The Magical World Cannot Allow a Newspaper Like This to Exist!

Gem of Desire?

Harry and Veratia exchanged a glance. Could there really be such amazing things in this world?

But just as Harry was about to find out what was going on, Veratia suddenly stopped him.

"Wait a minute, Harry." She grabbed Harry's hand.

"What's wrong?" Harry turned around and asked, puzzled.

He didn't know why Veratia was stopping him, but he believed that Veratia wouldn't harm him.

"As far as I know, items that can grant wishes usually come at a price," Veratia said, staring at the gem in Harry's hand. "And the price is an equivalent exchange based on the wish you make—have you ever thought about what your true desires are?"

"This..."

Harry thought about it and realized he didn't really know what he longed for.

So he shook his head and said, "I don't know."

"Then, that's the unknown." Veratia pondered for a moment before saying, "I suggest you discuss this with the Godfather and Headmaster Dumbledore before deciding whether or not to use it. What do you say?"

"All right."

Harry nodded and put the gem into another wallet that didn't contain Alfonso.

He also took out the wallet containing Alfonso, opened it, and shouted into it, "Alfonso! How are you?!"

"I've never felt so good!" Alfonso hissed happily. "Remember to give me some food, Young Master — Alfonso is very hungry now!"

Seeing that the Basilisk was unharmed, Harry was relieved.

When Harry looked up, he saw Veratia staring at him.

He was a little puzzled, but when he looked at his left and right sides, there seemed to be nothing wrong.

So he asked, "What's wrong? Is there something on me?"

"It's nothing," Veratia said with a smile, licking her red lips. "I just think you're very cute..."

"Cute?" Harry asked, completely bewildered. "Why would you suddenly say that? What's so cute about it...?"

"Aren't you curious about what my Christmas present is?" Veratia asked leisurely, her long, slender fingers grabbing Harry's collar.

"What is it?" Harry asked expectantly.

He thought Veratia would pull out a gift, but to his surprise, Veratia smiled mysteriously and pulled him onto the bed.

"My gift?" She smiled, took a rubber band out of her pocket and bit it in her mouth, then gathered her hair behind her head and tied it up.

Then, to Harry's astonishment, she reached out and pushed Harry onto the bed, pressing herself against Harry.

"This is my gift."

Veratia smiled faintly and leaned down to kiss Harry.

It was sweet, fragrant, and soft – that was Harry's first impression.

Although it wasn't his first kiss, and they had actually done it a few days ago, Harry still hadn't experienced it many times, so he was still a little shy.

However, he soon began to respond awkwardly.

Unexpectedly, under his clumsy counterattack, Veratia went limp in his arms like a noodle.

When Harry woke up the next morning, his lips still felt a little sore.

As I went downstairs, I remembered how Harry had been chuckling to himself last night.

"Dude," Ron, holding his knife and fork, looking at him with a puzzled expression, "What's wrong with you? Why are you standing there grinning like an idiot? Merlin's red underwear, are you under Imperius Curse?"

Harry remained silent, simply savoring the memory.

Sirius, sitting in the main seat, noticed something amiss; this was clearly a reaction that should have occurred after a breakthrough in their relationship.

Thinking this, Sirius spoke up and exchanged a secret signal with Harry.

"Wabi Babu?"

"Wait a minute, wait a minute." Harry gave Sirius a thumbs up, a genuine one.

Sirius proudly gestured with his chin toward Harry.

Ha, see? Your Godfather is still your Godfather!

After breakfast, Dumbledore also said goodbye, intending to return to school.

However, Veratia had no intention of letting Dumbledore, and handed Dumbledore a detailed plan for controlling sugar intake.

Dumbledore looked at the plan in his hand with a troubled expression, and tentatively asked, "Miss Grindelwald, do you think this plan is a bit...?"

"There's no room for negotiation. Your perverse craving for sweets has reached an excessive level," Veratia said firmly. "To prevent you from completely resisting the Tooth-strengthening Potion, we have no choice but to resort to this measure. After all, your self-control is extremely... worrying."

"Could we find someone else to supervise?" Dumbledore tried one last time. "I don't think Minerva is a good choice..."

"No, Professor McGonagall is the most suitable candidate," Veratia said firmly. "Besides Professor McGonagall, no one else at Hogwarts can strictly implement this plan. Well, don't leave yet. We need to wait for Professor McGonagall to come here to confirm the Headmaster's sugar control plan."

Dumbledore sighed meekly.

I thought that if I never got married or had a girlfriend, I would never be controlled by women.

But to my utter surprise, my boyfriend's older sister was so strict with me...

