Rain poured relentlessly outside. Albert opened the umbrella Isobel handed him and stepped onto the rain-washed street.
Hogsmeade looked bleak beneath the curtain of rain, utterly devoid of any Valentine's Day atmosphere. Pedestrians hurried back and forth along the streets, and there were hardly any students in sight.
Albert paused briefly before the Death Eater wanted poster. The reward was the same as Sirius's old wanted notice: anyone who provided clues leading to the capture of the fugitive would receive one thousand Galleons.
But how much of this wanted notice could actually be trusted? The Ministry of Magic's credibility was terrifyingly low these days.
Still, exposing Voldemort's lair and letting the Ministry people walk into the danger first seemed like a pretty good idea.
Icy raindrops drummed against the umbrella and splashed onto Albert's boots. He stopped lingering and headed toward the Three Broomsticks with a steady patter of footsteps.
Because it was raining outside, the Three Broomsticks was livelier than usual. As Albert swept his gaze over the pub, he saw Lee Jordan waving at him.
"You got here much faster than I expected!" Lee Jordan shifted aside, making room for Albert to sit down.
"How far have you gotten?" Albert asked bluntly.
"More or less done." Lee Jordan looked at the reporter in front of him, signaling that she could ask whatever questions she had.
"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 was 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 before her was hardly short of money. "And this piece can't carry my