Chapter 894: Rumors and Whispers
Chapter 894: Rumors and Whispers
In the streets south of Diagon Alley, in the offices of The Guide to Defense, the editor-in-chief, Remus Lupin, was frowning as he scrutinized a piece of parchment, carefully reviewing the manuscript for next month's magazine issue.
"Sirius, are we really going to do this?"
Lupin set aside the column explaining the Triwizard Tournament and looked up at Sirius Black, who was lounging in a chair across from him, casually flipping through the pages of the Daily Prophet.
"Why not?" Sirius countered. "We're speaking the truth."
"Dumbledore won't be pleased, you know," Lupin said, aware of the storm this revelation about Karkaroff being a Death Eater would stir in Britain. "It will forever taint the Triwizard Tournament."
"Taint it?" Sirius scoffed. "The Tournament has been tainted since the fourth champion appeared and Karkaroff was driven from the judges' stand by the spectators. What more could happen to it?"
Lupin fell silent, knowing that sometimes the truth was crueler than any lie.
"I suspect Dumbledore invited Mad-Eye to teach at the school precisely because of Karkaroff," Sirius continued, making no attempt to hide his disdain for the Death Eater. "We all know how good Karkaroff is at putting on an act. He managed to convince the Ministry to release him, and then he somehow became the headmaster of Durmstrang. Don't you find that suspicious?"
"So, you plan to shift everyone's attention to Karkaroff and prevent him from acting in secret—" Lupin began, but Sirius cut him off.
"That's only one reason," Sirius said, tossing aside the Daily Prophet and addressing his old friend directly. "This is our chance for The Guide to Defense to truly take off."
Lupin paused, not quite understanding Sirius' meaning.
"Remus, you must realize that if we want The Guide to Defense to gain widespread recognition in the wizarding world, we need to take a different approach," Sirius explained. "We need to show people that the knowledge it imparts is useful and that the information it provides is truthful. No one likes being deceived, and the readers crave the truth, no matter how cruel it may be." Sirius recalled Albert's words.
One day, The Guide to Defense will need to speak for you, and before that happens, it's crucial to gain as much acceptance, acknowledgment, and trust as possible.
As for making money, don't worry. When the time is right, the profits will follow.
Although Sirius didn't understand Albert's cryptic words, he trusted the boy who could predict the future.
"Much of what's printed in the Daily Prophet is fabricated," Sirius said. "If we can offer even three-tenths truth, that's already impressive. People need the truth."
"Oh, very well," Lupin said, his gaze returning to the parchment in his hands. "Since you've already made up your mind. Is this what Mr. Anderson instructed you to do?"
Before Sirius could answer, Lupin continued, "I can't shake the feeling that he's plotting something."
"To be precise, he's preparing for the future," Sirius said, sharing his own assessment. "He must have foreseen some unpleasant events."
"An unpleasant future?" Lupin asked, raising an eyebrow. "Has he told you anything?"
"He didn't reveal much, but I think that's what he meant," Sirius said, carefully piecing together the information he had gleaned from Albert. "Perhaps Mr. Anderson is trying to warn us that Voldemort will return."
"That's not funny at all," Lupin said abruptly.
"If this were the old days, I wouldn't have believed it either," Sirius said, leaving the rest unspoken, but his meaning was clear.
"Does Dumbledore know?" Lupin asked.
"I'm sure he does," Sirius replied. "Dumbledore is more perceptive than us. Knowing that Albert can make prophecies, do you really think he wouldn't seek one from him?"
"That makes sense," Lupin conceded.
The office of The Guide to Defense fell silent once more.
Before the next issue of the magazine even hit the stands, Hogwarts Castle was abuzz with rumors. Someone had quietly raised the question of why Karkaroff had given Albert a single point, and a torrent of astonishing gossip had erupted within the castle walls, each new theory more plausible than the last.
According to an anonymous but reliable source, cheating was commonplace in inter-school competitions. Karkaroff's unscrupulous and underhanded tactics were not unusual, but he had simply been unfortunate enough to be caught red-handed, leading to his swift downfall.
