Twisted Fascination

It was Wednesday morning, and I was dressed and ready to head out to Diagon Alley. I was up early, reading my newspaper when Mr. Weasley came down.

"Good morning, Colton," he greeted as he immediately began to make some coffee.

"Good morning, Mr. Weasley," I replied politely. "Today is the day that Lockhart will be at Flourish and Blotts. Are you sure you want to go today?"

He made a slightly annoyed face at the mention of Lockhart. "It's out of my hands now…"

I hummed softly before flopping the page of my newspaper.

"Molly should be waking up the others now," Mr. Weasley informed me as he began to brew the pot of coffee.

I merely hummed once more in acknowledgement. I briefly checked my stocks and internally chuckled as I saw my stocks were most definitely going to make a profit with the new Nimbus Two-Thousand and One being produced.

Mrs. Weasley briskly came down the stairs, all while mumbling to herself about deeply-sleeping children. She quickly got to work making breakfast for everyone.

Mr. Weasley made my cup of coffee and placed it down before me.

I thanked him as I folded up my paper. I sipped my coffee as I watched the man sip his own, all while making a strong tea for his wife.

Percy came down first, all while wearing his prefect robes. "Good morning."

"Good morning," I greeted as I sat back. "Are you eager to get your school supplies?"

"Of course," Percy said, practically glowing at the thought.

"I'm hoping Lockhart's books aren't as expensive in a second-hand store," I said honestly.

"You don't want to get them first-hand?" Percy asked, looking surprised.

"I believe he has enough money to last him a lifetime," I stated honestly, "He's been famous for his sensational books for a while, after all."

Percy looked contemplative of my words before looking at his parents. "Do you think they'll be available in a second-hand store?"

"They should," I said, "After all, the amount of books printed would be high considering Lockhart's fame. Unless, of course, they're a collector's item…"

"He's not quite that famous," Mr. Weasley said.

Mrs. Weasley huffed at her husband's dismissal.

Percy looked away from his parents with a slight grimace.

I held back a chuckle as I looked toward the stairs.

Fred and George came down, sitting in their usual spot. They were dressed in casual robes, looking quite tired.

"Did you two stay up all night?" I asked as I watched them yawn in unison.

"Not all night," Fred said with a lazy grin.

"I told you to get a good night's rest!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, clearly upset with her twin sons.

"Relax, Mum," George said calmly, "We'll be good for today."

"I certainly hope so," Mrs. Weasley said with a huff.

"If you don't mind me asking, how will we be getting to Diagon Alley today?" I questioned.

"Floo powder," the man of the house answered.

"Harry and I have never used Floo powder before," I stated, hoping to not sound like a fool for being ignorant to Floo powder.

"How did you get to Diagon Alley last time?" Percy asked curiously.

"Mainly by the Underground," I said honestly.

"Oh, were there escapators?" Mr. Weasley asked eagerly.

"The escalators were broken," I explained.

"How do they break?" The man questioned.

"When they stop moving, they're considered broken. It was like walking up regular stairs," I answered.

"How fast do they move?" Mr. Weasley pressed.

"On average, it would be more beneficial to walk, as they are about the same in speed," I replied, "However, if you're injured, elderly, and/or carrying heavy bags, I'd take the escalator."

"Ah, I see," he said while nodding to himself.

"About the Floo powder-"

Ginny came down while rubbing her eyes, followed shortly by Harry and Ron. "Morning…"

"I'll show you later," Mr. Weasley assured me, earning a nod of approval.

"Wash your hands, you three," Mrs. Weasley demanded as she glanced over at the three that just entered the kitchen.

Ginny lazily washed her hands before sitting down.

Harry and Ron quickly washed their hands before sitting down at the table.

Mrs. Weasley served everyone several bacon sandwiches before eating her own.

After we all were washed back up, we headed over to the fireplace. We pulled on our coats before Mrs. Weasley took a flowerpot off the fireplace mantel.

