West Tower, Charms Office.
Professor Flitwick, who had returned to Hogwarts early, was sitting in a specially raised armchair behind his desk, intently reading the latest issue of Defence Reporter.
When he turned to the Godric's Hollow section and saw the death notice of the renowned historian Bathilda Bagshot, he frowned slightly.
The article even included a photograph: a copy of The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore, with a note written in green ink placed on top of it.
It was the note Rita Skeeter had deliberately left for Bathilda Bagshot.
Professor Flitwick had followed the matter when Rita Skeeter published The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore. Now that he had read the contents of Defence Reporter, he could roughly guess what methods that woman had used.
She really ought to be sent to Azkaban to keep those Dementors company.
Yet this was merely one grim reflection of the British magical world under Lord Voldemort's control.
Under normal circumstances, Rita Skeeter would never have dared to do such a thing.
Professor Flitwick turned to look out the window and sighed softly. "It seems Hogwarts will not remain peaceful either."
With Dumbledore dead, things were far worse than they had been more than a decade ago.
The situation had now completely spiraled out of control.
Just then, someone knocked on the door of the Charms Office.
Professor Flitwick instinctively picked up the wand on his desk and looked toward the door.
Other than the handful of professors who had returned to the castle early, there should have been no one else there.
And now someone had come looking for him?
Professor Flitwick closed Defence Reporter, tapped the magazine lightly, and only then said, "Who is it? Come in!"
"Sorry, Professor. We're disturbing you."
Harry casually pushed open the door