Chapter 306: The Greengrasses
Chapter 306: The Greengrasses
As the ship sailed away from land, it became an isolated island amidst the vast ocean. Fortunately, the Locator Amulet always guided Vaid in the right direction.
On the open sea, far from land, a peregrine falcon would be too conspicuous. Vaid waited until nightfall before landing on the ship.
The night sea was as dark as an abyss, and most people would feel fear rather than appreciation for such a sight.
Thus, the upper deck was almost deserted, and Vaid found a secluded spot to transform back into his human form. He straightened his collar, took a sip from the Compound Elixir, and waited for the transformation to complete before stepping out of the darkness.
The interior of the ship was much livelier, with many passengers eager to explore and enjoy the various facilities, such as the sports field, swimming pool, bar, theater, shopping mall, and playground.
Even though it was late, the ship was brightly lit, and many people were still active. Vaid, in his 'Vendar' form, wore a well-fitted navy blue suit, blending in seamlessly with the crowd.
He held a book in his hand, with a Locator Parchment tucked inside. Vaid searched for a while, following the red dot on the paper, before spotting Rita Skeeter.
The woman was lying on a lounge chair by the pool, indulging in a relaxing massage and skincare treatment, her face covered in a green substance.
If it weren't for her golden curls, Vaid might not have been sure he had found the right person.
Vaid waited on a chair outside for a while, when suddenly, he heard a voice—
"How can Muggles bear such a slow pace..."
He turned his gaze and was surprised to see someone he recognized—
Daphne Greengrass from Slytherin.
The blonde girl hugged her arms, expressing her disgust.
Beside her was a younger girl who bore a striking resemblance, but with an unusually pale complexion and a frail-looking body.
"I think it's quite nice... The ship is lively and fun, isn't it?" the younger girl said.
"But Portkeys are so much faster! Astoria, if it weren't for your insistence on taking the ship, we would have arrived in America by noon yesterday," Daphne complained.
"I don't like Portkeys; they're uncomfortable. And I told you, you could have gone to America with Mom using a Portkey, while Dad and I took the ship. It was your choice," Astoria insisted stubbornly.
"But you're my sister!" Daphne huffed. "There are only Muggles on this ship, and Dad has to work. Who will I talk to if you're not here?"
Astoria fell silent.
After a while, she muttered, "Why won't anyone talk to me? There might be over a thousand people on this ship!"
"They're all Muggles!" Daphne exclaimed, poking her forehead.
The two sisters bickered as they walked past Vaid.
Not far behind them were a pair of blonde parents, their expressions identical in their haughty aloofness, as if they didn't quite fit in with the surroundings.
But when they looked at their daughters, their eyes softened with parental love.
Vaid averted his gaze, waiting for them to pass by before looking back.
He was surprised to see a family that boasted pureblood lineage on a regular ship, a family that seemed out of place in this setting.
If he remembered correctly, the Greengrasses, unlike the Malfoys who guarded their family wealth, had a Mr. Greengrass who held a significant position in the Ministry of Magic.
As Vaid pondered this, he suddenly caught a whiff of a pungent scent.
"Rita."
"Hmm?" Rita Skeeter, looking refreshed, was admiring her face in the mirror when she suddenly heard someone call her name. She looked around, searching for the source.
"It's me." Vold raised his hand and simply said, "Gray."
Rita's eyes lit up, and she quickly walked over and sat next to Vold, her eyes fixed on his face. With great enthusiasm, she asked, "Transfiguration? Or Compound Elixir?"
Vold glanced at her, "Of course, it's Compound Elixir. How could you think I could master such advanced Transfiguration?"
Skeeter laughed, "I wouldn't think so for anyone else, but you've already surprised me enough. I wouldn't mind a little more."
As she spoke, she quickly jotted down notes, her quill swiftly leaving lines of writing on the paper.
Vold could tell that her hand was just for show, and the quill was actually writing on its own.
"If you're writing something about me, I'll burn your notebook and a few other things while I'm at it," Vold said, propping his chin up.
"Hahaha, why would I do that?"
Skeeter gave a dry laugh and quickly stuffed her notebook into her crocodile-skin handbag.
"I thought you were supposed to be monitoring those werewolves below..." Vold frowned, "How long has it been? Even if something happened over there, you wouldn't know."
Skeeter's face turned pale, suddenly remembering the green glowing eyes in the darkness. Her body shuddered.
"I... um... I need a break too."
Skeeter stammered in defense, then exaggeratedly said, "You know what? I've also discovered a big scoop!"
"What scoop?"
Vold asked disinterestedly, pondering if it had been a mistake to assign Skeeter to surveillance.
While her Animagus form was convenient, her personality was not suitable for the task...
Skeeter leaned in, lowering her voice, and said excitedly, "Do you know Umbridge? Dolores Umbridge, the high-ranking official in the Ministry of Magic?"
Vold raised an eyebrow and looked over.
Skeeter smiled mysteriously.
"She's also on the ship, along with several other Ministry officials... I overheard someone saying that Umbridge has been having an inappropriate relationship with Minister Fudge, and her father is a janitor, and her mother is a Muggle... It's hilarious that she's been claiming to be from the Selwyn family..."
Skeeter scoffed and rolled her eyes, her eyes sparkling as if her hair was standing on end with excitement from this gossip.
She couldn't help but touch her quill again.
"What's the purpose of the Ministry officials coming aboard?" Vold asked, "Why aren't they using a Portkey?"
Skeeter paused for a moment, then recalled, "I think it's to accompany the officials from the French Ministry of Magic? That official wanted to take this ship... Also, Fudge seems to be preparing a large-scale event and wants to involve the American Magical Congress..."
This was the news that Vold was truly interested in, but unfortunately, Skeeter didn't know much more.
All her motivation seemed to be in collecting gossip.
Vold sighed in disappointment, "What have you found out about those werewolves?"
"Oh, about that..."
Skeeter rummaged in her crocodile-skin handbag, pulled out another notebook, and smiled triumphantly, "I've written it all down—you'll be shocked for sure!"
(End of Chapter)
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