Gilderoy Lockhart, Where Are They Now
The once renowned wizard and five time winner of Witch Weekly’s Most Charming Smile award flashes his brilliantly white teeth at the massive cue before him.
His shining blonde hair, now streaked with a healthy dose of grey, catches the bright lights inside Florean Fortescue’s reopened ice cream parlour as he scoops out bucketfuls of brightly coloured cones for the patrons.
Many of whom seem to be there for the sheer novelty of having the once famous wizard serve them sundaes.
“It’s hilarious,” says twenty-five year old Tooba Gilani as she jiggles an adorable infant on her hip. “He used to be rolling in piles of Galleons and now he’s taking my order!”She laughs, taking a lick of an enormous Strawberry Swirl cone.
While Lockhart still has absolutely no recollection of his former celebrity status – or anything else for that matter – he was still keen on giving out autographs to anyone who dared linger at the register a moment too long.
Gilderoy, who will be celebrating his fifty-fifth birthday this January, is a long term resident at the Permanent Spell Damage ward at St. Mungo’s. His healers say there are moments when he seems to recall bits and pieces of his past life, but that he remains largely unchanged from the devastating effects of the Memory Charm.
“Poor love is as sweet as a kitten, but he gets rather lonely cooped up inside the ward all day,” says Healer Beatrice, one of Lockhart’s primary caregivers. “It’s nice to see him out chatting with other folk since no one ever comes to visit him.”
Patients with non-debilitating physical injuries and approval to travel have been allowed “Field Days” – supervised visits volunteering at local shops in and around Diagon Alley as a way to integrate them into society.
Many store owners are embracing the idea.
“Well, I feel sorry for the chap,” says Adrian Fortescue – nephew of the late, great Florean who was killed by Death Eaters in 1996 – who reopened the beloved ice cream parlour a few years prior. “He’s decent help and I mean, look at the crowd he’s drawn for sundaes in the middle of October.”
But it’s not all rainbow sprinkles; I can see a flush of embarrassment paint the still handsome wizard’s features while an irate patron besmirches him for counting out his change incorrectly for the third time.
Healer Beatrice notices her patient’s helpless fumbling and rushes over, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder as she kindly reminds him the value of Sickles and Knuts.
The author of Magical Me stares at the money in the palm of his hand as though the glittering coins are about to jump up and attack him.
At this point Fortescue approaches and eases Lockhart towards the rows of frozen tubs with a gentle smile and a silver scoop. Gilderoy looks confused for a split second before his bright blue eyes glaze over and he flashes another dazzling smile at the cue, grabbing the spoon and resigning himself to dig out more ice cream.
“Aside from a few minor setbacks, he’s really just like you and me,” persuades Beatrice. “He’s even re-learned basic spells!”
As the crowd dies down and the last few rays of the setting sun bathe the parlour in golden light, Gilderoy mops his fair brow with the back of his hand before I approach him.
He looks at me curiously before I smile tentatively and brandish a blank notebook towards him, wordlessly asking for his autograph.
His face lights up and without hesitation, he whips out a battered looking Peacock Quill as he brands the parchment with his immense, swirly writing.
I thank him and leave, not wanting to sully the moment and can’t help but feel a heavy ball of pity settle deep within my stomach at the thought of the man – and that despite the venue, my encounter with the once famous wizard was anything but sweet.
Aw, right in the feels. I feel sorry for him, but he seems like a much happier chap than before.
Good that he’s now normal! We can’t all forget he didn’t do all the things he said he did in the books! Uncle Harry told me lots about it! I still feel sorry for him. He’s a better person now though…!
What an absolute bitter shame. I feel sorry for him even though he lied. But just think would you slay a dragon or something as dangerous. He is just like you and me wants to be loved and remembered even just appreciated. Please just remember we are all human and all witches and wizards. If my mother taught me anything that dumbledore said then it’s to not pity the dead, pity the living and above all pity those who live without Love. We may not be able to help him now but don’t disrespect the folk for what he didn’t do. Be sure gave us entertainment and fun. And be careful don’t use memory charms with someone else’s wand unless you know it’s safe and not damaged. Thats all I have to say. And remember “To the well organised mind death is but the next great adventure”.
What do you think the witches and wizards Lockhart stole memories and credit from would do to Lockhart once they found out?
Its good to hear that he’s doing better now, he seems happier and different to what i was told about him now!
So full of himself.
😡
Gilderoy Lockhart used the obliviate spell on wizards who did great things and he would take credit for it. In Harry’s second year when Harry, my dad, and mr Lockhart went into the chamber mr Lockhart tried to use the obliviate spell on Harry and my dad because he was to coward to go into the chamber but because of him using my dads broken wand the spell backfired and hit him.
We all know that. Though, can’t you feel a bit sorry for him? I mean, he lost everything.
And people say im a little-miss-know-it-all.
I do feel sorry for him but in a way he kinds deserved it for lying and erasing all those witches and wizards memories just so he could claim he did all those great things and become famous
I guess he can start his life from a new angle now…
Mr. Lockhart did do a lot of things he shouldn’t have and paid the price for it and now i’m sure he’s learned his lesson. I do feel sorry for him tho.
My dad told me that he tried to put a memory curse on him and Harry but it backfired he ruddy deserved it
Agreed Hugo. Agreed. He deserved it coming. Bet he regrets getting cocky eh?
That is awesome. I can’t wait for him to get back to his regular job as a famous person!
he took credit for others doing to get famouse. I doubt he will be famous.
He desrerved getting hit by the obliviate spell.
Oh dear… While I’m aware of all he’s done, I still cant help but pity the poor man for not even knowing of his actions, yet still being punished for it. I do hope some people would offer some kindness to the chap, and that he’ll be able to integrate further into wizarding society!
I’d say I like him better now than in the past too. He wasn’t a very good person before the memory wipe. Though I do feel bad for him a bit because he doesn’t remember what’s happened before.
Despite what he did, Lockheart really didn’t deserve this, all he wanted was to be appreciated for something. Just like everyone else. Is it really worth it to criticize him when he doesn’t even know what he did wrong?
I’m glad he’s fine, I think even better now
I do feel very sorry for him but what can we do. One part of me is saying he deserved it because he tried to erase harry and ron’s memories.
Well , they said Potter and Weasley has oblivated him i think he might forgotten everything and likely now having a normal muggle life.
I guess he forgotted everything and now he is having a normal muggle life!