Merlin, what terrible things have I done?!

Barred from leaving the house Dumbledore could only sit on the sofa, listlessly reading the Tales of Beedle the Bard.

But it was obvious that he was a little distracted. While reading, he would secretly glance at Veratia or Sirius, trying to get help from him.

Veratia didn't respond to him at all, and Sirius could only give her a helpless look.

Around 10 a. m., Professor McGonagall finally arrived at Black family home.

Black family home, located at 12 Grimmauld Place, was originally a townhouse in London owned by a handsome Muggle.

At some point later, an early member of the Black family coveted the beautiful house and managed to "persuade" the original Muggle to move out, using Muggle Repelling Charm on the house.

Because the house is protected by Muggle Repelling Charm, it is invisible to Muggle. Therefore, the Muggle residents living nearby have long been accustomed to the "ridiculous mistake" of number 11 being right next to number 13.

But Professor McGonagall Professor McGonagall a wizard, so she wouldn't have the same question as the one about why number eleven is right next to number thirteen.

As Professor McGonagall reached the stairs, she was startled by the House Elf head hanging on the wall.

"Merlin's beard!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed, patting her chest as if she had been startled.

Sirius smiled, looked at the Elf' heads hanging on the wall, and said to Professor McGonagall, "Isn't that barbaric? This is a family tradition started by my great-great-aunt Eladora Black: when House Elf get too old to lift plates, we cut off their heads and hang them on the wall... I should say, many of the Black family home's House Elf are proud of this."

Eladora Black is Phineas Black's sister, and by seniority, she is indeed Sirius's great-great-aunt.

It's roughly equivalent to Cassandra's relationship with Draco, pretty much.

"It really is... really..."

Professor McGonagall glanced up at the heads of the Elf with lingering fear, but her good upbringing ultimately prevented her from commenting on their behavior.

You can't criticize someone's ancestors in front of their descendants, can you?

"But I admire her," Sirius said again, "I admire my great-great-aunt Eladora, who could come up with such a twisted method..."

"This isn't perverted; he's just young master recently managed to turn his reputation around in front of the mistress."

A frog-like voice suddenly appeared, and Sirius knew without looking that it was Kritcher.

"Merlin, is that Inferi?"

Professor McGonagall was startled again. She looked closely and felt that the Inferi looked somewhat familiar.

"This..." Professor McGonagall frowned and said, "He...he is Regulus Black?"

"Kritcher!" Sirius shouted, "Why did you bring him out! Take him back right now!"

Kritcher mumbled something about letting his Young Master soak up the sunshine and that taking a walk was good for his health, completely oblivious to the fact that his Young Master was about to open his mouth and bite him.

But every time Regulus bites, Kritcher manages to dodge it at an unscientific angle.

"As you can see, Professor McGonagall," Sirius sighed, "This is my brother Regulus... He... well, we only recently learned that he's not a Death Eater, but a good boy who infiltrated the Dark Lord Dark Lord's inner circle, waiting for an opportunity to severely damage him... a hero."

Sirius then recounted Regulus's deeds to Professor McGonagall in great detail.

However, he failed to notice a small black beetle perched not far away, its eyes gleaming with an eerie light.

"Oh, Merlin's socks..."

The empathetic Professor Cat clutched his collar, large tears streaming down his face. "This child... how could this child be so foolish, yet so kind... I truly cannot believe that a wizard from a Pure-blood family could harbor such love for Elf, a race considered lowly by pure-blood wizard... I never imagined he would betray the Dark Lord..."

"Sigh..." Sirius sighed as well. "That's how things are, but we have another important thing to do now."

"Is it about Regulus?" Professor McGonagall wiped her tears with a handkerchief. "Just tell me, Sirius. After all, I was once Regulus's professor. I'll do whatever I can to help you."

"It's not about Regulus, but Miss Grindelwald has something important to tell you. We had a preliminary discussion about it last night..."

As soon as Sirius finished speaking, Professor McGonagall remembered what had happened.

She nodded and said to Sirius, "If that's the case, I think we should see Miss Grindelwald now without delay."

As they walked into the Living Room, Professor McGonagall saw Veratia sitting in a chair, engrossed in reading; Dumbledore, looking dejected but pretending to read; and Ron, quietly explaining the basic principles of Wizard Chess to Hermione.

Good morning, Professor McGonagall.

Hermione was the first to notice Professor McGonagall's arrival, and as a Gryffindor student, she naturally took the initiative to greet her.

Moreover, Professor McGonagall had always liked her very much.

"Oh, it's Hermione. Good morning to you too." Professor McGonagall nodded slightly and, after greeting everyone in the room, sat down next to Veratia, directly opposite Dumbledore.

