Articles and satisfaction
It wasn't long before others knew. Despite Augusta's first reaction to her and James’ tea time. James knew she never could keep such a big thing to herself. She always loved to talk and gossip. That's why the Marauders had planned to give that little piece about Grindelwald and Dumbledore to the chatty Longbottom. The trio was currently sitting in the living room, Regulus and little Hadrian had gone to the Malfoys for a few hours. James and Remus were badgering their dog animagus friend on how the hell he got such information.
“Look, look. If I gave away where I got all my information. There wouldn't be a way to get that information. All you have to know is that it's from a reliable source that has a similar view we do about Dumbledore” the dark wizard said for the 3rd time that afternoon. Making James and Remus grumble but finally drop it. “Whatever. Whether it's even true or not-even if you claim it to be true Padfoot. It did its job and wiggled a bit of doubt into the old man's followers.” James started with a wave of his hand. Remus nodded along.
“And it seemed, despite how McGonagall reacted at first. I'm sure what I said will keep her thinking. She will at least think twice whenever Dumbledore says anything.” the tall man chimed in. Their scheming was interrupted by a knock on the door of asfalis choros ( greek for safe space). James looked at Sirius with a raised brow “is this the other plan you had in mind that you refused to tell us about?” the grey wizard inquired. The dog Animagus just gave a smirk and went to answer the door.
While Sirius went and greeted their mystery guest, James and Remus went and sat in the brightly colored parlor room, awaiting them. The two men did not expect who Sirius walked in with. The women gave a small bow when entering. “I want to thank you fine gentlemen for inviting me here! And choosing me to write for you” the woman was an up and coming Journalist from the daily prophet. Rita Skeeter.
Dumbledore! Leader of light? Or lover of dark?
Well my lovely readers. I have a doozy for you today! It is my honor to write for you about this! To bring you the truth!
As the title may suggest. This is about our lovely esteemed headmaster and chief warlock Albus Dumbledore! Now for the safety of those who gave me this information. The informants will remain anonymous. But I promise dear readers that the information I'm about to share came from trustworthy sources.
My sources invited me into their lovely home and shared with me some disturbing knowledge…
That our well esteemed lord of light, headmaster Dumbledore…was in contact with Dark Lord Grindelwald during the war!! Not ONLY in contact but lovers no less! Now I know this must be hard to read about the man we know to have helped us and bring an end to the war we are talking about. The leader of the order that brought refuge and safety for us all.
Now you don't need to believe me. All I ask is for those who fought and defended in the war to think. Think back on the events and wonder. There were many suspicions about how the esteemed headmaster won some of these battles. It seems puzzle pieces are falling into place….
When Regulus picked up the daily Prophet that morning. He hadn't been ready for what he had read. Looking at James who ate across the table. Who just gave him a knowing little smile back. Just with that, the dark haired man knew that him and the rest of his trio had a hand in this. “Dumbledores gonna have his hands full for a while it seems…” Regulus said as he handed over the newspaper to his husband. James’ smile grew wider as he read the article for himself. Humming as he sat it down, running a hand through Hadrian's curly hair “it seems Rita Skeeter is quite the writer. Sirius chose well. Was a little worried since she was still a bit new to it…I shouldn't have” Regulus just gave a fond eye roll and took a sip of his tea. He would have to show his appreciation to the other man in full later. He and his brother put in a lot of work for this scheme. Regulus would make sure they knew he was thankful.
As Marvalo sat the daily prophet down, he couldn't help but laugh. Snickering as he leaned back in his chair. Running a hand through his hair, messing up his usually well groomed style. Wide smile on his face. It seemed that someone beat him to the punch, the man knew who did it, no doubt about it. He was too amused to be annoyed about a valuable piece of information being public. He would have made the relationship between Grindelwald and Dumbledore public eventually.
So he did not dwell on it, especially since it was done for Regulus’ sake. He had many other things on the old man to use. Yes…no need to dwell. The dark Wizard got up with a sigh, fixing his hair. Throwing on his teaching robes. Making his way to the great hall. He still had time before breakfast ended, and he would love to see the look on Dumbledore's face. He couldn't help the sharp smirk that worked its way on his face.
