Chapter 1: Swimsuit Beauty and Dumbledore
"Wow~"
Lockhart gained a thorough understanding of just how captivating moving pictures were in the wizarding world and how fanatical the witch fans could be.
At this moment, holding that extremely discordant photo, he couldn't help but swallow. Even alone in his enormous magical mansion, he still couldn't resist checking if anyone was around him.
Clearly, there wouldn't be anyone else.
With the house protected by powerful defensive magic, not even wizards who could transform into insects could fly in.
"Hoping you can guide me on how to deal with the bugs in my house, they crawl on me and it's so itchy, so itchy..."
He read the content of a fan letter, pinched his nose, tried his best to look serious, and quickly searched through the memories of the original Gilderoy Lockhart for a way to deal with such pests.
Yes.
Lockhart had transmigrated!
He had transmigrated into Gilderoy Lockhart.
Completely different from his image in the movies, in Harry Potter's second year, Lockhart was only 27 years old, having graduated from Hogwarts just nine years prior.
In these short nine years, Lockhart, born into a lower-class half-blood wizarding family, had traveled the world, personally dealt with over a dozen powerful wizards, stolen their experiences, compiled, edited, and marketed over a dozen best-selling books, becoming an internationally renowned author.
"Gilderoy Lockhart's Guide to Household Pests," "The Gilderoy Lockhart Series," "Breaking Up with a Banshee," "Wandering with a Ghoul," "Vacationing with a Hag," "Traveling with a Troll," "Sailing with a Vampire," "Strolling with a Werewolf," "Magical Me," and more.
Each book had brought him a large amount of royalties, and such perfectly combined professional and entertaining works could almost guarantee a lifetime of continuous Galleon earnings.
Not only that, but Lockhart was also skilled at networking, from Rita Skeeter, the well-known reporter for the British wizarding newspaper The Daily Prophet, to the chiefs of distant African tribes, he had made countless good connections.
Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Anti-Dark Forces League, recipient of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award five times...
He even ran a luxury shampoo brand.
Hiss~
Such a person.
What would the scene be if he lived for a few more decades?
Headmaster of a magic school?
Minister of Magic?
Even Chief Warlock of the International Confederation of Wizards?
Lockhart didn't know.
Because he was now Lockhart.
He only knew that even if he planned to do nothing for the rest of his life and just enjoy everything his predecessor had built, the secret that he was a fake must absolutely not be known by anyone!
His mind was now a chaotic mess of memories, and he couldn't even manage the basic concentration required for casting spells, not even simple unlocking charms.
He was even more useless than the original Lockhart, who only knew the Memory Charm.
Lockhart thought for a moment, picked up the golden quill, dipped it in ink, and let his predecessor's muscle memory guide him to imitate the original handwriting to write a reply to this passionate fan.
This fan came from one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight pure-blood wizarding families and possessed significant influence within the circle.
"...I am determined to compile a monumental masterpiece unprecedented in the history of the wizarding world. Even if it requires a great deal of energy and time, perhaps ten years? Twenty years? I don't care. I believe this is the inherent mission of someone as learned as I am in the magical world..."
"...Such a long period of silence may cause many people to forget me, but it will be worth it! Because I know that history will forever remember my name because of my great undertaking..."
This would give him a reason to do nothing and hide away.
My enthusiastic fans.
Help me spread the word.
The corners of Lockhart's mouth curled up slightly, very satisfied. He folded the letter, selected a hormonally charged handsome photo from the large pile of "autographed pictures" prepared by the original Lockhart, put it in the envelope together with the letter, fed the owl some treats, and entrusted it to deliver the letter for him.
"Perfect!"
Lockhart stretched lazily and walked to the dressing mirror to admire his face.
Being the most famous best-selling author in the current wizarding world, besides those insightful and entertaining books, was probably also thanks to his own handsome appearance.
Handsome enough to be a "public lover," a pair of clean and clear azure blue eyes seemed to be full of wisdom, coupled with meticulously styled golden hair and colorful, luxurious wizard's robes...
Such an image...
People would easily associate him with the most powerful wizard in the world, Dumbledore, who also had blue eyes and also liked to wear colorful wizard's robes, and would imagine that Dumbledore must have looked like this when he was young.
Yes, this was Lockhart's cunning plan.
He had deeply studied the image of Dumbledore's youth.
"Perfect!"
He gave the mirror his signature charming smile that captivated thousands of witches.
Then, he quickly couldn't smile anymore.
Because he saw in horror that a tall figure had appeared behind him in the dressing mirror.
Also with azure blue eyes, also wearing purple wizard's robes...
"Dum..."
"Dumbledore?"
Lockhart gasped and turned his head to look at the person in disbelief.
Damn it!
He thought he knew better than Lockhart just how terrifying the person in front of him was.
The only thought that flashed through his mind at that moment was—Legilimency!
Crap, Dumbledore would definitely easily learn everything from his chaotic thoughts and discover that he was a transmigrator!
Releasing Legilimency at any time was almost a stereotype he had formed of Dumbledore from reading web novels in his previous life.
"Gilderoy Lockhart..." Dumbledore's expression was gentle, but there was an indescribable air of authority, "I've been waiting for you in the Headmaster's office all day. I don't think you should still be at home at this time."
"Ah?"
Lockhart panicked a little and quickly searched through the original Lockhart's memories, finally understanding the situation.
There had long been rumors that the Defence Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was cursed. Quirinus Quirrell, who had taken the position a few months ago, had died mysteriously, making it almost impossible for Dumbledore to find a wizard willing to take over the professorship.
Lockhart, of course, was unwilling.
His life was already successful enough, and there was no need for him to go to school to be a professor.
But Dumbledore was too good at persuasion. He hinted that becoming the teacher of the "Savior," Harry Potter, would lay the foundation for Lockhart's fame to soar, which was simply an irresistible temptation for the original Lockhart.
The original Lockhart had agreed.
And now, school was about to start!
Ha~
Was it too late to go back on his word now?
Lockhart clearly knew the terrifying situation he, a useless piece of trash who couldn't cast any magic, would be in at Hogwarts, a place coveted by Voldemort.
He looked at the serious-faced Dumbledore, opened his mouth, and wondered if he would be killed by this angry old man if he spoke his mind.
"Yes, I was just packing my things,"
He tried his best to make his smile look sincere.
Dumbledore simply looked at him calmly, "I'll wait for you here."