Others whispered that Karkaroff, as the headmaster of Durmstrang, held a deep disdain for Muggle-born wizards and had purposely given Albert, a Muggle-born, a low score of one point.
This theory gained far more traction than the previous ones.
After all, it was common knowledge that Durmstrang did not admit Muggle-born students, and it was easy to believe that they looked down on them.
Given that students from Durmstrang mingled with Slytherins, it didn't seem far-fetched that Karkaroff shared those sentiments.
Some even speculated that Karkaroff's low score for Albert was a combination of these factors.
Soon, an even more explosive rumor began to circulate: Karkaroff was a Death Eater.
This shocking piece of gossip spread like wildfire, and as a known servant of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, it was only natural that he would hold hatred and contempt for Muggle-born wizards.
This was quickly followed by another bombshell: Harry Potter's mysterious selection as Hogwarts' champion was Karkaroff's doing. It was said that he had cast a powerful Confundus Charm on the Goblet of Fire, ensuring Harry's name was chosen, all as part of a plot to take advantage of the Tournament's tasks and end Harry's life.
Before anyone could catch their breath, another claim surfaced: Karkaroff had been spotted sneaking around the Goblet of Fire during the night of the champion selection, solidifying the belief that he had somehow manipulated Harry's entry.
These rumors exploded like fireworks, one after another, each more sensational than the last, becoming the topic of conversation among students during mealtimes.
For instance, it was said that the Dark Mark that had appeared at the last Quidditch World Cup had been Karkaroff's doing—that he had been hiding among the masked Death Eaters.
The rumors spread quickly, even reaching the ears of the school's professors, who gathered to discuss the matter. They were not as ignorant as the students; they were well aware of Karkaroff's past as a Death Eater, especially since one of their own, Mad-Eye Moody, had been the one to capture him.
Dumbledore did not want this matter to affect the friendship between Hogwarts and Durmstrang, so the professors had never revealed to the students that Karkaroff was a Death Eater. Fortunately, Karkaroff had not set foot in Hogwarts since he was ousted from the judges' stand, and the storm would likely blow over soon.
However, they never imagined that the Karkaroff incident was deliberately instigated by someone to divert everyone's attention.
"Do you really not need me to spread the news about Krum?" Lee Jordan, who had been abnormally excited by the Karkaroff incident, wanted to secretly create some more sensational news.
"No, this storm will continue for a while." Albert vetoed Lee Jordan's mischievous plan. This guy intended to use the Summoning Charm late at night to steal Krum's underwear, destroy it with magic, and then spread the news that Krum's underwear had been stolen.
"Are you sure? It seems like everyone is more concerned about the Christmas Ball now," said Lee Jordan with some regret.
George mimicked Professor McGonagall's tone, "'The Christmas Ball undoubtedly gives us an opportunity to relax ourselves.'"
"Are they talking about Dumbledore buying eight hundred barrels of mead from Madam Rosmerta at the Three Broomsticks?" Fred blurted out. "Damn, where is Rosmerta going to get eight hundred barrels of mead?"
"I think it's probably true that he booked the Weird Sisters," Lee Jordan speculated. "This kind of thing has happened before."
To be honest, Albert wasn't interested in the Weird Sisters' songs. He thought it would be more reliable to have Yanira from Beauxbatons perform instead.
"I asked Professor McGonagall about it, and she said you can invite Isabelle to the ball, but she thinks this is a great opportunity for us to interact with foreign guests."
The three of them were well aware of Albert's straightforward nature, and he would most likely not invite anyone other than his girlfriend to be his dance partner.
"Actually, you can invite the Durmstrang champion, I think she'll agree to dance with you." Fred replied without hesitation.
"If the other girls hear you, they'll probably beat you up." George reminded him.
"By the way, there's one more thing." Lee Jordan suddenly said, "The Wizarding Card Club finals will be held at the beginning of next month."
"Who do you think is most likely to win the Wizarding Card Championship this time?" Albert asked.
