Rita interviewed several professors, but got very little out of them.
Professor McGonagall said with a stern expression that Charlie was an excellent student, disciplined and polite.
Professor Flitwick became so excited that he waved his arms about, praising Charlie's extraordinary talent and promising future.
Even Professor Sprout merely expressed her admiration for Charlie in mild terms.
Rita's ears had practically grown calluses from hearing such things.
What excellent student? What genius boy? How could such a tired, commonplace image attract any traffic?
She wanted explosive news—the kind that would set the entire Wizarding World ablaze.
Rita touched the Quick-Quotes Quill in her arms, and a shrewd glint flashed through her eyes.
Since the direct interviews had yielded nothing, she would approach from the side.
She needed to find Charlie's classmates and dig up some unknown secrets.
Preferably something that could prove this so-called genius had a shameful past.
Rita strode toward the Great Hall in her high heels, already brainstorming all kinds of eye-catching headlines.
<Shocking Inside Story: The Dark Secret of a Genius Potions Master>
Exclusive Scoop: The Unknown Side of Charlie White
Just imagining it made her excited.
There were not many people in the Great Hall. Most of the students were studying for the approaching Final Exam.
Rita swept her gaze around and fixed it on the Gryffindor table.
Three people were sitting together there, while two boys were playing Wizard Chess.
"Your move, Harry," the red-haired boy urged.
Harry frowned at the chessboard, clearly thinking about what move to make next.
The girl beside them was growing impatient. "Stop playing and study! The Final Exam is almost here. What will you do if you fail?"
Ron did not even look up. "Hermione, the exam is still many days away."
"Besides, we've studied enough already. We