"S-start what? What do you mean, I've joined you???" Lockhart's clear eyes filled with bewilderment. He had absolutely no idea what the werewolf before him was talking about.
What was this, some kind of fraternity initiation?
Just reach the Gaunt Shack, and you could join some mysterious society.
But wasn't this society of yours a little too shabby?
Lockhart looked at the werewolves' plain clothes.
Their shirts and trousers combined probably wouldn't buy a single shirt of his.
Lockhart felt as though he was always half a beat behind. Events were becoming impossible to predict.
No, seriously, what on earth was going on?
Lockhart wanted to leave now.
Unfortunately, leaving was out of the question. Although the werewolves had never received a proper Hogwarts education, they had at least received some rough-and-ready training from an old werewolf.
And our master of Memory Magic, Lockhart? The fellow couldn't use anything except Memory Magic.
Besides, Lockhart's Memory Magic targeted individuals. Area-of-effect casting was entirely outside his professional remit. As a master, he could certainly attempt to wipe the werewolves' memories outright.
The problem was that he didn't dare.
What if... he missed someone?
These young werewolves weren't his adoring fans. Lockhart had absolutely no doubt about how ruthless these outcasts of the wizarding world could be.
So Lockhart could only watch in silence as the werewolves worked away inside the Gaunt family's Ancestral House.
As for why the werewolves trusted Lockhart so readily...
It was because the Death Eater who had summoned them for this job had told them a master of magic would join them tonight.
Lockhart had just confirmed his identity.
Now they had all started "work," and Lockhart hadn't voiced the slightest objection.
Didn't no objection mean agreement? And didn't agreement mean joining them?
Thus began a wonderful misunderstanding.