During the afternoon class, Evans discovered that he had still underestimated the impact of that damning report.
Although he didn't particularly care about the newspaper article, the young wizards at school certainly didn't share his indifference.
The Care of Magical Creatures classroom was nestled beside a weathered stone hut, with a thatched roof covering all the wooden desks to shield them from light wind and rain. When teaching purely theoretical courses, Professor Kahn would hold classes here instead of the usual grassy field where they normally observed living creatures.
While theoretical classes were relatively more tedious compared to practical ones, Professor Kahn would casually weave ancient legends about magical creatures and various fascinating rumors throughout his lessons, preventing everyone from having to memorize the abilities and characteristics of magical creatures through mind-numbing repetition.
However, today's fifth-year students weren't particularly interested in those captivating legends.
Sitting rigidly in his seat, Oliver Wood worriedly set his quill aside. The newspaper's damaging content still echoed in his mind, lingering like a persistent shadow.
He didn't believe Professor Kahn was truly the kind of irredeemably evil person the newspaper portrayed, but if the Ministry of Magic took him away for investigation, he would definitely have to leave the school.
Given enough time, Hogwarts would certainly ask someone else to take over as the Care of Magical Creatures professor. And the most likely candidate would be Professor Kettleburn.
Thinking of that reckless professor who only had one arm and half a leg remaining, Wood's eyes flashed with genuine fear.
Compared to Professor Kettleburn, who never cared about student safety or even his own well-being, Professor Kahn was obviously more beloved by students.
His teaching didn't always involve dragging students to observe dangerous magical creatures up close. Instead, his teaching approach focused on the fascinating abilities of magical creatures and their place in the wizarding world.
Moreover, he would often comfort students who were nervous due to exam pressure, and when encountered in the library, he would also help with difficult problems from other courses.
If possible, most young wizards who had taken Care of Magical Creatures classes wouldn't want Professor Kahn to be replaced. Obviously, Wood wasn't the only one harboring this sentiment.
Evans, who was lecturing about the mating habits of Bowtruckles, looked around at the young wizards who were clearly worried but didn't want him to notice their distress. He felt increasingly perplexed.
What kind of expressions were these? Why did they act as if he was going to die tomorrow?
Were they hoping to attend a funeral feast?
Just as Evans passed by a Hufflepuff girl with braided auburn hair, she suddenly abandoned her note-taking and tearfully hugged his arm, looking up at him with glistening eyes.
"Professor Kahn, you won't really leave the school, will you?"
Looking at the girl's panicked expression and then at the surrounding young wizards who were all wearing similar looks of concern, Evans felt somewhat helpless.
He knew these young wizards were worried because of that fabricated report.
But he had indeed been quite busy these past few days. Professor Kettleburn focused too much on practical fieldwork, leaving fifth and seventh-year students to study theory entirely on their own.
He had to find a way to improve these young wizards' theoretical knowledge, or at least half of them would fail their upcoming exams.
In this situation, he really wasn't in the mood to retaliate against that meddlesome journalist.
He would wait until Saturday. Besides, waiting another two days for the newspaper's sensationalism to die down should reduce these young wizards' worries somewhat.
Then he would have that journalist publish a clarification report, and everything should return to normal.
Thinking this way, Evans gently comforted the tearful girl, calmed the students' emotions with reassuring words, and announced the end of class.
But nothing ever develops according to people's expectations.
The next day at lunch, seeing the young wizards' eyes filled with even heavier concern and receiving a fresh newspaper from a concerned Ravenclaw student, Evans's eyes flashed with something dangerous.
He truly hadn't expected this purely fabricated report to have a second installment!
After just one glance at the inflammatory headline, Evans stuffed the newspaper into his robes and walked straight toward his hut without even touching his meal.
He had originally planned to deal with that journalist on Saturday.
But now, this had gone far beyond acceptable limits.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the tall window onto the mahogany desk, while orange-red firelight flickered nearby. Wood burned quietly in the ornate fireplace, occasionally making soft crackling sounds that filled the otherwise silent room.
A woman with bizarre golden curls and wearing jeweled spectacles sat at the desk, muttering quietly while scribbling something on the manuscript spread before her.
"In conclusion, this writer reasonably suspects that Evans Kahn has close ties with the former Dark Lord Gellert Grindelwald. According to reliable evidence, half a month ago, this Professor Kahn personally visited the magical history expert, Ms. Bathilda Bagshot."
"Why would a magical creatures master visit a magical history expert? Everyone should be able to sense something suspicious from this unusual connection."
"Moreover, besides being a renowned magical history expert, this lady is also the great-aunt of that infamous Dark Lord."
Putting down her emerald quill with a satisfied flourish, Rita Skeeter picked up the delicate teacup beside her and took a gentle sip, leaning back in her leather chair with her eyes closed in pure contentment.
This type of commission wasn't suitable for her Quick-Quotes Quill. That enchanted pen could only show its maximum effectiveness during live interviews, capturing every nuance and contradiction.
But even without that magical tool, her writing skills were more than sufficient to paint a logically coherent and vivid story that would capture the public's imagination.
Tomorrow, when she publishes this explosive report, it should satisfy that generous unnamed client, shouldn't it?
Although she had never discovered the identity of the client who frequently commissioned her services, each time, that mysterious person could provide remarkably generous compensation.
Sometimes, when she encountered legal troubles or professional obstacles, she could also ask that person for assistance.
A very capable and well-connected client indeed.
And this particular target was also quite fascinating.
Recalling the extensive materials sent by that client, Rita's mind couldn't help but construct countless new plot possibilities.
This Professor Kahn offered quite a bit of creative space, with numerous intriguing rumors spanning America, Egypt, and even France. Unfortunately, he hadn't left any photographs behind, and reports without compelling photos were difficult to place on the front page.
Maybe she could consider obtaining some dramatic magical creature photos to insert there? Yes, that was a brilliant idea.
Thinking this way, Rita Skeeter opened her eyes, preparing to search through her collection for a suitable photo to insert into the report.
But as soon as she opened her eyes, she discovered that the originally orange-red flames in the nearby fireplace had transformed into an eerie green, and a pristine letter floated out from the emerald flames, landing silently at her feet.
Picking up the letter with growing confusion and carefully opening it, she found nothing inside except a single sheet of parchment.
Unfolding the paper with trembling fingers, Rita Skeeter's pupils suddenly contracted in shock.
Excuse me, is this Ms. Rita Skeeter living at 404 Whimpering East Road?
I am about to visit your residence to discuss matters concerning dangerous magical creatures with you.
Sincerely, a criminal expert with dangerous magical creatures.
The moment Rita finished reading the ominous message, the paper burst into brilliant flames and disappeared into the air, leaving not even ash behind.
The next second, slow, deliberate knocking sounds reached her ears.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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