Stormseeker: Borrowed Destiny

I can hardly get through my afternoon classes without my mind drifting onto the possibilities. The logical part of my brain argues that if Lockhart really were pretending to be the Heir of Slytherin, he wouldn't be able to shut the fuck up about it. But what if he's just doing it to gain access to the Chamber of Secrets, and then got in over his head with the whole basilisk thing? I don't know. None of this makes any damned sense.

"Potter, it would behoove you to pay attention to your potion," Snape says, hovering over me watchfully.

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir," I say.

I'm rubbish enough with Potions when actively trying to do my best. I don't need to be doing even worse because I wasn't paying attention. Focus on what I'm doing for now. I can investigate Lockhart further later.

Once I get out of afternoon classes, before dinner starts up, I head over to Lockhart's office. I'm going to question him, and I'm not going to leave until I have answers. A boy is dead, and if this fool is responsible, there will be a reckoning.

But before I knock on the door, I center myself. Focus. Be calm and in control. He must only know what I let him know. Put on a mask, and let him see only that.

I knock on the door. Lockhart opens it, and says, "Ah, my dear Harry! Come on in. Looking for advice on how to deal with unfortunate rumors?"

Oh, he thinks it's about that? Whatever. I come inside, shaking my head. "I'd like to speak with you privately. Do you mind if I cast a couple charms to make sure there's no eavesdroppers or anything?"

"Of course, my boy, go right ahead, whatever makes you comfortable," Lockhart says.

"Muffliato. Colloportus," I murmur, waving my wand. "Alright, that'll have to do."

"Your concern about eavesdropping is quite understandable given the current rumors, of course," Lockhart says.

"I really don't care about the rumors," I say.

"Ah, but you should!" Lockhart says. "Rumors can make or break your celebrity image, and you are much too young to be thought of in such a manner."

Be patient. Stay calm. "So, what would you suggest, then?" I ask.

"You have to be careful, of course," Lockhart says. "If you are to vehemently deny any relationship between yourself and Miss Lovegood, it may come off too strongly as disliking her, and may be offensive toward her family. She's a pureblood, after all, and they can be quite touchy at times."

I rather have to doubt that any family that has Luna as a member is anything I would call 'touchy' or 'easily offended'. "I'm not interested in rejecting Luna," I reply.

"Among purebloods, betrothal contracts among people as young or younger than you used to be common," Lockhart says. "But in this day and age, I would not recommend that course of action. You're young yet, how are you to know who you want to spend the rest of your life with at this point?"

All of this obsession with whether or not me and Luna are dating just makes me want to scream at everyone. Children are dying here, and you all are worried about boys and girls hanging around with one another? It's incredible. But of course, they don't realize what's really going on. They don't understand yet that they're in danger. I don't even know whether Dumbledore is planning to announce Colin's death or sweep it under the carpet. I don't even know which would be better.

"I'm sure you get a dozen marriage proposals per week," I comment to Lockhart.

"Something like that," Lockhart says. "And, of course, I must send them all polite letters declining their proposals. It's quite tragic, really."

"Professor Lockhart," I begin, "why did you decide to take a teaching position at Hogwarts, anyway?"

"What better way to share my expertise with people?" Lockhart replies.

"By writing books," I say dryly.

"Well, yes, there's that," Lockhart says. "But that doesn't really allow for answering questiosn or giving demonstrations."

"All of your demonstrations lead to you hiding under your desk or dropping your wand," I say. He really has no good reason to be at Hogwarts, unless he's up to something sinister somehow. The only thing he could possibly accomplish here is exposing himself as a fraud by giving too much scrutiny to his actual ability.

"Ah, well, I was nervous..." Lockhart stammers. "I've never taught before, you see..."

He's trying to justify himself to me? I think he's already lost this argument. "You're inept and you're a fraud. At this point, that isn't even in question. I want to know what you're really doing in Hogwarts." I point my wand at him.

