The conversation on this topic ended with Amelia falling into a long silence, but Amosta's words had left a seed in her heart, which might one day sprout and grow.
The publication of Sirius's story was imminent, and the busy Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement invited Amosta to tea at Muggle territory was not simply for the purpose of cultivating friendship or discussing reforms. In fact, there were other things that needed to be addressed during their meeting here.
At the press conference a few days ago, Amosta's impressive on-the-spot response left Rita Skeeter, who was keen on digging up scandals to please the public, coming away empty-handed.
However, Amelia had warned Amosta at the subsequent luncheon that Rita Skeeter was a difficult person to deal with. She wouldn't give up until she managed to dig up some explosive news from Amosta, who was currently very popular.
And as predicted, the situation unfolded in accordance with her prognosis. Just the day before the Ministry of Magic was prepared to let go of Sirius's matter, Amelia received word from here.
It's now 9 PM. In the magical world, at such an hour, most wizards who are still out and about have ulterior motives. But in the Muggle world, the best of the nightlife is just beginning.
The sidewalk outside the window was crowded with Muggles to the point of being shoulder-to-shoulder. Meanwhile, a middle-aged wizard in a light brown overcoat, with a rumpled briefcase under his arm and balding more severely than Mr. Weasley, stood on the other side of the street, gazing blankly around.
Upon finally spotting Amelia and Amosta behind the glass window, he perked up, ignored the disapproving glares of many, clutched his briefcase tightly, and with a determination, fought through the crowd to make his way into the teashop.
"Good evening, Mrs. Bones!"
After much effort, the middle-aged wizard finally arrived in front of Amelia and Amosta. He wiped his sweaty palms and took a deep breath before addressing Amelia. He then turned his attention to Amosta, who was smiling faintly on the other side. Before he had even taken his seat, he whispered in awe,
"Wow, it's such an honor, Mr. Bryan! I didn't expect to find you here as well!"
"May I introduce you to Amosta?"
Amelia pushed the unease and anxiety caused by the previous topic down deep inside her, pursed her lips, and composed herself back into the dignified figure of the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, renowned for upholding justice.
"The editor of The Daily Prophet, including myself, an old friend to many in the Ministry, Mr. Barnaby Guff."
"Famous in person---"
Amosta's hand met with the stunned Barnaby Guff on the wooden table, swaying a bit before he spoke in a steady voice,
"Yes, I had to come, Mr. Guff. Mrs. Bones told me that The Daily Prophet is going to publish an article about me this morning, charging me with something, isn't it?"
"Oh, just the nonsense of that crazy woman, Rita Skeeter!"
Mr. Guff spoke excitedly,
"It's just nonsense, no one will believe that it's you who did it. However, it does cause some trouble. Rita Skeeter is well-known, and according to the rules of the Ministry, I cannot prevent her article from being published. Moreover, some of the views in the article might indeed cause certain public stir."
"She handed the manuscript to me this morning. Rita originally hoped to publish this article in today's evening paper, but I delayed it with the reason that the article needed revision. Then I immediately wrote a letter to Mrs. Bones... but, probably-- if there's no suitable reason-- in the morning tomorrow--”
Amelia furrowed her brow.
"Barnaby, tomorrow's headline should be the Ministry of Magic capturing Sirius Black on the run. You know, this has been bothering Cornelius for a long time, and he can't wait to tell the public about the Ministry's efforts to capture Sirius Black. This will make the Ministry, which gained popularity after Greaberck's downfall, even more supported by the public."
"I completely understand, Mrs. Bones—"
Mr. Guff's forehead was sweating even more than when he had squeezed through the crowd earlier, and he nodded eagerly in agreement.
As the editor-in-chief of The Daily Prophet, a newspaper with significant political connotations, he couldn't have been unaware that dragging Amosta Brean down at this moment was tantamount to bringing down the Ministry of Magic.
Although The Daily Prophet is backed by a pure-blood family, angering the Minister of Magic, who represents the interests of many more people, would not be advisable.
