Harry Potter and the Burnt Badger

He didn't even see any anxiety or urgency in the performance.

…………

When Moon woke up painfully from the nightmare, the sky outside the window was already extremely dark.

There is no moon, no stars, only the cold and gloomy wind blowing constantly, twisting the branches of the trees into ghost hands, constantly climbing towards the window edge of the room.

As if to drag Moon away from here.

Under the dark and chaotic sky, everything was silent, which made him inexplicably have the thought of seeking death, and even unconsciously reached for his wand.

The fingertips slowly touched the handle of the wand that seemed unusually cold for some reason.

As if something was working in the dark, the dark clouds in the sky were delayed. Then, a ray of moonlight that was lucky enough to escape from the cover spilled down and shone on Munn's desk, reflecting a little silver. of reflection.

It was his pocket watch, the one used to tell Violet what he was doing.

At this moment, his hand that had already tightly grasped the handle of the wand suddenly retracted it as if it was suddenly electrocuted.

Moon silently climbed up from the bed, walked to the table, picked up the already cold water glass and drank it in one gulp, then sat back on the chair and closed his eyes tiredly.

I don't know why, but as he gets older, he becomes more and more likely to have dreams, dreams about his past life - dreams about Hu Zhaonan.

Everything is a nightmare, a disgusting nightmare.

On the left side of the desk lay the "chat tool" between him and Violet, as well as the pocket watch that had just flashed on.Moon glanced at the page and found that the words on it were still the last words Violet said to him last night.

"Good night, Moon."

This night was anything but restless.

He glanced at the other side of the desk, where his tarot cards were placed. Only one of them was pulled out and laid flat on the table - a devil card.

Ever since he pulled out this devil card on a whim before going to bed, this night was probably destined to not give him peace of mind.

Originally, ever since Professor Trelawney revealed the devil card last semester, he had been looking for a corresponding "prophecy object".The search was not that difficult, and it did not take long. He soon realized that Susan Bones' situation was exactly the same as the devil's card - being controlled, bound, and becoming a slave of desire. .

That was simply the best portrayal of Susan's state at that time.

Therefore, when he took away Tom Riddle's diary, revealed all the truth, and saw with his own eyes that Susan and her roommates had reconciled before the final exam, he thought that the devil card was The forecast is over.

It should be over. Susan has escaped from the control of the diary, and even completely broken away from the influence that Tom Riddle had exerted on her. She has recovered her lost relationships and feelings little by little, and has become a friendly person again. little wizard.

But the problem is that now, this devil card has appeared again.

Ghosts linger.

Obviously, either, the devil card does not refer to Susan; or...

The devil card may refer to more than just Susan.

Sitting at the table, Moon was inexplicably lost in thought, and even his eyes began to become dull.It wasn't until the wind outside the window suddenly started whistling that he calmed down, rubbed his hair, picked up a book from the side, and called out the Grimoire.

A pure magic power poured into his body, which meant that the latest spell, the Mirror of Tarkun Atip, had also been fully mastered by him.

He turned the page in the book and stared at the words at the top of the page, reading them back and forth seven times, but he still couldn't read any more.

Devil card, Hu Zhaonan, Hu Yueming, Moon, Violet, newspaper, Voldemort, Crow Party, Ann, Bear, Patronus, Susan, Harry...

The messy thoughts rushed into his mind crazily, giving him a headache.

A few minutes later, he threw the book aside and sat there in silence, waiting for dawn.

Chapter 2 Rita Skeeter

The sky was getting brighter, and in the morning, the wind that had roared all night finally restrained its impudence and became quiet.

Just after breakfast, the family chatted for a while and then went about their own business. Only Edgar, who was bored, stopped Munn and continued the unfinished business in the hall with the wonderful posture of Ge You. topic.

"So, that vicious woman Rita Skeeter will be here today?" Edgar tossed the apple and asked casually: "Tsk, I still think you should refuse her interview. Believe me, you will definitely regret it. Yes, that woman can write anything. Really, I even suspect that she was born to maliciously slander others."

Moon leaned on the sofa, rubbed his swollen temples, and said with a smile: "Don't worry, uncle, you are not the first person to warn me about this. Rita Skeeter's style , even I have heard about it for a long time. However, since I dare to accept her interview, I naturally have a way to deal with it. "

"What can you do to deal with it?" Edgar glanced at Moon suspiciously. "She is not a black wizard from the Crow Party, nor is she a monster like a basilisk. Can you still kill her?"