"What are you doing?" Lockhart says. "Threatening a teacher? My dear Harry, one might think that you're looking for trouble--"

"Dumbledore will back me up," I say firmly. "Now answer the question."

"Obliv--"

"Expelliarmus!" His wand was barely in his hand before I started to cast. Lockhart tries to reach for his fallen wand. "Flipendo!" Lockhart flies end over end and tumbles over the top of his desk. I reach over and grab his wand myself.

"Harry, this is going to get you detention, or worse," Lockhart says.

"No it's not," I say, pointing both wands at him. "Now, for starters, what spell were you trying to cast on me?"

"What?"

"It started with an 'Obliv'," I say. "I don't know any spells that start with those syllables, but I'm sure I could look it up. Or, you know, just ask Dumbledore. So perhaps it would be in your best interest to answer my question."

"Harry, you can't do this--" Lockhart says, looking around his desk.

"Keep your hands where I can see them," I say. "The minute I see you trying to reach for something, I'm hexing you."

"I don't believe this!" Lockhart exclaims, straightening and holding his hands in the air. "What's gotten into you, Harry?"

"I don't believe this, either," I say. "A twelve year old boy easily taking down the Defense professor. Now, how about you start answering my questions? If you're feeling reluctant, I could always take you to Professor Snape. I'm sure he's got something brewed up that could encourage you to talk."

"You're threatening me with Veratiserum now?" Lockhart says, wide-eyed. "Severus would never go along with this!"

"Why don't we find out?" I say.

"N--No, that won't be necessary," Lockhart says. "I'll tell you whatever you want to know."

"What, don't want anyone else to find out about this?" I say. "One second-year student is easier to deal with than having your secrets spilled before Snape?" I smirk at him. "Alright, answer my questions, but if I'm not satisfied, or I think you're lying, or you even dare to try to pull anything, I'm going to hex the shit out of you and drag you down to the dungeons."

"Alright, alright!" Lockhart says. "What do you want to know?"

"First off, tell me, what spell were you trying to cast on me?" I ask.

Lockhart sighs reluctantly. "Obliviate," he replies. "The Memory Charm. I'm quite good at them, you see... I was trying to wipe your memory of this encounter."

I narrow my eyes at him. "You would dare to fuck with my memory?"

"You have quite the mouth on you, little boy," Lockhart says.

"Yeah, fuck you too," I snap. "Take points from me, give me detention, maim me, kill me, but do not touch my memory." I snort softly. "Although that would explain all those books of yours. You just Obliviated the ones who actually did those deeds and took the credit for yourself, didn't you?"

"I was doing them a favor," Lockhart insists. "They didn't want the fame or attention. All they wanted to do was to help people."

"I really don't care about your excuses right now," I say. "That's not why I'm here. I want to know what you're doing in Hogwarts."

"I'm teaching!" Lockhart says. "I thought it would be a good opportunity to put myself in the spotlight, and improve my credentials. And if I were fondly remembered by ones such as you in the future, so much the better."

I glare at him. "What do you know about the Chamber of Secrets?" I demand.

"What are you talking about?" Lockhart says, looking at me in puzzlement. "That's just a legend, so far as anyone knows. Although I'm sure that I could acquire even greater fame and fortune if I were the one to finally discover it."

His confusion seems genuine, but it could be just an act, trying to cover things up and keep me from discovering the truth. "Did you come here looking for the Chamber of Secrets?" I ask.

"No," Lockhart replies. "I wouldn't complain if I happened to come across it, but that's not why I'm here. I swear, it's the truth."

"Uh-huh," I say. "Do you know Parseltongue?"

"No!" Lockhart says.

"Do you know who killed Colin Creevey?" I demand.

"No!" Lockhart replies. "No, no, no!"

"What do you think of Muggleborns?" I ask.

"I am a Muggleborn!" Lockhart exclaims.

I stare at him for several moments. "Very well," I say. "I believe that you are telling the truth."

"Will you give me back my wand now?" Lockhart asks.

"Fine," I say, reluctantly handing it over.

