Written for The Forgotten Characters Challenge: Barnabas Cuffe. This also sort of goes with my other Newspaper story "Integrity" which is about Xenophilius Lovegood's work as editor of The Quibbler.
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Bought Loyalties
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As editor-in-chief of the Daily Prophet, Barnabas Cuffe was a very busy and grumpy man. Everyday he had to deal with his unruly newsmakers, scandals, corrupt politicians, breaking news, more scandals and of course, threats and lawsuits from the people who'd rather not have him know or publish articles about them.
"I'm very sorry," Barnabas said gruffly, as he finished getting an earful of shouts from a disgruntled celebrity wizard who had an article, detailing his extramatrial affair, on the frontpage of the Daily Prophet. He'd also received several Howlers and death threats that morning; all before 7 am. "But news is news."
"I'll sue your arse off you, you're going to regret this Cuffe! I'll have you ripped to shreds in the Wizengamot! When I'm done with you, you'll be out on the streets!"
"So I've been told before," Barnabas muttered.
"I'll see you in hell, arsehole!" the celebrity wizard finished shouting at him.
Barnabas wrinkled his forehead but otherwise kept his calm as he closed down the portal to the Floo network in his fireplace.
He knew that the wizard was very angry and might try to go after him, but he wasn't very worried. His home and the Daily Prophet offices were all highly warded and secured. And while this celebrity was a hot-head (who also couldn't control where he stuck his wand into..), Barnabas doubted that he would be a problem very long.
"Not like that Riddle fellow," Barnabas thought as he a chill set down his spine. He had seen the Dark Lord himself one night as, inexplicably, the powerful wizard bypassed his wards and found him in his home. Out of complete shock, both to see the Dark Lord returned from the dead and to have him in his home, he did the only thing he could: he offered Voldemort some coffee.
Shockingly, they drank two espressos almost politely until Voldemort told him what he wanted, and it was not the first time he got such a request from a powerful figure, which he couldn't refuse. At least, not without sacrificing his life first, for the paper's integrity.
"I don't want you to write anything about my return, Barnabas," Voldemort said softly. "I want you to pretend that I never even existed and that I was never here this night. If anyone tries to assert I've returned, you must have the Daily Prophet deny and defame them." Voldemort paused to send him a blood-chilling smile, as he held up his twisted wand, which had killed thousands of people. "You understand don't you?"
Barnabas nodded shakily. He didn't want his wife, family and pet Kneazle all massacred this fine early morning.
"Understood," he whispered and covered his mouth with his hands.
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author's note: This is my explanation for why the Daily Prophet called Harry and Dumbledore liars and defamed them when they said Voldemort returned. I think it's because the Death Eaters and Voldemort himself pressured them or threatened the editor/news reporters of the Daily Prophet to only publish articles that they approved of.