Chapter 94: Terms and Conditions V

( Rita's residence )

Harry made himself at home and very comfortable before picking up one of the articles Rita had been working on for the next edition of Witch Weekly. It was about a wizard called Gilderoy Lockhart and his adventures across the world, and how rumours within the Ministry suggested he was going to get the Order of Merlin. The article also mentioned that the man was going to be new DADA professor for the upcoming school year, which interested him greatly. After all, the guy would be one of his teachers for next year.

He wondered why such a rising star would want to teach DADA at Hogwarts, because it seemed foolish that the man would challenge the so called 'curse'. Wouldn't the man have better things to do than teach, like another adventure or something? Thinking it over, it could possibly be something to add to the list of things he had done. A bit like adding Hogwarts name to his C.V, just to say he had done it, to add to his growing reputation. He hoped the man would be more capable that Professor Quirrell, if half the things said about him was true.

Not that it mattered, he had all but finished second year DADA spells, to the point he could cast them perfectly and silently. Either way he was well into third years spells, his stunner was all but silent now and he was getting quicker at casting it. Just goes to show how much of an advantage mind arts were when it came to learning. Being able to recall each experience perfectly, allowing you to just remember that moment, that feeling of casting the spell was a great advantage.

Also the fact that he had learnt one of the main factors behind ones magic, one's will and discipline of the mind early on, worked in his favour. It was why silent casting was easy for him to learn and Tonks found it difficult. It was psychological, she had five years of school where she had learnt to cast spells aloud before moving on to silent casting, while he had been using both all along. First using the incantations, to the point where he could feel it and recall it by memory, rather than just shouting it.

Then again, he was hardly a normal first year. His relatives saw to that, and had shaped him into being more mature and colder than most of his peers.

Getting up and heading over into the kitchen where he made a coffee, and sandwich, before casting several household charms around the kitchen causing the dishes to start washing themselves, then being dried by a tea cloth, and finally floating into the nearby cupboards just like he did at his own house. Originally, he would of only been able to cast one spell at time, however due to practise he had got to point he could do three. He just had to visualize it within his mind.

The animation charms were the hardest he had encountered so far, because it required focus and being able to visualize multiple actions and movements, such as a tea towel wiping a plate and then depositing it on the shelf. Maybe the reasons why these three spell were so easy was he had done the same motions at his relatives since he was old enough to wash up.

All too soon the kitchen was tidy, just the way he liked it.

Setting himself down to wait, he hoped that it hadn't been foolish sending Rita into the lion's den per say, on the spur of the moment. But then again it had been a calculated risk, who would think a bug was an animagus? He had only found out her secret by chance.

Then again, Hogwarts was meant to be one of the safest places in Britain, but that could be debated since the castle wasn't in siege lock down, just basic day to day running wards. Even then, buildings designed to combat sieges weren't designed to counter one lone infiltrator with a rare skill.

Sighing, he just hoped that Rita was ok, after all the women may be annoying, but she was in his services and he had responsibility to be concerned over her welfare. He decided that he would have to scout out Hogwarts a bit more and find out what defences it had, just incased he decided to send Rita into the castle again.

...

Eventually there was a chime sound, announcing an incoming floo traveller. Looking over at the fireplace, which had changed to magical green flames, Rita stepped out of the magical fire with a smirk on her features, a bit like a cat that had caught a bird.

Harry allowed himself a mental sigh of relief before asking evenly, "How did it go?"

"Most well my Lord, you were right," she stated, moving to the kitchen. "You tidied up?"

"Yes, I don't like messy kitchens, plus it helped kill some time," he explained. "What did you find out?"

"One of the headmaster's spies reported to him today that Lord Malfoy plans to use an artefact given to him by his old master, You-Know-Who, to reopen the Chamber of Secrets hidden beneath Hogwarts. The artefact will unleash a beast which will hunt down any muggleborns," she explained, before sitting down opposite Harry.

"During this, Lucius will question the Headmaster's leadership and ability to protect the school, pointing out the events of the last school year. Eventually the death toll will rise enough that the board of governors will have to step in, forcing the headmaster to step down. Lucius will then step in and recover the artefact he planted, saving the day and hence be seen as the hero," she ended with a wicked smirk at the story she just got.

"How did you find this out?" he questioned, already trying to think of ways to fuck up Lucius plans. After all, nothing good would come from Voldemort's second in command being the headmaster of Hogwarts, and frankly Draco would become even bigger bigot if his father was in charge as well.

