Harry nodded, relieved. "I'm glad. You will also be happy to hear that Aithusia will no longer be without company," he said before picking up her long pale hair and running his fingers through it. Slowly, he started to braid small sections before pulling them together in a knot at the back of her head. Looking around, he saw a few eyes on him, so he knew he couldn't use wandless magic. As though sensing his problem, Luna's hand appeared and in it was a beautiful silver hair pin. Smiling, Harry picked it up and used it to secure the braided knot.
While this was going on, conversation continued to flow.
their "You found her?" Luna asked, happy that such a magnificent creature would be allowed some freedom.
"Yes and she is beautiful," Harry said smiling.
"Will she be willing to help with our peacock problem?" Luna asked, smiling deceptively.
Harry laughed lowly. "Honestly? I forgot to ask, but I think she would be willing."
"Good. Maybe you could write to a certain bug and get her to spread a web. I'm sure she could dig up the truth with the help of your family," Luna said. Harry grinned. He hadn't thought to use Rita, but could see the logic behind the idea. "Little Moon, you are a genius."
Luna giggled. "Well, this is the House of wit and intelligence."
"Indeed it is."
Harry opened his bag then and pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill. Moving so he could use the desk, Harry thought about what he wanted Rita to write. She really had been doing a fantastic job demeaning Dumbledore her stories all told the truth but in such a way they really engaged the readers.
~ Rita,
I must say I am very impressed with your work so far and commend you for it. You truly are a remarkable reporter. I'm sure you will be pleased to hear that Dumbledore now fears to read the papers—your articles really are causing him quite some bother.
Therefore, I need you to use your talents to spread the truth once again. Gilderoy Lockhart is a fake. I know this to be a fact, but I need you to do a little investigating and produce them for me. I want the world to know the type of man he is: a liar, cheat, and fraud.
You will find all his claimed acts of heroics are those of others who he has Obliviated. The man has not done a single thing he has claimed.
I'm sure you, like I, feel the public must be made aware of such outrageous news.
It might also benefit us both if you were to share your findings with my guardian, Lord Sirius Black. I'm sure he would be very pleased with them and happily share them with both the Wizengamot and the Hogwarts School Board, of which he is a member.
Yours,
Harrison Potter-Black
~ Smiling, Harry tucked the note into his bag and vowed he would take it to Hedwig first thing the morning.
Everyday Harry would wait with baited breath to see if Rita had decided to publish her article on Gilderoy. Her response to his letter had left him giddy for days when he had read it.
~
Heir Potter-Black,
I must say, I am pleased to hear you have found my work to be satisfactory. You would not believe the uproar my articles have caused - it's been very entertaining to say the least. Do believe the old man has even tried to have me fired! Therefore, I must thank you for your support in me keeping my job. I never knew the Potters owned such a large share in the Daily Prophet.
I would be beyond happy to go and look into Mr. Lockhart for you, I'm sure I will be able to dig up all of the juicy tidbits surrounding his stories. Once I have them, I will gladly share them with the world. It is like you said after all - they deserve to know that such outrageous lies have been fed to them.
And I quite agree! I'm sure Lord Black would be very pleased to hear from me.
Rita Skeeter ~
December 1992, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
"What has you so excited, Harry? You've been like this all week," Neville finally questioned his friend.
Harry smirked. "I just can't wait for the morning owls to arrive."
"Oh? Why?" Susan asked, looking up from her breakfast.
"Becau—"
"I bet you're waiting for a love letter from your boyfriend," spat Ron Weasley.
Harry rolled his eyes. The redhead had taken to bombarding him every breakfast, especially by making snide digs at Harry's sexuality ever since he had learnt of it.
"I don't have a boyfriend, Ronald, but with the way you keep bringing one up, I might begin to suspect you want to be mine."
Harry's friends sniggered as they watched Ron turn red with anger, his cheeks blotchy with the colour. "Never! You're just a freak!"
Harry's eyes narrowed. He hated that word, even after all this time. It reminded him of how weak he had once been, how easily he had been controlled. However, before he could voice his fury and, better yet, curse the sad excuse of a wizard, the twins appeared.
"Now, now, Ronnykins, there's no need to blush."
"Yeah. I mean, we do understand - little Harrison here is rather lovely."
"Quite a catch."
"Apparently the most eligible bachelor under 16!"
"But, like we said, there's no reason to blush around him. I'm sure if you just declared your love, he would be willing to consider you."
The twins stopped then and dramatically looked Ron over before exclaiming, "Or maybe not."
"I do believe we got all the looks in our family, my good sir," Fred simpered to his twin.
"You might be right, you handsome chap."
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