"--But, but, I-- I can't, alone---, Rita's articles always grab people's attention. If she doesn't give up--"
Amelia's brows were knitted even tighter, and a aura of authority exuded from her that left Mr. Guff in no doubt of her strength. The air was thick with this presence, and in the tranquil dining room where patrons were comfortably conversing, many turned to stare at them with confusion. They whispered amongst themselves, pointing at the window where Amelia stood, speculating whether Amelia Bones in casual clothing might be a high official or Member of Parliament from the Muggle government.
"So, Mr. Guff--"
Amosta's gentle voice disrupted the tense atmosphere Amelia had created. He leaned back in his chair, his composed demeanor as if the article by Rita Skeeter wasn't giving him trouble.
"I'd appreciate it if I could see Rita Skeeter's article first. Ah, of course, if that goes against the rules."
"Oh, of course not!"
Whether it was Amelia, who looked worried, or Amosta, who had a gentle demeanor, both brought great pressure on Barnaby Guff.
"Given that you are a senior advisor to the Ministry of Magic and an official of the Wizengamot--"
Guff, wiping his sweat, opened his briefcase and fumbled to pull out a stack of vellum papers, hurrying to hand them over to Amosta.
"They should be reviewed by you!"
The stack of vellum papers handed over by Mr. Guff was filled with wild, flamboyant script, and the bold headline at the top was particularly eye-catching.
Amosta Brean -- Hero to those who fight werewolves or a despicable Dark wizard?
Amosta Brean, who defeated Greaberck and his underlings, may not be the naturally talented upstanding wizard that everyone imagines him to be. He is very likely a dangerous Dark wizard-- A special report by Rita Skeeter.
As the public in the magical world cheered for Greyback's defeat, people were all shouting one name - Amosta Brean.
Recently, Amosta Brean, who has suddenly emerged in the public eye, has quickly amassed many titles that many people dream of but cannot obtain. These include senior advisor to the Ministry of Magic, member of the Wizengamot, honorary vice-president of the Anti-Sorcery League, philanthropist (referring to donations to St. Mungo's Magical Medical Hospital and the Hogwarts Poor Student Fund), and the only wizard recognized by many renowned magicians as a great wizard since Albus Dumbledore.
The numerous glittering titles dazzled the public, making them blindly idolize the rising star in the magical world. However, is Amosta Brean truly a selfless, upright wizard who bravely fights against evil?
The Daily Prophet exclusively reveals that while attending Hogwarts, Amosta Brean secretly broke into the Forbidden Forest late at night (we all know that this is against school regulations), and he severely injured two young wizards with cruel means. And on that terrifying night, nearly ten young wizards were sent directly to the hospital wing because of Amosta Brean.
Interestingly, this event did not receive widespread attention at the time, and there is reason to believe that Albus Dumbledore was covering it up carefully.
"That night, a terrible fire broke out in the Forbidden Forest and couldn't be extinguished."
A wizard who had experienced that terrifying event and is now graduated spoke with a tremor in his voice during an interview, saying that the wizard had been warned not to reveal the specific details of that terrible accident. But after much patient persuasion from the interviewer, he did disclose some astonishing facts.
"That night, someone cast an Avada Kedavra (the Unforgivable Curse), they said. A black wizard had entered Hogwarts, but there were no clues later."
According to the interviewer, the Ministry of Magic did not conduct a thorough investigation into that night's incident, and Amosta Brean, who injured dozens of young wizards, was only placed under detention for a short time afterward.
Furthermore, as stated by Mr. Amosta Brean himself, he completed the transformation of the incantation of the "Flame Unleash" spell two years ago, making it safe and reliable, but this reason seems to be unable to explain the terrible incident in the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts a few years ago where an "unquenchable flame" appeared.
In addition, last September, while attempting to capture Sirius Black who escaped from Azkaban, several Aurors from the Ministry of Magic's Auror Office encountered a Black wizard in front of the Black family manor. During the arrest, one Auror was injured by an "Unforgivable Curse".
Haha, rather interesting--
Ten minutes later, after reading all the text, Amosta raised his head under Mr. Guff's cautious gaze, a smile with mixed emotions visible in the dim light.
(End of Chapter)
