Hogwarts: Don't call me the Staff Maker

Chapter 82 Gilderoy Lockhart

"Yes, I'm also a fan of Mr. Lockhart's books. I absolutely love 'Sailing with Vampires' and I envy him for having that experience."

"What, making stickers of Mr. Lockhart? Of course, I've certainly considered it. In fact, I'm preparing to make a great series of Wizard stickers, but I've been unable to make up my mind."

"I'm debating whether to use Headmaster Dumbledore or Mr. Lockhart for the first iconic wizard character."

Within a single day, a conversation at Ollivanders wand shop quickly spread throughout Diagon Alley and also reached the ears of Gilderoy Lockhart at Flourish and Blotts.

During a break at the book signing, he approached the owner of Flourish and Blotts and casually asked, "Sirlen Ollivander, what an insightful kid. But his name... is it the Ollivander I'm thinking of?"

"That's right, Ollivander, the wand maker."

The owner of Flourish and Blotts was a middle-aged witch in her forties. When Lockhart mentioned Celen, she said, "That boy has lived in Diagon Alley since he was very young. Garrick Ollivander is his grandfather, but I didn't expect him to be a fan of yours as well."

"I'm pleasantly surprised too, though of course, it was expected." Gilderoy Lockhart flashed eight gleaming white teeth. "Another little wizard captivated by my adventures. What a delightful problem, isn't it?"

Lockhart tossed his blond hair and, before his boss's breathing became rapid, asked curiously, "But what's that wand sticker he mentioned...?"

"This is it." The shopkeeper took out her wand and pointed to the end of the wand, where a lifelike sphinx was lazily rubbing against the wand.

"It's a kind of decoration, I guess. Compared to the previous single-colored wand, this change is fantastic. It's like having a pet that you can carry with you. It even makes me feel better."

"However, you have to change it every now and then, otherwise the sticker won't stick."

Lockhart stared at the sticker, lost in thought.

After a long pause, he finally asked, "Are many people buying this?"

"There are plenty," the shopkeeper said. "Anyway, it's only two sicoes, most people can afford it. There's been a long line at Ollivanders Wand Shop these past few days."

"Doesn't that mean everyone can see the stickers anytime?" Lockhart's eyes lit up like two light bulbs, as if he had just thought of something.

"Yes, yes." The witch nodded, then glanced out of the lounge. "Mr. Lockhart, there are more and more fans outside. Should we...?"

"Ah, yes, break time is over." Lockhart stood up, flashing his signature bright smile, and strode back into the bookstore lobby.

The original bookshelves had been moved and replaced with a dozen large photographs of Gilderoy Lockhart, with Lockhart himself sitting on a round platform in the middle of the photographs, signing autographs for every wizard who came to buy a book.

There was a queue outside Flourish and Blotts, and another queue outside Ollivanders Wand Shop. Wizards gathered together with high hopes, all of them looking forward to a bright future.

The book signing event ended at 3:30 p.m.

"It's okay, we still have a chance."

Lockhart glanced at the latecomers and flashed his signature smile. "Ladies and gentlemen, great news! Tomorrow I'll be here signing and selling my autobiography, 'The Magician Me,' until 4:30 PM. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to get a personal autograph from Gilderoy Lockhart!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

Gilderoy Lockhart retreated into Flourish and Blotts and twirled his blonde hair with his fingers in front of the mirror.

"They're so enthusiastic! Should I hold more autograph sessions?"

A wizard who had just walked in heard his words, and his already tired face became even more unpleasant.

With a three-and-a-half-hour book signing followed by a one-and-a-half-hour break, coupled with his slow, deliberately elegant signing speed, how could there not be a long queue outside?

But he really did shout "Don't crowd!" outside for three hours... Those crazy witches, this job is torture. I really hope they never hold any more autograph sessions again.

However, Lockhart had no idea what the clerk was thinking. Upon seeing the clerk, he was quite pleased and took out an envelope with gold lettering from his pocket.

"Excuse me, could you please deliver this to the wand shop... Siren Ollivander, I think that's his name?"

Lockhart left through the back door, leaving the wizard standing there cursing. But the other man was now an important customer of the bookstore, so even if he was unwilling, he had to go and queue up outside the wand shop.

Six o'clock in the afternoon, at the Leaky Cauldron Bar.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Lockhart." Siren rushed over. "There were too many wizards queuing to buy stickers, and I couldn't get away. I couldn't make it to our appointment right away."

"It's alright, I completely understand this happy dilemma." Lockhart still wore a warm smile, as if he had only waited three minutes, not three hours.

"I now have to spend five hours every day replying to the snowflakes of letters that come my way, all from my admirers."

"That's because Mr. Lockhart is excellent enough," Siron said. "Speaking of which, I should buy another set of your works."

"Again?" Lockhart keenly noticed this strange statement.

"Hogwarts has included your book in their curriculum," Siron said. "Although I already have a set, those are all signed, and I wouldn't want to take them to a noisy school."

Lockhart's grin stretched wider and wider, and he could barely maintain his eight-tooth smile.

"No need to buy it, I'll give you my complete collection of works, including 'The Magician Me,' which will be available for sale tomorrow. I guarantee they'll all be signed copies."

Wow, really?

"Of course," Lockhart said, "It's like a little gift from a future professor to an outstanding student."

Xilun smiled.

It has to be said that coaxing Lockhart is much easier than coaxing the little witch, and the return is also higher; a few words saved 35 Galleons.

As for whether Celen has a complete set of Lockhart's signed books... of course not, how could he possibly waste Galon on something like that?

But Lockhart didn't know that not everyone could remember every guest as accurately as his grandfather.

However, what he just said was quite interesting.

"You just said, Professor?" Under Lockhart's expectant gaze, Siren asked the question he most wanted to hear.

"It's all because of those butterbeers; I was trying to keep it a secret."

Lockhart said with annoyance, "But now that you know, yes, this September I will be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts School."

"Oh, really? That's wonderful!" said Xiren.

He was genuinely happy.

Gilderoy Lockhart's value goes far beyond 35 Galleons; Siron would much rather welcome this professor.

"Keep this a secret," Lockhart cautioned. "I want to surprise everyone at the right time."

"I understand," Celen said with a smile. There were no reporters from the Daily Prophet here, so it wasn't the right time to make the front page news.