Eira sat at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall, enjoying her breakfast in the soft morning light that streamed through the tall windows. Her eyes wandered across the hall, watching students laughing and chatting, savoring their meals. Most were happy enough, though a few in Hufflepuff and Slytherin still wore the badges Draco had distributed the day before. The words stamped across them—Potter Stinks—stood out sharply.
Even the honest, kind-hearted Hufflepuffs wore the badges proudly, as if compelled by some unspoken school tradition. At the Gryffindor table, Harry's eyes narrowed at the sight, his face growing red with irritation. He shot furious glances toward Draco, who sat smugly at the Slytherin table, clearly enjoying every moment. From time to time, Draco would catch Harry's gaze and make mocking expressions, his lips curling into a grin meant to provoke and frustrate.
Draco's laughter rang loudly across the hall, blending with the whispers and chuckles of his classmates. Every sneer, every gesture was a calculated effort to torment Harry. Eira shook her head slightly, rolling her eyes at the childish rivalry. Picking up her goblet of mango juice, she took a slow sip, letting the sweetness calm her morning thoughts.
Suddenly, a flurry of wings echoed across the hall. Owls swooped gracefully from above, each carrying letters, packages, or newspapers. Eira watched as they dropped their deliveries neatly in front of the students. One small brown owl, feathers ruffling in the wind, glided down and dropped a letter directly in front of her. She quickly caught it, careful not to let it spill into her breakfast.
The letter bore Emma's familiar handwriting. Eira carefully broke the seal and unfolded the parchment. The paper was crisp, and the elegant script conveyed the same meticulousness Emma always applied to her correspondence. She leaned slightly closer, scanning the words, her eyes moving quickly over each line.
The letter contained updates about the order Eira had placed the previous day, detailing how Emma had begun coordinating its execution. Instructions, confirmations, and a few notes of precaution filled the page. Eira read with a focused intensity, her breakfast momentarily forgotten as she absorbed every detail.
{ Hogwarts, Scotland
Delivered by owl, first thing this morning
My Lady Eira,
I write to inform you that all arrangements will proceed exactly as you commanded. You need not concern yourself with any details beyond your instructions; I will see to everything personally. The handlers in Romania have confirmed their availability and cooperation under our supervision. Transport logistics, feeding schedules, wards, and security measures are being drafted, and I will ensure each stage is flawless.
Regarding Ludo Bagman, my lady, I must inform you of troubling matters. It appears that he has once again fallen into financial difficulties. From our investigations and reports from the wizarding financial community, Bagman engaged in a series of ill-advised betting ventures and loan agreements, ultimately failing to honor several obligations. He is suspected of attempting to use Ministry funds, including contributions from generous benefactors, to offset his personal debts. It is possible that his recent appeal to you was more self-serving than he let on. I will continue to monitor his activities and ensure that none of his schemes interferes with your operation.
As for the costs of the dragons' transfer, the Ministry had initially estimated expenses at 12,500 Galleons. After reviewing the details, I find that the actual necessary expenditures—including transport wards, specialized handlers, feeding, veterinary care, and security—will be closer to 9,300 Galleons. The remainder is purely padding from the Ministry, likely to cover their administrative inefficiency or, potentially, Bagman's personal shortfalls. Rest assured, every Galleon will be accounted for under our supervision.
Concerning the dragon farms, my investigations confirm that House White does not hold any shares in the Romanian facilities currently housing the dragons. However, we do have holdings in other dragon farms across Europe, which can be leveraged to support this operation. I will begin the process of acquiring controlling shares in the Romanian farms immediately, negotiating quietly and ensuring that we maintain full oversight. Once acquired, our personnel can be stationed there, guaranteeing that every dragon is attended to and that the handlers remain under our authority.
Everything is being handled according to your instructions, my lady. I will continue to manage both the practical and financial aspects of this operation, allowing you to oversee it at a distance without interference. I anticipate being able to provide you with the initial reports, complete with schedules, personnel assignments, and financial summaries, by tomorrow morning.
Your loyal servant,
Emma Bloom}
A faint smile tugged at her lips. Emma's efficiency never ceased to impress her, and knowing that the plan was already in motion gave her a quiet sense of satisfaction. She tucked the letter carefully under her plate for reference, her mind already plotting the next steps in her meticulous oversight of the project.
The Great Hall had erupted into the usual morning chatter, louder than normal as students picked up the freshly delivered newspapers. The clatter of cutlery mixed with the hum of voices as everyone leaned over the pages, pointing at articles and exchanging loud, sometimes shrill, reactions. Eira glanced around, frowning at the sudden commotion.
Her eyes landed on Tracey, who was holding the morning copy of the Daily Prophet. Eira's frown deepened as she noticed the headline sprawled across the front page in bold, sensational letters:
Harry Potter Speaks Out: 'I Still Cry Over My Parents'
Immediately, Eira understood why she had seen Rita Skeeter prowling the castle yesterday. The tabloid journalist had clearly been lurking in the corridors, fishing for material to turn into scandal. Eira took the newspaper from Tracey's hands and began scanning the article, her eyes narrowing with a mixture of irritation and disbelief.
