Chapter 51
As it turned out, Bathilda Bagshot already had a book written about Albus Dumbledore’s scandalous past and had simply been trying to find out how to publish it. Lucius had gone in Tom’s stead to visit the old woman, and he had gleefully offered his money to have the book mass printed and distributed to wixen communities the world over. Printing the books took a matter of days, and distribution was scheduled for a Sunday morning just over a week away – give people a whole day to start reading, then a whole week for the gossip mill to kick into action.
Lucius reported this to Tom, who gave him a sharklike grin in return. ‘Well done, Lucius. The Wizengamot?’
‘According to plan. Black is an excellent actor, I must say. Played his role perfectly. Potter is banned pending investigation, and Dumbledore will be under a microscope.’
Tom’s grin grew wider before he schooled his expression. ‘I have another avenue almost prepared, if you would like to wait here until Barty arrives?’
Lucius sat down quickly, eager to see what else the Dark Lord had up his sleeve.
Barty walked in a few minutes later holding a jar. He gave Tom a nod, and Tom began to ward the doors and windows tightly shut. Lucius watched on in mildly concerned amusement. What on earth could warrant such tight wards? He doubted a measly ant could get in or out of the room!
Tom gave a nod, and Barty opened the lid of the jar. A small bug flew out, thudding repeatedly against the window.
‘You won’t be able to escape. Cease your efforts before you hurt yourself.’ Tom – the Dark Lord said dryly.
Lucius furrowed his brow. Was he talking to the bug?
The bug came to land on an empty chair, and suddenly Rita Skeeter was sitting there, face caught between terrified at being caught out and trapped, and excited at the opportunity to speak face to face with the elusive Dark Lord!
‘Oh.’ said Lucius. ‘That makes rather a lot of sense, I suppose.’
Rita gave him a smirk, then turned her attention back to the Dark Lord. Before she could begin trying to sink her claws into something she thought might be juicy, the Dark Lord spoke.
‘What do you remember of your sister, Ms Skeeter?’
Rita blinked, off guard. ‘I don’t have a sister.’
‘Maureen.’
Rita’s body jerked backwards in surprise as she gasped. A hand flew up to her head as if she had a sudden headache, and she hunched over her knees for a long minute. When she looked up, there were tears in her eyes.
‘You remember her again?’ the Dark Lord asked gently.
Rita nodded. ‘She was a couple of years older than me. They sent her away because she was a squib – only I saw her doing magic!’ Rita looked up at the Dark Lord, confused.
His gaze was gentle but unyielding as he spoke. ‘She was not a squib. She had a Dark core. Your parents were fearful of what that meant, due to rampant fear-mongering by the Light faction, and so they had her magic bound and sent her to the muggle world to be raised a squib.’
Lucius and Barty both gaped, eyes flicking between the Dark Lord and Rita, the latter as tears streamed down her cheeks.
‘She is alright. Maureen was raised by you father’s cousin’s family. She is a teacher in a muggle secondary school – English literature. She has a remarkable knack for finding squib children. She started a little after-school group for them, under the guise of tutoring. She would be willing to see you, if you are interested.’
Rita sobbed, a hand flying up to cover her mouth. The Dark Lord sat quietly, giving her time to process. Lucius and Barty were silent, feeling as if perhaps they ought not be here, as if this was a painfully personal moment they should not be privy to.
After several long minutes, in which Rita cried, then tried to stop crying, then cried a little more, then finally managed to pull herself together, the men sat still and politely averted their eyes.
With a deep, unsteady breath, Rita looked up at the Dark Lord with red-rimmed eyes and smeared make-up. ‘Why did you bring me here?’ she asked, voice wobbly. ‘Not just to tell me about Mau- Maureen.’ She stumbled over the name, more tears threatening.
‘No.’ agreed the Dark Lord. ‘I brought you here for a very big story – but I need to be certain of your motivation. Hence your sister.’
Rita’s eyes sharpened suddenly, cold and calculating. ‘You intend to use her as blackmail to control me.’ She accused.
The Dark Lord frowned. ‘Certainly not. I intend to highlight the wrongs done to my people -Dark people – under the excessive power and control of the Light faction, and the harm it has caused. Your sister is one of my people. Even with her magic bound, she is Dark. I am bound to protect and guide her. That is my duty as Dark Lord.’
‘Then why didn’t you?!’ Rita snapped. ‘Why didn’t you help her?!’
The Dark Lord gave her a sad look. ‘I was not yet Dark Lord when she was bound and sent away. I was a boy myself. By the time I had the power to do something, it was too late. If I were to unbind her magic now, it would likely kill her. She has missed the opportunity for her core to grow in sync with her body and mind. It would be too unstable if it were released at this point.’
Rita slumped in her seat, the fight gone out of her.
‘The story I want you to tell is big, Rita. Very big. Likely a book rather than a newspaper article, although I would like an article put out as soon as possible, to keep the gossip mill turning.’
Rita looked up, interested despite her chaotic emotions. ‘Go on.’ She said, a gleam growing in her eye as the Dark Lord began to explain.
This was going to be a very juicy story indeed.