After peering inside the flowerpot, she sighed heavily. "We're running low, Arthur. We'll have to buy some more today… Ah, well! Guests first-"

"Erm, Molly, they haven't used Floo powder before, remember?" Mr. Weasley questioned as he gently stepped forth. "Fred will demonstrate, won't he?"

Fred gave a grin, clearly ready to cause some mischief. "Of course!" He took a pinch of glittering powder out of the flowerpot, stepped up to the fire, and threw the powder into the flames. With a roar, the fire grew larger than Fred and turned emerald green. Fred grinned before stepping into the emerald green flames and yelling, "Diagon Alley!" He vanished from the flames, and said flames turned back normal.

"You must speak clearly, dear," Mrs. Weasley said as she looked between Harry and I.

George dipped his hand into the flowerpot before taking out a pinch.

"And be sure to get out at the right grate," the woman said.

"The right what?" Harry asked nervously as George did the little ritual before roaring out of sight.

"Well, there are an awful lot of wizard fires to choose from, you know, but as long as you've spoken clearly-"

"They'll be fine, Molly," Mr. Weasley said, exasperated with his wife. "Don't fuss," he said as he got himself a pinch of the glittering powder.

"But, dear, if they got lost, how would we ever explain it to their aunt and uncle?" Mrs. Weasley asked fretfully.

"They wouldn't mind," Harry reassured her, "Dudley would think it a brilliant joke if I got lost up a chimney. Don't worry about that-"

"Well, alright… You go after Arthur," she instructed. "Now, when you get into the fire, say where you're going-"

"And keep your elbows tucked in," Ron interrupted as his father disappeared from sight.

"And keep your eyes shut," Mrs. Weasley instructed, "The soot-"

"Don't fidget," Ron interjected, "Or you might well fall out of the wrong fireplace-"

"But don't panic and get out too early; wait until you see Fred and George," Mrs. Weasley advised.

Harry took in a deep breath as he stepped forward. He grabbed a pinch of the powder and walked to the edge of the fire. He scattered the Floo powder into the flames and stepped in. He opened his mouth while inhaling, only to choke on a hot ash. "D-Dia-gon Alley," he said with a cough, and he immediately roared out of sight.

"Oh, dear," Mrs. Weasley said fretfully as she stared at the place where the boy just was.

I didn't wait around and took a pinch of Floo powder. I threw it into the fire and stepped into the green flames, which felt like nothing more than a warm breeze. "Diagon Alley." It felt as though I was being sucked down a very large drain. I heard a deafening roar in my ears as I seemingly spun around and around. I kept my eyes closed as I stood straight, not wanting to knock into anything. I was suddenly pushed forward, and my eyes snapped open as I came fumbling out of the green flames.

Mr. Weasley easily caught me and waved his wand to get the soot off of me. "Didn't Harry go before you?"

"Is he not here?" I asked as I looked around, finding my surroundings to be a fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron.

"No, he's not," Mr. Weasley said fretfully.

"He was coughing while saying Diagon Alley, so he may have been pushed out at the wrong grate," I explained as I stood up properly.

Ron stepped from the flames a second later while looking around.

"He's not here," I informed the redhead, who immediately grimaced.

Ginny came out of the flames, followed shortly by Percy and finally Mrs. Weasley.

"He must have gotten off at the wrong grate, Molly," Mr. Weasley explained to his wife. "Boys, let's go have a look, just in case."

I followed the man out to the back, and we entered Diagon Alley through the archway. I quickly took off running after the Weasleys males, looking this way and that for a trace of my brother.

Eventually, in front of Gringotts, Mr. Weasley spotted Harry with Hagrid and Granger. The man quickly directed us to their location, and we stopped shortly before reaching Harry. "Harry!" Mr. Weasley exclaimed, out of breath from his sprinting, "We hoped you'd only gone one grate too far…" He moped his glistening bald patch. "Molly's frantic - she's coming now…"

"Where did you come out?" Ron asked curiously.

"Knockturn Alley," Hagrid said grimly.

" Excellent !" The twins chirped eagerly.

