A Christmas Present for You
Flourish and Blotts was unusually lively today. A crowd had gathered at the entrance, most of them young wives and girls.
Charles understood what was going on as soon as he approached. Gilderoy Lockhart was holding a book-signing event.
He had no interest in the man, so he went around the crowd and prepared to enter the bookstore.
Just then, Lockhart shouted, "Next, I'm going to give one lucky reader a set of books personally signed by me—the Travel Trilogy, consisting of Holidays with Trolls, Travels with Vampires, and Wanderings with Werewolves!"
The young women surrounding him instantly screamed with excitement. The reporters kept taking pictures, and under the flashing lights, Lockhart looked like he was thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere.
He swept his gaze around and happened to see Charles approaching, preparing to enter Flourish and Blotts right beside him.
"Oh, what an impatient gentleman!" Lockhart said to Charles. "All right, this set of the Travel Trilogy is yours!"
When he finished speaking, the genuine readers let out disappointed sighs.
Charles had not paid attention at first, until Lockhart shoved the three beautifully bound books into his arms.
He raised his head and saw the professionally trained smile on Lockhart's face. His expression darkened at once, reminding him of the month he had spent copying books in Voldemort's office after being dragged there.
Lockhart naturally had no idea what Charles was thinking. He said smugly, "Ha-ha, our lucky reader is thrilled!"
Charles pushed the books back and said expressionlessly, "I don't want them, and I'm not your reader."
Lockhart stiffened as if he had been hit by a Petrifying Spell, but his well-trained smile quickly returned. He pushed the books over again and said, "No problem. Everything has to start somewhere. I'm sure you'll soon