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Chapter 155: We Can Now Sit Down and Have a Proper Talk
Chapter 155: We Can Now Sit Down and Have a Proper Talk
After obtaining the exclusive interview authorization, the two found an undisturbed inquiry room and sat down.
Rita Skeeter couldn't wait to take out a roll of Parchment and a Quick-Quotes Quill from her Alligator Skin Handbag, placing them aside. She then looked at Ivan with a sweet smile.
"I'm used to taking notes with a Quick-Quotes Quill. You don't mind, do you? This way, I can focus on our conversation."
"No, I do mind!" Ivan said without hesitation.
"That's good", Rita Skeeter replied instinctively, only to realize what Ivan had said, her smile freezing.
She had never expected the interviewee to say something like that.
"Mind? Why?" Rita tried to maintain her professional smile, asking word by word.
Ivan looked at her with a suspicious gaze, tapping his fingers on the table and speaking slowly.
"Mrs. Skeeter, using a magically enchanted quill like that is a violation of professional ethics. It makes me wonder if you can only write a decent article with it."
"Perhaps I should report this to the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Prophet and suggest they hire your quill as a journalist!" Ivan said, giving Rita no quarter.
The moment she took out the Quick-Quotes Quill, Ivan knew this interview would not be a peaceful exchange.
That quill was Rita Skeeter's most important "tool", expert at embellishing the interviewee's words into various sensational content, even more skilled at spreading rumors than Rita herself!
Rita Skeeter was thoroughly enraged. Under Ivan's suspicious gaze, she had no choice but to take out a new quill from her bag.
Her professional integrity would not be questioned by anyone!
"Can we start now, Mr. Hals?" Rita took a deep breath, steadied her emotions, and smiled.
"Of course, no problem!" Ivan nodded, thinking Rita probably didn't have a second Quick-Quotes Quill.
"So, the first question: How did you come up with the idea to research the Wolfsbane Potion?" Rita asked.
"Knockturn Alley is a gathering place for Werewolf wizards. I frequently interact with them, understanding their struggles, which led me to the idea of developing the Wolfsbane Potion." Ivan carefully chose his words, trying to be concise to avoid giving her any loopholes.
"You often interact with werewolves? Why? What makes you take such a big risk?"
Rita immediately latched onto the part of Ivan's words that interested her, her eyes shining as she leaned in, excited.
"Is it because of your Werewolf girlfriend?"
In a short time, Rita Skeeter had already concocted a tragic love story, her hand trembling as she eagerly wrote.
"My friends do not include female werewolves!" Ivan rolled his eyes and interrupted.
Rita was very disappointed. She had already thought of a story but couldn't write it down. Feeling frustrated, she said:
"Then, do you have any other romantic experiences at school?"
Ivan shook his head without hesitation, trying to cut off Rita Skeeter's last hope of fabricating a story.
However, Ivan severely underestimated Rita Skeeter's ability to make things up. She didn't care what others said; with just a few words, she could piece together whatever she wanted.
Sharp-eyed Ivan clearly saw Rita Skeeter writing the following on the Parchment:
[Ivan Hals is quite interested in male werewolves and is embarrassed to talk about his romantic history, suggesting he has some hidden secrets.]
After writing, Rita Skeeter even gave Ivan a friendly smile.
Ivan's forehead veins bulged. He regretted not learning the Obliviate spell; otherwise, he could have beaten this old woman and erased all her memories.
"Mrs. Skeeter, I must remind you that I'm only in my second year next term. Your romantic history probably lacks credibility", Ivan said, trying to control his anger.
"Is that so?" Rita nodded thoughtfully, erasing what she had written.
Just as Ivan breathed a sigh of relief, Rita continued to write:
[The Potions Genius Ivan Hals is desperately in need of a romantic relationship, but his young age has led to repeated setbacks, leaving him to seek companionship with werewolves.]
Ivan was speechless. From then on, he refused to answer any of Rita Skeeter's questions.
But this clearly didn't faze the old woman. She examined Ivan's expressions and added extensive analyses, portraying him as a proud and cold Potions Genius with many quirks on the Parchment.
Rita Skeeter believed this image would attract public attention. Ivan, however, coldly watched as the content on the Parchment grew.
"Alright, that's it for today's interview?" Rita Skeeter nodded in satisfaction after filling up her Parchment, feeling the content was enough to dominate the headlines for several days.
Just as Rita Skeeter was packing her Alligator Skin Handbag, standing up, and preparing to leave, Ivan, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke.
"Mrs. Skeeter, please wait a moment."
Rita Skeeter paused, turned her head, and then heard Ivan continue.
"Or should I call you an illegal Animagus, the Beetle Lady!"
Rita Skeeter's body trembled, staring at Ivan in disbelief, but quickly forced a fake smile.
"Mr. Hals, I don't understand what you mean", Rita Skeeter pretended to be calm.
"Is that so? As long as I understand!" Ivan raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a playful expression.
Rita Skeeter couldn't tell if Ivan was setting her up, but after thinking about it, she found it impossible. Ivan had accurately identified her Animagus form as a beetle, a secret no one should know.
"There are no absolute secrets in the world, are there?" Ivan changed his expression, pointing to the seat in front of him. "I think we can now sit down and have a proper talk."
(End of Chapter)
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