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Chapter 587: Two Pieces of News
Chapter 587: Two Pieces of News
"Don't be so worked up." Kyle waved his hand, smiling at the increasingly agitated Rita Skeeter. "I was just joking. You took it too seriously."
Although she seemed a bit fierce, Kyle didn't want to push too hard. Somehow, her reaction was a bit unexpected; he hadn't anticipated that Rita Skeeter would react so strongly, even going so far as to threaten to expose her Animagus form.
At the same time, she seemed unable or unwilling to accept the news of Voldemort's resurrection without tangible evidence. In hindsight, he wished he had taken a photograph of Voldemort's return.
Kyle recalled how pleased the Dark Lord had been after his resurrection, his smile perhaps worthy of a "Most Enchanting Smile" award from the Witch Weekly. Of course, that was assuming he had the time for such frivolities.
"I hope you're truly joking," Rita Skeeter said, her expression softening a little but still wary.
"Rest assured, I was," Kyle said. "But I did call you here for another reason."
Rita Skeeter, who had been about to leave, reluctantly sat back down at those words. She truly wanted to spend not a minute more than necessary, but she had no choice. Kyle had something on her, and she knew it.
Moreover, she had realized that the Kyle in front of her was a completely different person from Dumbledore. Although he looked harmless, he was much harder to deal with than most people she had met.
Take the Triwizard Tournament, for example. Rita Skeeter still remembered what Kyle had said to prevent her from writing about him—how he had claimed he was destined to lose and would find a way to shift the blame, only to emerge as the undisputed champion in the end.
She had watched all the competitions, and in each one, Kyle had held an absolute advantage. It was as if the other two competitors were there just to make up the numbers.
Looking back, Rita Skeeter felt foolish for having believed Kyle's words so readily and completely. She had even written a harshly critical article about him that night, intending to publish it after the Tournament ended. But after Kyle discovered her secret Animagus form, she had torn up that article and discarded it.
"What is it that you want?" Rita Skeeter asked irritably.
"It's about Fudge," Kyle said, glancing around and lowering his voice. "I admire Minister Fudge, and I want to learn more about his achievements... some unknown stories about him."
"You're asking the wrong person," Rita Skeeter said, pushing up her unattractive glasses. "Fudge is the Minister of Magic. And if you're talking about unknown stories, how could I possibly know them? If you truly admire Minister Fudge, go read his autobiography.
"You can find it at Flourish and Blotts for fifteen Galleons."
"Fifteen Galleons?" Kyle said casually. "I'm just a student. I can't afford something so expensive."
"You just said you didn't lack money."
"Yes, I don't," Kyle said. "But that doesn't mean I can afford a book that costs fifteen Galleons."
Without further ado, Kyle took out a photo and placed it on the table. It was a picture of Rita Skeeter in the process of transforming into her Animagus form.
"Snap!"
In the blink of an eye, the photo was covered by a handbag.
"Damn it, you just took it out like that? What if someone sees it?" Rita Skeeter exclaimed.
"Don't worry, I checked. There's no one around... not even insects," Kyle said. "What do you think of this as compensation? Will you consider it?"
Rita Skeeter's breathing became heavier, but Kyle didn't rush her. Instead, he went to the bar and poured her another cup of butterbeer.
After all, it was Old Tom's treat, and it would be a waste not to take advantage of it.
"Why bring up Dumbledore?" she asked, her brows furrowing.
"Fine, then I guarantee it on my own name. Do you believe me now?" he said with a hint of amusement.
Unconsciously, Rita Skeeter's mind flashed back to the time when Kyle had adamantly claimed that he was destined to lose.
Without another word, she cautiously glanced around, prompting Kyle to understand her concern. He swiftly drew his wand and whispered, "Ear-Shutting Spell!"
"There, now no one will overhear our conversation," he assured her.
Rita Skeeter then took out a specially crafted spyglass and, seeing no reaction, whispered, "Do you remember that highly publicized magical creature smuggling incident from a few years back?"
Kyle nodded, remembering all too well his forced involvement in the capture of Oren in the Forbidden Forest. Of course, he recalled that incident.
"According to an insider's expose, Fudge was involved," she continued, her voice lowered. "The Hit Wizards were so eager to catch that fugitive because he had evidence—evidence in the form of a notebook, where he had recorded everything using magic."
Kyle raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
He remembered Oren mentioning something similar in the Forbidden Forest—how the Hit Wizards were after him because of a notebook. So, that was the reason behind their urgency.
No wonder only Hit Wizards had been present in the forest and not a single Auror. It seemed that Fudge was indeed involved, and he didn't want the Aurors, who were less likely to be swayed by his authority, to see the contents of the notebook.
Kyle pondered this new information before placing ten galleons on the table.
"Wait, that's not what we agreed on," Rita Skeeter protested. "Where's the rest? You only gave me ten galleons!"
"You want me to pay for that ridiculous story?" Kyle scoffed. "A Minister of Magic involved in smuggling magical creatures? That's preposterous, and ten galleons are already too much. I'm starting to think you're trying to con me."
"I can assure you, it's the truth," Rita Skeeter said defensively, her tone indignant. "And he wasn't the Minister yet when he was involved."
When it came to digging up secrets, Rita Skeeter would not tolerate any doubts about her professionalism.
"I heard it with my own ears at a ball a few years ago," she continued. "I snuck in using my Animagus form and overheard Fudge discussing it with another person."
"If you can get me that notebook, I'll pay you five hundred galleons," Kyle offered. "But as it stands, you have nothing to show for it. How am I supposed to know if it's true or not?"
"If I really had that notebook, I'd be asking for much more than five hundred galleons," Rita Skeeter muttered, though she didn't argue further.
She carefully tucked the photo into a hidden compartment in her handbag and pocketed the galleons from the table.
"Here's another little tidbit for you," she said, a mischievous glint in her eye as if she had developed a taste for these revelations. "There's a Senior Undersecretary in the Ministry of Magic, Dolores Umbridge, who not only pretends to be pure-blood but has also repeatedly taken credit for the achievements of her colleagues..."
Kyle was momentarily taken aback, but quickly waved it off. "What does that have to do with me?"
Umbridge wasn't a priority; she could be dealt with after Fudge was taken care of.
"Don't rush me," Rita Skeeter said with a smile, clearly enjoying herself. "The thing is, these ministers know about it, but he not only stayed silent but also helped cover up the truth. There was someone who got fired because of this, and he's now working on a farm in Cornwall."
As she finished, she fixed Kyle with a smug smile, clearly expecting a reaction.
Kyle, however, simply placed fifty galleons on the table without comment.
(End of Chapter)
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