He was borderline gleeful, which was a rare emotion for the man. Enough so that students Loitering outside the great hall gave their usually grumpy professor an odd look. The Slytherin was able to school his expression before entering the hall. Marvolo could feel the tension immediately, even with all the chatter of the students. It was more subdued than usual. His Slytherin students greeted him as he strode past on his way to the staff table.
Most of the other teachers were already there, an array of emotions and expressions on their faces. Mostly negative. The dark wizard had to bite his cheek when he saw Dumbledore picking up the Daily Prophet. It seemed he was in luck, Dumbledore would be the last to know at the staff table. Marvalo hid his smirk with his cup of tea. He couldn't help himself, side eyeing the headmaster with barely contained excitement.
The old man's reaction was subtle, but even with his amount of skill. He could not hide how he tensed from the snake at the end of the table. The way Dumbledore's hand tightened on the paper, even the small little crack in the man's glass cup that appeared. Marvalo’s eyes glinted. He could not put into words the malicious satisfaction that overcame him. It took everything in his being to keep his expression cool. His thoughts were broken by the transfiguration teacher leaning closer to speak to him. Their relationship never went past cordial, the dark wizard has always noticed the wall Minerva put between them. But it seemed that Minerva was up for conversation on this interesting day.
“Have you heard already? This bullocks the daily prophet has turned out?” Marvalo raised a dark eyebrow. Was she talking to him of all people about this? “Yes I have. I read it when I was getting ready this morning.” the dark wizard said in a low tone. The light witch looked troubled, like a battle of wills and different beliefs. Whatever that werewolf had told the witch. Marvalo had been seeing that look on her face for a while now. When she thought no one was looking.
“I cant believe anyone would say such things about the Headmaster…so much had been said” Minerva said more to herself. “It seems you have a lot on your mind” the dark wizard said absentmindedly as he took a sip of his tea. Minerva’s eyes widened, seeming not realizing she had said what she said out loud. Clearing her throat and turning back to her food. It seemed that was the end of their little conversation. To Marvalo’s amusement. His focus was drawn elsewhere. As the Headmaster stood up.
The students' whispers fell silent as he approached the pedestal for speeches. The golden wings of the bird on the pedestal feeling more ominous than welcoming like it usually felt when Dumbledore stood there. “Before breakfast comes to a close. I would like to say a few words.” The eccentric man's words were as sweet and warm as ever.
“I have seen what the Daily Prophet has written about me. And would like to address these obviously false claims” the light Wizard said with a soft unassuming smile. Marvalo raised a brow.
“These alleged claims are fake. It seems a few things have been said about me that are not true.” Dumbledore said solemnly. “There are still witches and wizards out there…allied with the dark Lord Grindelwald. People who still wish to cause harm. Even with Grindelwald defeated by me.”
The elder emphasized his last words, that he had defeated the dark lord himself. “There are still dark wizards wanting to slander those who stood against them.” Marvalo rolled his eyes internally. Talking about dark wizards like they were the only ones that allied with Grindelwald. There were accounts of light wizards on his side as well. But of course that was buried, not told to the public. “So please, if people are telling lies. Tell us immediately. We can not let Grindelwalds influence continue to fester.” Dumbledore said imploringly. Only stepping away from the pedestal when he got nods from some of the students and murmurs of acknowledgment.
It seemed it was enough to satisfy the staff and older students for now. At least on the surface. Marvalo could see the discontent in some of the dark aligned children and staff, including himself. The anger at being alienated once more by the lord of light. It made the Slytherin head of house cringe inwardly. He would talk to his Slytherins that night in the common room. He didn't need vengeful snakes looking for trouble, as much as he would enjoy the entertainment.
A few days had passed after that article was published. Many controversies were opened up and argued. And many families that aligned with Dumbledore came out of the works to defend the light lord. Notably the Diggorys and the Weasleys. And soon enough even Dumbledore came out with a public speech. Much like the one he gave to the students at Hogwarts.
It settled people at least for now. Of course it wouldn't last forever but the public stopped talking about it so openly. Regulus and Sirius even got an unnervingly amused letter from their mentor. Commending Regulus’ lover for his smart planning.