The report was classic Rita Skeeter: exaggerated, melodramatic, and riddled with insinuations designed to provoke.
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{ Hogwarts' Youngest Champion: Harry Potter Steps Up
By Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has done it again. Once more, the Boy Who Lived finds himself in the spotlight, this time as an official champion of the Triwizard Tournament. Yes, Harry Potter, barely more than a fourth-year, will face challenges that most seasoned students would think twice about—and yet, here he is, poised and trembling all at once under the weight of the wizarding world's gaze.
The Fourth-Year Surprise
No one expected Harry's name to appear in the Goblet of Fire. While the other champions—Cedric Diggory, Fleur Delacour, and Viktor Krum—are older, experienced, and fully prepared, Potter is a mere fourth-year. Hogwarts students and staff alike are buzzing with questions: How did he get chosen? And more importantly, how will he survive? Some whisper of Dumbledore's favoritism, while others murmur about strange magics at work.
Tears of a Champion
During a recent interview, Potter admitted, "Yes, sometimes at night I still cry about them, I'm not ashamed to admit it." These candid words have sparked a wave of sympathy and concern among the public. While some commend his openness, others question the appropriateness of such vulnerability in a competition of this magnitude.
A Fragile Hero
Sources close to the young champion report that Potter's emotional state has been a topic of discussion among his peers. "He's choking back tears," one witness observed during a recent public appearance. This has led to speculation about his readiness to face the Tournament's dangers.
A Fame-Hungry Hero?
In a brief interview with the Daily Prophet, Potter spoke with the earnestness of a child, admitting to both excitement and fear. "I… I just want to do my best," he said. But make no mistake, readers—this boy thrives under attention. Wherever he goes, eyes follow, whispers trail, and admiration flows. Is this courage or the thrill of being at the center of it all again? Only time will tell.
Romantic Intrigue at Hogwarts
Potter's social life, naturally, has come under as much scrutiny as his magical prowess. Hermione Granger, described by some as bright but rather ordinary-looking, has been spotted in frequent consultation with him. Meanwhile, rumors of flirtations with the visiting Isaac Rowen, heir to the distinguished Rowen family of America, have already begun to circulate. Even Viktor Krum, Durmstrang's champion, seems intent on observing these interactions closely. Hogwarts corridors buzz with anticipation—not only for the Tournament tasks but for the drama that seems to follow Harry wherever he goes.
The Young Hero Faces the World
Despite his youth, Potter will now face trials that are dangerous, difficult, and potentially life-threatening. The Wizarding world watches, fascinated by this precarious balancing act between bravery and recklessness. Will he triumph as in his infancy, or will this Tournament finally expose the limits of the Boy Who Lived?
While the wizarding world waits with bated breath for the first task of the Triwizard Tournament, Hogwarts' corridors are alive with chatter—much of it about the Boy Who Lived himself. Harry Potter, now a fourth-year champion, seems to be attracting attention not just for his magic, but for his social maneuvers.
A Close-Knit Circle?
Potter has long been seen in the company of Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, the latter apparently struggling to cope with Harry's sudden rise to fame once more. Hermione, while described by many as industrious and brilliant, is said to be "plain but ambitious," and some students suggest her loyalty may be tinged with admiration—or perhaps something more romantic. Meanwhile, whispers of new acquaintances, including the American transfer Isaac Rowen, hint at further emotional entanglements. Is Harry merely polite, or is there genuine attraction? The Hogwarts grapevine is working overtime to determine the answer.
Flirtations and Rivalries
Even the visiting champions add fuel to the rumors. Viktor Krum, the Durmstrang prodigy, is said to be keeping a watchful eye on Harry's interactions, particularly regarding Hermione. Some speculate that Krum's competitive interest is not only in the Tournament but also in the young witch herself. Hogwarts students are watching with a mix of envy and fascination, turning ordinary hallways into stages for whispered conjecture.
A Social Butterfly or Overexposed?
Potter's prominence makes him a lightning rod for scrutiny. Every word he utters, every gesture he makes, seems to be examined for hidden meaning. Is he a polite, shy young man, or is he aware of the effect his presence has on those around him? Even simple interactions are magnified, suggesting a life lived largely in public view, where friendship and flirtation are inseparable from fame.
The Hogwarts Effect
The young hero's social life is now as much a spectacle as his magical feats. Students and faculty alike are captivated by the drama that follows him—a drama that seems only to grow as the Tournament approaches. Whether this attention is a burden or a thrill for Potter is unclear, but one thing is certain: he remains at the center of every conversation, and the spotlight is unlikely to fade anytime soon.}
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The tone of the piece was insidious in its simplicity, turning brief, innocent statements into scandalous headlines and innuendo-laden speculation. Eira's eyes scanned the paragraphs carefully, noting every exaggeration, every inserted rumor, and every deliberate implication designed to provoke a reaction from Hogwarts students and the wider wizarding world.