"I overheard him talking to Professor Snape about it, and tasking the professor to uncover any additional information, under the pretext of protecting his godson," Rita stated.

"Interesting," he responded, his head filling with different scenarios of ways to use this information to cripple the Malfoy family, as well as to stop the attacks quickly, before anyone could be killed. After all, he had several friends who were first generation magicals.

Rita snapped his attention back to her by saying, "My lord, there is more."

"Do tell," he probed, wanting to hear more.

"The meeting that prevented the Headmaster from attending was called by Ludo Bagman, head of the Department for Magical Games and Sports. He wanted to discuss England's bid to win the rights to host the upcoming Quidditch World Cup for the summer just after your third year, since he needs the Chief Warlocks help to win support.

From what I heard, the meeting should be taking place a week before you return to school to discuss the arrangements for the bid. However, there is more. Bagman put forth an idea to bring back the Tri-Wizard Tournament for your fourth year, just after the World Cup. This was supported by Barty Crouch senior," Rita said, which resulted in Harry releasing a snarl at the man's name.

"Something wrong?"

"Barty Crouch Snr. was the one who put my godfather away without a trial," he stated angrily, seeing Rita nod in understanding.

"Well, both of them are pushing for the Tri-Wizard Tournament, but they need the Headmaster's approval since Hogwarts will host events."

"What is this tournament exactly, and why does the Headmaster need to approve of it?" wondering what so important about it, since he hadn't read of it.

"Well, the Tri-Wizard Tournament is a competition hosted between the three leading magical schools of Europe, Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Students will be selected from each school to compete in three tasks, for the pride of their school. Also, several other events traditionally go on as well, like duelling, Quidditch, brewing tournaments, etc. The tournament is almost as big as the world cup."

"Now that's interesting. Any ideas why they want to bring it back? I assume the tournament was cancelled for some reason, otherwise they wouldn't be asking the Headmaster and I would have heard of it before today," he expressed, watching Rita take on an expression he had long came to associate with gossip rather than facts.

"Well," she said dragging out the word, adding suspense, "Both department heads were rising stars before the war, and fell out of favour in the aftermath.

They were transferred to lesser departments, where they have stayed in the shadows. Ludo Bagman was rumoured to be a Death Eater or at least a supporter, but was never proven and he was cleared. While Barty Crouch Senior lost favour due to the fact his son turned out to be a Death Eater. He was Head of the Department of Law Enforcement at the time, and next in line to be minister. As you can guess that didn't go down well.

My personal guess is both of them want to step out of the shadows and have some line-light for a change, since their names have all but been forgotten in political circles. It wouldn't surprise me if this is a bid to get back into higher office, if they can pull both events off successfully. Also, the fact that Bagman is rumoured to have increasing debts and by being an organizer of both events, he can rake in the needed gold to pay off his debtors, through the bribes he will receive from families wanting to win contracts.

Whereas Barty Crouch has no remaining family, his line is good as dead unless he has another son, and is quick about it. He probably sees this as his chance to restart a historical event and get his name into the history books. So even if his line dies, at least the family name will live on in the history of the tournament."

"Most impressive, I didn't know you knew that all off the top of your head," he praised, once again confirming he had made the right decision with Rita's forced recruitment.

"Thank you, you know I like my gossip," she smirked playfully.

"Indeed, I would like you to research the Tri-Wizard Tournament and produce a report on it for my inspection by Christmas. Also, I want you keep your ear to floor to see if you can find out if it is going ahead or not. If it's cancelled don't bother with the report. I also want a report on the World Cup and its organizers. However, I want you investigate into Chamber of Secrets when you're not working, because that is the immediate concern," he stated seriously, making it clear that it was an order, not a request like the other tasks.

"Yes my lord," Rita responded.

"Good, by the way make sure your free tomorrow, we're going shopping because your efforts should be rewarded," he stated, seeing Rita looking rather pleased. He added, "We also have to get a new image for you, at the moment it is suitable for a common gossip journalist," he said with disapproval.

"But frankly it isn't serious enough for the new you and isn't good enough for my family reporter. I want you be taken seriously and first step in that is changing your look."

"My lord is that really necessary?" she said in a concerned manner.

"Yes, it is," he stated sternly, because he wanted to rebuild Skeeter's reputation up by reporting facts, rather than gossip. Nothing said a new start better than a new image, and frankly he hated that green outfit. Plus, how could she be a spy for him if she stood out from a mile away.

...

Hey guys I really need some power stones to Elevate the ranking :)

...

if you want to read ahead of the public release you can join my p atreon :

 p atreon.com/loveran