The lover in question was at the ministry. Having had to deal with his mountain of paperwork for a business he was endorsing going out of business, since the owner was retiring and giving it to him. James had been just entering the ground floor to take the apparition point home, when a small group of paparazzi spotted him. And like the rabid drama hounds they were, approached him almost immediately. James was usually good at avoiding them, having dealt with them most of his life, being a Potter. His family having come to Britain, the Potters were always a subject in the Daily Prophet. And it seemed this time they were hounding him about information on Dumbledore. And of course the ever present question of “why did you marry a man?”. You would think they would tire of that question after so many years of him being with Regulus. But you would guess wrong.
The grey wizard would smile and wave and give “no comment” or “I'm on my way home to see my son and husband” as answers. Hoping it would satisfy the vultures, but to no avail. It was these moments he regretted supporting Dumbldore, albeit rarely, in public. It took so long Arthur Weasly who was usually at work late, had come down to the ground floor. Seemingly on his way home as well. James had just escaped from the paparazzi when he bumped into Arthur. Mumbling sorrys. “Alls alright, just glad you were able to get away from those wizards! A mess they are” James cringed at the mention of it. “Yeah..they can be…” James trailed off. Arthur gave a reassuring smile. “They have been hounding me as well, I know your pain it seems now. I never knew they were so tenacious until well….” Arthur and Molly had openly defended Dumbledore.
And were no doubt being hounded as well for information. It was probably new for the Weasley. Given his stressed expression. James clapped him on the shoulder. “Don't let it get to you mate. Just smile and wave until they are satisfied. And don't give them anything. You give an inch, they'll take a mile. Trust me” James offered. The man annoyed James by coming to the defense of Dumbledore, but they were in school together. James knew Arthur only meant well.
“Thanks, that actually helps. Molly has been so frazzled lately. Oh! I heard you mention your son. How is the young boy?” Arthur suddenly changed the subject. He always has been all over the place. And James was always happy to talk about his son.
“He's been doing good! We have been talking about his second birthday. I know it's still a few months away. But me and Regulus have been so excited” Arthur laughed heartily at that. “Me and my Molly have been the same way. We make our kids' first two birthdays memorable for us. Our Ronald just had his second birthday in March!” They both gushed over their children. James hasn't felt this happy to talk about his son to another dad. It was nice talking to Frank or Lucious, but it felt different with Arthur. Maybe because the other man had so many kids.
Which made James bring up his next offer “hey! Why not bring your youngest to Haris' birthday. Me and the Longbottoms are going to have a joint birthday party with their son Neville. I'm sure they would love to have you” Arthur looked stunned for a moment. Not expecting to be offered such a thing. Arthur came from a light family. And knew James regularly associated with dark wizards, since his husband was one. But there would be quite a few light families there as well. “Maybe…send me an owl nearing the birthday party and I'll see if Molly agrees!” Arthur said with obvious nervousness. James knew Arthur would feel this way. But wanted to extend an invitation. Maybe it could help him open up to dark families.
They parted ways with promises of exchanging letters over the next months coming up to Hadrian and Neville's birthday party. James arrives in a good mood home, despite being home late. Regulus and Hadrian were already eating dinner at this point. The dark wizard looked up, looking relieved to see James home. “Sorry I'm late love. I had a run in with the press and then bumped into Arthur Weasly. Then we dissolved into talking about our kids. And you know how i can get”
James said a little bashfully as he sat down at their small family table for dinner. Regulus chuckled softly. Knowing his husband had the habit of rambling about Hadrian. The child in question is eating his food and talking to himself. “Oh? And let me guess. You invited him and his youngest boy to Hadrian's birthday?” James’ cheeks went a little red. Regulus knew him like the back of his hand, it sometimes embarrassed James that he seemed so easy to read.
“Yeah…I did. He said he would talk to his wife. He looked kind of nervous but I think he’ll agree” James said hopefully. Regulus smiled wider. Nodding in agreement. Even if Molly won't like it. There will be light families there, and their kids need more socializing then just amongst each other.