In Harry Potter as Neville Longbottom - Chapter 49: At Flourish and Blotts - 2

“I think it is better for Hermione to go with you guys. She needs books and other school supplies. Hermione, take this.” Mrs. Granger handed a small stretchable purse to Hermione and decided to leave their girl with her friends.

In the Diagon alley, it is really uncomfortable for the muggle parents to enjoy the feeling of shopping. The hostile behaviour of many shop owners in hardly concealed. Even the crowd on the street is not open or friendly to them.

“I understand Mrs Granger. Don’t worry. She will be safe at my house. Also, my Nan will be happy with more people around her. I will send my house-elf to bring whatever she needs. Don’t worry.” Neville comforted the Granger family and then Nev along with Hermione and Pansy left for the bookstore.

Mr. and Mrs. Granger felt happy that their daughter was able to make some good reliable friends. They decided to head back home and leave the place where they feel unwelcomed.

The new trio found themselves surrounded by the aunts and middle-aged housewives who were cheering for Mr. Lockhart. It was as if he managed to truly ‘lock’ their ‘hearts’ with his books and his flashy smile.

“We can actually meet him!” Hermione squealed. “I mean, he’s the famous Mr. Gilderoy Lockhart! He had written so many great books!”

Nev felt he should slap himself forgetting that this bookworm was also one of the many fooled fans of this trickster. Looking at the puppy eyes of the bushy head, he had no choice but to follow Hermione who managed to squeeze inside.

The assistants had a hard time managing the crowd and keeping their books safe. They grabbed the Hogwarts’ books first before following the crowd that was heading right to the back of the shop, where Gilderoy Lockhart was signing his books.

Hermione tried to fix her hair and Pansy looking at the excited girl, waved her wand and all the wrinkles on Hermione’s dress simply disappeared.

“Thank you, …Pansy!” Hermione felt strange thanking a Slytherin girl who never was on friendly terms with her until today.

“No issues. We are friends, aren’t we?” Pansy said sweetly and Hermione just nodded without saying anything. She could hardly believe her ears!

“Friends! With Slytherin girl! That too Pansy Parkinson!!”

She thought Neville must have told Pansy to behave like this or gave her some potion to mess up with her otherwise this girl can never be this friendly with a muggle born wizard like her. All Slytherins are like that.

Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into their view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face. If that was not creepy, imagine few moving pictures that all showed a same flashy smile at the same time. Plus, there was a photographer taking his pictures from different angles.

This guy was truly treated as a celebrity in the wizarding world. Neville just thought what would happen if his truth came out now! Will people still love him? Anyway, he was not going to involve himself with Lockhart for no reason.

It was the job of the ministry to catch a fraudster like him not Neville’s and he simply helped Hermione get his autograph.

While Hermione was getting her autograph, there was some commotions behind them. The trio looked back and found Harry Potter standing there with Ron and other Weasleys.

Lockhart leapt to his feet and positively shouted, “It can’t be Harry Potter?”

The crowd also got excited hearing Harry Potter’s name and started whispering excitedly; Lockhart managed to pull Harry in front of the crowd and the crowd went nuts for no reason! The photographer also clicked several pictures of the famous duo and then Lockhart finding the perfect opportunity gave him a whole bundle of his set of books.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Lockhart said loudly, waving for quiet. “What an extraordinary moment this is! From one famous wizard to another, it is a huge honour for me to present my sets of books to Harry Potter — which I shall be happy to provide for free of charge!”

Neville saw the scene and felt pity for the poor thin saviour who was getting crushed under the weight of all books. Hermione also saw the plight of her friend and used a charm to float the books and save her friends’ life!

“This is too much crowd for me.” Neville said in a low voice and while Hermione decided to meet Harry, Pansy simply followed Neville to move towards one corner away from the crowd.

“I am not sure what the crowd finds interesting about him? I mean I like his hair but isn’t he too much focused on his looks Neville?” Pansy felt Lockhart was vainer than many Lords of their houses. His hair, his dress, and the way he smiles, it was all so ‘perfect’ that she felt strange.

“Well, some people love the limelight too much! Anyway, let’s wait for Hermione. I am definitely not going back there!” Neville said while he and Pansy started looking at the different books that were stacked in the shop. Clearly, they had all kinds of books like “Beasts and their hobbies”, “Why dragons cry?” or even “Unicorn and the lady”.

Chuckling at these strange titles, Neville kept browsing the books until he saw Malfoys entering the bookstore. As always, it was Draco Malfoy starting an argument with his lost love the Harry Potter.

But soon even his father joined him. Lucius Malfoy made some snide comments about Weasleys and before Neville and Pansy could understand the situation properly, it turned into a brawl inside the bookstore.

Arthur Weasley, the fat man punched Lucius Malfoy so hard that the tall blond man fell on the bookshelf and dozens of spell books came raining down on them. Then the crowd stampeded backward, knocking more shelves over.

Neville saw the situation was going worse and he dragged Pansy little further apart from the crowd. Before the situation could turn any worse, Hagrid the half giant suddenly came out of another corner and managed to pull both apart.

No matter who, in front of an 8ft. half-giant, all wizards will feel like little boys. Hagrid’s presence was more than enough to defuse the situation. Lucius Malfoy beckoned to Draco and swept from the shop. Hagrid dragged Sr. Weasley and his family outside leaving the poor assistant to deal with the chaos and damage himself.