Dumbledore picked up the book and held it to his face, trying to prevent Professor McGonagall from seeing his face.

"This is the plan I've come up with." Veratia took out a few sheets of paper and handed them to Professor McGonagall. "Look, Professor, this contains a detailed plan for controlling sugar intake, to prevent Professor Dumbledore from having any problems due to excessive sugar consumption."

Professor McGonagall took the plan, read it carefully, and nodded approvingly, saying, "I think this plan is very reasonable. People like Dumbledore who have developed resistance to the Tooth-strengthening Potion must have their sugar intake strictly controlled. I think your plan is feasible. In addition, I accept your suggestion that I be the one to carry out this plan."

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall." Veratia stood up and bowed to Professor McGonagall.

"It's what I should do, Miss Grindelwald."

Professor McGonagall, unaware of Veratia's true identity, was still lamenting, "If only Miss Grindelwald were a Gryffindor..."

What a pity, what a pity...

The plan was successful and received the approval of the vast majority of people, except for one person who opposed it: Dumbledore.

But his objections were ineffective. Whether it was based on the principle of majority rule or the principle that might makes right, he had to obey the arrangements of the meeting organized by the school board member led by Pabbie.

Yes, the Board of Governors is nominally in charge of this matter.

If Dumbledore, without his Star Moon Pajamas, still had the strength to fight Veratia, now weakened by Voldemort's Charms, Dumbledore is utterly powerless against his sister-in-law's... no, sister-in-law... no, anyway, Veratia's sugar control plan.

After successfully completing the plan, Professor McGonagall, unable to resist Sirius's enthusiastic invitation, stayed at Grimmauld Place, Number 12 for lunch.

"Let's toast to this plan!" Pabbie suggested first, though she was just enjoying the drama and couldn't drink anyway.

"It's for Headmaster Dumbledore's health," Veratia corrected. "Cheers—"

The world where only Headmaster Dumbledore injured has been achieved.

After lunch, Professor McGonagall hurriedly left, intending to return to the school to repeatedly instruct the Elf to strictly forbid Dumbledore from consuming any sugar.

From now on, all the sweets and honey specially provided in the Headmaster's Office will be canceled.

That evening, Veratia came to Harry's room again, much to Harry's delight.

The next morning, Sirius, who was reading the newspaper in the restaurant, angrily threw the newspaper on the table.

"I'm furious!" he roared angrily. "What the hell does this Daily Prophet mean?!"

"What's wrong?" Cassandra put down her papaya milk and asked with a frown.

She learned this recipe from an unknown medical book by Ceres. She didn't know if it would work, but she would use it for the time being.

As for Potions... if she doesn't even consider using Potions for the time being, then that proves she's lost.

Sirius angrily shoved the newspaper at Cassandra, Cassandra frowned after reading it.

"What's wrong?" Veratia leaned closer, and after glancing at the contents of the newspaper, her face suddenly darkened.

She never imagined that the Daily Prophet would not only fabricate stories about Regulus, but also about Harry and her—saying that she used her age to seduce the Savior Harry Potter.

"So what's written here is true?" Cassandra looked at Veratia with a half-smile.

Veratia narrowed her eyes and said coldly, "I want to know, how does the Daily Prophet know about what happened at Grimmauld Place, Number 12?"

She slammed the milk in her hand on the table and looked around at it.

She first focused her attention on Dumbledore.

"Don't look at me, Miss Grindelwald," Dumbledore smiled and said to her, "You know I didn't leave this room at all yesterday."

"I don't doubt you, Dumbledore," Veratia said, her expression still indifferent. "I'm simply asking you, what backing does the Daily Prophet have? Why does it dare to spread such rumors in the paper?"

"As far as I know, they have no powerful backers," Dumbledore said confidently.

"That's strange. Why would such a newspaper exist in the British wizarding world?" Veratia tapped the table. "I won't allow it, absolutely not— the British wizarding world won't tolerate the existence of a newspaper that disregards facts and fabricates stories!"

"But why does the Daily Prophet know so much about what happened at Black family home?" Hermione asked, frowning. "No, I don't think it's that simple. It must be..."

"There's a mole?!" Ron continued, following Hermione's lead.

"No." Hermione rested her chin on her hand, paced back and forth a couple of times, and said to Ron, "During this time, the only Sirius who went in and out of Grimmauld Place, Number 12 were Sirius, Harry, Professor Snape, and Harry; firstly, Sirius and Harry would never be so bored as to tell the Daily Prophet about these things; secondly, although Professor Snape liked to target Sirius, he wouldn't do this—if the newspapers from a few days ago were suspicious, then today's newspapers clear Professor Snape of suspicion, because he couldn't possibly not be here and yet know firsthand information about this place."

