Chapter 276: Interview
Chapter 276: Interview
Sherlock took off the robe he had just put on and hung it back on the coat stand, then invited Skitter to sit down in a chair.
"I've heard a lot about you, Ms. Skitter. We can chat casually."
Skitter was clearly very pleased with Sherlock's response.
Despite her fame among the Wizarding World's population, her reputation as a journalist was quite tarnished. Few people were willing to grant her a private interview, and only someone like Harry, who was still a student and didn't fully understand the implications, would agree.
Sherlock, however, was one of the few adult Wizards who would.
She pulled out a stack of parchment and a quill that looked no different from any other from her small bag. Skitter's face wore a warm, though somewhat insincere, smile.
"I assume you don't mind if I use this Quill of Quick Quotes, do you?"
Sherlock shrugged indifferently.
Quills that automatically recorded their user's conversations on parchment were not uncommon in the Wizarding World, so he didn't find anything particularly unusual about it. However, he did find Skitter's smile somewhat unsettling.
"First question, Professor Forrest. As the only Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor to serve three consecutive years at Hogwarts in nearly five decades, what are your thoughts on the school and the current Headmaster, Dumbledore?"
The question was somewhat pointed. Sherlock tapped his fingers lightly on the desk and began to speak.
"As a school that educates Wizards across Britain, Hogwarts' excellence is beyond doubt. And Dumbledore, widely recognized as the greatest White Wizard of the 20th century, is also considered by students to be the best Headmaster Hogwarts has ever had."
As he spoke, the Quill of Quick Quotes beside him on the desk began to move swiftly across the parchment, producing a faint "scratch" sound.
While speaking, Sherlock couldn't help but glance at what the quill was writing.
'["Dumbledore's greatness is beyond doubt."] This was the first thing the renowned Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor blurted out during our interview. No one in the Wizarding World doubts Dumbledore's greatness, but his influence as just the Headmaster of Hogwarts is disproportionately large. Watching Professor Forrest talk about Hogwarts and Dumbledore, the fervor in his eyes leaves no doubt that the direction Dumbledore's wand points is the goal he strives for.'
"Don't worry about what the quill writes", Skitter said, drawing Sherlock's attention back to her. She continued to smile warmly. "Not everything written down will be published. I'll edit out any inappropriate remarks later."
Sherlock's expression didn't change much, but his eyebrows, hidden under his fringe, raised slightly. The fingers that had been tapping the desk slowly came to a stop.
"Second question, Professor Forrest. What are your thoughts on the selection of an irregular champion, Harry Potter, in this year's Triwizard Tournament?"
Sherlock's expression turned playful, and his tone remained calm and measured.
"Harry's character is something I, as his professor, am well aware of. It's impossible for him to have become a champion through his own cheating. The upcoming Triwizard Tournament will be an extremely dangerous experience for a fourth-year student. I believe the public should be more understanding towards him. After all, no matter how famous he is, he is still just a 15-year-old student."
The scratching sound of the quill on parchment continued uninterrupted on the desk.
At this moment, Sherlock saw the Quill of Quick Quotes translating his words as it wrote.
'After I asked my question, this young professor expressed absolute trust in Harry Potter. Of course, we can't know if this trust is genuine or if it has been influenced by Dumbledore, leading to an excessive favoritism towards Harry Potter, even calling for the Wizarding World to be more tolerant of him. This professor's favoritism towards Harry Potter is quite excessive, making it hard not to question how he can ensure fairness in his teaching...'
As the quill wrote this, Sherlock suddenly snapped his fingers. The parchment and the Quill of Quick Quotes suddenly flew up from the desk, as if out of control.
Sherlock's expression didn't show any anger; instead, he nodded approvingly at Skitter.
"No wonder you've made such a name for yourself in journalism. Your methods for obtaining private news aside, your ability to shamelessly spout nonsense is impressive enough to make you a perfect editor for the Daily Prophet."
Skitter's smile froze as she watched the quill and parchment floating mid-air, now beyond her control. Her eyes, hidden behind her wire-rimmed glasses, fixed on Sherlock.
"What do you mean, Professor Forrest?"
Sherlock waved his hand casually, and the Incendio spell silently took effect on the parchment.
The parchment, filled with nonsense, curled up with the Quill of Quick Quotes and was consumed by the sudden flames, leaving only a pile of black ash.
"I know that even without these drafts, you can still make up lies", Sherlock said calmly, looking at the dark-faced journalist. "But I want to remind you that you've already stirred up enough trouble. If I were you, I wouldn't try to find any more sensational stories about Dumbledore."
Skitter's expression was grim, her face pale and her lips trembling. She hadn't expected Sherlock to actually burn her quill and the interview notes!
"I really wonder why people like you, who think you're so clever, believe that Dumbledore is some old fool who can be manipulated and smeared."
Sherlock crossed his arms and said coldly.
"The two Dark Lords who opposed him—one is still imprisoned in the tower in Austria, and the other's fate is unknown. What makes you think you are more powerful than these two?"
(End of Chapter)
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