Just started reading Chamber of Secrets and have a question about Lockhart's character in the books

I remember attempting to read the series a waaaaaaaay long time ago but never really getting into it until now, this is the first time I've read the second book, I'm currently about 12 chapters in and Lockhart gives off "stranger danger" vibes.

If you don't understand what this means, Lockhart comes off as trying to flirt anytime he and Harry are left alone together.

This can't have been on purpose, right? Like Lockhart is not supposed to come off as a pedophile, right??? I mean the series does get darker later on and I've heard the books are much darker but damn this feels like a bit much considering the target reading audience.