The minute he has it back in his hand, he starts to say, "Obliv--"

"Flipendo," I snap. "Expelliarmus." Lockhart flies end over end again, and before he has a chance to recover, his wand comes flying back toward me. "I think I'd better just keep your damned wand."

"You can't do that!" Lockhart exclaims.

"Then quit trying to Obliviate me, idiot," I say. "The Heir of Slytherin is loose in the school, has opened the Chamber of Secrets, and unleashed Slytherin's basilisk upon the students! A Muggleborn first-year died last night! Dumbledore himself requested my aid in unraveling this mystery! And if you weren't the culprit, and you're not on the Dark Lord's side, then for fuck's sake, help me instead of acting like a complete buffoon."

"But..." Lockhart begins.

"I don't care if you're a completely inept wizard who is only good at erasing people's memories and taking credit for their deeds." I shake my head. "I'll certainly know from now on who to ask if I ever need someone's memory modified for whatever reason."

"You aren't going to expose me?" Lockhart says. "Tell Dumbledore about it and get me fired, and have it plastered all over the Daily Prophet?"

"Of course not," I say. "Besides, Dumbledore isn't likely to fire you for anything short of murder, anyway. I mean, for fuck's sake, last year's Defense professor was possessed by the fucking Dark Lord!"

"You do need to work on your language, though," Lockhart says quietly, as if afraid to protest much more loudly than that.

I smirk at him. "So, what will it be, Lockhart?" I ask. "Ally or enemy?"

"I would much rather be your ally, Harry Potter," Lockhart murmurs.

"Very well," I say. I reluctantly hand his wand back, but I keep my own trained on him and a spell on my lips if he tries to Obliviate me again.

"I won't try anything, I swear," Lockhart says.

"I want an oath from you," I say.

"An Unbreakable Vow?" Lockhart says, raising an eyebrow.

"No," I reply. "An oath of fealty."

"Are you serious?" Lockhart says, staring at me.

"Would I have asked if I weren't?" I snap. "Children are dying here, and there are three people in this whole castle who I know I can fully trust! And right now I'd be happy with one more person who I can mostly trust!"

"Why are you the one trying to stop this?" Lockhart says. "You might be the Boy-Who-Lived and all, but you're still only twelve years old..."

"I'll explain it to you if I have your oath," I say. "But believe me, there are reasons, and there's a reason why even Dumbledore is having to rely on me in this."

"You're not asking for any small thing, though," Lockhart says. "You're asking me to swear loyalty to House Potter for myself and any descendants that I might have!"

"You're not even married," I point out. "And no, I won't ask you for that. I want you to swear loyalty to me personally for you only. And not by the name of Harry Potter. Swear your loyalty to the Stormseeker."

"That's... a bit of a strange request," Lockhart says.

"I don't really care," I say. "I'm at my wit's end here." My wand is shaking. Am I really this desparate for allies?

"You already know my secret," Lockhart says.

"And don't even think about Obliviating me," I warn him.

"I never considered that someone might be willing to keep my secret and value what talents I have for what they're worth," Lockhart says.

"Not everyone can be good at everything," I say. "A variety of talents is needed for success of any group. You want fame and fortune? Fine, have at it. You can even take credit for whatever I might do if you want, I really don't care, just so long as you don't Obliviate me to do it."

Lockhart thinks about this for a few moments, before nodding his head. "Very well. So be it." He kneels before me, still a little uneasily. "I, Gilderoy Lockhart, do hereby swear an oath of loyalty upon my life and my magic to you, Stormseeker. I swear to serve, protect, and obey you in any way that is within my power."

At least he just used his name only, and didn't babble on about his Order of Merlin or Witch Weekly's best smile contest. I nod solemnly to him, and say, "I, the Stormseeker, do hereby accept your oath, Gilderoy Lockhart."