"It's definitely impossible to kill her, but I have a better trick waiting for her - if she does have evil intentions." Moon took out his pocket watch and looked at the time, then stood up and grabbed a handful of He took away the apple that Edgar had just thrown up, put it in his mouth and took a bite. "It's almost time, uncle, I'm going out first."

"Hey! You stole my apple and you want to run away?!" Edgar launched himself from the sofa, raised his hand and went straight to Munn's collar. But before he could grab it, Munn was already running away like a meteor. opened.

Of course, at the same time, he did not forget to wave goodbye politely to his uncle.

"Ugh-" Edgar curled his lips, picked up another apple from the fruit basket, and then wandered towards Quaid's room.

Moon ran away, and he could only talk to another person.

…………

When he first saw Rita Skeeter, Moon actually wanted to ask whether this woman was hot or cold.

She wears square-framed glasses studded with jewels, and her blond hair is rolled into large, delicate curls. When placed together with her slightly plump and wide face [Note 1], it cannot be said that they contrast with each other. Even weirder, but they still complement each other perfectly.But these can only be regarded as side details——

Dressed in a dark green, even shiny long-sleeved shirt and skirt, and even a small suit jacket outside. In this already hot weather, just looking at it will make you sweat.But she held an umbrella in her hand to block all the sunlight above her head.

Moon didn't quite understand Ms. Skeeter's dressing style, so he didn't intend to comment. He just waved his hand and told Buffy to leave directly - it was Buffy who just went to the door of the manor to pick up Rita. ·Brought in by Skeeter.

"It's a beautiful big manor, isn't it?" When he said this, Skeeter smiled all over his face and seemed to be very kind.

While greeting Moon in this way, she opened her crocodile leather handbag, took out a roll of parchment and a shorthand quill that was placed quite appropriately in the box, and placed them all on the Next to the handbag.

Then, Skeeter raised his head and looked at Moon. After he was sure that Moon nodded towards her and responded to her greeting, he said straight to the point: "Okay, then, Mr. Fox, hello. , I am Rita Skeeter, the person responsible for giving you an exclusive interview. Of course, compared to this identity as a writer for the "Daily Prophet", what I want to introduce to you is my other identity. .”

She extended her right hand, shook hands with Moon, and then said with a hint of pride: "At the same time, I am also a freelance writer and have published several biographies, which are quite popular among readers."

"Sounds very good, Ms. Skeeter." Moon shrugged. "But I don't quite understand why you would bring this up."

"Ah, Mr. Fox, you like to hide your clumsiness, don't you?" Skeeter blinked quickly, and his eyelashes that were painted too long flickered, making people look a little uncomfortable. "I've heard it a long time ago, you are very smart. , after knowing the big things you have done, I don’t think you can even notice such small things.”

"But since you asked, let me be straightforward. Mr. Fox, I hope to join the Hogwarts School Newspaper and become a writer for the Hogwarts School Newspaper."

Moon leaned back and looked at Skeeter with interest. "You want to join the school newspaper? Why?"

"Of course it's because the Hogwarts School Newspaper has a bright future. Of course, by cooperating with you, I think I can naturally get more opportunities to interview people who work at Hogwarts and live in seclusion. You might as well consider it, Mr. Fox, although the Hogwarts School Newspaper is now booming, in terms of readership, it is still not as good as the Daily Prophet."

"After all, most of the main reporting content of the "Hogwarts School Newspaper" is still related to Hogwarts. You have not included those articles from the outside world. After I join, this aspect will be supplemented. Not to mention my Readers will undoubtedly become readers of the school newspaper. I get the opportunity, and the school newspaper gets growth and more content, a win-win situation, isn't it?"

To be honest, although Moon did capture some of Rita Skeeter's thoughts from her self-introduction, he really did not expect that this woman would be so candid.

"You are absolutely right, Ms. Skeeter. I have indeed considered that it is time for the school newspaper to add some outside news. After all, if students can receive some news outside the campus in real time, it will also be good for them. Very helpful." Moon picked up the tea cup in front of him and took a sip. "But, based on what I know about you so far, you are obviously not a suitable candidate."

