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Chapter 308: Legilimens
Chapter 308: Legilimens
Benefits?
If Rita Skeeter were twenty years younger, she might have suspected that Sherlock was hinting at something with those words.
But she was now in her forties. Although she believed she took good care of herself, she couldn't help but wonder if such benefits would actually benefit Sherlock or if she would be the one taking advantage.
Moreover, the female teacher in the garden last night—Rita had seen many witches in the Wizarding World, and none of them could compare to her in beauty. She didn't think Sherlock would be interested in an old, faded witch like herself.
So even if she used her gossipy Quick-Quotes Quill to think about it, she could easily conclude that the benefits Sherlock mentioned were certainly not something trivial.
She remained silent for a moment, and after a dozen seconds, she finally spoke.
"What do you want? Galleons? Or more good press for you?"
Those were the only benefits she could think of. After all, what people wanted most were power and profit, right?
However, Sherlock lightly tapped the desk with his knuckles and looked at her with narrowed eyes.
"Your information network in the Wizarding World is quite extensive, isn't it?"
Hearing this question, Rita suddenly became alert.
She realized that apart from power, there were other profitable aspects to her. Her insect form as an Animagus had provided her with many opportunities to eavesdrop on Wizards' secrets. She knew which secrets could be exposed and which could not.
Gossip could attract the public's attention without offending the truly powerful, but some things, if revealed, could mean the end of Rita Skeeter.
She gave a dry laugh.
"Well, not really. I only know some trivial matters. You know, the Pure-Blood Families keep their true secrets well hidden and rarely speak of them."
"Don't be nervous", Sherlock said calmly. "I'm not interested in anyone else's secrets. I just want to know about a place."
Rita felt a slight relief but remained tense.
"What place?"
"The Crouch Family Ancestral Home. Do you know where it is?"
Sherlock stared into her eyes, his unremarkable gaze seeming to pierce through her soul. At the same time, a black-feathered, red-eyed crow suddenly appeared on Sherlock's shoulder, its crimson eyes filled with emptiness and coldness.
The human and the bird watched Rita, causing her mind to momentarily blur.
"I think I've heard of it. Devonshire, that's where the Pure-Blood Families gathered during the witch hunts. The Crouch family should be there."
Sherlock's voice was light, almost hypnotic.
"Where exactly? In Devonshire? Don't worry, this isn't a secret that can't be spoken. It's not important, but if you tell me, I can help you keep your secrets."
Rita's voice became hesitant, as if she were speaking in her sleep.
"Devonshire, no... I don't know the exact location in Devonshire. No one has mentioned it."
Sherlock's face showed disappointment. Then, the crow on his shoulder, which had been helping to enhance the Legilimens effect, dissolved into numerous black lines and vanished into the air.
At that moment, the previously dazed Rita Skeeter suddenly widened her eyes in terror, looking at Sherlock. She instinctively crossed her arms and took several steps back until her back pressed against the wall.
"You used Legilimency on me! That's illegal!"
"Such a minor attempt doesn't qualify as Legilimency", Sherlock said nonchalantly. "While I have been researching this magic recently, I haven't mastered it yet, especially without a wand."
As he spoke, his voice paused, and then he gave Rita Skeeter a chilling smile.
"Why am I explaining this to you? Even if I had truly used Legilimency and violated wizarding law, do you think I would let you, a witness, leave alive?"
Rita Skeeter's body trembled uncontrollably. She looked at Sherlock with pleading eyes, but the words of her plea stuck in her throat.
Seeing her current state, a mocking smile appeared on Sherlock's face.
People like her were always the same.
One could deceive a gentleman with a plausible lie, and Rita Skeeter preyed on those with high moral standards, who had power or ability but would not break the rules because of her actions, just like a revolting fly.
She did this to Dumbledore, to Harry, and Sherlock knew she would do the same to Hagrid.
But Sherlock was not one of those people.
To deal with evil, one must be even more ruthless. So when he decided to take a life, he would be merciless, like when he killed Barty Crouch Jr.
It was the same with Rita Skeeter. Despite her outward bravado, she was a typical bully, picking on the weak and fearing the strong.
"Don't worry, killing you would only cause more trouble, and I'm not in the mood for that."
Sherlock's soft, gentle voice offered no comfort to Rita Skeeter. If she had the chance to choose again, she would never have anything to do with this young professor!
"However, until the Triwizard Tournament is over, it's best for you to stay out of trouble. Transform back into a beetle and stay here with me. Once the tournament is over, I'll let you go."
Rita Skeeter had no leverage to negotiate. She could only do as Sherlock said.
Regarding this unscrupulous journalist, Sherlock hadn't yet decided how to handle the situation, but he knew she couldn't cause any more trouble during this special semester.
He would deal with the rest after everything was over.
After settling the matter with Rita Skeeter, Sherlock still didn't rest.
He paced back and forth in his office for a while before suddenly stopping and walking out of the room.
It was already past three in the morning, the darkest part of the night, and the entire castle was silent.
Sherlock didn't linger in the castle. He walked straight out the door and entered the Forbidden Forest alone.
He continued walking until he reached a clearing and stopped.
In the center of the clearing were two graves. One was already excavated, while the other had a stone marker inscribed with the name of the deceased—Eddie Butler.
(End of Chapter)
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