The next morning, the Daily Prophet was a hot item at the Hogwarts breakfast tables.
Daily Prophet
Death Eater Attack on Ministry Aide Foiled by Ghost?
~Rita Skeeter
Late last night, Death Eaters broke into the apartment of Percival Weasley, interrupting the domestic affairs of Mr. Weasley and his partner, a person whom this reporter will not name. Well-set wards alerted Weasley of the impending attack, and he was prepared to greet his uninvited visitors with spellfire as the door burst inward. Weasley successfully stunned one of his attackers, whom Aurors later captured.
The attack ceased abruptly at the arrival of a mysterious visitor. Closemouthed, Weasley refused to share his observations of the incident. However, this reporter has discovered facts from the Auror report. Weasley informed Aurors that he heard one of the Death Eaters yell, "It's the ghost of Ashworth!" just before bright flashes of light exploded through the apartment. The aforementioned report also details that Weasley's partner went on record saying that a ghost of what appeared to be a wizard was observed.
Amelia Bones, a senior auror, refused to comment on whether similar incidents have previously occurred. She also refused to comment on a string of recently foiled Death Eater attacks. Other DMLE officials refused to comment as to whether the Ashworth referred to may have been one Harry Ashworth, a close, personal confidante of the late Minister Black and a former Potions professor at Hogwarts. Ashworth was last sighted in 1976 and is presumed by many to be deceased.
See Who is Harry Ashworth? on page 5
Percy's youngest brother, Ron, was naturally milking the article for all it was worth, discussing the attack on Percy with his two best friends, Sidra Potter and Hermione Granger, along with any and every gossipy student within earshot willing to tolerate Ron's smug condescension long enough to learn what little Ron knew about Harry Ashworth's history.
"Why won't Skeeter name the person with your brother?" Dean Thomas asked. "Is he cheating on his wife?"
"Skeeter was just trying to make Percy look bad," Ron said, brushing the question off as Sidra and Hermione nodded in agreement. "Penelope was the one who saw the ghost."
"So have you heard from them?" Sally Anne Perks asked.
"Well, no," Ron admitted. The Weasley clan no longer got along very well with Percy, having been estranged from Ron's ambitious older brother ever since Percy's graduation from Hogwarts, when Percy decided to reach out to his coldhearted grandfather, Minister of Magic Prewitt. Glancing knowingly at Hermione, Ron added, "But I'm sure that my grandfather-Minister Prewitt-worked closely with Ashworth at the start of the war." Glancing at Hermione again, Ron raised his eyebrows in response to her dubious expression. "In fact, I'm sure the Minister thought about appointing Ashworth to head the DMLE before Ashworth disappeared."
Finally, as the questions lulled, Ron smirked to overhear fellow students parroting his version of events. Turning to Hermione, Ron still saw doubt written across her face.
"I'm not sure you're right about the relationship between Ashworth and the Minister, Ron," Hermione said, frowning.
Ron shrugged. "The Minister may be a horse's ass," Ron replied as Hermione's frown deepened, "but he genuinely hates the Dark Lord. And besides, I said the Minister probably thought about appointing Ashworth. He probably thought it was a ridiculous idea. Nothing wrong with a little misinformation to throw off the competition."
"You're channeling Rita Skeeter, Ron," Sidra groaned, rolling her eyes as Hermione shook her head.
Ignoring Ron, Hermione mused, "I wonder if Bellatrix Black is the one responsible."
"Maybe we should ask them," Sidra said, turning her head and looking down the table at her sister, Rose, who huddled with her own posse.
Beyond an occasional shake of the head, Rose Potter, Leo Black, and Ginny Weasley had largely ignored Ron's posturing, gathering together on the opposite end of the Gryffindor table and theorizing about why Harry and Bellatrix would have been anywhere near Percy Weasley's apartment.
"He's an important Ministry official," Leo speculated in a low voice. "Maybe Harry got wind of a plot to capture him."
Ginny snorted. "He's not an important Ministry official."
Rose seemed lost in thought. "We should try to learn how he does that image projection spell," she mused.
Further musing was cut off, however, as Professor McGonagall arrived in the hall and signaled that she wished to make an announcement.
"Students, as you know, the dueling club will hold its weekly meeting tonight. The Headmaster has invited a witch named Bellatrix Black to conduct the lesson and practice exercises, instead of Professor Flitwick."
Scattered murmurs broke out at this announcement of a departure from the dueling club's routine. Instantly, the attention of Rose, Sidra, and friends focused on Professor McGonagall, who now twisted her mouth in distaste, unconsciously conveying her opinion of what she had been instructed to say.
"The Headmaster has asked me to announce this," said McGonagall, "because as a scion of the darker side of the Black family, Mrs. Black will bring a unique perspective to your dueling training. Not counting unfortunate or dangerous situations, this is your best opportunity to learn about the sort of dark magic used in dueling. Therefore, those of you who do not usually attend the club are encouraged to come. In addition, Professor Dumbledore will be on hand to assist Mrs. Black and provide increased insight on the subject. Hopefully," McGonagall added, skepticism etched deeply into her face, "this will prove to be valuable for your education."