"The development of "Hogwarts School Newspaper" today is inseparable from my control and requirements for content. Credibility will always be the most important thing for "Hogwarts School Newspaper" to maintain. However, if I remember correctly, what you seem to be best at is using the Spring and Autumn style of writing to write some...'messy' content, using content that is stimulating, thought-provoking, and unique to arouse people's attention. reader interest.”

"Since you claim to be a writer, you should know that this way of writing news is completely contrary to credibility."

Once again, Moon was slightly surprised that Rita Skeeter patiently listened to what he said and never tried to interrupt or steal the conversation from beginning to end.

"What a cute idea." It wasn't until Moon finished speaking that Skeeter finally raised his eyebrows and said with a flirtatious smile: "No wonder we can do so many great things. Oh, my God, I can't wait to start talking about it." Your interview is over, Mr. Fox.”

"Of course, we still have to talk about the real thing first - credibility? Stop thinking about it. Compared with readers and gold galleons, it is just a trivial gadget, not worth taking seriously at all. Of course, of course , I know you are not short of money, but where are the readers? Where is your own reputation? "

When saying this, Rita Skeeter gently moved her glasses down, allowing her eyes to look directly at Moon without looking through the lenses.

"Can I understand that you are threatening me?" Moon rubbed his temples with his hands and lowered his eyebrows. "If I don't promise you, will you write nonsense in the interview?"

"No, of course not." Rita Skeeter licked her lips and put the tea cup aside. "I wouldn't do that, Mr. Fox. I know your relationship with the Ministry of Magic very well. If I really If you write nonsense, the Daily Prophet will just throw this article into the wastebasket. Don't worry, no matter what, your interview will be perfect, so perfect that you can't believe it, so perfect that you feel like what is written in it is not yourself."

"But you seem to have forgotten that my main readers are not from the Daily Prophet."

After saying that, she also leaned on the back of the bench in the pavilion, raised her left hand with a smile on her face, curled her fingers, and admired her bright red nails.

"Ah, Mr. Fox, you are such an elusive person. I really don't know how to evaluate you at this moment. With your handsome appearance, tall figure, and mysterious and weird legends, …”

Rita Skeeter suddenly raised her gaze, looked at Moon's face again, and said in a confused tone: "He is actually an extremely intelligent, yet extremely humble and fascinating soul. ?”

"It's perfect...ah, I can't wait to write these words down. Do you mind if I record my little inspirations from now on?" Her voice returned to normal, and with a snap of her fingers, the roll of parchment was already there It unfolded by itself, and the beautiful shorthand quill flew up by itself, leaving lines of records on the paper.

"I don't mind." After the shorthand quill had written two lines, Moon finally said in hindsight: "However, I don't think the few sentences you just wrote were very good, they were a bit too exaggerated. "

"If it were me, what should be written on it should be..."

"Moon Fox, a little Hogwarts wizard who doesn't know the heights of the world, thinks he can resist Rita Skeeter's public opinion offensive, and actually tries to reject Rita Skeeter's idea of ​​joining the school newspaper, and uses... Or the ridiculous reason of 'credibility'."

There was a hint of mockery in Moon's voice, "Ms. Skeeter, why do you think I'm afraid of your arrangement?"

Chapter 3 Arrangement

Rita Skeeter had been playing similar tricks and tricks for several years, and she rarely failed.

The reason why she is able to use such despicable methods without any disadvantage is simply because she always selects targets accurately and has a good sense of proportion.

For example, she has always clearly restricted herself on who can write and who cannot write:

1. Write less about real villains.

Dark wizard?Death Eaters?Voldemort?She is not one of those silly third-rate tabloids that publishes a story about a person who has done many evil things. How can she get as much attention as a person with a positive reputation?The sense of contrast is always the real medicine to attract attention. Rather than seeing "someone is talking about the unknown ugly past of a dark wizard", people's emotions are more likely to be stirred up by "the unknown ugly past of a kind warrior".

What's more, writing about these people is extremely risky. No one can guarantee whether the dark wizard you created will come to your door and blow your house up to the sky with a spell.

But what about the good people?You can pour dirty water on him at will, and they will just swallow your anger. At best, they will come to the door and yell at you.Kill you?That is simply harder than asking them to commit suicide.