"Digory, Granger, Lovegood, and Sana are competing for the championship." Lee Jordan answered without hesitation, "Granger and Lovegood are the second-best choices, but I think Granger's enthusiasm for Wizarding Cards isn't that high. She probably won't put too much effort into it. She will most likely become a prefect, and she also has that 'Vomiting' club."
"As for Lovegood, her passion for Wizarding Cards is undeniable, but I'm a bit concerned about her organizational skills." Lee Jordan continued, "I heard she's called the 'Loony' and doesn't get along well with others."
"Anyone else?" Albert asked again.
"Although our club has quite a few members, it's not easy to find a suitable candidate."
"Let's wait until after the Wizarding Card competition." Albert thought for a moment and said, "If Luna wins, one of you will have to invite her to the ball."
Fred and George turned to look at Lee Jordan at the same time.
"Anyway, you don't have a dance partner yet. If she wins, just be clear with her, and she probably won't refuse." Albert patted Lee Jordan's shoulder, indicating that he was counting on him.
"Fred and George haven't found dance partners yet either, and she might not want to dance with Albert." Lee Jordan made a last-ditch effort to resist, "Okay, if she really wins, whoever doesn't have a dance partner will invite her."
"No problem, we'll definitely find dance partners before you do." Fred and George were quite confident about their chances.
As the four of them entered the common room, they heard the girls talking about the Christmas Ball.
Fred and George exchanged a glance and walked over to the girls. Soon after, they returned.
"It's done. Now you're the only one without a dance partner." Fred patted Lee Jordan's shoulder.
"Who did you invite, Angelina?"
"Yes." Fred replied without hesitation, "She agreed."
"What about you, George? Is it Alicia?" Albert asked.
"After all, we've been Quidditch teammates for so many years. There are some advantages in this regard." George said with a smile.
"Of course, it could also be because we're handsome enough." Fred stroked his chin vainly, "Girls like handsome boys, just like boys like pretty girls."
The girls nearby couldn't help but giggle, obviously amused by Fred's vain comment.
"Those two bastards are so quick." Lee Jordan gnashed his teeth, "Damn it, I really feel like hitting someone, like causing some big trouble."
"Don't worry, in a couple of days, when the 'Guide to Defense' is released, there will be big trouble." Albert said meaningfully.
"Damn it, you're not taking me along for this?"
The release of the "Guide to Defense" poured gasoline on the dying Death Eater controversy, causing the Karkaroff incident, which had almost been forgotten by the students, to explode once again.
The "Guide to Defense" mentioned the "1-point" incident in the Triwizard Tournament column.
Yes, Lupin did not directly point fingers at Karkaroff, but everyone knew who this "1-point" gentleman was. The article analyzed the reasons for the 1-point deduction, attributing it to Karkaroff's unscrupulous and underhanded tactics in the pursuit of Durmstrang's victory, as well as his disdain for Muggle-born wizards. It also revealed that Karkaroff had once been a Death Eater.
Karkaroff was caught by Mad-Eye Moody and pardoned by the Ministry of Magic after betraying a large number of his comrades.
Boom! This revelation caused an uproar in the British wizarding community. News that the headmaster of Durmstrang was a Death Eater spread like wildfire, and sales of the "Guide to Defense" soared. Many witches and wizards suddenly discovered the existence of this magazine and were eager to buy a copy to learn more about the Triwizard Tournament.
The "Guide to Defense" provided detailed and fair analyses of the entire tournament and the magic used by the champions.
But that wasn't the end of it. Many people sent letters, hexes, and even Howlers to Karkaroff. Recently, students often reported hearing the sounds of Howlers around the Durmstrang ship.
Dumbledore also got caught in the crossfire. Parents believed that the presence of a Death Eater at Hogwarts could pose a threat to the students' safety, and they unanimously demanded that Karkaroff be asked to leave the school.
In fact, after this incident was exposed, Karkaroff could no longer stay in Britain. In a country that had suffered greatly at the hands of Voldemort, no one would welcome a Death Eater.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
