The Great Hall erupted.
Snape closed his eyes briefly.
As if mastering himself.
Then, in the driest voice imaginable, he said—
“…It appears the forest was less merciful than the Griffin.”
Lockhart froze.
Too late.
The laughter became deafening.
Fred fell off the bench.
George couldn't breathe.
Draco buried his face in his arms.
Theo nearly choked on pumpkin juice.
Even some professors appeared suspiciously occupied with their plates.
Red-faced, Lockhart hurried toward the doors as quickly as dignity would allow. Unfortunately, dignity had already departed several disasters ago. The laughter followed him all the way out of the Great Hall. Long after he disappeared, students continued retelling the story. By bedtime, one conclusion had become universally accepted throughout Hogwarts. Solareth the Griffin possessed excellent judgment.
Draco shook his head slowly, “…One day, he’s actually going to learn.”
Mira took a sip of tea.
“No,” she said gently, “He really isn’t.”
ns216.73.217.14da2
and then Add to home screen.