2. People with too high status should write less.

On the one hand, there is a risk in writing about these people. They may not come to your door, but those who admire and respect them may launch a huge counterattack.On the other hand, these people are like a trump card in your hand. When your readership is declining and you lack the news and information to regain your attention, you can always reap miraculous results by writing about them.

In addition, Rita Skeeter seriously warned herself every time she wrote, to control, control.

Control what?Control yourself to never say anything completely, and leave room for readers to imagine.For example, if you want to arrange a story about a person secretly smuggling magical animals, then you must not directly write about his smuggling in the manuscript. Instead, write about his contact with animal traffickers in private, and write about him in front of others. He loves small animals very much, but behind his back he is extremely indifferent to them. It is said that he spends money everywhere with a lot of gold galleons in his hand, but no one knows where he earned the money.

Of course, it would be better if you could give a concrete example with a beginning and end, and take two photos that look exactly like what happened.

In short, you must always control yourself and never throw out the answer. The answer should always only be delivered to the reader's mouth.

Let them take the last bite themselves.

It is precisely because of these principles that Rita Skeeter has almost never failed over the years. Each of her biographies has received huge popularity and response. Everyone always talks about the contents of her pen. They happily discussed whether those things were true or not.

But most of them don't actually care if something is true, they just want a topic.

So Rita chose Moon.

It was true that she wanted to join the "Hogwarts School Newspaper", because there was now a faint momentum to replace the "Daily Prophet" and become the most trusted newspaper on those major events.And for Rita Skeeter, this is simply the best place to live - just like she chose the "Daily Prophet" before.

Big events mean talking heads.

Topics mean quality targets.

Premium targets mean buzz, fandom, and galleons that can fill a few mouthfuls of big boxes.

And if she fails to join the "Hogwarts School Newspaper" - of course she may fail. That guy Moon Fox seems to be like all the famous and upright topic figures in the past. He abides by the rules, even within the Hogwarts school. All school bullying needs to be stepped in to deal with.The entire "Hogwarts School Newspaper" has a huge amount of traffic, but it has never been willing to write content that is eye-catching and can grab a lot of attention. It is only willing to publish news there in a strict manner.

Rita Skeeter felt from the beginning that it would be difficult for her to join the "Hogwarts School Newspaper".

But that’s the beauty of choosing Moon Fox, isn’t it?

If everything is just a disguise of Moon Fox, and this little guy is just a hypocrite, then Rita Skeeter can naturally cooperate with him and use the school newspaper to increase her number of fans again; if she really If she fails to join the "Hogwarts School Newspaper", then she can directly regard Moon Fox as her next "high-quality target".

This is a person who is quite topical. From him, Rita Skeeter can pull out countless threads and then lead to many questions.For example, the most obvious one is, why can a fourth-grade wizard kill a basilisk on his own?

It is said that he is Albus Dumbledore's latest darling, loved by every professor in the school, and his uncle, Golov Shafik, is the governor of Hogwarts...

So, is it possible that this is all fake from beginning to end?Is it possible that Moon Foxx was always just a glorious image created by the promoters behind him?

As long as she writes it, there will be countless people rushing to buy her book tomorrow - there is no doubt about it.

Maybe some people won't believe it, maybe some people will find evidence one after another to overturn her argument, but so what?

Moon Fox may have many "fans", but his status is not high enough. He is not the leader of the Shafiq family, not the school director of Hogwarts, and not a senior official of the Ministry of Magic.The most powerful title this man has is that of "Founder of the Hogwarts School Newspaper", and he himself is a typical glorious defender.

She doesn't even get into a little bit of trouble, except for some fluffy curse words.

From the time she got up this morning until now, or rather just now, until the handsome young man sitting opposite her spoke, Rita Skeeter was confident.

For her, this meeting today had only two outcomes, not a third.Whichever of these two outcomes will make her a profit.

However, when Moon said what he just said, Rita Skeeter was stunned.And, soon, she began to feel a slight sense of fear.

She didn't need to see what her shorthand quill actually wrote, because the shorthand quill undoubtedly wrote words of praise for Moon Fox.As for what Moon Fox said, there is absolutely no way she could have written it in an interview.

But those were the thoughts in her heart.

The battle-hardened Rita Skeeter immediately realized the truth - she had definitely been given Legilimency by Moon Fox.

But here lies the problem.

How could she be given Legilimency by a 14-year-old, maybe 15-year-old at most, who had just finished his fourth grade course?