The tip of my wand sparkles brightly for several moments, and Lockhart is surrounded by a faintly glowing aura that seems to sink in and vanish. Did that invoke some actual magic somehow? I don't really know what I've just done, but I find it a little reassuring. I feel like I can relax a little now. I put my wand away and flop over into a chair, and let out a heavy breath shakily.

Lockhart straightens and stands, looking down at me, and says, "Now, would you please tell me why you wished me to do that... Stormseeker?"

"I didn't know if I could trust you," I reply. "And I swear, if I ever, under any circumstances, find that you've Obliviated me, I will kill you." I shake my head. "But never mind that. I was so sure I'd finally figured out who had opened the Chamber of Secrets, and now I'm back at the drawing board again. Damn it."

"If I might ask," Lockhart says. "Why did you ask me to swear to the Stormseeker rather than to Harry Potter?"

"Because I'm not Harry Potter," I say, laughing softly. "How could I possibly be angry at you for being a fraud when I've pulled something even worse?" It's pretty hilarious, actually. For once, I allow myself to relax and let out all my pent up tension in laughter.

"You... seriously?" Lockhart says, looking at me in disbelief.

I nod. "My name is Lexen Chelseer," I explain in between snickers. "Stormseeker is my title. Harry Potter's been dead for years. The only ones who know everything about it are Dumbledore and Snape, so be sure not to let it slip to anyone else."

"Yes, Stormseeker," Lockhart says, starting to laugh himself. "That's... pretty incredible, actually. And I thought I'd done well with my schemes, but this? This really takes the cake!"

The two of us share a laugh about it for several minutes. Finally, I catch my breath, and say, "Fuck, I needed that."

Lockhart wipes tears of laughter from his eyes, and takes a seat across from me. "So, who are you really? Are you actually twelve years old, or older than that and just pretending at that, too? Considering your language..."

"Actually... I'm eleven," I say, snickering softly. "Sorry about the cussing. I think that's more just a sign of the tension getting to me."

"You're younger than Harry Potter would have been?" Lockhart asks, eyes widening. "You're doing quite well in your classes for all that."

I nod. "Yeah, I'm actually about eight months younger than Harry Potter. Close enough to pass, but by all rights, I should be a first year."

"And yet you could still defeat me in a duel," Lockhart says a little dejectedly.

"Eh, don't feel so bad," I say. "I've seriously pushed myself in combat magic. I'm hopeless in other things like Potions. Just ask Snape." I snort softly. "And if you want to know why... that's a seriously long story, and it's almost dinner. We should continue this conversation afterward, though."

"I can just have a house-elf bring us dinner here," Lockhart suggests.

I shake my head. "I don't want to be seen missing dinner, and I really should meet with my informant and see if she's learned anything else. Yes, that's Luna Lovegood. Not my girlfriend, but a valuable source of information. That's why I don't really care about the rumors. If people think we're dating, they won't wonder why we're really spending time around one another."

"Ah, I see," Lockhart says.

"But straight back here after dinner," I say. "There's a lot that you need to know."

Lockhart nods, and I cancel my spells, and the two of us head down to the Great Hall for dinner. There's Luna at the Ravenclaw table. I go over to her.

"Oh, it's the Gryffindor boy again," says an older Ravenclaw girl.

"You're not sitting at our table for dinner!" protests an older boy.

I snort softly. "Whatever," I reply.

Someone from the Hufflepuff table waves over to us and says, "You're welcome to sit with us if you like!"

"Really?" Luna says. "I haven't sat at the Hufflepuff table before. There's fewer nargles over here, too."

So the two of us wind up eating dinner at the Hufflepuff table, of all places. "So, Luna, have you seen anymore grackles?" I ask.

Luna shakes her head. "I'm afraid not, Stormseeker," she replies.

A first year girl giggles. "You two are weird, but that's okay," she says.

"You Hufflepuffs are much friendlier than the Ravenclaws," Luna comments. "Perhaps I should have been in Hufflepuff."

"Well, if they ever give you a hard time, you're always welcome to sit with us instead," says an older girl, a prefect.