"We've never been allowed in," Ron said enviously.

"I should ruddy well think not," Hagrid growled.

Mrs. Weasleys came galloping into view, her handbag swinging wildly in one hand, Ginny just barely clinging to the other. "Oh, Harry - oh, my dear - you could have been anywhere!" She gasped for breath as she pulled a large clothes brush from her bag and began to sweep away the remaining soot from Harry's clothes.

Mr. Weasley, meanwhile, grabbed Harry's glasses, tapped them once with his wand, and returned the glasses, good as new.

"Where did he end up?" Mrs. Weasley asked Hagrid, and he told her the truth.

"Well, gotta be off," Hagrid said as Mrs. Weasely wrung his hand.

"Knockturn Alley! If you hadn't found him, Hagrid!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed fretfully.

"See yer at Hogwarts!" Hagrid said loudly as he strode away, head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the packed street.

"Guess who I saw at Borgin and Burkes?" Harry asked Ron and Granger as he ascended the stairs with the rest of us. "Malfoy and his father."

"Did Lucius Malfoy buy anything?" Mr. Weasley asked sharply from behind them.

"No, he was selling," Harry answered.

"So he's worried," Mr. Weasley said with grim satisfaction. "Oh, I'd love to get Lucius Malfoy for something."

"You be careful, Arthur," Mrs. Weasley scolded sharply as we were bowed into the bank by a goblin at the door. "That family's trouble. Don't go biting off more than you can chew-"

"So you don't think I'm a match for Lucius Malfoy?" Mr. Weasly asked indignantly, but he was distracted almost immediately by the sight of Granger's parents, who were standing nervously at the counter that ran all along the great marble hall. "But you're muggles !" He exclaimed eagerly, "We must have a drink! What's that you've got there? Oh, you're changing muggle money! Molly, look!" He pointed at the ten-pound notes in Mr. Granger's hand.

"Meet you back here," Ron said to Hermione as the Weasleys, Harry, and I went off to our underground vaults.

We had to take two carts, as everyone couldn't fit into one.

Harry seemed to enjoy the breakneck journey down to the Weasley's vaults, but his facial expression seemed to sour when their vault opened, revealing a very small pile of Sickles and a single Galleon.

I looked at Mr. Weasley carefully as he reddened in what seemed to be shame. I looked away from Mrs. Weasley as she swept the whole pile into her purse, instead contemplating how to word my next sentence.

We took another break-neck journey down to the Potter Trust Vault, where Harry was cowardly and tried hiding the money away with his body.

I merely took extra before sitting back in the cart. I then turned my gaze toward Mr. Weasley. "Sir, I would appreciate it if you let me buy the books from Lockhart needed this year."

"No, thank you," Mr. Weasley denied right away.

I nearly huffed in annoyance, but managed to hold myself back. "Sir-"

"I know you're trying to be polite, but-"

"What I'm doing is not being polite. It's paying a debt-"

"That I don't even consider to be a debt," Me. Weasley interrupted.

I frowned deeply, unhappy with how stubborn he was being.

The rest of the ride was a bit awkward at least for the others who were looking between Mr. Weasley and I.

As the others departed to the front steps, I stayed behind to talk with Griphook.

The goblin looked quite annoyed as he came out to meet me. "What may I help you with?"

"I wish to go over my stocks and make some changes," I said honestly.

The goblin nodded once before turning heel. "Follow me."

I quickly fell into step with him, and we went to the room where stocks were being examined carefully by goblins and wizards alike. I immediately looked at the Cloudy Broom Company and decided that they wouldn't last another year. I informed Griphook as such, requesting that the stocks be kept for another two months before being deposited into a new bank account specifically for my stocks.

Griphook merely grunted in reply, but I knew it was as good as done.

I then checked on my other stocks and decided to let them be. I once again donated money to Hogwarts before taking my leave from Gringotts. I headed out to buy myself some more potion ingredients from the Apothecary. I then went and purchased more rolls of parchment and ink bottles, along with a spare quill. Once done with that, I wandered around to find a second-hand shop only to scowl upon not finding any second-hand books of Lockhart. While in a terrible mood, I traveled to Flourish and Blotts for some new books.

