Early in the morning, countless Owls flapped into Hogwarts' Great Hall. After circling above the students having breakfast, they descended beside their recipients and carried out their duties as postmen.
Harry picked up the newspaper an owl had dropped and began reading. Compared to the Daily Prophet Fudge had once controlled, Harry found that he preferred the Daily Prophet under Scrimgeour's control. At least its articles always put people in a good mood.
News that the Ministry of Magic had once again foiled The Dark Lord's scheme a few days ago and successfully killed several Death Eaters had spread throughout Hogwarts. The only person unhappy about it was probably Harry's Slytherin nemesis, Draco Malfoy.
No wonder Malfoy's face had been so gloomy lately it looked ready to drip water. Bellatrix was his relative.
Harry withdrew his gaze, took a sip of Pumpkin Juice, and looked at today's front-page story. He quickly spotted a surprising piece of news.
A reporter interviewing the families of those persecuted by Death Eaters had been beaten by a victim's relatives for making excessively inflammatory remarks. He was currently hospitalized with serious injuries.
The Ministry of Magic expressed regret over the incident and had already comforted the victim's family. Minister Scrimgeour declared that they would not receive any punishment, because their relatives had died heroically in the recent war.
The Ministry of Magic sternly reminded the public that Barty Crouch Jr., whom people had once sympathized with, was the true culprit behind The Dark Lord's return. He believed people should put away their ridiculous sympathy for Death Eaters and Dark Wizards.
"Pfft!"
Harry sprayed out the Pumpkin Juice he had just swallowed. He was certain it had been deliberate. The reporter had probably said something far too outrageous and thoroughly angered the Ministry of Magic, prompting