"Finally, Professor McGonagall is even less likely to do such a thing, so... I have a guess..."

At this point, Hermione walked over to Veratia and whispered something in her ear.

Veratia's expression gradually softened, and she glanced at Hermione, asking, "How confident are you?"

"It's practically certain," Hermione said confidently. "There's absolutely no other possibility!"

"Okay!" Veratia's lips curled up slightly, confirming Hermione's plan.

That afternoon, Veratia sent Hedwig a letter to Hogwarts, this time inviting not only Professor McGonagall, but all four Heads of House to Grimmauld Place, Number 12.

After the four professors arrived at the old house, Veratia didn't immediately say what they were going to do. She simply exchanged a few words and then started discussing things again in the conference room.

From the outside, the conference room was bustling with activity, and Professor Flitwick, the dean of Ravenclaw, was even standing on the table giving an impassioned speech.

But if you go in and listen, you'll find that Professor Flitwick's eloquent speech is about whether to have macaroni or Italy for dinner tonight.

"I think macaroni is better than Italy," Snape said with a straight face, spouting nonsense. "If I had to choose, I'd choose macaroni..."

"Ha, you've been exposed, haven't you? Old Snot... Snape?" Sirius slammed his hand on the table. "You single dog, you must be eating this stuff all day long. No wonder your hair is so greasy, it must be from eating so much pasta!"

Snape, however, was not angry; instead, he put on a forced, insincere smile.

"No, I'm just single, and you're a real dog."

Sirius was so taken aback by those words that he almost choked on his breath.

Just then, Hermione suddenly picked up the bottle and casually walked to the door.

She moved with lightning speed, slamming the bottle against the door with incredible force.

A beetle suddenly appeared inside the bottle.

"Alright, professors." Hermione shook the bottle, letting the beetle slip inside, a victorious smile spreading across her face. "I've caught this eavesdropper—my hunch was right, she's an illegal Animagus ... A beetle, no wonder she managed to sneak in undetected, truly the perfect Animagus form for a reporter!"

Veratia appeared next to the bottle with a cold expression.

She took the bottle, and a cluster of violet flame appeared in her hand.

"I think these social outcasts who only know how to wield their pens to spread rumors and cause trouble have no value anymore..."

A vortex suddenly appeared around the beetle, and then the bottle was opened, revealing a woman in the spot.

She had blonde hair and a large face with a thick chin, was wearing green clothes, and looked terrified.

"No, don't burn me!" the woman cried in terror. "I'm still useful—I'm still useful!"

"Oh, what use are you?" Veratia pressed the violet flame onto her body.

The woman screamed in agony, trying to get rid of the flames, but found that they were like a leech that she couldn't shake off.

But the flames were clearly well controlled, showing no signs of spreading or even burning her body; they were merely roasting her soul.

"I can take refuge with you!" the woman cried out in terror. "Please take the fire away, please, please..."

"Name?" Veratia asked casually.

"Rita, Rita Skeeter," Rita introduced herself incoherently, "A reporter for the Daily Prophet, forty-two years old..."

"So you're a reporter from The Daily Prophet." Veratia folded her hands on her lap, looking very composed.

But what she's doing now is completely out of character for her.

"Why would you fabricate these lies?" Veratia asked softly. "I don't remember us knowing each other, nor do I remember any conflict between us. Why would you do this?"

"Let's... let's make a big story..." Rita said painfully, "That way the newspaper will sell more copies..."

"I see..." Veratia said, seemingly enlightened. "Just to create a big news story, you're willing to distort the facts and fabricate lies. It seems you still need some minor punishment..."

After saying that, Veratia took out a small bag that was placed to the side and put Rita inside.

After putting her inside, Veratia looked at the four deans standing to the side.

She stood up and gave a ladylike bow, slightly lifting her skirt, to the deans.

"Thanks to the deans for their help. Without your cooperation, we would not have been able to lure this cunning reporter into the trap."

"It's what we should do." The chubby Professor Sprout clearly didn't like the reporter. "You know, she's said bad things about me in the newspapers before, but I haven't been able to stop her. I'm glad and grateful to see you able to punish her now."

"Is that really true?" Veratia asked in surprise. "Does she really want to smear a professor like Professor Sprout, who is so dedicated to education?"

"Not only that, but me too!" Professor Flitwick said indignantly. "She actually said I'm not even as tall as two stacks of ' Basic Charms,' Merlin's height-increasing shoes... I really want to cast a few curses on her hateful big face."