The banner stretched across the windows showed that Gilderoy Lockhart was definitely signing his autobiography.

I rolled my eyes as I entered the bookshop and headed toward the Charms section, where I grabbed The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 . I quickly bought a few other books I thought were useful before standing in the forming line, knowing Mrs. Weasley would appreciate getting a signature.

After about ten minutes, Mr. Weasley came in, along with Granger's parents. They approached me, and they stepped in line behind me, much to the annoyance of other people behind me.

"Why are we standing in line?" Mrs. Granger asked.

"I believe Mrs. Weasley will appreciate seeing this author," I answered honestly.

"Colton-"

"I know," I grumbled with slight annoyance.

Mrs. Weasley soon joined with Ginny, followed by Percy. The twins quickly entered after that, grinning mischievously. About five minutes after that, Harry, Ron, and Granger entered the store and managed to squeeze their way over to us.

"Oh, there you are, good," Mrs. Weasley said in an almost breathless tone as she patted her hair. "We'll be able to see him in a minute…"

Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his face, all winking and flashing dazzling white teeth at the crowd. The real Lockhart was wearing forget-me-not blue that exactly matched his eyes; his pointed wizard's hat was set at a jaunty angle on his wavy hair.

A short, irritable-looking man was dancing around, taking photographs with a large black camera that emitted puffs of purple smoke with every blinding flash. "Out of the way, there," he snarled at Ron, moving in Ron's personal space to get a better angle for his next shot. "This is for the Daily Prophet ."

"Big deal," Ron snapped as he leaned down to rub his foot where the photographer had carelessly stepped.

Lockhart evidently heard Ron, as he looked up from signing an autograph of his. He spotted Ron, and then his eyes turned to my brother. He rudely stared for a moment before leaping to his feet and shouting, "It can't be Harry Potter?!"

The crowd parted while whispering excitedly, leaving my poor brother defenseless and wide-eyed.

Lockhart dove forward before seizing Harry's arm. He pulled him to the front of the crowd, causing the crowd to burst into applause. He shook my brother's hand for the photographer, mindless to the way my Harry's face burned with embarrassment.

The photographer, meanwhile, wildly snapped photo after photo, leaving a thick smoke to waft over the heads of the Weasleys.

After the handshake, Harry tried to slip away, but he had no such luck. He was pulled into Lockhart's side, and he looked ready for the earth to swallow him whole.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Lockhart exclaimed eagerly, waving for quiet, "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time!"

I couldn't help but internally sigh as I stared ahead at the show.

"When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography - which I will be happy to present him, free of charge," he waited patiently as the crowd applauded again, and then shook Harry a bit as he continued, "He had no idea that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me . He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

The crowd cheered and clapped as I kissed my good grades in D.A.D.A. goodbye.

Harry was presented with all of Lockhart's works, and he staggered under the weight of them all. He struggled to make it to my side, and he dumped all of the books he had into Ginny's new cauldron. "You can have these. I'll buy my own."

"Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter?" Malfoy asked as he strutted up, wearing his usual sneer.

I barely kept myself from rolling my eyes before turning around to face the arrogant prat. "Malfoy, a pleasure to be here!" I said with false enthusiasm. "Jealous that my brother can make the front page while you are stuck in your father's shadow?"

Malfoy scowled deeply at me. "What are you doing with the Weasleys? Don't tell me you're some filthy blood traitor."

I immediately dropped my false smile and stepped into the boy's personal space, looking down into his eyes as I did so. "Even if I were, don't forget where you stand. If I happen to recall properly, you were the one who lost a duel to me."

At the reminder of his loss, Malfoy scowled deeply. "You'll end up like your parents-"

"Regarded as a hero?" I interrupted with a smirk, "I'd say that's much better than being labeled as a coward, much like your father ."

Malfoy grit his teeth at me, a clear act of defiance.

