John Constantine and The Overgrown Serpent

False Idols

"Tell me again, Harry, why we're going to that moron?"

"Because he can help us!"
They ran down the halls, whisper-yelling to one another to avoid unwanted ears.
"Like it or not-he's an adult-"
-so was he-
"-and he'll have more experience and know more spells than either of us!"
-untrue. He'd be surprised if the faker had even gotten into a simple spat in a public subway-

"I'm sorry, Harry mate, but I highly doubt that!"

"I understand that!"
The ebony amended.
"But he's going to the Chamber anyways-we can at least tell him what we know!"

The mage continued after him, Ron beside him.

"Going to him will bite us in the ass-just you wait and see!"

God he's been swearing around them a lot...he should really cut back on that-

Harry threw himself through the classroom door, charging up towards Gilderoy's personal office-

-only to find the bastard packing a suitcase!

"Professor!"

Lockhart snapped up to the three of them.

"Are you going somewhere?"
Harry's voice took on an accusing tone.

"W-well-l, yes, I um-"
He floundered, trying to explain himself to three '12' year olds.
"Urgent call. Unavoidable-you understand-"

"-and what about my sister?!"
Ron's temper flew, rightfully so.

"Ah! Eh,"
Lockhart hurriedly locked up a large chest.
"-most unfortunate situation-no one regrets more than I-"
"-cut the shit, Lockhart!"

All the three startled at the mage's icy tone.

"A girl is in grave danger and you're scampering off with your tail between your legs!"

"And what about all the things you did in your books?!"
Harry pressed.
"Uh-books can be misleading, one shouldn't believe everything they read-"
"-You're the one who wrote them!"
"Dear boy, use your common sense!"
Gilderoy finally snapped.
"My books would never have sold half as well as they did if no one believed I had actually done any of those feats!"

"He's a filthy fraud, mate."
Lockhart turned back to John, anger burning in his grey/blue orbs.
"Did you actually make up those tales, Gilderoy? Or were they actions you leeched off from people far more capable?"

Ron scoffed in disgust.
"Is there anything you can do?"

"Yes."
Lockhart stood defiantly.
"I will admit that I am rather well gifted in Memory Charms...otherwise, you see, all those wizards would've gone babbling-then I wouldn't've ever sold a book..."

John gaped while his companions outraged.

This dumbass just admitted several crimes to three witness!

Even with the mixed receivings on the three of them for different reasons, even Snape's hatred for Gryffindors and Harry in particular-it's three voices against one with an already biased court!

Gilderoy turned as nonchalantly as he could, reaching for his jacket.

"And I'm going to have to do the same to you-"

Two wands and an open palm cut him short.

"If we're actually going into the Chambers-can't have my wand again? I'm going be mighty useless in our bout against a monster-"