"I'll handle her for you," Veratia nodded, then looked at Professor McGonagall: "And what about you?"

"She called me a wicked old woman who only knows how to use Animagus to deceive children!" Professor McGonagall's eyes clearly held a hint of anger.

"I will punish him," Veratia nodded in return, then looked at Professor Snape: "And what about you, Professor Snape?"

Snape turned his face away and snorted.

"Oh, I know that," Sirius said, raising his hand. "If you ask me, Rita Skeeter is way better at talking than James or me. She said the oil from Snivellus's hair could make a whole table of fish and chips..."

Snape's face darkened as he recalled unpleasant memories.

Upon hearing Sirius's words, the expressions of those present became strange.

No, Rita really has a sharp tongue...

"But we are professors, and we can't question her," Professor Sprout sighed.

"I understand." Veratia gave an OK sign.

Now that Rita Skeeter has been captured, the professors' mission is complete.

Hermione's plan was simple: she guessed that Rita just liked to create a big news story, and the sudden arrival of four professors at Black family home was clearly a harbinger of a big news story.

So this was just part of a scheme to lure Rita out, and it seems she's already fallen for it.

After the professors had dinner with her and left, Veratia released the disheveled Rita.

There were only the two of them in the room, and Veratia didn't want to damage her image in Harry's eyes.

Rita, who had been released, was already somewhat delirious from the burning of the Gubraithian Fire. Veratia didn't pity her at all. She raised her wand, Water-Making Spell gushed out, slamming her against the wall.

"Spare me, spare me—this lady, this Miss Grindelwald ..."

The moment Rita landed, she scrambled over to Veratia, begging for her forgiveness.

"It's not that I don't want to let you go, Ms. Skeeter," Veratia said, sitting in her chair and looking down at Rita at her feet. "It's whether you're willing to let yourself go."

"I... I..."

Rita was speechless; she didn't know how to answer in a way that would satisfy Miss Grindelwald.

Veratia didn't say anything, just silently watched her, occasionally picking up her teacup to take a sip of tea, seemingly in no hurry to make her request.

This pressure is far greater than anything Veratia said.

"Then I, I..."

Rita tried to come up with a solution several times, but she rejected it each time.

What should I say or do to appease this terrifying young lady in front of me?

No... it's about satisfying this young lady...

With that in mind, Rita decided to take a gamble.

"Please give your orders, Your Excellency Miss Grindelwald," she said obsequiously. "Whatever your request, I will do my utmost to fulfill it..."

"I don't have any requests." Veratia set her teacup aside, smiled at Rita, and said, "It seems you still don't understand what I mean..."

"But I..."

Rita's mind went into overdrive, and after much agonizing thought, she finally found the crux of the problem.

"I'll go back right away and rewrite the article—about you, Miss Grindelwald, how could you possibly have taken a liking to that Harry Potter boy..."

Veratia slowly raised her head and looked at Rita with the same gaze she would give a dead person.

Rita shuddered, a bad feeling creeping into her heart.

As clever as she was, she naturally realized the mistake in her earlier words.

Judging from this, it seems that Miss Grindelwald does not dislike Mr. Potter?

Thinking of this, the nimble Rita quickly changed her tune. "No, I think the poignant love story between Miss Grindelwald and Mr. Potter is absolutely worth writing about!"

After she finished speaking, she carefully raised her head and saw that Veratia's expression had softened, which secretly pleased her.

It seems like I made the right bet...

She continued, "Furthermore, regarding Mr. Black. Regulus Black, I think the Daily Prophet needs to reassess the matter... especially his heroic deeds in infiltrating the Dark Lord's inner circle. His heroic exploits must be spread throughout every corner of the Magical World!"

At this point, Rita carefully raised her head again, only to see that Veratia was focused on drinking her tea and wasn't looking at her.

"Furthermore, the Daily Prophet will do everything in its power to help you with anything you need in the future..."

Rita finally said through gritted teeth.

She knew, of course, what the Grindelwald surname represented, but there was nothing she could do, since someone had leverage over her.

Moreover, she had already witnessed Miss Grindelwald's methods today, and could easily make her die without anyone knowing.

Now that she's fallen into her trap, Rita has no choice but to accept her fate.

Upon hearing Rita's words, Veratia put down her teacup.

She certainly didn't just want Rita to help Regulus clear his name; she also needed the Daily Prophet to do other things for her.

(Requesting monthly votes)

(The last 4000 words are an extra chapter for the 50,000/50,000 monthly votes I wished for last month, and I've finally gotten my wish back!)

(End of this chapter)