I allowed my smirk to widen as I stared the boy down. §I eagerly await tearing you down again this year.§

He shuddered at the different language, and annoyance immediately showed in his eyes at his natural reaction. "You better watch your back this year."

I allowed my smirk to drop away as I lowered chin to stare into his eyes deeply with my own red ones. "Is that so?"

Before the arrogant boy could reply, his father came strutting up behind him. "Ah, if it isn't Colton Potter…"

"Lord Malfoy," I replied as I gave a sinister smile. "I believe your son just had the gall to threaten me, and I do not take threats to my safety lightly."

The elder Malfoy's jaw clenched as his eyes darted down to his son, who immediately scowled at me.

"Of course, so long as he is not foolish enough to act on them, you'll have no problems to deal with," I said as I clasped my hands together.

"I would watch who you talk to like that," Lord Malfoy said darkly, "You'll get into all sorts of trouble with an attitude like that."

Oh, you're on, I thought as I took the insult personally, my smile widening.

Malfoy had the balls to look a bit nervous before hardening back up.

"Children, let's go outside. It's too crowded-" Mr. Weasley cut himself off as he approached both the Malfoys and those he came to Diagon Alley with.

"Well, well, well - Arthur Weasley," Lord Malfoy said as he smirked nastily at his work rival.

"Lucius," Mr. Weasley greeted just as coldly, nodding along.

"Busy time at the Ministry, I hear," Lord Malfoy said, "All those raids… I hope they're paying you overtime." He reached into Ginny's cauldron and extracted, from admit the glossy Lockhart books, a very old and very battered copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration . "Obviously not. Dear me, what's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizardkind if they don't even pay you well for it?"

"Oh? Does that mean they pay you well for being a disgrace?" I asked as I gave a cruel smile. "After all, it was you who came crawling back after the fall of the Dark Lord."

Lord Malfoy's eyes flashed with rage, and he grabbed the top of his walking stick.

§Are you threatening me, Lucius?§ I asked as my smile grew. §A bold move to make in public, no?§

The man swallowed thickly as he stared into my eyes. Finally, he released the top of his walking stick and straightened up. "The adults are talking-"

"Are they now?" I interrupted, "All I see is a child with a terribly large ego masquerading as an adult."

"I am not a mirror, Potter," the man remarked, thinking he had gained the upper hand with such an elementary come-back.

"Oh, of course not," I replied right away in a condescending tone, "My reflection isn't so hideous."

Lord Malfoy looked dumbfounded that I'd call his "attractive" physique into question.

"Hm? No witty remark?" I mused aloud before smirking darkly. "That's good. You were starting to wear on my patience."

Lord Malfoy growled as he basically threw the Transfiguration book at Ginny, but it bounced away from her as if it had hit an invisible shield.

I stepped toward the man, my eyes now red in color. "Don't test my patience. I am no Saint."

"Clearly," he snapped before turning heel and hurrying off.

Draco glared at me, a clear promise that he would be spreading news of my supposed traitor attitude to others before the beginning of the school year. He then turned heel and hurried after his father.

§I eagerly await your retaliation, Draco,§ I told the boy's retreating form, earning a quick shudder. I then blinked once, putting on a charming expression as my eyes turned hazel once more. "Now, let's get the rest of our books, yes?" I stepped toward the counter and watched as Mr. Weasley stepped away from me quickly. I felt a bit annoyed by the automatic fear response, but decided to not put much mind into it at the moment. I quickly purchased my books and returned to the Weasleys' sides.

The Weasleys were all seemingly nervous as I returned with my many books, and we all went outside. We quickly made our way to the Leaky Cauldron and traveled by Floo back to the Burrow.

I quickly carried my belongings up to my room, not wanting to be stared at anymore. I decided that I had to pay my debt to the Weasleys at a later date, as they clearly wanted nothing to do with me any more. I threw myself into my studies, deciding that I should bury every emotion I had so that I wouldn't be wounded by such ridiculous and fickle encounters again.