"No, I can't say it!"
The itching in his chest surged like a raging sea, tormenting every nerve in Lockhart's body. If he actually confessed those things, his life would be ruined.
"Gilderoy, you have no other choice. Someone used fame to tempt you into stealing the Muggle-born Student List. I can use fame to keep you in line, too."
"Talk, or I'll pour that entire bottle of Concentrated Veritaserum down your throat. The effects will last three days, and you'll spill all your secrets without anyone even asking."
"I imagine the students you've charmed would be delighted to witness that spectacle!"
His adoring fans watching their idol fall from grace in person? That would be disastrous. Lockhart's defenses crumbled completely. Then... like a broken machine on its last legs, he haltingly confessed all the vile things he had done!
For instance, when he was three, jealousy drove him to steal a playmate's watch and toss it into a dog's kennel. Pretending to be helpful, he told the boy where to find it. It ended with the boy being bitten on the arm and the "vicious dog" being shot dead.
For instance, when he was ten, he took a fancy to a cute, sweet girl and pursued her so relentlessly that he drove her to reinvent herself as a cool tomboy.
For instance, when he was seventeen, he submitted his writing to over a dozen publications, only to be rejected by every one. During a chance visit to a friend's house, he heard his friend's grandfather recount his youthful adventures and was suddenly struck by inspiration.
After returning home, he put himself in the grandfather's place and wrote a short book called The Young Boy's Jungle Travels. It was accepted and even given top billing. His school commended him, and