"For example, making sure it appears in more than just bookstores in England..." Wizet said slowly. "What do you think of that kind of help?"
Rita Skeeter's eyes lit up. "All over the world?"
Wizet shook his head gently. "It might not reach such an exaggerated scale. I can only say that I'll do my best."
"All right..." Rita Skeeter deliberately drew out the last word, a brilliant smile blooming across her face. "Since you've offered such generous terms, I truly have no way to refuse."
She gathered up the stack of parchment on the table, then tucked the Quick-Quotes Quill back into her crocodile-skin handbag. Once she had made sure nothing had been left behind, she let out a long breath. "I've already gotten more than enough. Merry Christmas!"
This time, she did not leave through the fireplace. Instead, she pulled open the door directly. When she saw the werewolf in the little garden, she even remarked, "That looks quite interesting."
Without Rita Skeeter's lively performance, the dining room suddenly fell quiet.
Xenophilius Lovegood blinked, seemingly unable to figure something out. Raising a hand, he pointed toward the door and asked, "That Skeeter... just left like that?"
Wizet asked curiously, "What is it, Mr. Lovegood?"
Xenophilius said, "It's just that... she put on such a whole performance earlier. Clearly, she wanted to pin a few more crimes on that Dolores Umbridge."
"But when she asked for your opinion, you only said a few simple words in opposition, and she actually stopped protesting?"
"How should I put it? It just feels rather strange. Whenever I discuss drafts with her, she's especially insistent on her own ideas. Usually, I'm the one who ends up being persuaded."
"Ahem..." As though he had realized something, he coughed twice and added, "Actually, it isn't