Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard-Chapter 587 - 585: Rita Skeeter’s Refusal

"Yes, Mr. McPhail, I have seen the resurrected Voldemort and am quite familiar with the ritual he used.

"Professor Dumbledore is not joking; he truly has returned. If needed, I can attend your meetings at any time and answer some questions..."

Diagon Alley, Leaky Cauldron.

Kael sat in a relatively less crowded area, writing a reply on parchment to Dugald McPhail.

During this holiday period, he frequently received similar letters asking whether he had truly seen the resurrected Voldemort.

Most of the people writing were magizoologists he met last time at the Romanian Fire Dragon Reserve.

Like Professor Rockneil from Beauxbatons, Madam Rosino who researches dragons in North America, and Mr. Lima, who published "The Monster Book of Monsters," Hagrid’s favorite.

Presumably, Dumbledore told Newt, who then reached out to them.

Then there were those who awarded him the Merlin Order Medal previously.

Dugald McPhail was one of them. This morning marked the second time he wrote enquiring about the truth of this matter.

However, from the sloppy joined-up writing on the parchment, it’s clear that even knowing the news, his heart remains restless.

In the letter, he also mentioned that Dumbledore plans to hold a meeting under his own name to explain the issue in detail and formulate a series of plans.

He wanted to know if Kael would attend the meeting; if Kael did, there would be no need to ask some questions in the letter.

Honestly, Kael hadn’t received the news from Dumbledore himself, but he wouldn’t mind making the trip if needed.

Kael handed the written reply to Ladon beside him; the owl grabbed the envelope and squeezed out from the skylight with difficulty, leaving behind a few feathers.

"Tom, bring two Butter Beers." Kael said loudly, "Besides, have you ever considered opening the window a bit wider?"

"I don’t think it’s necessary."

Old Tom looked up from behind the counter, examining the few owl feathers on the ground, "If you could switch to a normal owl, you’d find that the window’s just the right size.

"Merlin’s beard, what exactly did you feed that owl, dragon liver? Or did you use an Engorgement Charm on it."

Kael shrugged, saying nothing.

However, the person sitting opposite him was amused by Old Tom’s words and let out a high-pitched, somewhat affected laugh.

"The Triwizard Tournament champion used an Engorgement Charm on his pet owl; quite the topic, can I write about it?"

"What do you think?" Kael replied without looking up.

Rita Skeeter raised her eyebrows but said no more, though her hand remained on her flashy automatic quill.

"Do you know what a torture this is for me?" She couldn’t help but say.

"Just because you can’t write about me using an Engorgement Charm on my owl?" Kael asked, "Surely not; that was merely Old Tom’s joke."

"You know that’s not what I meant." Rita Skeeter lowered her voice.

"The 1858 Minister of Magic Dugald McPhail, resurrected You-Know-Who, Dumbledore’s personal meeting.

"Any one of these three pieces of news is enough to shock the entire magic realm... But I can’t write any of them, isn’t that torture?"

"Don’t talk nonsense, I haven’t stopped you from announcing the resurrection of You-Know-Who to the magical world, have I?"

Just then, Old Tom came over with two Butter Beers, also bringing a plate of butter cookies.

"How much?"

"No need this time." He showed a few teeth teetering on the edge, "Consider it a congratulation for winning the Triwizard Tournament; Hogwarts hasn’t won this honor in a long time."

"If that’s the case," Kael said. "Then bring another cup of Ogden’s Golden Honey Mead."

"No problem, please pay ten Galleons upfront."

"Didn’t you just say it was on the house?"

"Limited to Butter Beer and cookies." Old Tom said calmly.

"Then forget it... So stingy."

Without a word, Old Tom turned and returned to the counter.

Kael pushed one of the Butter Beers to Rita Skeeter, continuing, "In fact, if you really want to report on You-Know-Who’s news, I won’t stop you and will even pay you generously.

"How about a hundred Galleons per article... If you write ten in a row, you’ll receive all the prize money I won in the Triwizard Tournament."

"A tempting offer." Rita Skeeter remarked, but she didn’t directly reply to Kael’s question, instead taking a sip of Butter Beer.

"Honestly, you’re more suitable for this line of work than I am in terms of storytelling; I almost believed you just now.

"But now, if there’s nothing else... I’ll head back to write tomorrow’s front-page article."

She stood up saying, "The Daily Prophet has urged me many times... Oh, thanks for the Butter Beer."

"Are you afraid?" Kael chuckled, "I didn’t know you could be scared."

The next second, the Butter Beer mug slammed onto the table.

"I, Rita Skeeter, never fear publishing any articles!"

The commotion drew quite a bit of attention, but seeing it was Rita Skeeter, everyone silently turned their heads.

No one wants to engage with this notorious troublemaker if they care for their reputation...

Rita Skeeter didn’t care about the surrounding commotion, taking a deep breath and articulating each word, "But I won’t publish articles that everyone dislikes either; it would ruin my reputation.

"I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I know if I tell everyone that the You-Know-Who responsible for the magical war over a decade ago has returned, what do you think will happen?

"They’d treat me like Xenophilius Lovegood, my career would be over; I’d never make such a foolish choice!"

"Even if I use photos as a bargaining chip?" Kael asked calmly. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

This time, Rita Skeeter remained silent, sat back down, and took another swig of the Butter Beer on the table.

After a long time, she finally said, "I can pay to buy that photo with all my savings."

"I’m not short of money." Kael replied.

Rita Skeeter fell silent again.

Though her previous writings were heavily embellished, they were extensions based on a small portion of reality.

She never wrote anything as ludicrously false as the resurrection of You-Know-Who.

Rita Skeeter could imagine that if she really wrote something like that, not only would Daily Prophet readers, but even the Ministry of Magic wouldn’t spare her... unless You-Know-Who really appeared subsequently.

But that’s impossible; everyone knows that You-Know-Who was killed by the Savior, Harry Potter...

Resurrection? Don’t be absurd.

Although Dumbledore says the same, no one believes it, including her.

The only person in the magic realm to have survived the Killing Curse is the famous Harry Potter; but he didn’t die then.

As for those who died and were resurrected... not one, not even the most famous Dark Wizard of the Middle Ages, the vile Herpo.

At most, they can become ghosts.

"I don’t understand why you’re doing this; just to scare others? If so, you can certainly change the reason or hand it over to me; I’ll help you write it, no need to use You-Know-Who’s name, it’s taboo!"

Rita Skeeter’s tone held a hint of plea, "It’s not worth it, and you’ll be affected; you’ve just won the Triwizard Tournament and are a member of the Merlin Knight Order, no need to go insane with Dumbledore and that Potter! It’s not worth it!"

Kael simply gazed at her calmly, without speaking.

Rita Skeeter’s expression continually changed, finally turning dark and fierce.

"I’d rather go to the Ministry of Magic now and admit I’m an Animagus," Rita Skeeter said firmly in a lowered voice, "But don’t think you’ll have it easy, I swear!"

Although in doing so she wouldn’t be able to obtain any secret news again, she might also face various investigations, potentially paying a hefty price; but it would be better than having Kael directly reveal her.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got, her expression turning fiercer.

"I’ll disclose every word you said today, tell everyone that you’re as mad as Dumbledore, an attention-seeking fool!"

...