"Thanks," Luna says.

"What's this?" says Draco, strolling by the table. "Potter and his Loony girlfriend, sitting with the Puffs?"

"That's right," I say absently.

"How much lower can you go?" Draco says.

"How far down do the dungeons go?" I ask.

"Leave them alone, Malfoy," says the prefect. "Go back to your own table if you can't say anything nice."

We eat dinner fairly peacefully, and I say, "I've got to go talk to Professor Lockhart after dinner. Care to join me, Luna?"

"Of course, Stormseeker," Luna replies.

The two of us head back to Lockhart's office. He ate quickly and quietly and slipped away from the Great Hall ahead of us. When we arrive, he lets us in and I recast my spells.

"Alright," I say. "Now that we've eaten something, I suppose I'd best tell you everything."

"Do you trust him?" Luna asks me.

I give a short nod. "If he lies to me, I will kill him," I say in a deadly serious tone.

Luna nods sagely, then turns to Lockhart and says, "You shouldn't lie to him. If you do, he will kill you."

"Why do I feel such a sense of dread over eleven year olds making death threats?" Lockhart comments.

"The Stormseeker is a murderer," Luna says brightly.

Lockhart stares at us for a moment, and then says, "For the sake of my own sanity, I'm going to assume that you're talking about You-Know-Who or something..."

"If you're so disturbed by the idea of me killing someone, maybe I shouldn't tell you the rest," I smirk.

"No, no," Lockhart says. "I'd really like to hear this. Do go on."

"Very well, Lockhart," I say. "Welcome to... the Stormseeker Conspiracy. We few hold a great secret that could change the course of the universe."

"That sounds... ominous," Lockhart says.

"Well, someone has to oppose the Rotfang Conspiracy," Luna says lightly.

"You see, I'm from another universe," I say. "I'm a time traveler. And I'm effectively immortal."

"You... what?" Lockhart says, blinking. Whatever he might have been expecting, that clearly wasn't it.

"Whenever I die, I wake up again that morning as if nothing happened," I say. "Giving me a chance to do something differently with advance knowledge of the future. All I can take back are my own memories, however. Now you see why I was so upset about the idea of being Obliviated?"

"Ah, yes," Lockhart says. "My apologies. And I can see why you're so cautious about something like this..."

I nod. "Now you understand," I say. "And you see why I'd go to any lengths to make sure someone like you is on my side and in no danger of ever thinking that it might be a good idea to Obliviate me. I just can't take any chances with something like that."

"I understand," Lockhart says, nodding.

"So, with that out in the open, let's get back to the heart of the matter," I say. "Colin Creevey was killed last night. Unfortunately, he died before I woke up, so I can't go back far enough to save him. I was able to save Justin Finch-Fletchley last November because he was attacked all of approximately twelve minutes after I woke up -- that was a close one. The Heir of Slytherin seems to be targeting Muggleborns."

"I see," Lockhart says, frowning. "I wish there were more I could do to help."

I smirk. "Especially considering that I'll happily let you take all the credit for catching the culprit."

"Yes, there is that as well," Lockhart says with a small grin.

"Unfortunately, all my ideas have dead-ended," I say. "Luna says there's no Parselmouths in the school, no one is possessed, and no one seems to have committed a murder. Luna, is there anything else we might look for that you haven't mentioned or I haven't thought of yet?"

"Hmm," Luna says. "Whoever is responsible would have to be someone that I haven't seen recently."

"And unless there's more than one invisibility cloak in the school, that wasn't it either," I say. "Are there any spells or anything that make someone invisible?"

"A Disillusionment Charm?" Lockhart suggests.

"I'd be able to see through them if they came near, though," Luna says.

"I think, if you saw them, you'd be able to identify them immediately, anyway," I say. "So most likely, the culprit only comes out when you're asleep in your dorm. Both attacks happened at night or early in the morning."

"Ah, of course!" Lockhart says. "It's obvious! There must be a vampire sneaking around Hogwarts at night!"