Rain poured endlessly outside. Albert took the umbrella Isabelle handed him and stepped onto the rain-washed street.
Hogsmeade looked bleak beneath the curtain of rain, completely devoid of any Valentine's Day atmosphere. Pedestrians hurried back and forth along the streets, and hardly any students could be seen.
Albert paused briefly before the Death Eaters' wanted poster. The reward offered was the same as Sirius Black's had once been: anyone who provided clues leading to the capture of the fugitive would receive a thousand Galleons.
But just how credible was this wanted notice?
The Ministry of Magic's reputation was frighteningly low these days.
Still, exposing Voldemort's hideout and letting the Ministry people clear the mines for him seemed like a pretty good idea.
Cold raindrops struck the umbrella and splashed against Albert's boots. He did not linger any longer, heading toward The Three Broomsticks with a patter of footsteps.
Because of the rain outside, The Three Broomsticks was livelier than usual. As Albert swept his gaze across the pub, he spotted Lee Jordan waving at him.
"You're much earlier than I expected!" Lee Jordan shifted aside, making room for Albert to sit.
"How far have you got?" Albert asked bluntly.
"More or less done." Lee Jordan looked at the reporter before him, signaling that she could ask whatever she needed.
"Ahem!"
Rita Skeeter cleared her throat and set down the parchment in her hand.
"Get to the point." Albert had no intention of beating around the bush. That would be boring.
"You can't expect me to write for free. At the very least, I need this much in payment." Rita Skeeter held out her palm toward Albert. She knew the man in front of her was hardly short of money. "And this can't be published under my name."
"You can be