Monday, September 27, 1993
I woke earlier than usual this morning.
Rosmerta and Aurora were already awake as well, which was far more unusual than my own early rising. Under normal circumstances, the two of them treated every extra second in bed as a treasure to be hoarded.
Today, however, was different.
Today was important.
Today was the day House Lockhart would be officially recognised as a member of the Wizengamot.
Cygnus Greengrass had been true to his word. A process that should have taken months, perhaps even longer under normal Ministry bureaucracy, had been completed in less than a week. All that remained was my formal attendance at today's Wizengamot session, where my House would be acknowledged before the full body.
Technically, I already possessed a vote thanks to my Order of Merlin, First Class.
What I lacked until now was a voice.
And now, I would have one.
I would be able to speak during sessions, offer opinions, influence discussions, privileges I had previously been excluded from.
Which, naturally, delighted me to no end.
If there was one thing Gilderoy Lockhart truly appreciated, it was the sound of his own voice.
Rosmerta slipped from the bed first, already tying her robe as she headed toward the kitchen. "I'll make breakfast," she said, though the determined tone suggested this was less a suggestion and more a coping mechanism.
Aurora, meanwhile, turned her full attention to me, eyes sharp and assessing as she reached for my clothes.
"No," she muttered immediately, setting one set of robes aside. "Absolutely not those. You'll look like you're trying too hard."
"I am trying," I protested mildly.
"Yes, and that's the problem," she replied, tugging a different robe free and smoothing it with a practiced flick of her wand. "You need to look dignified, not… theatrical."
"I'm always dignified."
Aurora gave me a look that suggested I should reconsider that statement very carefully.
Once dressed to her satisfaction, she adjusted my collar, then my sleeves, then stepped back and squinted. "Try not to provoke anyone important."
"I never provoke," I said airily. "People provoke themselves around me."
"That," she said flatly, "is exactly what worries me."
We reconvened at the table as Rosmerta set down a generous breakfast. The smell alone suggested she was stress-cooking, and judging by the spread, it was working.
As we ate, I waved away their tension with a dismissive gesture. "You're both worrying far too much. This is just a formal introduction. Perhaps a brief acknowledgment. Maybe a short speech."
Rosmerta froze mid-bite.
Aurora slowly set her teacup down.
"A speech," Rosmerta repeated carefully.
"A short one," I clarified. "Polite. Respectful. Definitely memorable."
"That's not reassuring," Aurora said at once. "You don't do 'short.' You do 'inspiring monologue that accidentally insults three factions.'"
"I've refined that skill," I said defensively. "I only insult people deliberately now."
Rosmerta leaned forward, fixing me with a serious look. "Gilderoy, please remember, this is your first day. You don't need to impress them all at once."
"But I do," I said. "That's how first impressions work."
"That's how making enemies work," she countered.
Aurora nodded in agreement. "You're walking into a room full of ancient families, half of whom already dislike you on principle. Please don't give them ammunition."
I smiled, entirely unrepentant. "Relax. I'll be charming. Measured. Diplomatic."
Both of them stared at me in silence.
"…Mostly," I added.
Rosmerta sighed and reached across the table, squeezing my hand. "Just… come back in one piece. And preferably without starting a political feud."
"No promises," I said cheerfully. "But I will come back."
Aurora shook her head, though there was fondness beneath the worry. "Merlin help the Wizengamot."
I finished my breakfast, rose from the table, and straightened my robes.
After all, they were all waiting for the star of the day.
And it would be rude to keep them waiting too long.
…
The familiar emerald flames of the Floo Network swallowed me whole, and a heartbeat later I stepped out into the grand Atrium of the Ministry of Magic.
I took a moment to straighten my robes, brushing away imaginary soot as though this were a stage entrance rather than a government building. The Atrium was every bit as imposing as I remembered; towering golden statues, enchanted fountains glimmering under magical light, witches and wizards bustling in every direction with the air of people who believed themselves terribly important.
Today, I supposed, I was one of them.
"Gilderoy."
I turned to see Cygnus Greengrass approaching, immaculate as ever, his expression composed but not unfriendly.
"Lord Greengrass," I greeted smoothly. "Punctual as promised."
"As expected," he replied. "The session will begin shortly. Follow me."
We began walking toward the lifts that would take us deeper into the Ministry, our steps measured and unhurried. Several heads turned as we passed; some curious, some calculating, some already judging. I offered them my best public smile, the kind that suggested confidence without arrogance.
Well. A controlled amount of arrogance.
We had just rounded a corner when chaos very nearly collided with us.
A witch in Auror robes came rushing from the opposite direction, clearly distracted, boots skidding on the polished floor. She stumbled, pitched forward…
And would have met the stone face-first if I hadn't reacted instantly.
I caught her by the waist, steadying her with one arm as momentum carried her just close enough that I caught a faint whiff of something sweet.
Her reaction was… spectacular.
Her face flushed a vivid, exaggerated red, the sort one might expect from a cartoon illustration rather than a real human being, and her shoulder-length hair rippled through half a dozen colours in rapid succession: red, blue, green, violet, orange, before finally settling into a bright bubblegum pink.
Ah.
That explained it.
"Well," I said lightly, still holding her to make sure she was steady, "first day at the Ministry and I already catch the most beautiful woman in the building. I can't help but wonder what will happen by the end of my first week."
Her blush intensified, if that was even possible.
I gently set her back on her feet, stepping away just enough to be polite. Taking her hand, I bowed slightly and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her knuckles.
"Gilderoy Lockhart," I said warmly. "May I have the name of the lovely lady I just rescued from an undignified encounter with the floor?"
She opened her mouth, closed it, then sputtered, "T-Tonks. Just, just Tonks."
I smiled. "Well then, Miss Just Tonks, it has been an absolute pleasure."
Cygnus cleared his throat pointedly behind me.
"Alas," I continued regretfully, releasing her hand, "duty calls. I have a Wizengamot meeting to attend, and I'd hate to be late on my first day. One must make a good impression, after all."
I inclined my head to her. "Perhaps fate will be kind enough to bring us together again. Until then, farewell."
Tonks watched me go, still pink, still stunned, hair flickering uncertainly between shades as though undecided whether to betray her emotions or not.
I rejoined Cygnus, who eyed me sidelong as we entered the lift.
"You do enjoy making entrances," he observed.
"Only when the opportunity presents itself," I replied pleasantly.
As the lift descended toward the Wizengamot chambers, I felt the familiar thrill settle into my chest.
A new House.
A seat among the rulers of magical Britain.
And already, the Ministry itself seemed determined to be… welcoming. Going so far as to throw Nymphadora Tonks herself directly into my arms.
This day was already proving to be a very interesting one.
…