Chapter Text
Breakfast in the Great Hall was always too loud.
Not in the fun, comfortable sort of way either – more like in the headache-brewing, why-did-I-even-sit-down way. Hundreds of students moved between tables, chattering, laughing, and scraping cutlery against plates. The morning sun shone across the polished floor, and the clatter of breakfast echoed off the high ceiling.
Peter poked half-heartedly at his eggs, pretending to listen to Sirius explaining how he’d nearly blown his eyebrows off the night before. James was laughing so hard he was clutching his sides, Remus was muttering about self-control and decorum, and Peter was just trying to stay awake.. That was all. He wasn’t thinking about tutoring. Or about Lockhart. Or about Lockhart’s ridiculously perfect hair catching the light like it had been blessed by angels.
Unfortunately, Lockhart had arrived to the hall before him.
He was sitting at the Ravenclaw table, waving at someone Peter couldn’t see clearly through the crowd. And then, impossibly, the golden-haired boy’s gaze met Peter’s.
He raised a hand and waved softly, his expression cheerful enough to slice through the chaos of the hall. He flashed a dazzling smile - the kind that could probably disarm a basilisk if he wanted to.
Peter froze mid-meal, piece of toast halfway to his mouth. His stomach did a somersault. He turned bright red before he could even blink. He wanted to vanish. Or maybe fall through the floor.
Sirius, sitting across from him at the Gryffindor table, leaned back on his elbows and grinned.
“Well, well, look at that. Seems our Wormy has caught someone’s eye.”
“I did not—”
Peter started, but Sirius had already snorted loudly, nearly choking on his toast. Remus just raised an eyebrow, amused. And James grinned at Sirius before turning to Peter
“I think that counts as a look, mate.”
Peter crossed his arms and muttered something under his breath, which even he couldn’t make out. Stupid Lockhart.. why did he have to look at him like that?
Before he could rationalize it, he slid into his seat, careful to avoid eye contact, which was nearly impossible with Lockhart still smiling across the hall.
By the time breakfast ended, Peter had calmed himself slightly - but only slightly. He kept sneaking glances toward Lockhart, who continued chatting with his Ravenclaw companions, laughing and gesturing dramatically with a spoon like it was a wand. Peter inwardly groaned.
Why is he so infuriatingly dazzling? Why does that smile feel like it’s aimed at me?
Sirius poked him in the side with an elbow.
“Oi, Wormy, you’re staring. Don’t tell me you’ve already fallen for him.”
Peter’s face flared.
“I- No! I have not!”
“Sure, mate. Keep telling yourself that.”
James snorted. Remus quietly shook his head again, giving him that ‘I see everything’ look. Peter grimaced.
The day crawled forward, every class dragging, every corridor seeming longer than it actually was. Peter had managed to avoid running into Lockhart - until it was time to for tutoring.
The classroom door was slightly ajar when he arrived, and he hesitated, muttering, “Merlin, just breathe. It’s only a lesson.”
He pushed it open.
Lockhart was already there, leaning casually against a desk, wand twirling lazily in his hand. He didn’t even look surprised- he looked pleased.
“Ah, Peter, ready for another lesson with your favourite pupil?”
Peter’s knees nearly buckled. He stumbled into the room, tripping slightly over a chair. “I—I’m here.. for… the lesson.”
Lockhart’s smile broadened, but there was a faint pink flush along his neck. Peter blinked, noticing for the first time that Lockhart might actually be embarrassed. His heart thumped. Oh Merlin, what had he done wrong?
Lockhart held up a hand toward the desk.
“Well, of course. Shall we get started?”
Peter swallowed hard and took a seat across from him. He opened his book and tried- very hard- to ignore the flustered sparkle in Lockhart’s blue eyes. Peter lifted his wand, trying to regain composure.
“Today, we’ll practice the basic light charms. Start simple with Lumos.”
Lockhart, wand at the ready, waved it with a flourish.
“Of course, Professor Pettigrew. Watch closely. Observe the master at work.”
“Just… try to focus your wand.”
Lockhart flicked- and the tip of his wand shot out a small spark, then fizzled. He tried again; this time, a tiny flame appeared… and then shot sideways, singeing a corner of his sleeve.
“Oops, I.. I think I need more guidance.”
Peter tried not to laugh.
“Right. Focus on the motion. Wrist steady. Fingers like this…”
He demonstrated, making sure to keep his own wand tip steady and perfectly illuminated.
“Lumos.”
Peter’s wand lit up correctly this time, and Lockhart leaned back, eyes on Peter, and added softly,
“You make it… look so easy. So… natural.”
Peter blinked slowly.
“I- I just… you’re… easily impressed”
Lockhart’s lips twitched slightly, and the colour tinged his cheeks.
