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Chapter 1644: A War with No Victors (Ninety-Four)
Chapter 1644: A War with No Victors (Ninety-Four)
Despite Kingsley's wish to keep the matter quiet, the news of the attack on the Weasley family and the burning down of their home by the ruthless Death Eaters eventually made headlines in the Prophet the very next day, alongside the bombshell announcement of Harry Potter's impending nuptials with Ginny Weasley.
Upon seeing this, Ron slammed the newspaper down on the table in anger, nearly twisting his nose out of shape. The author of this inflammatory piece was none other than Rita Skeeter.
It was common knowledge that Rita Skeeter had a knack for capturing the essence of a story and tantalizing her readers.
True to form, the article dwelt extensively on Harry and Ginny's impending nuptials, emphasizing Ginny's underage status and expressing concern over the abnormality of the wedding. She called for the Ministry's intervention, using it as a sensationalist hook while sidelining the attack on the Weasley family.
The article undoubtedly caused great distress to Harry, who, on his way to the Ministry, had to endure curious stares and unsolicited congratulations from colleagues, some even inquiring about the wedding date.
Compared to Harry, Ginny fared better, as the atmosphere at Avalon was relatively friendly, and she didn't have to face the malicious intent behind the article.
Moreover, Rita Skeeter's tactics incensed everyone.
They hoped that the attack on the Weasley family by Death Eaters would heighten the community's vigilance against dark wizards, rather than having their attention diverted by gossip about Harry and Ginny's relationship.
During a break, they discussed the matter briefly and unanimously agreed that Rita Skeeter deserved retribution.
Suggestions ranged from teaching her a harsh lesson to transforming her into a werewolf, ruining her life and career as a journalist. However, these malicious ideas were quickly dismissed as none of them were inherently cruel or vindictive.
Nevertheless, several milder options were kept on the table, to be enacted once the furor over the article had died down.
After all, the most important thing now was to clarify the situation and prevent further escalation, ideally steering the narrative in a direction favorable to them.
...
That very night, under the cover of darkness, a group of people dressed as Death Eaters stealthily made their way to Rita Skeeter's home.
After they left, Rita Skeeter's house was set ablaze, and hovering above the roof was the ominous Dark Mark.
As for Rita Skeeter herself, she was subjected to a transformative spell, turning her into a humanoid creature with distinct sow-like features. She was then hung upside down in front of the burning building.
To onlookers, it might have appeared as if they were roasting a sow.
The prime suspects of this incident were undoubtedly Harry and Ginny, who had just made the headlines. However, both had solid alibis—overtime work and a guest appearance on Wizarding Wireless Network, respectively.
Ginny, as a guest on the Wizarding Wireless Network, unreservedly discussed her relationship with Harry and their much-talked-about wedding.
Of course, Ginny also addressed the concern about their "underage marriage" and dropped another bombshell—she was pregnant.
"Many brave companions who stood up against Voldemort are uncertain if they will live to see the end of the Second Wizarding War... By the time we realized it, Harry had already prepared for his own demise, intending to take Voldemort with him... As for the reason, no one knows for sure, but I suspect that Dumbledore and Harry are aware of some hidden secrets."
"Actually, it was Albert's suggestion to leave a child for Harry. I think he also knows the reason. He said that we should give Harry hope, no matter how slim it may seem, as it could help him find the will to keep living."
"Even if it's just that slender thread of hope, I'm willing to take the chance. Even if Harry ultimately perishes, at least his child will live on, a testament to his existence, and the Potter family name will continue."
Ginny and Harry's story touched the hearts of countless listeners, who sent their heartfelt blessings to the young couple and their unborn child. This completely turned the negative impact of Rita Skeeter's article on its head.
However, the most delightful surprise came when, during Ginny's discussion of her family's encounter with the Death Eaters, a breaking news bulletin interrupted the interview: the Dark Mark had appeared above Rita Skeeter's house.
Fortunately, the Aurors received the news in time and rushed to the scene, preventing Rita Skeeter from becoming a roasted pig. She had been transformed into a sow and hung upside down, intended to be roasted over the burning house.
The fact that the journalist herself became front-page news the next day was undoubtedly an interesting turn of events, and many suspected retaliation from Harry or the Weasley family. However, various signs pointed away from the soon-to-be-married couple.
After all, Ginny was live on the Wizarding Wireless Network, with countless listeners who could vouch for her whereabouts. As for Harry Potter, he was still working overtime at the Ministry, and no one would suspect his involvement. Especially since Harry and the other Aurors had rushed to Rita Skeeter's rescue.
As a result, any suspicions directed at them became meaningless.
In fact, this incident had nothing to do with Harry and Ginny at all.
The perpetrators were actually Fred and George, who had taken it upon themselves to teach Rita Skeeter a lesson. Of course, the surviving Death Eaters would take the fall publicly, as they had set the precedent of attacking and burning down the Weasley home. It wouldn't be unusual for them to target Rita Skeeter as well.
As for why Rita Skeeter was transformed into a sow, one would have to ask those Death Eaters about their creative choice.
Rita Skeeter, barely rescued in time, suffered extensive burns and appeared to be deeply traumatized, landing her in the intensive care ward of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, with no opportunity to write a headline story of her own.
This dramatic tale quickly captured the public's attention, diverting it from Harry and Ginny's wedding to speculations about what Rita Skeeter could have done to incur the wrath of the Death Eaters.
As for the "pure-bloods" who bore the brunt of the blame, their thoughts on the matter were not a concern for the general public.
(End of Chapter)
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