“I… I mean- yes. Of course. Yes..”
Peter tried to turn his attention back to the charms book (or anything but Lockhart’s stupidly dazzling face) but found himself distracted by the way Lockhart was clearly flustered- fumbling with his wand, cheeks pink, trying to act casual.
“Good,” Peter muttered, though he could feel the heat creeping up his own neck. “Now… um.. Nox. Try extinguish the light.”
Lockhart waved his wand… and the tip flared bright again, like it had its own stubborn personality. He waved frantically.
“Nox! Nox! Why won’t you—!”
Peter finally laughed, which only seemed to make Lockhart turn to look at him his expression indignant.
“You’re… very dramatic,”
Peter said softly, trying not to smile too much. Lockhart cleared his throat.
“I… I just like to put my all into… er… spellwork.”
Peter’s stomach did something strange.
“Sure. Of course.”
Peter took a deep breath and demonstrated again lighting and extinguishing his wand with precise, steady movements. Lockhart watched intently, eyes wide. Peter felt a rush of… something. Pride? Satisfaction? Maybe something worse.
“Your technique is… remarkable, Very steady. Very… competent..”
Peter froze. He hadn’t expected a compliment- especially that kind of compliment, delivered in a tone that made him want to duck under the table.
“Uh… thanks,” Peter muttered, cheeks heating. “Just… doing my job.”
Lockhart’s lips twitched. “Mhm. Of course. I suppose that’s true. But, ah… your wand movements… they’re… mesmerizing.”
Peter’s heart could have stopped.
Lockhart’s eyes flicked up, and he flushed a darker pink, staring down at his wand like it had personally insulted him.
“I… I mean… you have a very steady hand. It’s… distracting.”
Peter blinked.
“Distracting… how?”
Lockhart coughed violently, waving a hand as if that would make the words disappear. “I- uh…nothing just forget about it… let’s focus on the spell.”
Peter leaned back slightly, trying not to laugh- partly at Lockhart, partly at the absurdity of his own reaction. Why was he enjoying this so much?
The lesson continued in a haze of awkward corrections, misfired charms, and faintly flustered smiles. Peter couldn’t stop noticing little things- the way Lockhart’s hair fell perfectly over one eye, the soft tone in his voice when he tried to act serious, the way his fingers lingered on the wand a little too long.
By the time the session ended, Peter was convinced of three things:
Lockhart was still hopelessly self-absorbed.
Lockhart was also ridiculously, unfairly charming.
Peter was completely and utterly confused.
He packed his books quickly, mumbling something about “homework” as Lockhart trailed behind, trying- and failing- to straighten his hair.
“Thank you again, Peter,”
Lockhart said softly, his hand reaching out to touch Peter’s shoulder delicatley.
“I… look forward to our next lesson.”
Peter wanted to scream. He wanted to hide. He wanted to run. Instead, he said,
“Y-yeah. Sure. Next lesson.”
Lockhart smiled that dazzling, blinding smile again.
“Splendid.”
Peter fled down the hallway like a man possessed.
By the time he collapsed into the Gryffindor common room, Sirius, Remus and James were waiting on the large red couch in the middle of the room, Remus sitting on one end Sirius draped across him, James sitting on the opposite end playing with a snitch he must have stolen from the last quidditch match.
“Well how’d it go?”
Sirius asked, a sly grin plastered across his lips. Peter groaned, throwing his hands over his face.
“I didn’t mean to—”
“What did you do..?”
Remus asked confused.
“I may have complemented him..”
Siruis’ head slowly turned to look at Peter a stupidly wide smirk on his lips, looking like he was having a field day. James had a nearly identical expression and the threw the golden orb into his pocket, his attention fully focused on Peter.
“Oh this is GOLD”
“You complemented Lockhart?? Mr Peter ‘I hate Lockhart’s guts’ Pettigrew??”
Sirius grinned a shit-eating grin taking up about half of his face, as he mused.
“Don’t worry Worms, I’m sure he was very flustered~”
“I didn’t fluster him! He’s Lockhart! That’s impossible!”
“Okay, okay whatever you say.. Don’t forget to invite us to the wedding though-”
Peter groaned again, burying his face in his arms. “I hate all of you.”
James patted his back.
“And we love you, mate. And you should probably start worrying about what you’re going to say next lesson.”
Peter muttered under his breath. Next session. I’m doomed.
The night drew in, and Peter sat at his dormitory window, staring out at the moonlit grounds. He tried to convince himself that nothing had happened. Lockhart was infuriating, self-absorbed, ridiculous… and yet, his smile kept appearing in Peter’s mind, just as bright and blinding as breakfast.
Peter rubbed his eyes. He hated that he can’t stop thinking about him.
But.. a part of himself didn’t want to stop thinking about him..
Not yet atleast...